Steve Presents: Reviews of Batman Animated Series and others

[Steve]

The joys of six degrees of separation, Steve.

Oh yeah. Used to have fun as a kid recognizing VAs between shows.

Also, rewatching Avatar on NickToons to see the ones they put the "Extras" on. I like the mixture of fluff and the occasional snarky remark or observation (as well as humor occasionally in recaps) that the Extra blurb writers put in..

[RogueIce]

The joys of six degrees of separation, Steve.

Oh yeah. Used to have fun as a kid recognizing VAs between shows.

Is Jennifer Hale the VA version of Kevin Bacon? Because I have seen her show up in the credits of all sorts of things I wasn't expecting, like her very awesome role as Katrina in Quest for Glory IV (I didn't even really recognize her at first, though now that I know I can sort of pick up on her vocal similarities). And of course, Jennifer Mui in the Mercenaries series (try as I might, I still can't make her 'sound like' Giganta, Katrina, or her other roles I'm familiar with).

EDIT:

JLU: Giganta, Killer Frost, Inza, Zatanna, Black Siren

Damn, she did all of those?

She's got some vocal range, to say the least.

[Setzer]

I think that Frank Welker takes the cake there. Either him or Jim Cummings.

[JME2]

I think that Frank Welker takes the cake there. Either him or Jim Cummings.

I think Welker holds the record, but Cummings is damm close.

[CaptainChewbacca]

The episode that has stuck with me the most, and which I remembered immediately, was the one two-parter where Peter begins to age and become an adult, so Neverland literally begins to decay and die around everyone.

That was actually the 2-part series finale. That was a freaking dark show, now that I think about it.

And I'm not surprised Curry's Hook is the most memorable. He's the one thing about the show I still remember after all these years. And his Hook is probably the best animated version of the character, though Hoffman's Hook challenges for top spot from what I remember of Hook. And speaking of Hook....

Only Tim Curry can say 'Fire and Damnation' on a saturday morning show and get away with it. He was fucking SCARY.

[Setzer]

OK, let's try it.

I'll start with Jennifer Hale and Frank Welker.

Jennifer Hale, according to IMDB, had a voice role in Codename Kids Next Door. And... Frank Welker was on the very same show.

OK, that was a bit too fast. Let's try a different one. Mark Hamill. In addition to playing Fire Lord Ozai, he has made a name for himself as the voice of the Joker for my generation. He also had a bit part as the Channukah Zombie in Futurama: Bender's Big Score... where Frank Welker did the voice of Nibbler.

You know, I'm starting to wonder if we really need to bother with degrees of seperation.

[Molyneux]

OK, let's try it.

I'll start with Jennifer Hale and Frank Welker.

Jennifer Hale, according to IMDB, had a voice role in Codename Kids Next Door. And... Frank Welker was on the very same show.

OK, that was a bit too fast. Let's try a different one. Mark Hamill. In addition to playing Fire Lord Ozai, he has made a name for himself as the voice of the Joker for my generation. He also had a bit part as the Channukah Zombie in Futurama: Bender's Big Score... where Frank Welker did the voice of Nibbler.

You know, I'm starting to wonder if we really need to bother with degrees of seperation.

It is a very dense network of links in there...though I personally would love to see a "degrees of separation" between, say, Scott McNeil and Mark Hamill.

EDIT - The Oracle of Bacon to the rescue! It actually shows a McNeil number of only 2 for Hamill - and that's only counting feature films. It really is a densely-packed industry.

[JME2]

Only Tim Curry can say 'Fire and Damnation' on a saturday morning show and get away with it. He was fucking SCARY.

I've often wondered if we'll ever see recordings of Curry's performance as the Joker during early BTAS. For anymore not familiar, Curry originally got the part, but after a few recordings, the producers decided to recast. Mark Hamill, who had just done the corrupt CEO Ferris Boyle in "Heart of Ice", came in for an audition and the rest is history.

According to a convention Conroy was at earlier in the year, Hamill's Joker was "psychotic with a smile" while Curry's Joker had been 100% psychotic.

And speaking of the Joker, I think it's time for another DCAU review...

