Month: February 2021

SUMMARY:                                          RUNNING TIME: 11 Min.

Directed by Shaunt Nigoghossian, this episode first aired in the U.S. on October 14, 2017.  Holding Batman captive on live television, the Joker dares Wonder Woman & Green Arrow to rescue him in time.  Forced to rely upon Edward Nigma (aka the Riddler) as their ‘Sherlock Holmes,’ the League gambles that he can decipher the Joker’s taunting clues to save the Dark Knight from an inescapable death trap. 

Joker: Mark Hamill                                                                

Edward Nigma / Riddler: Brent Spiner

Wonder Woman: Rachel Kimsey                                             

Green Arrow: Chris Diamantopoulos

Batman: (non-speaking cameo)                       

Penguin: Dana Snyder

Gotham City Punk: Uncredited                                               

Solomon Grundy: Fred Tatasciore (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 well-played storyline could easily have been an episode of either Batman: The Animated Series or Batman: The Brave and The Bold.  Reminiscent of James Woods’ Lex Luthor and John de Lancie’s Brainiac, Brent Spiner (as the Riddler) is an inspired choice.  Dana Snyder delivers a solid turn voicing the Penguin’s cameo.  Compensating for Kevin Conroy’s ‘absence’ as Batman, the fun chemistry that Rachel Kimsey’s Wonder Woman and Chris Diamantopoulos’ Green Arrow share with Spiner readily moves this storyline along.  Anchoring this package is Mark Hamill’s hilariously diabolical Joker, who contributes to a memorable twist just before the finish line.      

In terms of originality, this episode deserves high marks, especially for egging on long-standing rivalries the Riddler has with the Joker and Penguin.  Overcoming its cheesy animation, the appropriately ingenious plot for “E. Nigma, Consulting Detective” highlights one of the most satisfying adventures in this series.     

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   8½ Stars

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

SUMMARY:                               RUNNING TIME: 11 Min.

Directed by Doug Murphy, this episode first aired in the U.S. on October 7, 2017.  One by one, the world’s greatest minds: Lex Luthor, the Brain, the Calculator, Mr. Terrific, and Batman are abducted by a robot into apparently another dimension.  Forced to compete against one another in the so-called “Brain Games,” their mysterious captor intends to determine, by process of TV reality show-style elimination, which one is the smartest (and most resourceful) of all.  Yet, the grand prize may prove far more dangerous than any of them could imagine. 

Batman: Kevin Conroy                                                            

Michael Holt / Mr. Terrific: Hannibal Buress 

Lex Luthor: James Woods                                                      

Calculator: Ely Henry

Brain: Jim Ward                                                                     

Mr. Mind: Oliver Vaquer

Robot: Uncredited (possibly Oliver Vaquer)                             

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:

In terms of originality and its visual backdrop, this episode deserves high marks.  Including an improved effort from Ely Henry’s Calculator, the voice cast is perfect egging on their various character rivalries. 

Perhaps the script’s only unsatisfying element is not revealing how the true culprit discovered or created the “Brain Games” playground.  For that matter, one can only presume that the characters will rely on the henchman robot to return home afterwards.  Overcoming its chintzy animation, the ingenious storyline for “The Brain Buster” merits among Justice League Action’s better adventures.     

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 Shaunt Nigoghossian, this episode first aired in the U.S. on September 30, 2017.  Discovering an unoccupied Justice League Watchtower, Firestorm investigates.  It’s up to him to convince the now-amnesiac (and apparently powerless) Clark Kent, Diana Prince, and Bruce Wayne that they are really super-heroes.  They’re also his sole back-up against Felix Faust and his army of Golems.  Faust has no intention of giving away the magical cure to restore the League. 

Firestorm: P.J. Byrne                                                             

Felix Faust: Jon Cryer            

Diana Prince / Wonder Woman: Rachel Kimsey                      

Clark Kent / Superman: Jason J. Lewis

Bruce Wayne / Batman: Kevin Conroy                                    

Professor Martin Stein: Stephen Tobolowsky

Metropolis TV reporter (female): Uncredited                           

Metropolis uniformed cop (male): 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:

Played as a sitcom, the episode’s arsenal of gags hits all its targets.  Aided by Stephen Tobolowsky’s monotone banter, P.J. Byrne delivers one of his best Firestorm performances.  The same applies to Jason J. Lewis exploring Clark Kent’s mild-mannered persona.  The inside joke of Kevin Conroy spoofing his own raspy Batman voice is one of two Bat-gems.  The other is a Looney Tunes-style gag re: Batman admiring his own handiwork. 

Only Rachel Kimsey’s Wonder Woman doesn’t get much to do, but her short responses to the story’s amusing twists are spot-on.  Jon Cryer completes this ensemble cast with a fun rendition of Felix Faust.  Overcoming the series’ chintzy animation, “Forget Me Not” delivers a delightfully witty adventure for super-hero fans of 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 Jake Castorena, this episode first aired in the U.S. on September 23, 2017.  In deep space combat, the League sends in a microscopic spy to investigate Sinestro’s new super-charged ring.  Yet, the Atom must overcome his own worst fears to thwart Sinestro’s decimation of the League’s three most powerful members in time.        

Green Lantern (Hal Jordan): Josh Keaton                              

Sinestro / Despotellis: Darin De Paul              

Wonder Woman: Rachel Kimsey                                             

Superman: Jason J. Lewis

Atom (Ray Palmer): Jerry O’Connell                          

Notes: In a hallucination sequence, various other Leaguers (i.e. Zatanna Zatara) appear in laughing-only cameos.  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:

Jerry O’Connell’s Atom and Josh Keaton’s Green Lantern make great impressions, as does Darin De Paul’s double-feature as both Sinestro and Despotellis.  The fast-paced plot is worthy of a comic book, as its take on Sinestro’s fearsome Yellow Lanterns makes perfect creative sense.  Despite the series’ chintzy animation, this episode deserves credit for generating some worthy visuals.  This episode isn’t one of Justice League Action’s absolute best, but it’s still well worth catching. 

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).