Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Robot Chicken: DC Comics Special

For years, Aquaman has been the butt of many a joke at his expense. Well, finally the King of Atlantis was pushed too far, proving what a liability to the League he truly could be. This RCDC special did have some pretty funny sketches, among them the "That's Bane" gag where Batman's back was broken over and over again. High art this was not, but full of cheap laughs it was.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Till Doom Do Us Part

In 2005, Duck Dodgers returned to the world of DC (after the brilliant Green Loontern in 2003), this time paying homage to the Legion of Doom. Dodgers himself dreamed of himself donning a Superman-esque costume reminiscent of that worn years decades earlier in the Looney Tunes episode Stupor Duck - only the 'S' had been upgraded to a 'D.' 

Super History of Superman: JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time (2014)

The Man of Steel, although not the main character, was central to the early Target exclusive stealth release JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time. Supes was the inspiration for the 31st century's Legion of Superheroes, and his deletion from history resulted in the paradox remedying deletion of the Justice League. In addition, this movie is notable in edging out Justice League: War in introducing the trunkless new 52 inspired Superman design to animation... well if you don't count his few seconds in the Superman 75th tribute short. In an "Ape-raham Lincoln" like twist (see Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes) the movie ended on a spoiler where the inspirational Kal-El was upstaged by a villainous Luther. To be continued... I hope.

Check back next week for another chapter in The Super History of Superman.

War of the Justice Leagues: DC's Newest, Ranked

The League Double Header

 We are going to try something a little different this time seeing as how, oddly, two Justice League movies were released on the same day. Perhaps it made sense for a simultaneous release since one was released ubiquitously via iTunes only (for the next two weeks at least) and the other was released in sort of the opposite way, in a single brick and mortar chain without promotion as a "stealth release." Maybe the logic was that the two were not cannibalizing each other's sales since they were targeting different distribution streams or demographics. Well, jokes on them because I got both! On to the reviews.

Let’s just say, live action quagmire aside, it’s a good time to be a fan of DC movies. In fact, both movies were enjoyable, with their own shining points. Rather than declaring one the victor, I will lay out a few notes for each. In the end both deserve their place in the solid middle of the impressive pack of DC animated films.

  

-Tone-

JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time - Light, a la JLU season 3 with goofier humor but still legit action. Not what I want every time, but a nice change up in the animated movie formula. Focus on the younger heroes, but not at the expense of the grown-ups. 

Justice League: War - Going for an Avengersy tone and probably more broadly appealing than some previous Justice League movies. Adding a mix of quipy humor and action with touches of more graphic violence. This reminds me of the Superman/Batman animated movies, but is more satisfying than either. Wall to wall action with highlights for each League member.

-Originality-

JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time - Although inspired by Secret Origins of the Super Friends, less rehash than one might expect. 

Justice League: War - Fairly straight up adaptation of a fairly mediocre story. Better in motion than on the page. Some plot changes, the biggest of which being the addition of Shazam which I do think worked better for the movie.

-Characters-

JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time - League lineup: Superman, Batman & Robin, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg. Where's Green Lantern? I was worried about the inclusion of Legion members Karate Kid and Dawnstar, but they were one of the movie's strengths - though other Legionnaire cameos would have been a treat. Classic Legion of Doomer's Lex Luthor, Solomon Grundy, Toyman, Captain Cold, Cheetah, Bizarro, Black Manta, and Gorilla Grodd were fine. Fine without Scarecrow, Riddler, Sinestro. Giganta, or Brainiac. Only gripe is if you add Cyborg to the League, there should be a new counterpart in the Legion.

Justice League: War - League lineup: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg Shazam Green Lantern. Where's Aquaman? But like I said, it worked without him. Villain: Darkseid. And as in the comic, he was not developed very well as a character beyond being a big physical threat.

-Designs and Animation-

 JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time - Given the nature of the release I was expecting a low quality production reminiscent of an animated Happy Meal commercial tie-in. This actually looked pretty nice. The quality may not have been up to the level of other DC movies or even Young Justice, but in my opinion it looked better than any of the Justice League or JLU episodes. 

Justice League: War - Very nicely animated. Perhaps the palate was a bit dark and gritty, similar to The Flashpoint Paradox, but it worked better in that movie.

-Story-

JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time - Although there are some serious plot holes, there are also a fair share of clever ideas that sort of make sense if you don't overthink. 

Justice League: War - Story?

-Cliffhanger-

JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time- Reminded me of the "Ape-raham Lincoln" ending of Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes, but better. 

Justice League: War - Only good if you are familiar with the Justice League: Throne of Atlantis comic arc. If so, very tantalizing. If not, pretty lackluster. You might as well just have placed text on the screen saying, "The Justice League will return in Throne of Atlantis." In fact, they may have been better.

-Title Nonsense-

JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time - No one actually got trapped anywhere. My cheesy alternative would be Peril of the Time Trapper.

Justice League: War - No war was officially declared. My copyright infringing title would be Justice League: Assemble.