"WILD CARDS"
When the Justice League first formed in “Secret Origins”, they didn’t just bring their experience and abilities with them. The 7 heroes also brought their rogues galleries to the table and it often had consequences. Lex Luthor would expand his private war against Superman to include the entire League after the events of “Injustice for All”. Flash’s first encounter with Grodd would come back to haunt the League in Season 2 and especially Season 5. And of course Batman’s presence on the team meant that the Clown Prince of Crime would most certainly appear and try to snag an entire episode for himself.

“Wild Cards” opens with the Joker and his Girl Friday, Harley Quin popping up on the airwaves of Las Vegas. The clown has planted a ticking time bomb somewhere on the Vegas Strip and only the Justice League can stop it; if law enforcement tries to locate and disarm it, Joker will hit the detonator anyway. The League has no choice but to respond and play the Joker’s game.

Unfortunately as Batman has grimly noted in the past, things are never what they seem with the Joker. One bomb quickly turns into twenty-five and the team also has to contend with a super-powered hit squad brought in by the clown for the occasion. And even if they manage to stop the bombs, is Las Vegas’ destruction the Joker’s only goal or does he have an ace up his sleeve?

Stan Berkowitz and Dwayne McDuffie’s script strikes the DCAU’s usual balance of humor and malice when it comes to the Joker. Aided as always by Mark Hamill’s cheerfully deranged performance, the episode is one of the funniest and most terrifying episodes of the series. The clown’s commentary and lamp shading is hysterical, as are gags like the bookie’s analysis of Batman vs. Jack. The twist behind the Joker’s scheme is classic and one of the best of the DCAU.

While they have no relation to the Batman Beyond-era team, the Joker’s own Royal Flush Gang is a fun inclusion, especially as would become a minor plot point of the Cadmus story arc in Season 3.The budding Hawkgirl/GL romance finally comes to a head, a development all the more tragic as “Starcrossed” immediately follows.

5/5

[Patrick Degan]

Only Tim Curry can say 'Fire and Damnation' on a saturday morning show and get away with it. He was fucking SCARY.

Oh, I remember him as the voice of Dr. Anton Sevarius —David Xanatos' contract mad scientist— on Gargoyles. The very sort of man who would build a gateway to Hell and then turn it on just to see what would happen.

[CaptainChewbacca]

I've often wondered if we'll ever see recordings of Curry's performance as the Joker during early BTAS. For anymore not familiar, Curry originally got the part, but after a few recordings, the producers decided to recast. Mark Hamill, who had just done the corrupt CEO Ferris Boyle in "Heart of Ice", came in for an audition and the rest is history.

As far as I know, all of Curry's stuff has different scripting than what they ended up having Hamil actually record, so there's no actual 'footage' of Curry's joker to watch.

And yeah, given his Pennywise, I think a Time Curry/Joker would be absolutely blood-curdling.

[Steve]

I read something about how Curry was having trouble maintaining the voice he was using for the Joker, going into coughing fits in the recording studio and such, so that's why he was recast.

[Steve]

Only Tim Curry can say 'Fire and Damnation' on a saturday morning show and get away with it. He was fucking SCARY.

Oh, I remember him as the voice of Dr. Anton Sevarius —David Xanatos' contract mad scientist— on Gargoyles. The very sort of man who would build a gateway to Hell and then turn it on just to see what would happen.

Ah, Dr. Sevarius. Everything about Gargoyles was awesome though.

[Crazedwraith]

Speaking was recently watching Batman Beyond's 'Final Cut' and very surprised to find he was playing the very thickly accented Assassin that tries to enlist Terry's aid in stopping Curare. Only when knowing this could I even recognise the faintest traces of Curry's typical mannerisms in the voice he was using.

[JME2]

Speaking was recently watching Batman Beyond's 'Final Cut' and very surprised to find he was playing the very thickly accented Assassin that tries to enlist Terry's aid in stopping Curare. Only when knowing this could I even recognise the faintest traces of Curry's typical mannerisms in the voice he was using.

He's definitely one of the most versatile VO actors in the industry-- hell, he's one of the most versatile actors in the industry, period.

[JME2]

Not to thread necro, but it's been a while since we had a review.

And with the announcement of the Avatar: TLA comics relaunch, I've been re-watching some of my favorite episodes. So, I figured I do a review...

