Crisis of Infinite Episodes - His Silicon Soul

 I have finally cracked open the third volume of BTAS DVDs for this viewing and am quite excited about many of the great episodes yet to come. His Silicon Soul is a great follow up to the Heart of Steel episodes featuring the return of HARDAC. I also feel this episode benefits from being watched soon after the previous HARDAC outing. While it may not be quite as substantive as the 2-parter was and it is a slight retread, but its still a highly enjoyable action packed episode. 

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 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 - Two Gleeks Are Deadlier Than One

 If there is anything more ridiculous than the Justice League nearly being defeated by an evil robot Gleek, its them being saved by the Wonder Twins, in PANDA mode! At least we got the treat of a return appearance by Giganta and everyone's favorite talking gorilla, Grodd. 

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Episode Count: 0463
Series Count: (65 of 66)

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Superclones

Oh joy! Doppelgangers, El Dorado, Brainiac, what more could you ask for? I mean, maybe clone one of the good heroes, but still. The truth is that the episode squandered its stars and offered up a terrible story involving false accusations and courtroom drama. But this may just be the first appearance of a trunkless Superman... just 9 more to go.

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Episode Count: 0455
Series Count: (57 of 66)

Super History of Superman: Superman: Doomsday (2007)

After the abysmal Superman: Brainiac Attacks the year previous, Superman: Doomsday had something to prove. Not only was this the Man of Steel's shot at redemption, but the movie ushered in the modern wave of DC's direct to video productions. And Doomsday did a great job of capturing the grand scale feel that this film line deserved. Superman: Doomsday aimed to translate one of the best known Superman stories in the Death and Return of Superman arcs, and while the film probably bit off more than in could chew, it was mostly a success.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Dr. Duplicator Strikes Again

Among the things I learned this episode are that gravity beams only work on metal, not plastic. Also, if you want to make a duplicate of someone, you need a giant Venus flytrap (and a photograph no less) - which if memory serves was also a plot point in a Poison Ivy themed episode of Batman: The Animated Series - but done here first.  Doc Duplicator also commanded moss men. I am not sure why this guy who looks more like Mr. Freeze has such a command over plant life. As for "Bad Luck" Hula, I think the guy is more an idiot than anything. It has nothing to do with luck. I do like doppelgangers, but this one lands somewhere in the middle of the road.

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Episode Count: 0364
Series Count: (27 of 35)

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Terror at 20,000 Fathoms

This episode could also have been called "Holy Robo-Doppelganger Batman!" or "Captain Don't Call Him Nemo's Real Estate Scheme." As crazy as it sounds, the plots to use kryptonite laced missiles to sink continents sounded like a hybrid of Superman: The Movie and Superman Returns, in other words, not good. Not sure if Captain Nimoy is a real character either, or just a mix between Abraham Lincoln in a baseball cap and Spock.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Trial of the Super Friends

Liquid light? What will they think of next? But that's not all the Legion of Doom was after. Again, the Legion started off being incredibly tricky. Cheetah made holographic duplicates, but Wonder Woman realized that only one had a shadow and lassoed her, BUT Cheetah anticipated that and the "real" Cheetah was actually a rocket. Score Cheetah 1 magic lasso. Green Lantern was also tricked out of his ring and the Dynamic Duo, their utility belts.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Vibe: Enter Extrem-O Part Two

Part two of Vibe's debut was step up (to the streets?) from the first. I actually liked the android doppelganger and the play of the name Extrem-O on AMAZO. Oh that Ivo. Like part one, this was a fun experiment... but I think it will hold me over for a while.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Dead Ringers

So let me get this straight. The bad guy was able to spot a maskless dude who was a "dead ringer" for Robin AND YET he was unable to identify Dick Grayson as the actual Robin. And for a strange coincidence, the doppelganger just happened to work at the circus as a trapeze performer. Never mind that this exact premise was done before in the Adventures of Batman's Will the Real Robin Please Stand Up?

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - He Who Laughs Last

The joke was on Batman when he got arrested at the opera thanks to a frame job by the Joker. Later Joker left a riddle on a pair of elephants at the zoo and I was not really feeling the entertainment. I wish there was more to say about this, but by the time I got to the elephants dancing to circus music, I pretty much zoned out.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Trouble Identity

Old Professor "Once-ler" invented the Loraxian Thneed maker, a machine that converted garbage into any fabric you wanted, including fur. Catwoman not only stole the device but used it to quickly knit a Batgirl costume and wig, framing the innocent lass. Too bad she didn't make herself a new Catwoman getup since the orange design in this series was perhaps the characters worst onscreen design to date.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Androids

Look, its Clark Kent... and two Wonder Dogs? Oh great! This doesn't sound promising.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Will the Real Robin Please Stand Up?

Long before the real Slim Shady hit the scene, a bleached blond Robin look-alike fell under the tutelage of the Catwoman. But why was it that Catwoman could tell that a maskless dude looked like Robin, but she couldn't tell that Dick Grayson looked kinda like Robin.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - 1001 Faces of the Riddler

Taking a page out of Clayface's book, Riddler made his animation debut impersonating Bruce Wayne and Commissioner Gordon. Though calling this 1001 Faces of the Riddler is a bit of an exaggeration, maybe 3 or 4 Faces of the Riddler would have been more accurate.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Mirror-Man from Planet Imago

By gum, The Brain was back for thirds. And whats that, Mirror-Man is an Aquaman doppelganger! I knew this was gonna be a good one. Not only did the look alike look like A-Man, he also had fishakinesis which led to a fish SNAFU. The clone even knew to call A-Lad "tadpole" and "minnow." But Storm was no fool. The real Aquaman would never shake a baby, but Mirror-Man gave Tusky a shaking and A-Lad a tongue lashing. Of course, the doubles finally squared off and A-Man 2 conveniently melted just as Aquman was ready to call it a day.

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Episode Count: 0136
Series Count: (26 of 36)
Doppelganger Count: 0006

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Neanderthal Caveman Caper

When a caveman pulled a Captain America, thawing out of a chunk of ice, some bandits decided to play some mind games on the big dummy. After torturing the caveman dressed as Superboy, the heist was on. When Superboy showed up at a crime scene, old cavie fought back until he decided he was Superboy and Krypto's best friend.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Mysterious Mr. Mist

This was horrible. Things just kept randomly happening off screen. This episode must have been spliced together from leftover cut scenes. And once again, the double length only served to drive home how bad it was.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Two Faces of Superman

Hey, why is Superman stealing? Wait a second, didn't I see this exact episode in the Famous Studio Showdown short? But how is an imposter flying. Ahhhhh! Its a Toyman toy, a "robot replica." Well played.