Super History of Superman: Justice League: War (2014)

Not so much leading the charge as just being a part of it, Superman next landed in Justice League: War, the adaptation of the Justice League: Origins tale which launched DC's "new 52" print reboot.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Death of Superman

Superman died and it was all Firestorms fault! I guess I didn't realize that killing Superman was a recurring thing, but supposedly this episode took the lead from an out of continuity comic story - though I also picked up some serious Wrath of Khan / Search for Spock vibes, what with photon funeral, secret trance, and the recovery of the undead body,

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Escape From Space City

"The problem with building kingdoms is that they tend to get taken over." Words of wisdom from Darkseid. Not a lot redeemable about this one which may easily be the worst of what has been a surprisingly strong season - that is except for Aquaman fans as the Atlantean finally made a contribution. By this point, a robot rebellion was a little cliche even if Darkseid was involved. Its not that this was horrible, it was just boring with the team going from one modest peril to the next inside space station. On the plus side, no marriage proposals.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Wild Cards

After over a decade the Joker's rights issues were resolved allowing him this single appearance in the Super Friends / Powers franchise... which really is a good thing since the series would have felt just a tad incomplete without one of DC's most iconic villains. Fitting also is the association of the Joker with the Royal Flush gang. I may be wrong but I don't think Joker was ever a member of the gang in the comics and so this was a pretty clever story point (there was a sometimes member named Wild Card in the comics who was actually GL villain Hector Hammond, but we are getting way off track). A little less expected was the relationship between the Joker and Darkseid... not exactly a match made in heaven, nor was it really needed.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Darkseid Deception

While "Hotshot" Steve Trevor had made a cameo last season, he was set for his first full scale appearance in this episode where he would be replaced by Darkseid in another attempt to woo Wonder "Angel" into marriage. The guy just doesn't give up. Honestly, its getting ridiculous and a little tiring that the most threatening villain on the show spends so much time trying to get married. I would think a villain would be fine with bachelorhood. More importantly, Darkseid is losing a bit of his threat level with all this failed romance. On the plus side, at least Wondy has gotten some extra screen time.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Ghost Ship

Its clear that the Super Friends franchise was beginning to mature. Along with ditching the "Super Friends" name for something cooler on the schoolyard, Galactic Guardians, even the look of the series had adapted a less cartoony look. Galactic Guardians deserves some credit for paving the way for superhero cartoons aimed at older age groups such as Batman: The Animated Series. The inclusion of Darkseid last season was a huge step and the parademons are something that would likely never have been considered in earlier seasons. Having gone off on that tangent, this episode was a bit of a bomb.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Seeds of Doom

 After single handedly taking down a robot spider piloted by Lex Luthor, Cyborg the teenage tin man got invited to join the Super "Powers" team. Turns out that Cyborg missed being a normal guy but when he was called upon to defend the world against Darkseid, he decided being a member of the team wasn't so bad. At least it was better than living in Apokolips.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians

In 1985, the team was back for one last run of 10 episodes, most running 20 minutes with a couple of half length tales.This time the Super Friends were redubbed the Galactic Guardians, a bit edgier of a title, and once again the forumla was going to be remixed.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Super Powers Collection Commercial

Presenting for the very first time in animation Dr. Fate and Martian Manhunter as designed to sell the epic Super Powers action figures with power action in the mid '80s. Sadly it would be years more until the pair were given their official animation debuts.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Royal Ruse

 

"Holy hairdo, it's a girl." Another classic line from Robin who was quite smitten by the space princess. Too bad she turned him into a statue like a regular Lando Calrissian. In fact, I am pretty sure this episode was very influenced by Star Wars as it also had a Death Star like planet killer aimed at a tragic demonstration planet. Once again, Darkseid elevated a mediocre tale to one that wasn't half bad. Now if only I could see him engage in a little hand to hand combat.

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Episode Count: 0491
Series Count: (12 of 14)

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Darkseid's Golden Trap

 

That's more like it. This double length episode opened in a intergalactic black market auction showcasing all sorts of villainous weapons of destruction. But Darkseid's eye was on one prize, the rarest of rare, gold kryptonite which would rob Superman of his powers forever. How the aliens knew it would have that effect... who knows. It was also awesome how Darkseid bid a measly 1 buck and dared anyone to outbid him. That dude had a major intimidation factor.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - No Honor Among Thieves

This season has pulled out all the stops, this time teaming Darkseid with the new and improved battlesuit wearing Lex Luthor. Its just such a classic look. This is as good a time as any to mention that Darkseid's portals were called "stargates." I don't know if this was pre-boom tube or if they just had a different name, but the episode put them to good use by catching the heroes as if they were trap doors. I guess Darseid didn't learn from his fallout with Brainiac, because once again he ended up in a spat with his ally after having captured the Super Friends. Nice use of, "Kneel before Luthor" after Lex dubbed himself King Rex Luthor. And no episode would be complete without yet another marriage proposal to Wonder Woman from Darkseid. The dude is desperate. Maybe there are no women on Apokolips.