BOOK 3, CHAPTER 6: THE AVATAR AND THE FIRELORD
History was always one of my favorite subjects in school and it remains one of my main hobbies. I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of cause and effect, that our lives and culture are the products of events that occurred decades, centuries, and even millennia) beforehand. History is cataloged and driven by events and the back-story of A:TLA is no different: Firelord Sozin harnessed the power of a comet and wiped out the Air Nomads as the first strike of a global war. This is the event that changed the world Aang left behind and brought about a world on the verge of defeat.

But events in turn are driven the actions of individuals, by their personalities, egos, and failings. Numerous factors contributed to the fall of Ba Sing Se, for example. But it ultimately would have been possible without Zuko’s fateful moment of weakness. Also, Aang’s decision to run away from the Northern Air Temple saved his life and the Avatar line, but also prolonged the duration of the War.
And the War itself is no immune to this questioning. Was Sozin as power-hungry as his grandson Ozai? If there had been signs that the Fire Nation was gearing up for war, why didn’t Avatar Roku stop them? Was he torn between his duty as the Avatar and his ties to the Fire Nation? The younger audience wouldn't wonder about fine details like this, but older viewers like myself did.

“The Avatar and the Firelord” thus examines the circumstances leading to the outbreak of the War through the viewpoints of Aang and Zuko alike. Aang journeys on another spirit quest with Roku while Zuko peruses the last testament of his great-grandfather. We learn that, amazingly, Roku and Sozin were childhood friends. Roku’s character had been presented in Books 1 and 2 as the wise, sagely Obi-Wan to Aang’s Luke. But the Book 3 premiere introduced a new, though in retrospect obvious facet: Roku blamed himself for the War. This episode expands on that. We see that while Roku was a capable and powerful Avatar, he had one great flaw: indecisiveness. By sparing Sozin out of respect for their friendship, he merely delayed the War’s outbreak and provided the key trigger.

Likewise, Sozin’s characterization is also welcome as we knew nothing of the man Sozin, only his legacy. Now finally, we see a ruler who is initially a contrast to Ozai, someone who cares not for personal glory, but about the well-being of his country and best friend. But as we know too well, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Sozin believes the best way to share that wealth with the world is to unite the other cultures under the Fire Nations’ standard. Given that the Fire Nation is an analogue for World War II-era Japan, his viewpoint mirrors the pro-nationalism and sense of cultural elitism that brought Japan to war with Asia and ultimate the US. Like Zuko at Ba Sing Se, Sozin makes a fateful choice and gives in to his ambitions at the end. That repercussions of that choice still reverberate a century later, but not in the way Sozin probably intended.

With that passage of time, Sozin's goals and ideals have been perverted and warped. Militarism has become the norm in the Fire Nation and how that atmosphere produced people like Ozai and Azula. It ties into the subtle messages and lessons from the Gaang’s journey through Fire Nation: The military may be winning the war, but the civilian population has not benefited from the expansion. If anything, they have suffered just as much as the victims among the other nations. Sozin’s dream is nearly a reality, but at the long-term cost of the Fire Nation’s honor and spirit. This is the message that Zuko is imparted with at the end and which becomes critical to the resolution of Book 3.

“The Avatar and the Firelord” is ultimately among my favorite episodes from the series and I hope A:TLoK has a similiar episode at one point to explore its own back-story.

5/5

[Tomzilla]

My Favorite Animated Episodes


'Batman: The Animated Series'

Easily one of the greatest animated series of all time. I own the DVD complete collection box set. It's one of the few animated shows that had excellent animation, superb storytelling, and perfect voice acting.

'The Demon's Quest: Part 1 and Part 2'

I love this episode because of its pacing and the introduction of one of Batman's greatest villains: Ra's al Ghul. David Warner voiced Ra's and I have to say, he did it perfectly. He perfectly captures the age, malice, and ingenuity of the character. The scene where Ra's emerges from the Lazarus Pit, cackling like a maniac (which he was at the time), still creeps me out. I also liked how Ra's tested Batman. Kevin Conroy's Batman remains my favorite because he perfectly embodies the Dark Knight in every way. And this episode helped prove how much of a detective Batman really is and why Ra's al Ghul respects him so.


