ANIMATION BREAKDOWN # 3 : Superman vs. Nick O’Teen – 1982
In the early 1980s, long before superhero films dominated the box office and comic‑book characters became global multimedia franchises, the UK Health Education Council launched a bold public‑service campaign aimed at children: Superman vs. Nick O’Teen. The message was simple—don’t start smoking—but the execution was anything but ordinary. Instead of relying on somber warnings or clinical messaging, the HEC turned to one of the most respected animation studios in the world at the time: the Richard Williams Animation Studio in London.
For animation fans, this campaign is more than a footnote in public‑health history. It’s a fascinating snapshot of a powerhouse studio applying its signature craftsmanship to a government‑funded PSA. And at the center of the animation effort was a young Eric Goldberg, who would later become one of Disney’s most celebrated animators.
In this episode, Mark revisits one of the commercials from the campaign, breaking down the artistry behind a piece of animation many viewers may only faintly remember—but which holds up remarkably well today.
Superman Never Say Yes to a Cigarette – Richard Williams Ad > LINK
Superman Never Say Yes to a Cigarette – Ad 2 > LINK
Superman Never Say Yes to a Cigarette – Ad 3 > LINK
