Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Deep Freeze

 From the return of the cold and calculating Mr. Freeze to the interesting Easter eggs and homages peppered throughout, this was a massively entertaining episode.Who would have thought that anyone would crave Mr. Freeze's curse? But I suppose some would rather live forever than enjoy the life they have. Kind of funny given urban legends that it was a Walt Disney look-alike who wanted to cryogenically freeze himself. The portrayal of Freeze was once again solid. Yes, he is a villain, but only so far as his actions would help save his wife.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Superman 75th Anniversary

Best short ever? Hard to argue against it. The brilliant tribute to the Man of Steel captures 75 years worth of Superman's biggest moments, not only onscreen but in pop culture, in under 2 minutes. Yes, even at break neck speed so many moments were left out, but the spirit of Superman was captured. This little piece of animation is really something special. Rather than me trying to explain why, just watch it. 

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Super Pets: The League of Just Us Cows

Yeah, this one was a little out to pasture... but I have to admit getting a thrill out of the super cows. I don't understand why Bat-Cow is Superman's cow, but Flaming Head Cow is amazing. I also don't understand why Wonder Woman's pet is a kangaroo. By now, I am getting my fill of Justice League animals, but still I give the Super Pets the edge over the Farm League.

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!

Super History of Superman: Super Pets (2013)

While the crotches of both Kal and Kara appeared in the Super Pets shorts, their faces never did. This series instead featured the heroic super powered pets including Krypto the Superdog and Streaky the Supercat.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Super-Man's Best Friend

This little short popped up on the web in 2012 giving Krypto a crack at comedic bathroom humor. While the idea of someone animating a dog's anus alone is hilarious, the shorts ending masterfully manages to balance reverence for Superman with complete irreverence for decency. Thumbs up.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Super Pets: Krypto vs. Streaky

For the magical short numbered 75, we were thrown a bit of a bone with a cute segment featuring a hyperactive Krypto and a cameo by a Superman (at least Superman below the neckline). While I maintain that Super Pets is better than Farm League, I think I am ready to return to adventures of the human counterparts, unless we are talking about Bat-Cow that is. 

Superman 75th Anniversary Short Decoded

Certainly there were some big on and off screen moments omitted (in particular Lois & Clark and Superman Returns), but this 2 minute short was still all kids of awesome. I may have missed a couple references, but I will do my best to point out those I identified starting with the opening homage to Supes' debut in Action Comics #1. Here goes:

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.

Super History of Superman: Krypto the Superdog (2005)

The kid friendly animated series Krypto the Superdog elected to focus on the Super Pets rather than their human counterparts. After being launched as a test pilot, Krypto found his way to Earth but since Superman was too busy to be burdened with the responsibilities of a pet, he pawned the job off to a 9 year old kid for 39 episodes.

Super History of Superman: The Adventures of Superboy (1966-9)

At the same time that the New Adventures of Superman aired, Filmation also produced episodes of The Adventures of Superboy in a similar six-minute format. 33 segments including one double length 12 minute segment were made and packaged to air along with Filmation's other series including Superman, Aquaman, and the DC Comics Super Heroes. Superboy ran from 1966-69 and focused on the adventures of The Man of Steel when he was still young, hence Super "boy." Ma and Pa Kent, along with Lana Lang would make up the supporting cast as opposed to Superman's Daily Planet crew.

Onscreen History of Krypto the Superdog

 

Although Jimmy Olsen is Superman's Pal, Superman's best friend must be Krypto the Superdog who first appeared in 1955's Adventure Comics #210.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Adventures of Superboy Recap

Alas, Superboy. I knew thee only too briefly. I have to say that overall the series was a letdown. Without Krypto, The Adventures of Superboy is pretty comparable to the lower tier of the New Superman Adventures episodes. The Superdog elevated the series a notch or two, but the series really suffered from a lack of villains. Sure, there were invading aliens a plenty, but hardly any characters I would classify as supervillains, and no recurring baddies. I did notice that even though Lana herself wasn't a great character, the episodes in which she appeared tended to be the better ones. So even if we never got to see the Insect Queen, at least LL worked out as a good luck charm.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Great Kryptonite Caper

This was a fun little caper and a nice way to end the series. It makes me wonder if Lana having a kryptonite necklace was an idea that sprang from the comics because of course that notion would be a huge plot point throughout the first few seasons of Smallville. By the way, nice fashion sense Lana. Does that thing get heavy?

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Monster Molecule

Even time travel couldn't save this dud. Superboy had to go to the future to get a really big molecule.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Space Refugees

Alien refugees left their growth ray unattended and xenophobic troublemakers turned the ray to full blast. Bad move. There were trees exploding everywhere.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Trap of the Super Spacemen

I will admit this was much improved over the past few segments. Although it still required a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief, at least the plot was coherent. On the other hand we encountered yet another race that wanted to invade earth. Yawn. Anyways, at least they implemented a power stealing machine giving one of their race Superboy's powers. Too bad he still got taken down by Krypto.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Double Trouble, Double Doom

In a classic case of act first, ask questions later, Superboy beat the snot out of a flying saucer which turned out to be some space police. To be fair, the ship did have giant rotating blades and was cutting the tops off of mountains. Suffice it to say, Superboy ended up catching the crooks who had set off to slice up a solid gold planet.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - King Superboy

You know Clark, flying out of your dad's store window may give you away. But onto bigger issues. So, this is the second time in the past few episodes that a star just appeared and started causing problems. Last time it was the rogue star, this time it was a "small sun." Now, if a small sun really appeared, it would be a pretty big deal. A small sun could still be quite enormous; luckily Superboy was able to just shatter it with a punch. Look, I am no astronomer, but aren't suns made of gas? I don't think a punch would work, nor could a sun shatter.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Superboy Meets Mighty Lad

What do you mean Mighty Lad wasn't really from Krypton! I can't believe it. But he really was an alien!? and he had actual gadgets to give him superpowers... and he rigged disasters to get glory from the saves...? I would think most people would be pretty impressed that he could fly and wouldn't really care how he did it. Even Booster Gold is a hero. Oh well, at least Superboy didn't have to endure the competition.