'The Demon Within'

Etrigan. 'Nuff said.

Okay, I'll elaborate. I enjoyed the animation mostly. It perfectly captured the demonic, supernatural feel of the episode. It also treated us to plenty of comedic moments. In such a dark episode, it's strange how one moment you feel a chill crawl up your spine and in the next you're laughing hysterically.


'Over the Edge'

It was all just a dream, true. But it was more like a nightmare. I think it also showed how important Commission Gordon is to the Batman. He's Batman's greatest friend and most trusted ally for a reason. But if he ever snapped or Batman became the very thing he hunted? Watch out.

In this episode, Batgirl dies right after telling Commission Gordon who she really is: his daughter. This suddenly makes Batman the most wanted Man in Gotham. Gordon hunts him down in one of the most edge-of-your-seat episodes I've ever seen. I think this episode gives us a good idea about what would happen if Batman really became a fugitive to both the authorities and the people he trusted the most.


'Knight Time'

This was a crossover with Superman. Not the best crossover, but this episode stands out mostly because Superman dons the cape and cowl. There were so many classic lines in this episode.

Brainiac: "You're every bit the detective that your followers on the Internet believe."

I greatly enjoyed the final confrontation with Brainiac. Especially the part where Brainiac thinks he had just finished blasting Batman to smithereens only to be taken aback when Superman emerges from the flames. For a character infamous for being emotionless, the look on his face and the surprise in his voice will forever be priceless.

[JME2]

'The Demon Within'

Etrigan. 'Nuff said.

Okay, I'll elaborate. I enjoyed the animation mostly. It perfectly captured the demonic, supernatural feel of the episode. It also treated us to plenty of comedic moments. In such a dark episode, it's strange how one moment you feel a chill crawl up your spine and in the next you're laughing hysterically.

Yeah, this is one of my favorites from TNBA too. Great way to bring Etrigan into the DCAU (and onto Kids' WB; that was a miracle if I ever saw one).

The animation's great, but that's to be expected given it was done by TMS Entertainment in Japan. Team Timm used them for some of the more high-profile projects, from the Superman/Batman crossover "World's Finest" to "Return of the Joker". Damm good work.

[Steve]

A good review, JME.

One thing I particularly liked about that episode was showing how history can, indeed, turn upon a spur of the moment decision. On the 28th of June, 1914, a driver making a wrong turn down the streets of Sarajevo led to the First World War, with it the death of a generation and the destruction of the optimistic view of the world held at the time, further leading to the calamities of World War II, the Cold War, the Holocaust, and innumerable sufferings by our world caused by these conflicts.

In 1777 a Scots officer serving with the British Army decides he can't shoot a man in the back, and so George Washington goes on to become the lead figure of the Founding Fathers of the United States¹.

A Soviet colonel in 1983 decides not to panic, preventing World War III over a weather rocket.

Any one of these decisions by relatively minor figures could, having been made differently, have resulted in a drastic difference to the progress of our world and its histories, for good or ill.

In the case of the Avatar's world, Fire Lord Sozin did not deliberately plan to leave Roku to die that fateful night. Had he done so, he would've never come in the first place. No, he came that night with the best of intentions, to save his old friend and other subjects of his nation from a natural calamity. He acted boldly and decisively, and with courage befitting the highest of his ideals.

But then, Fate dangled a temptation before him. Roku, the one barrier to his dreams of a world unified under benevolent, industrious Fire Nation rule, laid low by volcanic gas. Possibly already dying. His ambition, kept in check by Roku for so long, now saw his friend-turned-rival gasping for breath, wounded perhaps fatally, and certain to die if only he permitted it. The road to his dream lay open, if only he would seize it.

And seize it he did. The part of him that was noble and good failed at that moment; ambition prevailed, and so Sozin left his friend, who had spared his life and who had even saved it that very night, to die. The road to the Fire Nation's genocidal war of conquest lay open, and with it Sozin sealed his own fate as well as Roku's. He would not be remembered as a visionary who united a troubled, divided world under a benevolent despotate but instead as a vicious conquerer who committed genocide. His descendants perverted his dream, turning the Fire Nation into a nightmare run by an out-of-control military establishment that forgot the reasons it had been assembled, determined only to destroy the other nations if they would not accept servitude as the serfs of a world run by and for the benefit of the Fire Nation alone.

