Category: DC-Related

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).   

SUMMARY:                                 Running Time: 10-11 Min.

Directed by Doug Murphy, this episode first aired in the U.S. on December 16, 2016, continuing the storyline re: escaped demons from Episodes 1-2: “Classic Rock” and “Power Outage.”  Chasing after fugitive demon Uthool of the Brothers Djinn in Gotham City, an over-confident Batman becomes possessed by the demon.  Posing as the Dark Knight, Uthool intends to ignite the Hall of Justice’s radioactive core to force a volcanic catastrophe.  It’s up to the League to thwart the mighty Uthool in time, though the team’s headquarters may suffer irreparable consequences.  Episode 4: “Abate and Switch,” concludes the “Shazam Slam” four-parter.      

The voice cast is:

Wonder Woman: Rachel Kimsey                                                         

Green Arrow: Chris Diamantopoulos

Superman: Jason J. Lewis                                                                  

Booster Gold & Uthool: Diedrich Bader

Batman: Kevin Conroy                                                                       

Cyborg: Khary Payton

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:

Previously portraying Batman in Batman: Brave and the Bold, Diedrich Bader steals the show as a hilariously clueless Booster Gold.  Doubling as the demonic Uthool, Bader is dynamite with this voice cast, including the always-reliable Kevin Conroy as Batman and Khary Payton’s Cyborg.  Though the plot is routine, this episode is still a terrific way to spend about ten minutes, particularly Booster Gold’s one-sided boxing workouts with Batman.         

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 won’t likely complain much.  The surprisingly entertaining “Shazam Slam, Part 3: Night of the Bat” accomplishes this task well enough.   

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, continuing the storyline re: escaped demons from Episode 1: “Classic Rock.”  Escaping prison, the Parasite merges with a fiery demon, Calythos, who belongs to the Brothers Djinn, who have escaped the Rock of Eternity.  Siphoning off Superman and Wonder Woman’s combined powers, Calythos intends to force an intense volcanic catastrophe to revert Earth back to its primordial existence.  The two Leaguers must summon some ideal help.  Episodes 3-4: “Night of The Bat” and “Abate and Switch,” finish the “Shazam Slam” four-parter. 

The voice cast is:

Wonder Woman: Rachel Kimsey                                                         

Jimmy Olsen & Parasite: Max Mittelman

Superman: Jason J. Lewis                                                                  

Martian Manhunter: Crispin Freeman

Batman (cameo): Kevin Conroy                                                          

Calythos: David Lodge                        

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:

For the most part, Power Outage is a great Superman/Wonder Woman team-up.  Supported by a few humorous bits with Jimmy Olsen, this episode is a fun way to spend ten minutes.  Jason J. Lewis’ Superman continues the low-key style shared by Tim Daly and George Newbern from Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League Unlimited.  Rachel Kimsey’s energetic Wonder Woman is a delight in playing up her powerhouse presence.  David Lodge’s sneering Calythos is a hoot, as Lodge’s voice perfectly matches this animation style.  The only off-note is that Crispin Freeman’s Martian Manhunter too closely replicates the Red Tornado’s nasally mechanical voice previously heard in Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

One also 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. “Shazam Slam, Part 2: Power Outage” accomplishes its job relatively well.   

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 inaugural episode first aired in the U.S. on December 16, 2016.  It then segues into Episodes 2-4: “Power Outage;” “Night of The Bat;” and “Abate and Switch,” otherwise collectively known as the “Shazam Slam” four-parter.  The elderly Wizard is hunted in Gotham City by three demonic hitmen, only to be saved by Batman.  Aiding the Wizard in his return to the mystical Rock of Eternity, it’s up to them to save a captive Billy Batson and stop Black Adam’s latest scheme to steal the Power of Shazam.

The voice cast consists of:

Batman: Kevin Conroy                                                                       

Black Adam: Gary Cole

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

The Wizard (aka Shazam): Carl Reiner

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:

Plot-wise, it’s reminiscent of Batman’s Brave and The Bold cartoon series where the Dark Knight team ups with a guest hero (or heroes) each week.  In that sense, as improbable as a Batman/Wizard team-up seems, the concept is still executed in a satisfying manner.  Led by the reliable Kevin Conroy’s Batman, the voice cast is absolute spot-on, from Carl Reiner’s doddering Wizard to Gary Cole’s malevolent Black Adam.  Sean Astin, in a dual role, is ideal portraying Billy Batson and the World’s Mightiest Mortal (making it readily clear to any confused young fans that Shazam/Captain Marvel is still Billy).   

The only significant difference is 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.  “Shazam Slam, Part 1: Classic Rock” accomplishes its job well enough.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  6½ 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.