Category: TV Series

SUMMARY:                                      Running Time: 11 Min.

Directed by Doug Murphy, this Halloween-themed episode first aired in the U.S. on March 18, 2017.  As ominously narrated by Cain the Caretaker, four 10-year old trick-or-treaters dressed as Batman, Zatanna Zatara, Doctor Fate, and John Constantine are deceived into entering the haunted House of Mystery.  Klarion the Witch Boy has devised this ghoulish prank to escape into the mortal world. 

As a fair exchange, he will gladly let these trapped kids be pursued by the House’s fearsome monsters before they are sucked into a mystical limbo at midnight.  Yet, there may be far more to the costumed children than it appears.

Batman: Kevin Conroy                                               

Batman (child) / Bully # 1: Tara Strong            

Zatanna Zatara: Lacey Chabert

Zatanna Zatara (child): Dayci Brookshire

John Constantine: Damian O’Hare                             

John Constantine (child): Paula Rhodes         

Doctor Fate (child): Erica Luttrell

Doctor Fate: No Vocals

Cain the Caretaker / Bully # 2 / Wolfman: Trevor Devall

Klarion the Witch Boy / Cat Boy: Noel Fisher             

Note: For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess. 

REVIEW:

Writer Paul Dini conjures up Justice League Action’s most sophisticated (and likely its best-animated) episode.  Imagine the Justice League in a Tales from the Crypt-style plot mixed with familiar Halloween ghouls.  Playing Dini’s plot twists to perfection, the voice cast should be commended (especially, the actresses convincingly voicing the children). 

Yet, this episode’s most welcome surprise is that the normally chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, simply looks awesome this time.  Considering the target audience is the undemanding age 10-and-under crowd, “Trick or Threat” proves a Halloween gem for adult fans, too.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:             10 Stars

Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Superpowers United! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the first half of the series).   

SUMMARY:                                     Running Time: 11 Min.

Directed by Curt Geda, this episode first aired in the U.S. on March 11, 2017.  Diana Prince and Clark Kent’s date night is interrupted by a mysterious villain wielding an impenetrable force field calling himself Repulse. Despite help from Hawkman, Superman & Wonder Woman discover Repulse’s true identity too late.  Infected by a destructive, electro-magnetic force field, Superman’s sole hope necessitates a dangerously close encounter with a black hole.     

Superman / Clark Kent: Jason J. Lewis                                    

Wonder Woman / Diana Prince: Rachel Kimsey

Lex Luthor / Repulse: James Woods                                       

Hawkman: Troy Baker

Note: For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess. 

REVIEW:

Wisely giving Batman a much-needed episode off, this well-played tale also offers a charming look at Superman & Wonder Woman quietly giving romance a go.  Both Jason J. Lewis and Rachel Kimsey are superb innocently playing up the potential romantic angle for these iconic characters.  Kimsey, in particular, has a hilarious moment where her Wonder Woman reluctantly admits an unrequited desire to kiss the Man of Steel. 

Though it isn’t his best work in this series, James Woods’ condescending Lex Luthor adds an inspired touch.  More significantly, writer Jeremy Adams devises a suspenseful crisis affecting Superman while balancing it with Diana & Clark’s private lives.  Hawkman has too little to do, but he gets an amusing sight gag glimpsing his teammates’ mutual attraction.   

The chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, works to its advantage here, as the glowing pink force fields visually stand out.  Since the target audience is the undemanding age 10-and-under crowd, kids won’t likely complain about the mostly unimpressive artwork or the cutesy date scenes.  With an abundance of terrific scenes, the entertaining “Repulse!” should certainly satisfy Justice League fans, regardless of age.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   7½ Stars

Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Superpowers United! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the first half of the series).  

SUMMARY:                                   Running Time: 11 Min.

Directed by Shaunt Nigoghossian, this episode first aired in the U.S. on March 4, 2017.  The diminutive Toyman raids the Justice League Watchtower for fun-and-games.  Batman, Cyborg, Wonder Woman, and Superman are soon taken captive and forced to engage in an arcade-styled, one-on-one fighting video game.  Egging Toyman into a two-player game, Cyborg’s challenge is complicated by his foe constantly changing the rules by whim. 

Batman: Kevin Conroy                                                                       

Wonder Woman: Rachel Kimsey

Cyborg: Khary Payton                                                                        

Toyman: Ken Jeong

Superman: Jason J. Lewis                                                      

Note: For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess. 

