Rating:  -
Further proof of my shame of not viewing this series when it was originally on air, Volume 2 features some of my favorite episodes. It features the three parter which really turned me on to the series and that was "World's Finest" which was (if memory serves me correct) was Batman's first appearance since his original series run ended around 1995. Around this time, they were making the re-vamp eppys of Bats but they didn't premiere until 1997 I believe.
Anyway, here is what's cookin' on Volume 2:
Disc 1
Identity Crisis - Bizzaro, the reverse Superman, is re-introduced here as a failed clone experiment gone ary by none other than Lex Luthor.
Target - Lois Lane, who has made her share of enemies both by her own strong personality and her association with Superman, is now the target of someone who has felt wronged by the spunky reporter.
Action Figures - Metallo shows up on an island with no memory of his past.
Mxzpixilated - A little alien with the hard to spell name shows up in Metropolis to make life miserable for both Superman and his alter ego, Clark Kent!
Double Dose - Freed from prison, Livewire wants revenge on Superman and enlists The Parasite to do it but will her lust for vengence blind her to a bigger danger?
Solar Power - A former boyfriend of Lois Lane gains the power to manipulate light and uses it to weaken and take down Superman!
Bonus Feature
Menaces Of Metropolis: Behind The Villaias Of Superman
Disc 2/Side A
Monkey Fun - An old pet monkey from Lois' past returns but Giganto isn't the same little monkey he once was.
Brave New Metropolis - Lois gets sent to a parallel universe where Superman is the villian! Also, its a world where she is dead!
Ghost In The Machine - Braniac survives his near destruction during "Stolen Memories" and forces Lex Luthor to rebuild his body! We also find out a little more about Merci!
World's Finest, Pt. 1 - The future founders of The Justice League meet for the first time as Batman discovers that The Joker has stolen a dragon statue......made of Kryptonite! Also, a major twist is thrown in as Bruce Wayne (Batman's alter ego) begins romancing Lois Lane, much to Clark's chagrin!
World's Finest, Pt. 2 - After discovering each other's secret identities, Batman and Superman reluctanctly begin to work together to bring down The Joker and Lex Luthor. Tension remains, however, due to Batman's romantic interest in Lois Lane.
World's Finest, Pt. 3 - Lois discovers that Batman is Bruce Wayne and is torn between what could be a major story for her and her feelings for Bruce. Meanwhile, Superman and Batman go into a final showdown with The Joker and Lex Luthor!
Disc 2/Side B
Father's Day - Kalabak, wanting to prove himself to his father Darkseid, goes to Earth to defeat Superman.
The Hand Of Fate - In this episode, Superman meets Dr. Fate for the first time.
Bizarro's World - Surviving his near death in "Identity Crisis", Bizarro wanders Metropolis wanting to belong!
Prototype - An exosuit worn by a police officer also makes him more irrational!
The Late Mr. Kent - Thinking that Clark Kent is dead, Superman investigates who tried to kill him.
Heavy Metal - We meet Steel for the first time as tries to help Superman against Metallo!
Favorites here are Double Dose, Brave New Metropolis, Ghost In The Machine, The Late Mr. Kent and World's Finest but all the eppys have some significance! Well worth its price!
Rating: -
Completely, absolutely, magnificently wonderful! If you liked "Superman, the Animated Series: Volume 1," then you'll adore and love "Superman, the Animated Series: Volume 2" because the best episodes of the 1997 animated series are here! Viewers first get introduced to one of Superman's most trickiest enemies - Mr. Mxyzptlk!!!!! A powerful being from the 5th dimmension, Mr. Mxyzptlk, is very hard for Superman to beat in the episode. Other great super-villains make their first appearance here too. Such characters include: Luminus, Karkull, Bizarro, and Darkseid (Darkseid made a small cameo in Volume 1, but this is his true first episode). In three of these great episodes, Barman and Superman must team-up in order to defeat Lex Luther and The Joker who are working together to destroy The Man of Steel! Also.....Superman meets his clone, Metallo returns with amnesia, someone is trying to secretly kill Lois Lane (but who?), Braniac downloads himself into Lex Luthor's computer, Parasite and Livewire team-up, Clark Kent is thought to be dead, Lois Lane gets stuck in an alternate version of Metropolis, and Superman must battle a really big monkey!
