Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Bad Days: Justice League

Its a bad day when the Justice League gets shown up by the Teen Titans.

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 - Super Pets: World's Finest Bark

While not as action packed as Bat Man of Shanghai or as Stylish as Wonder Woman, these Super Pets shorts are undeniably cute. Riffing on the dog from Up, Krypto and Ace had a hard time remaining professional when Green Lantern B'dg was called to assist (in his onscreen debut). I do in fact hope there are many more of these in the pipeline - though I hope to see some of the more obscure pets sooner rather than later. Bring on Beppo, Comet, and Bat-Cow!

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

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 - Return of the Phantoms

Not only did this episode feature some sort of weird space Gumby, but it also had one of two appearances by Superboy on Super Friends (the other being history of Doom which had the origin of Lex Luthor). While this wasn't as good as Evil from Krypton, Phantom "Zoners" always make for some fun especially when they are beaten using Velcroed Super-capes.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Evil From Krypton

This is how you do it! Zy-Kree escaped from the Phantom Zone and barricaded himself in Superman's Fortress. Good thing Aquaman was able to sneak in the back door. I guess the main thing this had going for it was Zy-Kree's uncanny resemblance to the Phantom Zoner from Superman II. Not sure why they didn't just call him Zod but either way this was essentially a spin-off from the movie making it instant gold.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Outlaws Of Orion

Pretty tough to take an outlaw serious when his name is Stardust, even if he is a space cowboy. These old west themed episodes have been consistently disappointing even if they do allow for shoot outs with laser guns. This one was just pretty dull. By the way, making a law against keeping the law is quite the mind bending paradox.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Mxyzptlk Strikes Again

Mr. Mixed Pickle was quite the aspiring film buff. In his previous appearance he took the Friends into the Wizard of Oz and before that he made them act out a script that he had written. This time he was back with a magic typewriter that made his stories come to life. Why he made Aquaman a cowboy I will never know. I admit it was fun seeing "Kid Superman" defeat Sheriff Aquaman. While not great, this was another reasonably fun episode.We are officially on a roll.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - One Small Step For Mars

Superman stopped an earthquake by giving mother nature a hug. How sweet. And that was just the warm up. The main course was an alien invasion from Mars. Now where is the Martian Manhunter when you need him? The aliens were quite a diverse group - extra points for the "cosmic cyclops." Honestly, this was probably the worst of the season so far. Nothing really happened other than alien hijinks followed by capture. I fear that its awfully early in the run for me to be getting bored. There are still over 50 to go... At least I know there are some classic villains coming up in a few.

First Look at the Orange Lantern Larfleeze

The one and only Larfleeze, leader of the Orange Lantern Corps (as well as its only member), and master of avarice will make his onscreen debut this Saturday on Green Lantern. (check out a preview clip at WorldsFinest)

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 - Invasion of the Fearians

I always loved this one as a kid. I loved how the Legion of Doom was able to trick the Super Friends into using their own powers to destroy the Earth. And I still love it.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Rampage

Once again, animal control may have been just as capable as the Justice League. Then again, that was a large elephant on the loose and I guess white ones are extra dangerous. Green Lantern once again used his ring to materialize vehicles, at least this time they weren't yellow. The elephant was stopped and in his second team-up GL was a total waste. And wouldn't you know it was all the result of a poor baby elephant in peril. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...

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Episode Count: 0292
Series Count: (60 of 60)

Green Lantern Animated Series - Season 1.5 Preview!

Green Lantern returns on January 5th and here is a new tease of what to expect, including the return of Atrocitus and a greedy Hal

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - MAD Presents Green Care Bear

With itchy fur and curly hair, I make good friends most everywhere, I hug and smile and skip and share, feel the love my Care Bear stare! I admit it was pretty silly, perhaps even bordering on stupid, but I found this MAD short hilarious, mostly because of its absurdity. Extra points for the Care Bear Oath.

See Green Lantern's Animated Parallax

Courtesy of DC Nation on Facebook, it looks like Hal Jordan may be taking a turn to the dark side on an upcoming episode of Green Lantern: The Animated Series as Parallax - at least the Avarice filled version as he dons an orange power ring (or several). Oh, and Brother Warth and Sinestro have been spotted as well. Yippee kayay.

The Dark Knight and DC Nation Return

This week in DC animation is sure to put a smile on your face. On Tuesday, The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 hits store shelves adapting the first two chapters of the landmark graphic novel. Even though I am much more looking forward to Part 2, this first movie stands remarkably well on its own. Even though I dare speak heresy by saying The Dark Knight Returns as a story is a bot overrated, this adaptation is pretty well done and certainly wasn't watered down for younger audiences. But speaking of the younglings, this week also promised the long awaited return new content to DC Nation.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Flood of Diamonds

Whoever wrote this episode must have been pretty limited in  their familiarity with Green Lantern. The fullness of their knowledge must have been "he has a ring that can make anything." Hence, rather than green constructs he just created an actual helicopter out of thin air... which is handy if you happen to need to transport a whale.

First Look at GL's Anti-Monitor, Ch'p, and Tomar-Re

Yesterday at the DC Nation Comic Con panel, a reel of fresh footage from Green Lantern: The Animated Series was previewed and is now officially released and embedded below. It looks like we are in for a treat with with the upcoming season 1.5 which will introduce the Anti-Monitor, the Manhunters, and Green Lantern's Ch'p, Guy Gardner, and Ch'p (who single-handedly takes down Hal Jordan). The series is scheduled to return in September.