Crisis of Infinite Episodes - SuperRabbit

Super Rabbit returned in the fun and reverent 2013 series finale of The Looney Tunes Show. Warners has continued its fine tradition with this superb tale including Braniac, Lex Luthor, and Zod.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Hunter

 Despite numerous appearances by look-alikes and other Phantom Zoners, this was the first true animated appearance of General Zod. Although clean shaven, Zod's heart was still impure as he sent an armored hunter to destroy the son of Jor-El. And believe it or not, he succeeded and Superman died. The Hunter became nearly invulnerable after absorbing the properties of diamonds and kryptonite proving too much of a match for the Man of Steel... or did he?

Super History of Superman: Man of Steel (2013)

Man of Steel certainly has its critics, but for my money it was a great movie. And regardless of one's opinions on the movie itself, it has been anointed as the foundation of the forthcoming DC cinematic universe... if such a thing ever materializes.

Super History of Superman: MAD Presents (2012-)

One of the less impressive additions to DC Nation has been "MAD Presents" editing segments from the animated MAD series into repackaged shorts.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - MAD Presents: Extreme Superman

Oh dear. There are some genuinely funny MAD shorts, some that I will cover even if they never make it to DC Nation. This short is one of the worst MAD has to offer. From the ugly designs to the lack of "the funny," this was just a waste of the short slot for the week. At least it aired in conjunction with the release of Man of Steel... but c'mon can't we get something new. And by new, I don't mean more World's Funnest.

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.

Super History of Superman: Superman: Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)

This film is the kind of idea that sounds amazing on paper, like say on the back of a DVD cover; Richard Donner's original take on Superman II, the Superman II that would have been made without meddling and cost cutting by the producers. The mind can only imagine some epic, untold story worthy of a 25 year wait. The sad truth is that the "Richard Donner Cut" cannot really exist because many scenes that would belong in it were never actually shot. Still, this cobbled together version of the movie contains some real gems including restored scenes with Jor-El.

UPDATED: Spotlight on Zod and Other Phantom Zone Villains

Update: Its almost here, but there's still time to brush up on Zod and Co. 

It's official - The Man of Steel will Kneel Before Zod. Believe it or not, a new Superman movie is underway and fresh off of the casting of Ma and Pa Kent and Lois Lane comes word that General Zod will face off against Superman in the upcoming movie simply titled The Man of Steel. Zod first appeared in 1961's Adventure Comics #283, and over the years has made a handful of onscreen appearances. Interestingly, and for reasons I do not completely understand, there have also been a number of other appearances by Zod inspired non-Zod phantom zone escapees as well. Let's take a look.

Super History of Superman: Superman (1988)

The 1988 Superman show is an oft forgotten animated series produced by Ruby-Spears Productions which ran for just 13 episodes. Developed as a 50th anniversary tribute to the Man of Steel, the series also incorporated music from Superman: The Movie and opening narration from the 1950s Adventures of Superman television series. While it may not have been the classic series fans were hoping for, it was a huge course correction from the abysmal Superman IV the year previous.

Super History of Superman: Superman II (1981)

While Superman II may not be as "good" as Superman: The Movie, it is even more fun with the primary entertainment delivered by the three Kryptonian criminals teased in the first movie. As if outmatching Superman 3-to-1 wasn't enough, the villains arrived just after Superman had forfeited his powers. 

Retrospective 2009 - Part 3

We have reached the culmination of our look back on 2009. If you missed them, check out Parts 1 and 2.

Green Lantern: First Flight

July brought one of the years best efforts in the form of the animated Green Lantern: First Flight DVD. It was about time that Green Lantern got his own movie and this origin story will hopefully pave the way for future entries.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

You pretty much know what to expect from a GI Joe movie. This movie is basically what you expect, though pleasantly better. Somehow with tempered expectations GI Joe ends up a more enjoyable movie than Transformers 2, even though it made a lot less. Its $150 million may not be enough to greenlight a sequel, unless of course there were ample toy sales- which there very well may have been.



Zartan, Snake Eyes, Destro, Stormshadow. They are all here.