In the end, if anything, Sozin might only find solace to know that his descendant in common with Roku - his great-grandson Zuko - would save his nation from his corrupted legacy.


¹ - Granted, Ferguson may have actually been targeting Casimir Pulaski, who would die later in the American War of Independence at Savannah, but you never know...

[JME2]

A good review, JME.

Thanks. Backstory is one of my favorite aspects of any fictional universe. This is actually one of the reasons I love Stargate, with the grand mythology and back0story that the shows have built up.

In 1777 a Scots officer serving with the British Army decides he can't shoot a man in the back, and so George Washington goes on to become the lead figure of the Founding Fathers of the United States¹.

You reminded me of Robert Cowley's "What If" anthology; that incident was classified as one of the major What If's of the American Revolution and with good reason, as you pointed out.

[Steve]

As noted, it's possible Ferguson was actually aiming at another officer, perhaps Casimir Pulaski, as his testimony indicated that the man he nearly shot was accompanied by an aid in the uniform of a "hussar". But we don't know either way for sure, and as Ferguson didn't survive the war (he was killed in the Battle of King's Mountain) no confirmation was forthcoming.

[Tomzilla]

'The Demon Within'

Etrigan. 'Nuff said.

Okay, I'll elaborate. I enjoyed the animation mostly. It perfectly captured the demonic, supernatural feel of the episode. It also treated us to plenty of comedic moments. In such a dark episode, it's strange how one moment you feel a chill crawl up your spine and in the next you're laughing hysterically.

Yeah, this is one of my favorites from TNBA too. Great way to bring Etrigan into the DCAU (and onto Kids' WB; that was a miracle if I ever saw one).

The animation's great, but that's to be expected given it was done by TMS Entertainment in Japan. Team Timm used them for some of the more high-profile projects, from the Superman/Batman crossover "World's Finest" to "Return of the Joker". Damm good work.

I never knew that. Thanks for the info and feedback!


My Favorite Episodes

'Superman: The Animated Series'

Superman is my favorite super hero. He stands for truth, justice, and the American way. He is one of the most powerful beings in his universe yet he has the most control. Easily one of the nicest, mostly respectful heroes in the game. But it's not his powers that defines him in my eyes. It's his humanity.

With that said, it's so damn hard to get him right. I'll admit this now. It's not easy portraying and writing Superman. It's not easy making a good Superman movie. It's not easy making a good Superman game ( ). Leave it to Bruce Timm and Co., to produce an incredibly awesome Superman series. There's so many memorable episodes, characters, and moments that I'd bore you all to tears if I took the time to write it all down. Before I get into my favorite episodes, here are some of the highlights of this excellent show:

Corey Burton's Brainiac. Whenever I read any Brainiac dialogue in the comics, I hear Corey Burton's cold, emotionless, and precise voice. Much like how I hear Mark Hamill or Kevin Conroy whenever I read Joker and Batman dialogue respectively.

Michael Ironside's Darkseid. The sheer evil, power, and authority in Ironside's voice will forever be seared into my brain. The Man IS Darkseid. Every time I see him in other projects, be it in a movie or television show, I assume he's playing Darkseid. Smallville better have his character return as Darkseid's vessel. Seriously.

Tim Daly, Dana Delaney, and Clancy Brown. Great Superman and Clark Kent voice, perfect Lois Lane voice and mannerisms, and one of the finest Lex Luthor performances ever. (Clancy Brown and Michael Rosenbaum are tied in my book when it comes to portraying Lex Luthor.) These three make the show watchable.


'The Late Mr. Kent'

One of the best written episodes in the series. Its storyline is unique and very easy to understand. Basically, Clark Kent is believed to have died in a car explosion. Superman must not only find a way to capture his murderer but bring him back to life without raising suspicions. This could've crashed and burn (much like how Clark Kent did in his car). Instead, the opposite happened; one my favorite episodes ever! The ending is also shocking.

Superman revealing how he can't be Superman all the time or he'd go crazy rings very true to the character and continuity. (To redeem himself to the people of the world, Superman worked tirelessly in the first season of Justice League. This made him very weary.)


