Over the years, the CW stable of superhero shows have reached soaring highs and unfortunate lows depending on where each show was in their lifecycle. The Arrowverse kicked off the current onslaught with the Green Arrow, a character who was certainly known but not A-list on the DC roster. Outside of The Flash, the network has mostly worked with characters who were on the cusp of A-list status or below. It came somewhat of a surprise when it was announced that the network had given the greenlight to Superman & Lois, given that DC had made it such a point of contention not to have Clark wear the Superman suit in Smallville a decade earlier on the same network. The company is very protective of distinguishing their movie properties from television, but it is nice to see some rules relaxed in recent years. Many Arrowverse shows have lost their creative spark in recent years, but when Superman and Lois appeared in one of the many epic crossover events, it was clear that they were in need of their own show. With the first season in the books, we can confidently say it is one of the most exciting currently airing on the network.
What sets this version of the titular characters apart from the numerous other depictions is where they are in their lives. Clark (Tyler Hoechlin, Teen Wolf) and Lois (Elizabeth Tulloch, Grimm) have already made their bones in Metropolis, and more importantly they are already parents to two teenage boys, Jonathan (Jordan Elsass) and Jordan (Alex Garfin). Many shows have been hobbled by the inclusion of angsty, knucklehead kids, and this one does have moments of that, but for the most part the show quickly learns what works with the kids and what does not. The series begins on a melancholy note with the Kent family traveling back to Smallville to attend the funeral of Clark’s mother, Martha. While here, the boys not only learn that their father is Superman, but also that one of them inherited powers from their father. While the expected choice would be the athletic, outgoing Jonathan, the truth is that it is the awkward, sensitive loner Jordan who has taken after dear old dad. With Jordan needing the seclusion of a small town to wrestle with his burgeoning powers and the town being confronted by a suspicious entrepreneur named Morgan Edge (Adam Rayner, Tyrant), the family decides to stick around in Smallville. 
Let’s just get this out of the way: Tyler Hoechlin is an incredible Superman. With the stature to seem believable fighting evil forces, and the endearing nerdiness to make a loving husband and father, you get a really well-rounded portrayal that only grows stronger as the season progresses. Yet, as the title reveals this is no one-person show; Lois is a force of nature in her own right and is shown using her investigative skills to complement the good Clark is doing as a superpowered individual. As with the best depictions of the duo, you really feel the love between them, and one of the standout episodes of the season is getting a glimpse of their origin. It is not prolonged, but it provides a lovely detour in the midst of some crazy plot developments. It is also really great to be back in Smallville and have a dynamic between Lana Lang (Emmanuelle Chriqui, Wrong Turn) and her family and the Kent family. Let’s just say that potential romance between the two families did not stop with Clark and Lana.
This debut season really develops quite spectacularly over its fifteen episodes. While we love the crazy ambition of the Arrowverse crossover episodes, it is nice to have a contained story that does not feel the need to be tied to other franchises. There are some key developments tied to some of the Crisis on Infinite Earths madness, but those who have never watched it will not be lost in the slightest. This show introduces some elements that will make hardcore Superman fans downright giddy. To see a CW show featuring supremely cool deep-cut characters so well is thrilling. The developing storyline throughout the season with Edge is elevated beyond a simple interloping villain into something more complex which plays with what we know about the Superman character in really intriguing ways. We very rarely get to see Superman explored in this way on screen, which allows the show to quickly prove why it is an essential entry to the long line of shows about the Man of Steel. This debut season is a lot of fun, and the setup for the next season leaves room for a lot of exciting possibilities.
Video Quality
Superman & Lois: The Complete First Season arrives on Blu-Ray with a gorgeous AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its original broadcast ratio of 2.20:1. This framing along with the impeccable cinematography gives the show a cinematic quality that older Arrowverse shows cannot hold a candle to. You really feel like you are watching something on par with a DC film during the course of the season. The levels of detail this presentation is able to eek out is quite striking, as all of the subtle details in the production design are easily identifiable. The color palette runs on the cooler side with a focus on blues, but there are some magical instances of beautiful colors popping off the screen. Black levels are appropriately deep and give way to an excellent amount of detail in shadows. Skin tones appear very natural across the entire cast throughout the season. The special effects employed throughout are first rate and perfectly rendered here. There are no egregious instances of aliasing or compression artifacts detectable in this transfer. The Blu-Ray is quite stunning as it brings a meticulously crafted series to life in a gorgeous manner. This presentation is a visual treat.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray comes with an incredibly active DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that creates a truly enveloping world. Dialogue always comes through crisp and clear without being stepped on by the powerful score or any sound effects. Action sequences and more kinetic moments are given the appropriate power in the mix with a forceful showing in the low end. Ambient sounds are also precisely placed in the rear channels. The spatial awareness of the track is pretty insane at times, and the panning techniques are used to great effect. Special consideration should be paid to the soaring series music from Dan Romer. His work perfectly sets the tone for the story, and it creates a nicely enveloping sound that draws you further into the show. The audio presentation here is fantastic on all levels.
Special Features
- Superman & Lois – Legacy Of Hope: A 19-minute special which aired after the premiere episode featuring discussions about the character of Superman and some of the specific characteristics of this show. This piece includes interviews with Greg Berlanti, Jordan Elsass, Alex Garfin, Marc Guggenheim, Todd Helbing, Tyler Hoechlin, Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Sarah Schechter and Elizabeth Tulloch. In addition, it also included pre-recorded messages from Brec Bassinger, Jordan Calloway, Grant Gustin, Javicia Leslie, Nicole Maines, and Matt Ryan.
- DC FanDome Panel – Superman & Lois: The 28-minute virtual panel hosted by DC’s Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee featuring Executive Producer Todd Helbing and the titular stars Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch in which they discuss how this show sets itself apart from other depictions of these characters, how the crossovers feed into the narrative, inspirations for the performances, the complexity of the character dynamics, answer fan questions and much more. This is a fun piece where you get to see some of the personalities of the performers.
- Superman – Alien Spirit: A nine-minute featurette in which the cast and crew discuss what makes Superman such a special character and how he brings love into the world while struggling with normal human foibles.
- Never Alone – Heroes and Allies: A 21-minute featurette which goes beyond Superman & Lois to also discuss Batwoman, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Stargirl, The Flash and more. In this piece there is a larger discussion about the teams or family that work together in service of the common good. It is nice to get a perspective from various different shows. This was previously included on both the Batwoman: Season 2 Blu-Ray and The Flash: Season 7 Blu-Ray.
Final Thoughts
Superman & Lois is a really enjoyable addition to the numerous portrayals of the character on screens big and small. Tyler Hoechlin proves to be an amazing Superman with his Lois being just as integral to the series as the traditionally heroic figure. The show values family on a deeper level than what we typically get to see from Superman, which allows this to go in different directions. Fret not, though, as those with a deep affection for the Superman lore will be treated to some wildly exciting developments throughout this debut season. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has released a Blu-Ray featuring a stunning A/V presentation and a decent selection of special features. If you have lost confidence in recent Arrowverse shows, this show might be able to win you back. Recommended
Superman & Lois: The Complete First Season is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
