Blu-ray Review: Superman & Lois: The Complete First Season

The Complete First Season of Superman & Lois is available on Blu-ray today, and thanks to Warner Home Video, we were able to get a hold of a copy of the set to review! How is this set, and is it worth buying if you can watch the episodes on HBO Max? The short answers: It’s absolutely worth buying, even with that fact. Why? Read KryptonSite’s Craig Byrne’s review of the set below…

The Episodes: “Superman and Lois Lane as parents… how is that going to work out?” one might wonder. While Superman stories of the past may have focused on his origins, and one particular show focused on the time before he became Superman, this series is the first to really show Superman and Lois Lane as parents of two teenagers. Genetically, will the kid be more like Superman or like Lois? How does it work when the world’s greatest superhero and the world’s greatest reporter are so busy, and dealing with super family problems on top of it? That’s the core element of this show — the family — and the rest goes from there.

Excellent writing and direction with a unique score set the mood for the series give the show and its “return to Smallville” vibe a definitive feel. I was impressed watching these episodes on The CW but I’m even more impressed watching this show on TV. I feel like I’m watching a movie a lot of the time, especially in the higher definition that Blu-ray offers.

Another great thing about this 15-episode first season is that it’s like a roller coaster, with certain milestone points to throw things into new directions. This is best represented by two of my favorite episodes in the first season – Episode 7 “Man of Steel” where we learn more about who “The Stranger” might be, and Episode 11 “A Brief Reminiscence In-Between Cataclysmic Events” which will leave longtime Superman fans with a permanent smile as we see the history of Lois and Clark through this show’s lens. The puzzle pieces move around in satisfying ways.

Credit should also be given to this show’s excellent cast, especially the four actors who make up the Kent family. Perhaps it is because this show was filmed in COVID times and they were forced to spend time with each other regardless, but these four act like a natural family on screen. There is so much visible admiration in the performances between Tyler Hoechlin’s Clark and Elizabeth Tulloch’s Lois, and Jordan Elsass and Alex Garfin perform a brotherly bond that you know that even when the characters disagree, there’s a level of care that only siblings could have. The rest of the cast get their own moments to shine in these first 15 episodes, and they all deserve to be lauded for a job well done. You’ll see what I mean when you watch it.

Yes, there are the expected superhero battles you’d expect from a show that features Superman. But, there are also family stories, showing how ordinary people would deal with extraordinary situations, as well as how extraordinary people deal with the ordinary ones. It’s a mix, and so far, it seems to be a good one.

The Extras: This set features extended versions of many episodes as they were on The CW’s website after airing. These are usually a few extra moments in every episode, but almost all of these scenes that were “cut” add to the tapestry of the show. Honestly, I wish that The CW could just cut out a few in-house promos when they air the show just to have these scenes incorporated every week, but I guess that’s not how broadcast TV works.

Unfortunately, that means there are no extra “Deleted Scenes” as they are all just incorporated back in. It also might have been interesting and fun to have a blooper reel and/or some commentaries, but that doesn’t mean this set is without extras.

What might be the best original extra feature is called “Superman: Alien Spirit” because it seems to include some interviews I haven’t seen before, with the actors as well as some of the talented producers and writers that we haven’t really seen doing press, like Kristi Korzec and Katie Aldrin. The “Superman & Lois: Legacy of Hope” special that originally aired on The CW is included on this set, as is the original DC FanDome panel for the show. “Never Alone: Heroes and Allies” covers the Arrowverse — I mean, CW-verse in general and focuses on the support teams the different heroes have.

The Packaging: I like the cover art, so no complaints here!

Is It Worth It? YES. 100% yes. The show was already quite enjoyable, but seeing the visuals better than we’ve ever seen them before — or at least, better than I’ve ever seen it before — it’s like wow. And if you haven’t seen the show or want to recommend it for someone new, it would make a great gift.

Order your copy of Superman & Lois: The Complete First Season on Blu-ray from Amazon.com and support KryptonSite (we get a commission)!