'Apokolips... Now! Part One and Part 2'

Wow. So much happens in this episode. That's all I can really say. Brilliant voice acting, storytelling, animation, everything!

Dan Turpin's last scene made me very sad. It still does to this day. That's how damn good it is. Superman's last lines are very memorable, too.

"Goodbye old friend. In the end, the world didn't really need a Superman... Just a brave one."


'Brave New Metropolis'

In a parallel universe, Lois Lane died, and a grieving Superman joined forces with his greatest enemy, Lex Luthor. Reading that alone peaks my interest and I've already seen it! Everything about this episode works. JME2 said it best about backstory and how it's important in any story. We learned how and why this dark Superman made a deal with the devil. It even made sense. Seeing the Lois from another universe, alive, and what a reaction it had on him makes you realize how far he's fallen.

I can't recommend this episode enough.


'Legacy Part 1 and Part 2'

Forget comic book Darkseid. THIS is the real Darkseid. All writers wishing to know how to write and portray Darkseid should analyze these two episodes.

Where to begin? Darkseid brainwashed Superman and turned him loose on Earth. That about sums it up. Anyone who knows and likes Superman will instantly understand how big of a deal this is. Superman is an alien and was adopted by humans. I'm adopted and can relate on some level. It's one of the biggest reasons why I'm a fan of his. So the idea of being brainwashed and instructed to destroy the very people who took me in really hits home.

Fantastic action, animation, dialogue, and character development ensued. What a way to 'end' Superman's animated series.

Darkseid: "I am many things... But here, I am God."


Batman and Superman fans should love 'World's Finest'. If you haven't seen it yet, see to it that you do. It's made of win and is one of my favorite episodes.

[JME2]

'The Demon Within'

Etrigan. 'Nuff said.

Okay, I'll elaborate. I enjoyed the animation mostly. It perfectly captured the demonic, supernatural feel of the episode. It also treated us to plenty of comedic moments. In such a dark episode, it's strange how one moment you feel a chill crawl up your spine and in the next you're laughing hysterically.

Yeah, this is one of my favorites from TNBA too. Great way to bring Etrigan into the DCAU (and onto Kids' WB; that was a miracle if I ever saw one).

The animation's great, but that's to be expected given it was done by TMS Entertainment in Japan. Team Timm used them for some of the more high-profile projects, from the Superman/Batman crossover "World's Finest" to "Return of the Joker". Damm good work.

I never knew that. Thanks for the info and feedback!

Sure.

It's something I started paying attention to after listening to Team Timm's commentary across the previous DVD's. They love TMS's animation a lot and I've gotten better at identifying which studio did which DCAU episode.

Here's a fun trivia note: They actually reused snippets of explosion sequences from ROTJ in JL/JLU if they felt the animation lacked the necessary punch.

[Patrick Degan]

'The Demon's Quest: Part 1 and Part 2'

I love this episode because of its pacing and the introduction of one of Batman's greatest villains: Ra's al Ghul. David Warner voiced Ra's and I have to say, he did it perfectly. He perfectly captures the age, malice, and ingenuity of the character. The scene where Ra's emerges from the Lazarus Pit, cackling like a maniac (which he was at the time), still creeps me out. I also liked how Ra's tested Batman. Kevin Conroy's Batman remains my favorite because he perfectly embodies the Dark Knight in every way. And this episode helped prove how much of a detective Batman really is and why Ra's al Ghul respects him so.

These episodes worked so well because the producers actually brought in Len Wein and Denny O'Neil to write the scripts, adapting from their own source material of the classic first appearance of the Demon in the 70s comics. The golden moment is the recreation of the sword duel in the desert between Ra's and the Detective. And yes, David Warner provided an excellent voice. Years ago, I used to think that Christopher Lee would have made a great Ra's Al Ghul, but Warner did capture the character very well.

[JME2]

Years ago, I used to think that Christopher Lee would have made a great Ra's Al Ghul, but Warner did capture the character very well.

He did such a great job that even Liam Neeson couldn't rival him in Nolan's first film -- at least for me. If he had actually called Bale 'Detective', he'd have been on the right path...