REVIEW:

Writer Paul Dini pitches some fun gags spoofing video games, but his story is routine pap.  The voice cast (particularly Ken Jeong’s juvenile take on Toyman) complements this episode well, even though the flashy video game visuals dominate.  The chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, works to its advantage here, particularly the tongue-in-cheek video game graphics.  Since the target audience is the undemanding age 10-and-under crowd, kids should get a few thrills out of this amusing lightweight entertainment.     

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      5 Stars

Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Superpowers United! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the first half of the series).

SUMMARY:                                       Running Time: 11 Min.

Directed by Doug Murphy, this episode first aired in the U.S. on February 25, 2017.  While battling parademons together, Batman & Big Barda witness Steppenwolf’s abduction of Superman.  Isolating the Man of Steel across the galaxy on a desolate alien planet beneath a red sun, Steppenwolf assumes that, upon rapidly losing his powers, Superman will be easy pickings. 

Seeking the high-profile glory of destroying the Man of Steel, Steppenwolf takes two parademons to hunt him down.  Meanwhile, Big Barda & Batman infiltrate Apokolips seeking to thwart Steppenwolf’s scheme.  A running gag is which Leaguer has taken down the most villains.    

Big Barda: Laura Post                                                                        

Steppenwolf: Peter Jessop

Superman: Jason J. Lewis                                                                  

Batman: Kevin Conroy

Virman Vunderbar: William Salyers               

Note: For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess. 

REVIEW:

It’s like this episode’s plot is a cross between Superman: The Animated Series and Batman: Brave and the Bold.  The storyline delivers solid entertainment, in terms of balancing a resourceful Superman dodging Steppenwolf’s goons with Barda & Batman’s mission on Apokolips. 

Presumably, Barda’s unusually huge, buggy eyes in this episode are meant to help visually distinguish her from Wonder Woman.  Laura Post’s gruff vocal rendition of Barda is certainly well-played.  William Salyers’ amusing take on Steppenwolf’s DeSaad-like flunkie, Virman Vunderbar, is a nice bonus, too.

The episode’s chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, is barely noticeable watching this episode.  Somehow, the artwork even appears slightly upgraded.  More importantly, the satisfying “Under a Red Sun” somehow packs enough story for a standard-length TV cartoon.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                             8 Stars

Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Superpowers United! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the first half of the series).    

SUMMARY:                                       Running Time: 11 Min.

Directed by Shaunt Nigoghossian, this episode first aired in the U.S. on February 18, 2017.  Chasing after time-bending villain Chronos, Batman and a teenage Blue Beetle are inadvertently transported to the past.  They witness a rookie Batman’s first case: tangling with Gotham City mobster Carmine Falcone’s gang in a warehouse brawl one dark and stormy knight.   

Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes): Jake T. Austin                               

Wonder Woman: Rachel Kimsey

Chronos: Andy Richter                                                           

Batman: Kevin Conroy

Superman & Carmine Falcone: Jason J. Lewis                                                                                               

Note: For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess. 

REVIEW:

It’s a Batman: Brave and the Bold-formula episode (i.e. Andy Richter’s goofy vocal take on Chronos).  Yet, what’s really cool are the fun homages to Batman: The Animated Series, particularly the familiar musical cues.  Watching Blue Beetle tease Batman are: his own rookie grandstanding is some hilarious hypocrisy that the script makes the most of.  The epilogue moment with Superman & Wonder Woman is also a well-played scene.   

The episode’s chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, actually works well here.  Since the target audience is the undemanding age 10-and-under crowd, kids should haven’t anything to complain about.  Quite frankly, the delightful “Time Share” should make any Bat-fan pretty happy.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  8 Stars

Note: This episode is also on the Justice League Action: Superpowers United! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the first half of the series).    

SUMMARY:                                          Running Time: 11 Min.

Directed by Jake Castorena, this episode first aired in the U.S. on February 11, 2017.  Batman’s high-speed pursuit of the Joker is interrupted by the villain’s mysterious alien abduction.  While Batman and the Flash must desperately track down the Joker’s mega-bomb containing fifty thousand tons of super-laughing gas, Mongul expects the Joker to provide stand-up comedy to entertain his starship’s stone-faced troops.  Inevitably, Wonder Woman & Superman have their mighty hands full retrieving the Joker from Mongul’s restless army.     

Batman: Kevin Conroy                                                                       

Wonder Woman: Rachel Kimsey

Superman: Jason J. Lewis                                                                  

Joker: Mark Hamill

Flash: Charlie Schlatter                                                                      

Mongul: John DiMaggio                                            

Note: For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess. 

