Now, this sounds like an interesting addition to old CD collection. Or to the iTunes library. Whichever way you collect and store your music. According to the Source, later this year, the WB’s putting out THE MUSIC OF DC COMICS: 75 ANNIVERSARY collection. But wait - - comics don’t have soundtracks! What could this music be from? It’s actually a pretty broad selection of songs from the whole gamut of DC’s multi-media library. You’ve got cuts from as earlier as the ’41 Flesicher SUPERMAN cartoons and as recent as the direct-to-video WONDER WOMAN animated feature. In between, you’ve got selections from memorable shows like SMALLVILLE, BATMAN BEYOND and LOIS & CLARK as well obscure titles like the LEGEND OF THE SUPERHEROES special and the PLASTIC MAN COMEDY ADVENTURE SHOW.
While the 60s BATMAN TV show is infinitely-tempting to hum along to, I’m really the most excited about the inclusion of John Williams’ SUPERMAN theme and Danny Elfman’s original BATMAN theme. They are, in my mind, some of the most rousing orchestral pieces in all of pop culture and their inclusion here really draws attention to the serious void of memorable themes at the movies lately. And, by lately, I mean the past 15 or so years. I really don’t get it. Understated and minimalistic have their merits, sure, but nobody’s going to appreciate them as the years go by like, say, the scores for ROBOCOP, TERMINATOR or CONAN. Hum just a few notes of SUPERMAN's theme and it immediately conjures images of the Man of Steel. At full blast, it made every scene that much more iconic. Without something like that, a lot of these modern successors seem woefully mundane in comparison.
Anyway, here’s the full track listing…== TEASER ==
Now, that I’m on the subject of these themes, I’d feel remiss not to share some clips with those of you who might have the misfortune of not being familiar with what I'm talking about. First, SUPERMAN’s theme, as performed by the master maestro, John Williams…
…and then, Danny Elfman’s BATMAN score, which is from when I believe he was at his most inventive. It’s really astounding how many things this suite is at once. Operatic, creepy, tragic, foreboding, dashing…
Tom Pinchuk’s the writer of HYBRID BASTARDS! & UNIMAGINABLE. Order them on Amazon here & here.
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