The sword fight makes me wish that episode's score is eventually released; it's probably my favorite musical score from BTAS.

[Tomzilla]

Patrick Degan and JME2, thank you for your input. It's always nice to learn something new about these shows. I'd love to see Christopher Lee give Ra's al Ghul a go. He's played an infamous immortal before and did a marvelous job (Dracula).


My Favorite Episodes

'Justice League'

It was a dream come true. DC's mightiest heroes were returning to the Small Screen but with Bruce Timm and Company behind the animation and storytelling. I was ecstatic. Especially since Kevin Conroy was returning as Batman. While it's a shame Tim Daly couldn't return as Superman, we got someone just as good: George Newbern. The other voice actors helped big time. Michael Rosenbaum's Wally West instantly comes to mind.

I'm not a big fan of Season One. Most of them were average or below average in my opinion. 'Paradise Lost', 'A Knight of Shadows', and 'The Savage Time'. So how did Season Two compare? Well, it's really refreshing how the writers paid close attention to the critiques of their fans. Because they unveiled a fantastic new season in the guise of Season Two. Fantastic writing, animation, voice acting, score, everything! But I'm going to limit myself here to reviewing a few. Season Two is my favorite season but some of its episodes stand above the rest. I don't have the time to go into full detail. But I'll do my best to discuss the highlights.


'Twilight'

Main reason? Darkseid. That is all.


'Only A Dream'

Doctor Destiny. I didn't expect to see Skeletor pop up in this episode. But he did and when he did, a chill went up my spine. The scene where he 'performed surgery' on his wife? Chilling. Especially since we didn't see what he did that eventually lead to her death. And in case some of you aren't familiar with Doctor Destiny, he's a super-villain capable of invading your dreams and turning them into nightmares. He sees your worst fears and exploits them in the cruelest way possible. Seeing what our heroes fear was unsettling to say the least. Superman's worst fears were predictable but executed well. Hawkgirl's nightmare reminded me of the X-Men, Storm. Every hero has a fear. Except maybe Batman who kicked some serious ass in this episode.

Easily one of my favorites.


'Maid of Honor'

Vandal Savage is the main reason why I really like this episode. Phil Morris perfectly conveyed the super-villain. I enjoyed all his lines. Phil just has that kind of menacing voice, one that oozes with charisma, power, and intelligence. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Batman and Wonder Woman. How they flirt and tempt one another was amusing. Oh, and this scene speaks for itself:

'You can't understand a word I'm saying and I wouldn't tell you anything if you could.'

Batman: "I can... and you will."


'A Better World'

An 'evil' Justice League versus our 'good' Justice League. This episode was meant to kick ass. All the complaints some fans have about these heroes ("Superman is too soft!", "Batman should really start killing his rogue gallery!") takes center stage. True, Superman can be a good boy scout. But the Justice Lord Superman is a complete monster, devoid of the humanity that once made him the Man of Tomorrow. Batman is a dark soul and one does wonder why he doesn't kill Gotham's criminally insane. But the Justice Lord Batman is a broken Man, lost in the madness of his own crusade against crime -- realizing he and his compatriots were the real criminals in the end.


'Wild Card'

Finally, Mark Hamill has a chance to really let the Joker have some fun. How exactly does a mere mortal pose a threat to the Justice League? That's the first mistake most heroes and villains make. Never underestimate your opponent. How many times has Batman prevailed against meta humans, super-powered beings, and gods because they didn't take him seriously? Many times. Ironically, it's Batman's arch-nemesis at bat (no pun intended), and he's gonna knock it out of the park!


'Starcrossed'

One of the best season finales ever! There are plenty of crowning moments of awesome and heartwarming to be found here.

My favorite highlights?

-Batman ambushing Thanagarian soldiers with bats.
-Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern fight off hundreds of Thanagarian soldiers.
-Hawkgirl's treachery to both her home and adopted worlds.
-Green Lantern and Hawkgirl's fight with Hro Talak.
-Wonder Woman reluctantly 'freeing' Hawkgirl.
-Batman crashing Watch Tower and Superman swooping in to save him.
-"Wally West, Clark Kent... Bruce Wayne."


Damn great way to end a fantastic season.