SUMMARY: Running Time: 11 Min.
Directed by Shaunt Nigoghossian, this episode first aired in the U.S. on April 8, 2017. Deploying an army of monstrous mannequins as a diversion, Felix Faust swipe a distracted Zatanna Zatara’s magical top hat. Tracing the villainous sorcerer overseas to a Scottish island, Batman, Zatanna, & Etrigan the Demon take the fight to him.
Using Zatanna’s hat to open an interdimensional portal, a decrepit Faust releases the mystical giant insect, Ghast, in exchange for restoring his long-sought youth. While Batman & Etrigan go on a monster hunt, an outnumbered Zatanna desperately faces off against Faust and his two stone henchmen.
Batman: Kevin Conroy
Zatanna Zatara: Lacey Chabert
Jason Blood / Etrigan the Demon / Merlin: Patrick Seitz
Felix Faust: Jon Cryer
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:
Devised by writer Duane Capizzi, this macabre episode is a second showcase for the team-up chemistry between Batman, Zatanna, and Etrigan (see also Episode 14: “Speed Demon.”) Jon Cryer adds an ideal vocal element with his rendition of Felix Faust. With well-timed bits of humor, the episode smartly balances Batman & Etrigan’s predicament vs. Ghast with Zatanna’s showdown vs. Faust. Its best creative choice is Zatanna’s amusing gag re: her magical equivalent of GPS.
The normally chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, appears surprisingly good this time. Considering the target audience is the undemanding age 10-and-under crowd, even adult fans should be impressed by this exciting “Hat Trick.”
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars
Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Superpowers United! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the first half of the series).
