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 - Superman and Wonder Woman vs. The Sorceress of Time

Count this as a very rare guest appearance by Wonder Woman and for what it was, this was a halfway decent episode - though only halfway. Wonder Woman actually got a pretty good spotlight here as the evil Sirena wrecked havoc on the Island of Themyscira, turning the Amazons into imps and unleashing cyclops, a minotaur and her own special breed of imp to help release "evil power."

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.

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 - 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 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 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 - Wonder Woman Part 3

The third, and I assume final, Wonder Woman short was just as slick and stylish as the first two, but I have long since abandoned any hope of getting a coherent plot. I would definitely mark this series as a triumph. After the Bat Man of Shanghai and this 70's Wonder Woman I am hoping the Man of Steel or Green Lantern are next in line for an out there but stylistic makeover. The Wonder Woman shorts stands as a great example of why DC Nation is a real opportunity for open-minded fans of DC characters.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Village Of Lost Souls

Brainiac was the alleged brains behind the town of mindless people. The stakes were pretty low here and its a shame that the new, menacing Brainiac has no plan worthy of his look.

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 - Wonder Woman Part 2

With Giganta using jeeps as roller skates, I think we can officially through "sense" out the window. And while these shorts may not have the solidest of plots, this second one is just as visually amazing as the first. And for the record, this incarnation of Giganta is pretty great! Bring on part 3.

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 - Wonder Woman: Part 1

Just like the also amazing Bat Man of Shanghai shorts, this stylized take on Wonder Woman may not make complete sense with the traditional take on the character, but who cares. The short was gorgeous to behold and incredibly cool. I especially loved the invisible car. I am glad to see DC Nation being used for projects like this that totally deserve to be seen, but would not be marketable enough to stand on their own. You can keep your animated barn animals, give me more like this... Steampunk Justice League maybe? Anyways, I can't wait for part 2.

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 - 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)