Super Hero Squad

Marvel's Super Hero Squad debuted in September and has been a big hit. I for one can't get past the high pitched voices and manic stories, but some people love it. I think the idea is cool- throwing in pretty much the whole Marvel Universe sans Spidey- but it just a little too juvenile for me (and I still watch Super Friends).




Superman Batman: Public Enemies

Near the end of September, DC released their third DTV of the year featuring everyone's favorite team-up. This movie was a pretty straight forward adaptation of the Superman Batman comic book issues #1-6. Though not as good as Wonder Woman or the Green Lantern movies, this was still a solid entry, providing one more take on Power Suit Luthor.



Much like Hulk VS, this movie was made up of a bunch of showdowns. Batman and Superman took on Hawkman, Captain Marvel, DC's ice-themed villains, Major Force, Black Lightning, Captain Atom, Solomon Grundy, and a bunch of other costumed "supers."

Of course, during the year a number of other superhero TV series continued to air.


On Smallville, Clark Kent took on Doomsday in the season 8 finale. In season 9, Major Zod and Metallo have become new threats. In the meantime, Clark has teamed up with the Wonder Twins and will meet the JLA early next year.


Highlights of the team-up series Batman: The Brave and the Bold, saw Batman teaming with the Boy Wonder, The Joker, Bat-Mite, and Aquaman to take on such epic threats as Owl Man, Crazy Quilt, and of course the Music Meister.

The fantastic series Spectacular Spider-Man ended its second season (which sadly due to business related decisions may be the final season) with the identity of the Green Goblin being revealed. Hopefully there will eventually be a season 3 since this is pretty much the definitive Spider-Man series with so many stories yet to tell.

On other channels... Heroes continued to air, writing plenty of new twists for Sylar and killing characters on screen months before they were revealed to be dead. It seems Heroes days are numbered in spite of an overall improvement in the quality of season 4. Wolverine and the X-Men also continued to air on the elusive Nicktoons channel, though I will be waiting to catch the show on DVD.

And that my friends was 2009 in a nutshell. Superheroes continued to be prolific and 2010 doesn't look to slow down.

Retrospective 1980

Superman II

Although Superman II was released in the summer of 1981 in these United States, it debuted overseas in 1980 and considering how sparse the rest of 1980 was, Supes it getting his highlight in this 1980 edition. The movie was a near disaster. Initially being filmed at the same time as Superman 1, the movie was put on the back burner to finish the first pic. In the meantime, in spite of the huge success of the original, the producers sought to cut costs. The director was replaced, and some of the actors ceased participation. Many scenes were reshot to legitimize the new director's title and the film was released.


General Zod and his crew were a viable threat for the Man of Steel. They easily stole the show from Lex Luthor and gave audiences a reason to cheer for dude that is practically perfect in every way. The movie had an interesting story as well with Superman deciding if he really wanted to be a the hero (a model for the also popular Spider-Man 2 perhaps?). The fight on the Streets of Metropolis was high stakes and my vote for the best Superhero fight on film. "Kneel Before Zod" is an all-time great movie line and seeing Zod bested is a delight every time. So in spite of some flaws, it really was great villains and action that made this movie. And let me restate, Superman threw actual punches! Sure he did in Superman 3 and 4 as well, but the problems in those films go far beyond anything salvageable. Imagine Superman Returns with a General Zod. Box office gold.



Although it wasn't as big a hit as Superman 1, this film earned $108 million equal to nearly $300 million in today's dollars. As it stands, Superman 2 is the best Superman film out there.

Hero at Large

Also in 1980 was a lighthearted little film called Hero at Large. Though this wasn't truly a superhero movie, it was about a made up superhero, Captain Avenger. The film is set in the real world, and essentially concerns Steve Nichols, a hard up for work actor disguised as Captain Avenger to promote the Captain Avenger movie, who foils a real life robbery. There is much public interest in this real life superhero which the New York Mayor's public relations team hopes to cash in on by staging crimes to be busted up by the "hero at large" to build public good will and earn the mayor a reelection.

They don't make feel good movies like this anymore, though I wouldn't be surprised in today's supersaturated comic book market to see a remake, maybe staring Steve Carell (not that I am lobbying for it).

Along with the continued airings of Super Friends and The Plastic Man Family and Baby Plas which began the year prior was what graced the screens in 1980.