Read on to see the new rankings

First Look at JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time

Despite having to brave a snow storm, I was able to make my way to Target this morning for the exclusive DVD movie, JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time. From the snowy parking lot, I was able to capture a few images on my laptop and upload them using Target's Wifi - ah technology.  More are coming, but for now enjoy a few images from the first half of the film.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Whiners Can Be Losers

In yet another Cartoon Network promo, the Legion of Doom were portrayed as whiners wanting everything from more powers to pants for Brainiac. Its funny because Brainiac really does need some decent pants!

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Super Friends Meet The Powerpuff Girls

Continuing with the nostalgic flair provided by the Super Friends, Cartoon Network used the heroes to not only promote the network, but some of the next generation of heroes in this promo which had the Power Puff Girls defeating the Legion of Doom. Someday, the girls hope to be as developed as Wonder Woman...

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - DC Universe Online Cinematic Trailer

Is it an exaggeration to call the 2010 trailer for the DC Universe Online game, "the coolest thing ever?" Maybe, but only just barely. In just a few short minutes, the Justice League are killed one by one on a war torn battlefield. The trailer includes Green Arrow, Metallo, Wonder Woman, Giganta, Green Lantern, Black Adam, Batman, Cyborg, Lex Luthor, Circe(?), Flash, Deathstroke AKA Slade, Joker, Harley Quinn, Superman, and Brainiac. This really needs to be made into a full movie.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Challenge of the Super Friends Recap

I have to admit, that was a fun ride.  For the most part, the Legion of Doom episodes were all a lot of fun. And even with 13 villains, it felt like they all got a pretty fair chance at getting the spotlight.. I am not sure if Grundy was ever the star, but what do you expect from that guy. On the other hand, the other set of adventures were a mixed bag. The Wonder Twins have quickly become more of a liability than anything else. They rarely contributed to the adventures, and their transformations have become a tad stale. I don't mind them being around sometimes, but they felt forced into several of the episodes. Still, even the non-Legion episodes had some stand outs amid the stinkers.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - History of Doom

While it was a fairly decent episode it was an odd one to be the last. This tale was part clip show, but only just a little bit even if that bit was entirely pointless. The rest was a mix of interesting origins of Lex Luthor, Giganta, and the Legion mixed with a new tale in which the League themselves needed saving. It was all an odd mish-mash, but it deeply saddens me that this is the last of the bunch.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Super Friends: Rest in Peace

This episode was pretty hardcore with the Legion murdering the Friends one by one. Yes, there was a twist, but still. Plus the creator of the deadly weapon was Natas AKA Satan backward. Talk about TVPG.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Doomsday

Right off the bat I hated how GL used his ring to become a giant. Not only does hos ring not do that, but Apache Chief could just as easily have been used if they needed a giant... in fact, later he did show up even if he was worthless. It was just a really lazy move. But the main idea of Legion members turning even more rogue, I liked.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Fairy Tale of Doom

Yes, that was Captain Nemo (not the fish) and no this was not the animated League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Instead it was a decent episode that pulled off an out-there premise that was eventually pushed way too far. Practically the entire next season of Super Friends would continue placing the Friends in fantastic realms from Middle Earth to Oz, but not before hitting the basics here. So, as long as the idea of going into books is a concept you can accept, there was some fun to be had.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Final Challenge

Another great and memorable one. In this episode, the heroes and villains were pitted matches that would determine who lived and who died, Star Trek Arena style. And while I guess not all the heroes could win their bouts, poor Aquaman lost to Darth Manta (who oddly now pilots a space ship) and Apache Chief was outwitted by Scarecrow. Batman defeated the Riddler, Wonder Woman beat Cheetah, and Superman bested Bizarro. In the end, the Friends and Legion teamed against their games master and the status quo prevailed.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Conquerors of the Future

Ah, another classic. In this one, the Legion acted as if they had reformed, beating the heroes to avert crises. It was pretty hilarious watching as the Legion acted shocked that they were being accused of any wrong doing. Why ever would the Friends have gotten that idea? And then out of the blue the episode changed plots.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Swamp of the Living Dead

Once again, feeling inadequate in their own evilness, the Legion of Doom sought the help of an old woman in a swamp who happened to have connections to an evil floating head. Once the head boxed all the Super Friends like a bad Cylon model, the Legion expected to get a boost in their evil rankings.Translation, they could control zombies.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Revenge on Gorilla City

 Ironically, as much as I am a huge fan of monkeys, I have never really been big on Gorilla City. For some reason the idea of an invisible city run by advanced apes and their leader Solovar is a hard concept for me to buy into even though I am perfectly fine with people that fly, travel through time, or change size.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Secret Origins of the Super Friends

One of the all time greats. Not only did this tale tell the origins of three heroes, but it did so in a very creative way by having the villains also steal the origins of Green Lantern and Wonder Woman. Can someone say Green Luthor.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Giants of Doom

It was Bizarro's chance to shine and to his credit he was able to "giantize" the Legion.  All it took was splitting the moon in half. Thankfully, Superman was able to weld it back together.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Monolith of Evil

Because the Legion just wasn't evil enough they sought the power boost of the monolith of evil. I don't understand how the Legion could shrink and steal the entire United Nations, but they couldn't get past a lava monster on their own.