REVIEW:

Including a solid Superman vs. Mongul slugfest, this episode is virtually flawless Justice League entertainment.  A fun bonus is reuniting Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill in their roles as Batman and the Joker.  The episode’s chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, is barely noticeable when paired with writer Duane Capizzi’s excellent story.  Since the target audience is the undemanding age 10-and-under crowd, kids won’t likely complain too much about the simplistic visuals.  The stellar “Galaxy Jest” should delight Justice League fans, regardless of age.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                         8½ Stars

Note: This episode is also on the Justice League Action: Superpowers United! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the first half of the series).   

SUMMARY:                        Running Time: 11 Min.

Directed by Jake Castorena, this episode first aired in the U.S. on February 4, 2017.  On a spooky spring night at in Louisiana cemetery, Solomon Grundy retrieves the mystical ‘Star of the Dead’ gem, which unleashes an undead army.  Aided by a mystically crimson moon that enhances the gem’s powers, Grundy intends to vastly expand his legion of zombies by invading New Orleans.  Further augmenting his undead legion, Grundy raids another Louisiana cemetery.  The opposition for this zombie convention are Swamp Thing, Zatanna Zatara, and Batman.   

Batman: Kevin Conroy                                                                       

Zatanna Zatara: Lacey Chabert

Swamp Thing: Mark Hamill                                                               

Solomon Grundy: Fred Tatasciore

John Constantine (cameo): Damian O’Hare                                                   

Brother Night (cameo): Dan Donohue                        

Note: For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess. 

REVIEW:

Taking a kid-friendly approach to the macabre, writer Paul Dini delivers an exciting Solomon Grundy caper.  Though Batman and Zatanna have great fight scene moments, the Swamp Thing vs. Grundy feud is gritty fun.  The vocal cast’s performances prove spot-on.  Still, it still takes a few moments acclimating to Mark Hamill’s soft take on Swamp Thing (as compared to actor Dick Durock’s guttural voice as the live-action Swamp Thing). 

The episode’s chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, is easy to overlook this time because of the high-caliber script.  Since the target audience is the undemanding age 10-and-under crowd, kids won’t likely complain too much about the simplistic visuals or the hardly scary zombies.  For children and adults alike, the well-played “Zombie King” should make Justice League fans pretty happy.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   8 Stars

Note: This episode is also on the Justice League Action: Superpowers United! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the first half of the series). 

  

SUMMARY:                                                      Running Time: 11 Min.

Directed by Doug Murphy, this episode first aired in the U.S. on January 28, 2017.  With Leaguers like Superman and Wonder Woman unable to intervene, it’s up to rookie super-hero Firestorm to thwart an imminent crisis at the Hudson Nuclear Power Plant. 

As a parody of a 1950’s-style stereotypical ‘All-American’ family, the misguided Nuclear Family androids (consisting of Dad; Mom; Biff; Sis; Brat; and the family dog) intend to ignite a radioactive meltdown.  The origins of both Firestorm and the Nuclear Family are linked to this same nuclear facility.  Facing the combined nuclear power of six robots, an energetic Firestorm must justify his favorite catchphrase: “The heat is on!” 

The voice cast is:

Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond): P.J. Byrne                               

Wonder Woman & Sis: Rachel Kimsey

Professor Martin Stein: Stephen Tobolowsky                           

Batman: Kevin Conroy

Mom & Brat: Melissa Disney                                                  

Dad: Kevin Shinick

Superman & Biff: Jason J. Lewis                                                          

Note: For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess. 

REVIEW:

Imbued with writer Paul Dini’s witty humor, this well-played Firestorm adventure introduces the vintage Ronnie Raymond & Professor Martin Stein version as a welcome nod to the 80’s Justice League.  Impressively, this episode packs enough story usually found in full-length cartoon episodes.  While voice actors P.J. Byrne and Stephen Tobolowsky make a fun Firestorm/Professor Stein combo, Kevin Shinick’s Dad and Melissa Disney’s Mom stand out as the hilariously deadpan Nuclear Family parents.    

Of course, one has to consider the episode’s chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look.  As the target audience is the undemanding age 10-and-under crowd, kids won’t likely complain too much.  Still, parents might expect to get some curious questions re: the topic of nuclear energy after seeing this episode.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    7 Stars

Note: This episode is also on the Justice League Action: Superpowers United! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the first half of the series).

SUMMARY:                                         Running Time: 11 Min.

