- Title: Superman: The Animated Series – Identity Crisis
- wiki: link
With a new Superman now out on Blu-ray and DVD every now and then I’ll continue to take a look back at the hero’s more memorable moments on both the big and small screen. “Identity Crisis” takes the opportunity for Superman: The Animated Series‘ to offer its own take on Bizarro‘s (Tim Daly) origins by having the odd creature be the first (and by the end of the episode the only surviving) clone of Superman (Daly) created by Lex Luthor (Clancy Brown) as part of his plan to create his own army of Supermen.
When we initially see Birzarro he’s a perfect replica of the Man of Steel who fools even Lois Lane (Dana Delany) into believing he’s the real thing. The episode also offers the unique opportunity for Superman to save Clark Kent (you don’t see that every day, for obvious reasons). Rather quickly after meeting the real Superman, the clone begins to dissolve into the creature who will become known as Bizarro (although I still don’t understand why his costume morphs as well?).
In an episode that is memorable more for moments rather than the overall story, longtime fans of the character will enjoy Bizarro’s trademark attempts to prove “Me Superman!” such as saving a building scheduled for demolition by throwing the wrecking ball (and attached crane) halfway across Metropolis or welding a drawbridge in place to fix it. Eventually the clone accepts his true place in the DC Animated Universe, but not before also proving to be a hero.
