Month: January 2021

SUMMARY:                                       RUNNING TIME: 11 Min.

Directed by Jake Castorena, this episode first aired in the U.S. on September 16, 2017.  Lex Luthor’s new experimental weapon divides Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman into dual beings: the blue versions are their far weaker and more benign selves while the ‘reds’ are their evil counterparts.  Worse yet, these sinister red versions intend to decimate the League and possibly the Earth with the same weapon.      

Superman: Jason J. Lewis                                                      

Lex Luthor: James Woods                              

Wonder Woman: Rachel Kimsey                                             

Batman: Kevin Conroy

Green Arrow: Chris Diamantopoulos                                      

Female S.T.A.R. Labs Scientist: Uncredited

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:

This episode is certainly better than expected re: the Superman Red/Superman Blue premise familiar to DC Comics fans.  Instead of a mere recycling job, this smartly-written adventure expands it by incorporating Batman and Wonder Woman into the mix. 

Added with Chris Diamantopoulos’ fun Green Arrow, the vocal chemistry among Kevin Conroy, Rachel Kimsey, and Jason J. Lewis as DC’s ‘Trinity’ is  high-caliber.  Its most pivotal element, however, is James Woods’ Lex Luthor, as his poignantly climatic scene (much like one he has in Episode 33: “Best Day Ever”) rates among the character’s best-ever scenes in animated form. 

Balancing light kiddie humor with some welcome plot twists, “Superman Red vs. Superman Blue” overcomes the series’ chintzy animation for an exciting scenario worthy of the comic books.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       7½ Stars

Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Battles from Beyond! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the series’ second half).    

SUMMARY:                                  RUNNING TIME: 11 Min.

Directed by Jake Castorena, this episode first aired in the U.S. on September 9, 2017.  Due to mistaken identity, Clark Kent’s snide Daily Planet rival, Sid Sharp, is abducted by Darkseid’s bumbling forces.  Inevitably, it’s up to the Man of Steel to single-handedly invade Apokolips to rescue Sid.      

Sid Sharp: Jon Lovitz                                                              

Superman / Clark Kent / DeSaad: Jason J. Lewis

Darkseid: Jonathan Adams                                                     

Kalibak / Perry White: Piotr Michael

Jimmy Olsen: Max Mittleman                                                 

Granny Goodness: Cloris Leachman

Kalibak / Perry White: Piotr Michael

Kanto: Troy Baker                                                                  

Batman: Kevin Conroy

Metropolis Cabbie: Uncredited                                                

Metropolis Uniformed Cop: Uncredited

Darkseid’s Parademon: Uncredited                                         

Notes: Lois Lane makes a brief, non-speaking cameo.  Also, 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:

Close in spirit to Superman: The Animated Series, this middling sitcom doesn’t really involve the League, notwithstanding Batman’s cameo.  Jason J. Lewis does excellent work conveying Superman/Clark Kent, as does Jonathan Adams’ Darkseid – Adams recaptures the same ominous aura as Frank Welker’s rendition from The Super-Friends‘ last two seasons. 

The problem lies more with Lovitz’s snarky Sid Sharp — even a little goes a long way, much like Gilbert Gottfried’s nasal-powered vocals as Mxyzptlk in this same series. With Sharp even drawn to resemble Lovitz, it’s easy to visualize Lovitz pitching his character’s droll putdowns. Hence, the contrived plot necessitates Darkseid’s top henchmen being played as incompetent and slow-witted boobs.  Depicting Superman capable of easily retrieving Sid from Apokolips doesn’t bolster Darkseid and Co.’s credibility as major baddies for this series, either.

Worst of all, the ultra-predictable (and unimaginative) plot twists make this episode the worst installment of Justice League Action.  One can sense where this episode is going the entire time.  Yet, if one is hoping for a celebratory Daily Planet staff reaction shot that the obnoxious Sid might forever be gone, the script doesn’t even offer that can’t-miss gag. 

Another avenue it doesn’t explore is O. Henry’s patented “Ransom of Red Chief” formula where exasperated kidnapper, Darkseid, should gladly punt Sid back to Earth.  Instead, an over-reliance on Lovitz’s unfunny jibes concedes that the series’ underwhelming animation is actually a better asset than the mediocre script. For whatever reason, “Superman’s Pal, Sid Sharp,” is a dubious homage to Superman’s gimmicky, best-forgotten Silver Age adventures.  

BRIAN’S 10-STAR RATING:                             3 Stars

Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Battles from Beyond! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the series’ second half).    

SUMMARY:                               RUNNING TIME: 11 Min.

Directed by Jake Castorena, this episode first aired in the U.S. on August 26, 2017.  The Joker’s hijinks break out Lex Luthor out of prison seemingly for a day of fun-and-games.  Of course, the League’s hot pursuit around the globe adds to their nefarious playtime with a stolen ‘mother box’ teleporter.  Once the Joker’s devastating true scheme is revealed, the League may need help from an unexpected source.  