Directed by Jake Castorena, this episode first aired in the U.S. on January 21, 2017.  Escorting a bottled Mr. Mind back to Earth from the Galactic Court, Superman is ambushed in deep space by rival bounty hunters Lobo and Jonas.  It appears that the conniving worm has crossed alien mobster Boss Kack, who has placed a hefty bounty on him.  Desperately hitching a ride with Space Cabbie, a weakened Man of Steel needs emergency Justice League back-up.  With Hawkman & Superman tangling with Lobo, it’s up to Space Cabbie to thwart a certain worm’s escape during the melee.   

The voice cast is:  

Superman & Boss Kack: Jason J. Lewis                                  

Hawkman & Jonas: Troy Baker

Lobo: John DiMaggio                                                 

Mr. Mind: Oliver Vaquer

Space Cabbie: Patton Oswalt                                                   

Note: For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess. 

REVIEW:

Packed with writer Paul Dini’s humor, this witty Silver Age-style tale might have made a fine Justice League Unlimited episode.  In addition to Mr. Mind’s incessant scheming and Space Cabbie’s collection of selfies with previous League clients, perhaps this short’s best element is the Hawkman vs. Lobo showdown, which resembles DC Comics’ answer to the Foghorn Leghorn vs. Barnyard Dawg feud. 

The only off-note is the mace-wielding Hawkman’s generic space cop costume, which is just a blah visual look for the character.  Still, voice actor John DiMaggio memorably steals the show with his spot-on interpretation of the dim-witted Lobo.  

Of course, one has to consider the episode’s chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look.  Since the target audience is the undemanding age 10-and-under crowd, kids shouldn’t complain too much.  “Follow That Space Cab!” delivers a nostalgic treat for super-hero fans, especially those who enjoy DC’s tongue-in-cheek Silver Age tales from the 1950’s and 60’s.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  7 Stars

Note: This episode is also on the Justice League Action: Superpowers United! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the first half of the series).    

SUMMARY:                                         Running Time: 10-11 Min.

Directed by Jake Castorena, this episode first aired in the U.S. on December 16, 2016.  After Episodes 1-3: “Classic Rock; “Power Outage;” and “Night of The Bat,” another demonic round-up ends the “Shazam Slam” four-parter.  The League faces a considerable challenge capturing the elusive demons Abnegazar, Rath, and Nyorlath.  As a costume-switching scheme only proves briefly effective, it’s up to Batman to find some potent allies, who can shift the odds in the League’s favor. 

Story elements from Episode 1: “Classic Rock,” come into play, as the ghoulish trio gets formidable back-up.  A temporarily-homeless League also stumbles upon replacing the destroyed Hall of Justice with a new island headquarters. 

The voice cast is:

Wonder Woman: Rachel Kimsey                                                 

Green Arrow & Nyorlath: Chris Diamantopoulos

Superman & Rath: Jason J. Lewis                                             

Plastic Man: Dana Snyder

Batman: Kevin Conroy                                                              

Cyborg: Cameo (No Vocal Appearance)

John Constantine & Abnegazar: Damian O’Hare                       

Swamp Thing: Mark Hamill

Green Lantern (Hal Jordan): Cameo (No Vocal Appearance)     

Black Adam: Gary Cole

Billy Batson / Shazam (aka Captain Marvel): Sean Astin

Note: For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess. 

REVIEW:

Packing in plenty of story, it’s a rousing wrap-up for “Shazam Slam.”  Aside from the mischievous gag of Plastic Man gleefully cross-dressing as Wonder Woman, this episode delivers a terrific kiddie entertainment package.  Including a brief stop-over at DC’s House of Mystery, the episode smartly sets up how the League’s island-based Watchtower replaces the destroyed Hall of Justice.  This cartoon’s sole detriment is Dana Snyder’s squeaky take vocalizing Plastic Man, which is likely meant to emulate Tom Kenny’s version from Batman: Brave and The Bold.  Let’s just leave it as saying Kenny’s wacky Plastic Man is far, far better in comparison. 

Of course, one has to consider the episode’s chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look.  Since the target audience is the undemanding age 10-and-under crowd, the entertaining “Shazam Slam, Part 4: Abate and Switch” is the best of the first four episodes.  To its credit, sheer creativity and a spot-on voice cast, particularly Rachel Kimsey’s energetic Wonder Woman, overcome the cartoon’s cheap-looking visuals.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                8 Stars

Note: This episode is also on the Justice League Action: Superpowers United! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the first half of the series).