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).