Joker: Mark Hamill                                                                            

Batman: Kevin Conroy

Lex Luthor: James Woods                                                                  

Wonder Woman: Rachel Kimsey

Superman: Jason J. Lewis

Flash: Charlie Schlatter                                                                      

Karen (Prison Guard): Uncredited

Big Belly Drive-Thru Employee: Uncredited                                        

Notes: Zatanna Zatara, Cyborg, Green Arrow, Hawkman, Ace the Bat-Hound, and Krypto all appear in non-speaking cameos.  Also, 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:

Once more, the episode’s premise is well-played for laughs until the right moment unleashes a battle-oriented climax.  Anchoring the storyline are top-caliber efforts from Mark Hamill and James Woods vocalizing the world’s two most dangerous villains.  Beyond a look inside Luthor’s secret base, the effective use of several Justice Leaguers (even in cameo appearances) is the episode’s main asset. 

Further, as with Episode 36: “Superman Red vs. Superman Blue,” Woods poignantly conveys one of Luthor’s best-ever animated scenes in this episode’s climax.  Accordingly, writer Paul Dini’s witty script really isn’t hampered by the series’ chintzy animation.  Though “Best Day Ever” isn’t necessarily a ‘Top Five’ prospect re: Justice League Action, it’s still a pretty entertaining caper for all ages.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        8 Stars

Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Battles from Beyond! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the series’ second half).    

SUMMARY:                                   RUNNING TIME: 11 Min.

Directed by Doug Murphy, this episode first aired in the U.S. on August 19, 2017.  Wonder Woman diverts an eager-to-please Bizarro on a ‘date’ in Paris playing miniature golf.  Meanwhile, the android Amazo abruptly breaches the Justice League’s Watchtower.  Rapidly duplicating the League’s massive array of super-powers, Amazo captures six heroes in short order.  Amazo’s scheme to overwhelm the entire League may force Bizarro and an unexpected guest to help save the day.

Bizarro: Travis Willingham        

Batman: Kevin Conroy

Wonder Woman: Rachel Kimsey                                                         

Amazo: Thomas Lennon

Martian Manhunter: Crispin Freeman                                                

Flash: Charlie Schlatter

Space Cabbie: Patton Oswalt                                                               

Superman: Jason J. Lewis

Green Lantern (Hal Jordan): Josh Keaton

Notes: 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:

Pitting Amazo vs. Bizarro is an ingenious idea.  Bizarro’s ‘play date’ with Wonder Woman also makes for a great gag.  Well-played mostly for laughs, the voice cast makes the most of bringing the near-invincible Amazo into Justice League Action continuity. 

Travis Willingham’s child-like Bizarro is an added bonus to reliable vocal talents Kevin Conroy, Rachel Kimsey, Charlie Schlatter, and Jason J. Lewis.  While Crispin Freeman’s geeky Amazo is amusing, there isn’t enough vocal contrast to make his argument with a similar-sounding Bizarro as hilarious as it could be. 

The chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, works well enough for this episode.  Considering this show’s target audience is for ages 10-and-under, kids should appreciate “Booray for Bizarro,” as an entertaining homage to Bizarro.      

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                         7 Stars

Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Battles from Beyond! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the series’ second half).    

SUMMARY:                                  RUNNING TIME: 11 Min.

Directed by Jake Castorena, this episode first aired in the U.S. on August 12, 2017.  Seeking some personal down time, Green Arrow’s flight through the Bermuda Triangle is diverted to a mysterious island populated by dinosaurs.  The Emerald Archer soon gets an unwanted exclusive preview of Booster Gold’s latest get-rich-quick scheme.  Let’s just say it has something to do with a certain Steven Spielberg blockbuster movie re: dinosaurs running amok in the present-day. 

Booster Gold: Diedrich Bader                                                             

Green Arrow: Chris Diamantopoulos  

Batman: Kevin Conroy

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:

Spoofing Jurassic Park sounds easy, but “Booster’s Gold” has a veritable field day with the concept.   The deft chemistry between Chris Diamantopoulos’ Green Arrow and Diedrich Bader’s Booster Gold makes for a hilarious buddy action-adventure.  Though many of the script’s twists are predictable, this episode still makes the best use of them.  The wacky time-traveling sequences are certainly an added bit of inspiration. 

The chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, corresponds well with this comic book-worthy script.  The dinosaurs impressively deliver an upgrade in the artwork.  Considering the target audience clearly extends past the age 10-and-under crowd, even adult fans should get some big laughs out of this Justice League romp.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      8 Stars

Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Battles from Beyond! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the series’ second half).