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 Case of the Stolen Powers

Oh great, the Penguin. I was considerably less happy to see this fellow making his Super Friends debut than I was to see the Joker. The series would have been just fine with no Pengy-Poo. At least Penguin's one appearance would be in a half length episode and at least Felix Faust was also around for his first official onscreen appearance (aside from the cameo in The Wild Cards). It was funny that even Faust couldn't stand the Penguin... and for good reason. Even a super power Penguin is lame.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Brainchild

Brainiac the maniac made his Super Friends swan song in this epic 500th installment of the Infinite Episodes feature. Fear not. Being infinite and all, Brainiac will return in future series, potentially an infinite number of times. And even though this episode did not live up to the classic status of the previous two episodes, pitting Cyborg against Brainiac was another clever idea. At least the writers were trying by focusing on the humanity of the human machine hybrid by placing Cyborg's brain in a fully robotic body. Even though Brainiac was never really used successfully, this was still probably the redesigned versions best attempt.

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 Bizarro Super-Powers Team

Back to Bazarowurld.And while the Bizarro episodes have been decent, I wasn't that excited to see old cube face at first, that is until Mr. Mxyzptlk appeared. That villainous combo, along with bizarified Guardians  training for duty in Metropolis turned out to be a fair enough formula. This one may not be a classic, but it was a bit of harmless fun. The real highlight was the Bizarro Mxyzptlk AKA Kltpzyxm - kind of a clever idea. I mean its no Zibarro, but for 1985 it will do. 

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 Curator

The Friends faced a challenge of "monumental" proportions when an alien stole Earth's monuments including the Hall of Justice. This was actually pretty dull and pointless with Samurai once again proving the MVP where even Batman and Superman fell short. Old "Green Tornado's" combined wind and invisibility has apparently made him quite formidable. Anyways, the villain was forgettable and the plot a rehash so wouldn't you know it was time for some rejiggering.

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Episode Count: 0493
Series Count: (14 of 14)

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 - Uncle Mxyzptlk

After red kryptonite exposure turned Superman into "Superbrat," the Friends had to babysit when who would you know showed up? Uncle Mxy. Overall this was pretty unremarkable except I got quite angry that Jayna chose to turn into a giant T-Rex. How many times in the past would that have come in handy and yet she always turned into an octopus or eagle. This time, she played her T-Rex card to capture a runaway giraffe? If I were in charge, that along would earn her expulsion from the team. Nevermind the fact that the Twins were the ones that brought the red K to Supes in the first place. Bring back Marvin and Wendy.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Island of the Dinosoids

And here comes the obligatory dinosaur battle. There were a couple of redeeming elements. I enjoyed a giant Apache Chief fighting a dino - that could have gone on for a while longer. The story also had heroes transformed into dino peoples, or dinosoids. Not the worst thing ever, but this one was hardly breaking new ground.

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Episode Count: 0488
Series Count: (9 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 - The Mask Of Mystery

We may have reached a new season low. The episode opened with a wannabe Penguin robbing a bank, but Batman and Robin just happened to be waiting in the safe. The worst part of this scenario, who would want to be Penguin? Next thing you know a wannabe Incredi-boy calling himself Captain Mystery entered the picture. Not sure why the Friends denied him membership after letting Wendy and Marv join the team, but wouldn't you know that after hacking the JLA computer and accidentally being discovered by Luthor, Cap Mystery ended up saving the whole team. Too bad he didn't get the ol Omega Beam treatment.

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Episode Count: 0486
Series Count: (7 of 14)

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Case of the Shrinking Superfriends

 

Aw, I had begun to wonder what had become of the Wonder Twins. This episode gave them a chance to ally with the other juniors, Firestorm and Robin - just don't call them Teen Titans. And I suppose the writers were already out of ideas, because we got another shrink ray treatment courtesy of Lex Luthor. To be fair, this was the first time I recall a double shrinking. Still, this one was kind of a dud.

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Episode Count: 0485
Series Count: (6 of 14)

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Mr. Mxyzptlk and the Magic Lamp

And the cruel Mixed Pickle returned to tease a thief by pretending to be a genie. Mxy stayed hidden from the Super Friends making Mr. Crook get pretty cocky about his "magic lamp." Finally the Friends figured out the imp factor and once again the dummy didn't realize he was saying his name backwards. Mxy is always good for a couple laughs, and even though this wasn't terrible, it was not quite up to par with the rest of the season. The only thing I can figure - needs more Darkseid. 

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 - Reflections In Crime

Something I learned in this episode, the 6th dimension is the land behind mirrors (but what is the 5th? the land of Mxyzptlk?). In spite of the somewhat hokey concept of the mirror dimension, this was a pretty fun adventure with mirrors being basically deadly. And of course a Hall of Mirrors came into play. This was also the first appearance of the Flash rogue Mirror Master. Its a shame there was no Flash in sigh - though I admit, Samurai's invisibility is a good counter to Mirror Masters dangerous reflections. So far, this season has been a hit, can it go 4 for 4?

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)