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).