Here are the following episodes found in this 2-disc box-set and the grades I give them:
DISC 1:
- Identity Crisis (A+)
- Target (A+++)
- Action Figures (A+++)
- Mxyzpixilated (A+++)
- Double Dose (A+)
- Solar Power (A)
DISC 2, SIDE A:
- Monkey Fun (A)
- Brave New Metropolis (A+)
- Ghost in the Machine (A or A-)
- World's Finest: Part I (A+++)
- World's Finest: Part II (A+++)
- World's Finest: Part III (A+++)
DISC 2, SIDE B:
- Father's Day (A-)
- The Hand of Fate (A-)
- Bizarro's World (A+)
- Prototype (A-)
- The Late Mr. Kent (A+++)
- Heavy Metal (A)
SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Verbal Villain Bios by the show's creators.
- Video Commentary on "Mxyzpixilated" by producers, writer, and director of the episode.
- Audio Commentary on "Brave New Metropolis" by producers, art director, and series director.
- Audio Commentary on "World's Finest: Part I" by producers, art director, and series director.
- Trailers/Previews.
- Spoken Languages: English & French (episodes only).
- Subtitles: English & French & Spanish (episodes only).
This volume is very exciting and action-packed. With very, very, very good plots and story lines - this is even better than the comics! While, this is a children's show, I can asure you that it will NOT be ONLY accepted and loved by children. This is true entertainment and adults enjoy it, too. You don't find good shows like these anymore, so I recommend you to start the Timm/Dini animated DC universe collection on DVD box-sets! Even if you're not a Superman fan, if you liked 1992's "Batman: The Animated Series," (and even if you didn't) you'll definetely love this. "Superman: The Animated Series" rocks!!! Buy this for a new generation of children, because it's worth it!
Rating: -
Since the premiere of the first episode of "Batman: The Animated Series" in 1992, Warner Brothers has produced a number of cartoon series based on the great heroes of DC Comics. After the three-season run of "Batman," the production team turned their attention to the Man of Steel, redefining the hero and matching him up against villains old and new.
This DVD set offers the episodes from the second season, by far the best of the three the WB produced, as the creative team hit their stride. Its stories - which were critical in what was viewed by the producers as a plot-driven series - were free from the often formulaic plotting of much of the first season and the sometimes strained premises of the third. Though there are few duds here, among the best of this set are the hilarious "Mxyzpixilated," the stark parallel-world story "Brave New Metropolis," and the epic-length "World's Finest," which saw Superman join forces with Batman to stop a partnership of their respective nemeses, Lex Luthor and the Joker.
Fans of the series will enjoy this set, with its quality audio and video transfer. An added bonus is the audio commentaries provided by production teams on three of the episodes, which give a nice behind-the-scenes glimpse into the preparation of the series. It's obvious from them that for the producers, directors, and writers involved that much of their work is a labor of love, remaining true to the basic elements of the Superman mythology in the comics while modifying enough elements to keep it fresh. Their pride in the series shows through, though they are also willing to admit both the visual errors and the storytelling problems that would face later on. Such candor only improves the quality of their commentary. No true fan of the series should pass up this set, while people new to the series will find hours of enjoyable storytelling, animation, and voicework on these discs.
Rating: -
In this one we get to see Darkseid (Dark Side) and Dr. Fate and the Flash. It's a preview of what we see in the Justice League. Too bad I can't afford them all! If you are a fan of the original 1940's Superman cartoons with the art deco atmophere, then these are for you. I really like how the characters are modernized for a new generation of fans. It's hard to believe these were made 10 years ago!
On to the quality. The sound and color is very vibrant. This is coming from someone who watches them on a small color set with no stereo. I can imagine how they sound on home theater. This set has all the classical images that make Superman the more colorful hero...as opposed to Batman, who I still admire but is on the dark side....
Rating: -
In this second set of episodes from the hit series, there are several highlights that are worth discussing. This set includes the unforgetable three part many series, World's Finest, in which Batman and Superman team up for the first time. The planet Apocalypse is also revisited, and fans get a better look at Darkseid, lord of Apocalypse and his heir. Bonus features also include a look at the villians of Superman. If you've purchused the first volume, don't stop there. Buy this one! And don't forget, the third and final volume of this series will be released on June 20th. Don't even get me started on how awesome that one is!
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