Posted by Brian Myers | Published
Throughout the 1990s, it was the best NBC sitcom Seinfeld prime time television. The witty humor and superficial characters take the viewers to the strange things that surround life’s seemingly ordinary situations. The “show about nothing” appeared to be about everything else, but also focused on the real-life interests of the show’s star and namesake, Jerry Seinfeld. A fan of superheroes, Seinfeld and his writers find ways to include references to comic book icons in many episodes, some more subtle than others.
Followers of Seinfeld they say that since the show started the writers have included a Superman reference in every episode. If you count the physical statue of Superman on Jerry’s shelf or the small superhero magnets on his refrigerator, you may come up with a visual reference for most of the 180 programs included. While the actual numbers of mentions and nods are much smaller than some fans initially thought, finding and finding these little Easter eggs has been a bonus to enjoying the hit 90s TV show.
Two Straight Episodes Are Highly Suggestive
The two episodes are almost dominated by Superman references. In the fan-favorite 1996 episode, “The Bizarro Jerry,” Elaine strikes up a friendship with Kevin, with whom she recently ended a short-term romance. As her new friend, Elaine discovers the parallels between her life with Jerry and the gang, and Kevin and his group of friends. Every person in Kevin’s life is a mirror image of everyone in Jerry. Gene (George) and Feldman (Kramer) are Kevin’s best friends, while Kevin is Jerry’s colleague.
Kevin’s apartment has details that, upon closer inspection, reflect Jerry’s interests in twisted entertainment. Aside from the building being shown, there’s a unicycle on the wall where Jerry’s bike always hangs, Feldman always knocks before entering (instead of walking in, like Kramer), and consistently stocks Kevin’s fridge and cupboards with groceries instead of emptying them. The cou de gras is placed where Jerry’s prized Superman statue should be. In its place is Bizarro Superman, completing Jerry’s reference to Elaine being in “Bizarro land” when she’s with Kevin.
The 1994 episode, “The Race,” sees Jerry revisit the running competition he cheated when he was in high school. His old rival, Duncan Meyer, is revealed to be the employer of his new love interest, Lois (as in Lois Lane, Superman’s girlfriend). Throughout the episode, Jerry says memorable lines like “I’d have to be Superman to do that,” and “Faster than a speeding bullet.” Theme from Superman (1978) plays as Duncan gets his rematch with Jerry, which Jerry unwittingly wins again. He closes the show with a nod to the 1950s series, The Adventures of Supermansaying the line “Maybe I will, Lois. Maybe I will,” before breaking the fourth wall and winking at the camera.
Subtle Nods Through Conversation
Most of the superhero references are revealed through the show’s dialogue instead of visual references. When George refers to Jerry’s new girlfriend, Gwen, as “Two-Face” (the woman looks completely different when the lighting changes), Jerry exclaims, “Like a Batman villain!” In another exchange, it is revealed by Elaine that Jerry is taking nude photos of Lois Lane. Another time when George refers to Jerry as having only two interests, Superman and cereal.
Two-Face, Batman & Robin, and Superman aren’t the only DC heroes mentioned in the series. On at least two occasions, Aquaman is the topic of conversation between George and Jerry. In “The Deal,” George wonders if the character was “waterproof,” while “The Glasses” has Jerry referring to his friend as “Aquaboy.”
“Strongbox” Has Deep Cuts
One of the best references occurs during a conversation between George, Jerry, and Elaine while the three of them are sitting at their favorite coffee shop in “The Strongbox.” Elaine has been seeing a new guy, a secret guy named Glenn. Elaine had previously thought that he might be married, because he kept meeting her and refused to give her her phone number.
Jerry denied that the boy might be protecting his secret identity and that Elaine might be dating a Green Lantern. At the coffee shop, Elaine reveals that her new beau is single, but has been hiding the fact that she lives in poverty. The following exchange is filled with lines revolving around DC characters, making it one of the best examples of quick conversation over Seinfeld’s nine-season run.
Jerry’s one-liners included “We found out his greatest strength was lack of money,” “He’s a ‘green’ light,” and “He’s immune to creditors.” An upset Elaine gets up to leave, and George says “Maybe his girlfriend is Lois Loan.” Jerry gets the final blow when Elaine comes in again after a while to retrieve something she left behind; “He can wipe out a checking account with just one bounce!”
References You May Have Missed
References related to Superman also appear in the following episodes:
In “Pilot,” Jerry wears a red and blue cape, Superman’s colors.
During a scene in “The Secret Code,” Jerry tells George that his ATM passcode is “Jor-El,” the name of Superman’s father on the planet Krypton.
“Stock Tip” sees Jerry and George argue over whether Superman has a superior sense of humor.
After George makes a bone move about a new love interest in “The Face Painter,” he wishes he could turn back time the way Superman can, by orbiting Earth in reverse.
“The Cheever Letters” make one of many references to someone’s home as their “Fortress of Solitude”.
“Invitations” features a montage of Jerry and his new fiancée, Jeannie. In one moment, the two are shown reading Superman comic books.
Next time you stream Seinfeld on Netflix, watch and listen to the above and other references.
