Superman Vs The Elite (2012)

A rather strange Superman animation based on Joe Kelly’s 'What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?' (2001) storyline. I've not read the source text, but after watching this I'm definitely going to.
A small group of new ‘heroes’ arrive in Metropolis and help cut down the Big Blue’s workload, but their methods aren't sympathetic with his impossible ideals. It doesn't just use the medium as allegory; it goes full out and includes real world concerns in a fictional setting. It initially distances the origins of the unfavourable actions from American soil so it can use them as a critique of home, but by the end you’re in no doubt as to what the message is, while at the same time being left with a shaky moral platform from which to soapbox. It shows Supes in a new light, and that’s to be applauded. This one's not for kids.

4 shiny new pennies out of 5

Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam (2010)

DC Showcase short animated film.

Super bad guy Black Adam crashes to earth and begins to tear the place apart, then he begins to stalk a young kid called Billy Batson; not very suitable behaviour for a full grown man.
It's essentially a Captain Marvel origin story with Superman along for the ride (or flight), which ends up in a three-way testosterone battle. Captain Marvel was always good fun in comic form and has made the transition to animation beautifully.
Throw in some quick morality and perhaps a little lesson about karma and it’s another great effort from DC.

4 superhero talent scouts out of 5