At no point did I ever imagine writing a CD review for Comic Book Daily, yet here it is. I received The Music Of DC Comics: 75th Anniversary Collection in the mail via Sony Music. It’s a collection of 31 theme songs and opening audio from DC’s cartoon, television show and movie library. Here’s the publisher’s blurb:
[quote]It starts in 1941, with the theme to the classic Fleischer Superman cartoons and moves through the years, including shows and movies like BATMAN, THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, LOIS & CLARK, BATMAN BEYOND, SMALLVILLE, THE BATMAN and a ton more, all on one compact disc – with 21 of the 31 tracks available for the first time ever. This collection is a must-buy for any fan of DC Comics and it’s various television, film and cartoon interpretations.
Tracklist
- Superman March (1941) – Sammy Timberg
- Theme From Superman (Album Version) (1978) – John Williams
- The New Adventures of Superman (1966) – John Gart
- Lois and Clark / The New Adventures of Superman (1993) – Jay Gruska
- The Adventures of Superboy (1966) – John Gart
- Superboy (1988) – Kevin Kiner
- Smallville Season 8 (End Title) (2008) – Louis Febre
- Batman: The Electrical Brain (1943) – Lee Zahler
- The Batman Theme (Album Version) (1989) – Danny Elfman
- The Adventures of Batman (1967) – John Gart
- Batman TV Series Theme (1966) – Neal Hefti
- Batman: The Brave and the Bold Theme (2008) – Andy Sturmer
- Batman Beyond (Main Title) (1999) – Kristopher Carter
- Molossus from Batman Begins (2005) – Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard
- Justice League of America (1967) – John Gart
- Super Friends (1973) – Hoyt Curtin
- The All New Super Friends Hour (1977) – Hoyt Curtin
- Justice League Unlimited Theme (2004) – Michael McCuistion
- Legends of the Superheroes (1979) – Fred Werner
- The Teen Titans (1967) – John Gart
- Aquaman (1967) – John Gart
- Swamp Thing (1991) – Christopher Stone
- Shazam (1974) – Jeff Michael & Yvette H. Blais
- The Flash (1967) – John Gart
- Green Lantern (1967) – John Gart
- Green Lantern First Flight (2009) – Robert J Kral
- The Atom (1967) – John Gart
- Hawkman (1967) – John Gart
- Plastic Man Comedy Adventure Show (1979) – Dean Elliott
- Wonder Woman The Animated Movie End Title (2009) – Christopher Drake
- Wonder Woman (1975) – Charles Fox & Norman Gimbel[/quote]
As you can see it’s a massive collection filled with DC television memories. I was surprised by the items I’ve never heard: didn’t realize the depth of animated features DC produced in the 1960s and 70s. Quality varies by track, the older items having some hiss that doesn’t detract from the listening. Without it we wouldn’t be as immersed in the recordings. This CD is a full trip of nostalgia.
The Music Of DC Comics: 75th Anniversary Collection
WaterTower Music and Sony Classical, 2010
