Category: DC-Related

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).