In a move that will save the avid collector time and money, Silva Screen have gathered the best comic book themes from TV and film and presented them in one comprehensive album, Super Themes. Across 33 tracks we’re reminded of new heroes and old; recent blockbusters such as The Amazing Spider-Man, cult TV shows like Danger Mouse and Heroes, and long-forgotten adventures: anyone else remember Alec Baldwin in The Shadow?
As a result there’s an impressive diversity which charts the thematic progress of the superhero genre across the past 50 years – from the gaudy indulgence of the 60’s Batman TV song, sure to have you giggling and reaching for the Bat-Shark Repellent, to the tumult of Alan Silvestri’s Avengers Assemble score.
Just as the landscape of comic book flicks has changed, so too has the music that represents them. The decision to include every theme for Batman (up to and including The Dark Knight Rises) and Spider-Man gives the listener a chance to examine how both heroes have evolved musically. It’s an interesting journey.
You can always trust The Prague Philharmonic to treat a tune with the respect it deserves and they don’t disappoint here, especially as the bulk of the album is made up of their recordings. Supplementing this is solid work from the London Music Works, from which spring many of today’s most exhilarating movie music. Only their rendition of ‘Strobe’ from Kick-Ass – better known as the over-used ‘The Surface of the Sun’ from Danny Boyle’s Sunshine – feels lacklustre.
A great buy for fans of superheroes and film scores alike, Super Themes has something for everyone. We put on our favourite cape and picked our five favourite tracks…
‘Main Title & Argo City’ (Supergirl)
A prime example of a score that outshines it’s film. If it sounds very Star Trekky, that’s because it’s written by the late Jerry Goldsmith, who composed the music for the first five Star Trek films. A stirring brass fanfare is supplemented by the rich heaving notes of an organ – not an instrument you hear a lot of in superhero scores, but it adds a feeling of ceremony to the affair.
The Incredible Hulk TV theme
Sure to bring back memories for those of you of a certain age, and with it the desire to hitchhike down a lonely road, The Incredible Hulk theme runs counterpoint to what you’d expect of a rampaging green Lou Ferrigno. Represent the loneliness of Bruce Banner, it’s a theme that’s poignant in its simplicity, as a single piano plays a melancholy tune against the silence.
‘Thor Kills the Destroyer’ (Thor)
Thor’s the only Avenger lucky enough to actually have a decent theme tune, thanks to composer Patrick Doyle. The majesty and fury of Asgard is summed up in under 2 minutes, as drums thunder like a charging warrior, trumpets blare and strings scintillate. It’s the sort of music that makes you want to pick up mighty Mjolnir… and then use it to put up some shelves, because you’re not a demi-god.
‘Love Theme’ (Superman)
The main Superman theme is also included in Super Themes, but everyone knows John William’s rousing chorus for the Man of Steel by now. Far more delicately arranged and under-appreciated is the ‘Love Theme’. It sounds a little reedy in the top notes at first, but it soon develops into a lush violin and cello ensemble complimented by brass and woodwind, producing a piece that evokes the Kryptonian splendour of Supes but has a delicacy and structure that will remind Williams devotees of his masterful ‘Cadillac of the Skies’ from Empire of the Sun (well worth seeking out if you’ve never heard it).
‘Molossus’ (Batman Begins)
More familiar as the soundtrack to the Tumbler’s first run out in Batman Begins, ‘Molossus’ is an orchestral juggernaut reflective of the Dark Knight’s unstoppable Batmobile: a non-stop roll of percussion and jabbing violins that sets the heart racing. Though Hans Zimmer has continually outdone himself across Nolan’s Batman trilogy in terms of invention and composition (it’s a shame his iconic Joker theme isn’t present), ‘Molossus’ remains one of his best pieces.
Released on Monday 24 September 2012 by Silva Screen.
What’s your favourite superhero soundtrack? Let us know below…