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Episode Count: 0483
Series Count: (4 of 14)

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Wrath of Brainiac

Dr. Claw Darkseid and his crew were back at it after their double sized debut. At least this time the sinister scheme did not involve exchanging vows with a Super Friend. Instead Darkseid forged a union with a new and improved Brainiac. This one still didn't have pants, but the robotic makeover was much more becoming and much more menacing. Evil androids were employed to capture the heroes, but wouldn't you know once Darkseid had captured Double Dubs, he again popped the question. That Darkseid really was smitten.

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Episode Count: 0481
Series Count: (2 of 14)

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Bride of Darkseid

This episode introduced Firestorm and his ability to transmute any inorganic material including the globe on top of the Daily Planet. You know, that thing is more trouble than its worth. It seems to fall off the building eventually in every show its in. After showing up the League a few times, they decided to attempt to recruit him. One of the problems with Firestorm was that he was pretty much invincible. He could phase through anything and turn anything into anything else. He even had some mad skills with the ladies earning a kiss from Double Dubs. So not only can he get a bit annoying for always saving the day, but for plot's sake the only time he is beaten is when he does something stupid like accidentally turning off a force field. Oops. Anyways, he has a special place in my heart because as a kid I remember him being introduced and being blown away by this new hero that I had never heard of that was even more powerful than Superman.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show

After a couple of years with no  new episodes, Super Friends rebranded itself with a vengeance and returned strong in 1984 with the The Legendary Super Powers Show. There are a few things that set this season apart. For one, the team's ranks were expanded with the introduction of Firestorm. I tell you what, the dude really made an impression on me because to this day I am a sucker for the character.

Super History of Superman: Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010)

More than a Superman (or Batman for that matter) story, Apocalypse is about Supergirl. This modern day origin for Kara Zor-El tells of Kal-El's cousins orientation to the world, trapped between all the various powers that would use her for their own purposes rather than let her be her own person. By the end, she decided to don the familiar \S/ shield and to assume the moniker, Supergirl.

DC's New 52 Coming to Animation - For Real This Time

The first DC animated film of 2014 has been officially announced as Justice League: War, which will adapt the Justice League: Origins story which kicked off DC's New 52 line in 2011. Fittingly, Flashpoint transitioned into the new 52 in the comics and it remains to be seen if we are now entering a rebooted film continuity. Worlds Finest has additional casting details. 

My feelings are a bit mixed. I love me some Darkseid, but the comic arc was a bit superficial. On the other hand, it was basically written and drawn begging for an adaptation. Seeing as how we haven't really gotten a great JL origin since the Justice League animated series pilot, this could be a decent flick. Oh, and I love me some Darkseid... or did I say that already?

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Animal Man: City

The inclusion of Darkseid was a nice treat and I enjoyed Animal Man's hummingbird impersonation, but this one was just otherwise okay. I just didn't find it that funny watching a poor guy get chewed out out seconds before his demise at the clutches of a parademon.

Apocalypse Now (Online)

Here is a scene from near the end of Superman Batman: Apocalypse. Looks like another action packed romp.

Spotlight on Darkseid

Darkseid, one of DC comics most powerful and dangerous big bads first appeared in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 arriving in 1970. This upcoming year looks to be a big one for the Lord of Apokolips who will be featured in an upcoming animated movie and will also be the main villain of Smallville's final season.

Darkseid made his onscreen debut in 1984 on the Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show series. Of course, like any other great villain, Darkseid's ultimate aim was to enter into holy matrimony with the heroic female, in this case Wonder Woman. He was foiled in this and in every other diabolical scheme that followed.

Darkseid was slowly revealed as the ultimate villain of the 1996 Superman: The Animated Series. Not only was he the culprit behind the murder of a main character if the series, but he ended up nearly forever tarnishing Superman legacy on Earth.

After the Superman series, Darkseid would return to plague Superman in the Justice League series where he teamed up with Brainiac. Superman had finally had enough and it appeared as though Darkseid met his end in the episode Twilight.

Darkseid's legacy continued in the Justice League Unlimited series, but the man himself would eventually be resurrected in Alive! leading to one of the most epic Superman battles of all time.

Darkseid next appeared as a floating head in 2008's Justice League: The New Frontier.

Hopefully no punches will be pulled when old Darkseid plays a much more significant role in Superman Batman: Apocalypse based upon the Supergirl story arc of the Superman Batman comic.