Review: ‘Superpowered: The DC Story’

Review by James Lindorf

Warner Bros. tasked Academy Award® and Emmy®-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks (100 Years of Warner Bros.) and fellow Emmy® nominee Mark Catalena (Johnny Carson: King of Late Night) with crafting a three-part Max Original documentary series on the history of DC Comics. Bringing in Rosario Dawson, the animated voice of Wonder Woman, as their narrator, “Superpowered: The DC Story” examines the nearly 90-year history of the iconic comic book company in unprecedented depth. Success stories, blunders, and outright failures go under the microscope in over 60 new and archival interviews with prolific DC actors, creators, and executives. “Superpowered: The DC Story” will debut Thursday, July 20th, exclusively on Max.

Each episode follows the same basic presentation style as Iwerks and Catalena move us through DC’s history in a mostly linear fashion. To keep the attention of younger viewers or fans more invested in the Film and Television properties, the past is closely tied to the present and the numerous stars that make up the DC Universe.

Episode 1: The Hero’s Journey
For over 85 years, DC has been home to a universe of iconic characters and unparalleled storytelling, but its origins began with the brilliant minds who created a Super Hero trinity: Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. From survival to revival, DC navigates the birth of the sidekick, parental concerns after WWII, and a corporate takeover amid a struggle to stay current.

Episode 2: Coming of Age
During a period of declining comic book sales, a bold move resets DC’s entire universe, as the company decides to also take a gamble on a new Superman movie. While rivals begin to address pressing social issues, a determined DC introduces their first Black Super Hero and breaks story boundaries under their new imprint, Vertigo Comics, with the hopes of maturing comic books into an everlasting adult art form.

Episode 3: A Better Tomorrow
Tired of being left out of the conversation, a group of diverse creators form Milestone Media to give voice to marginalized characters and stories born out of their own experiences. After more than eight decades of history, DC visionaries look toward a future that is representative of all in their ever-expanding universe.

Amidst the sea of expected high-fives and self-congratulations, the series shines when it dives into the darker times. The misjudgments, the corporate takeover, the days when everyone feared the end of DC and the comic industry. The honesty Iwerks and Catalena were able to get from executives and creators at DC is remarkable and is why viewers should tune in for all three hours. However, it is a series that will be most rewarding to all but the most ardent DC fans if it is not binged. The similarities between the episodes and the sheer amount of information provided can, at best, blur together and, at worst, be overwhelming to the point of causing viewers to walk away.

Warner Bros. didn’t hold back when it asked people to participate in the project. Many significant talents from every level and style of production made an appearance. Interviewees included:
• Directors, Tim Burton, James Gunn, Patty Jenkins, and Christopher Nolan.
• Justice League members, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, and Henry Cavill.
• Icons from film and television of the past, like Michael E. Uslan, Lynda Carter, and Christopher Reeve, plus dozens more

“Superpowered: The DC Story” provides excellent information in each episode, with none outshining or getting left behind by the others. A single episode passes quickly, but the runtime starts to drag if binged. “Superpowered: The DC Story” earns a 4 out of 5 from me for its ability to approach failures honestly, for sharing a wide range of opinions from a diverse cast, and for doing its best to fill a slightly elongated runtime.