Superhero Saturday Review (Spoilers)
Reviews for the latest episodes of Legion of Superheroes, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the first two episodes of The Spectacular Spider-Man and the one hour series finale of The Batman.
Legion of Super Heroes "In the Beginning"
Hmmm, as far as origin stories go, this was pretty weak. Not being a comic book fan I had always imagined the foundation of the Legion of Super Heroes as some sort of epic government program with a rich history. But this episode gave the first three Legionaires an origin not dissimilar to Sherman's junior detective agency from I've Got Batman in My Basement. It was MUCH better than that episode to be sure but I am underwhelmed and disappointed.
I AM glad that Saturn Girl is FINALLY back in the mix. Taking her out of action for most of this season was one of the season opening two-parter's few mistakes (I want the Third Triplicate Girl back too now).
Another thing I liked about this episode was Doyle's Total Recall face disguise. I got a kick out of that.
But all in all, the episode was nowhere NEAR as good an origin story as Teen Titans' "Go!" which is a shame. ***.
The Batman "Lost Heroes" Parts 1 and 2
As an original Justice League story goes (teaming up ALL of the heroes against the Joining) it was really fun to watch. I'm going to miss George Newbern as Superman. This is the SECOND time a series he voiced him in got canceled (third of you count Static Shock). But as a potential series finale (as it was) it wasn't as satisfying as the last three DCAU "last episodes": Starcrossed, The Cadmnus Finale/ Epilogue, and Alive/ Destroyer. Maybe they weren't looking at it as a series finale and expected a pick-up but the only Batman rogues who showed up were the Joker in a voiceless cameo and Hugo Strange (who IS admittedly one of this series' best villains). The Joining made a MUCH better potential finale last year.
I like Batgirl and Robin having prominent roles and it was cool seeing cameos from Mirror Master and Toyman who has gone back to his original comic book look. It was also nifty seeing Batman and Green Arrow team up to save the League and Superman, the Martian Manhunter, Hawkman, Green Lantern, and Flash joining them sans powers. I liked the concept a LOT but I REALLY wish we had gotten to see more Batman (or even Superman) rogues. Alfred wasn't even in the last two episodes and that stinks. (Although to be fair the The-verses' version of Alfred is annoying).
I'm gonna miss this show. I just wish that they had gone all-out on the finale. Even though it WAS the first time the entire League joined together on the series it was still somewhat of a let-down. My grade for the episode will reflect my affection for the series and the fact that I'll miss it: ****1/2.
The Spectcaular Spider-Man "Survival of the Fittest"
This is the best Spider-Man cartoon EVER! We haven't had a really good Marvel cartoon since X-Men: Evolution was canceled. Yes, I gave a postive review for Doctor Strange but that was simply a fine stand-alone movie and not it's own franchise. EVERYTHING else recent, from the MTV Spider-Man, to the Ultimate Avengers Movies, to the god-awful Fantastic Four feuxnime has sucked. Then this show came along.
The cartoon is SO old-school. It's kid-friendly and SO not catered exclusively to fanboys (which is a criticism that even the Excellent Justice League Unlimited was sometimes guilty of). The animation is rubbery and cartoony and the voice work is great. I'm betting the Big Bad Keith David voices is Kingpin. I didn't catch all of the Gargoyles shout-outs that Greg Weisman put in the first time but I didn't miss THAT one.
I loved the premiere and right now wish to GOD we were already in the show's fourth season. The entire first episode was delicious set-up for bigger and better things coming down the road. We got practically an entire rogues gallery of introductions to characters who are going to be villains later on (Norman Osborn, Flint Marko, Eddie Brock, Curt Connors) and I just want to see them NOW! The series is smart to give them to us one at a time but it's so dang good that I want to see their take on ALL of the baddies.
J. Jonah Jameson is ALMOST as good as he is in the movie (does J.K. Simmons voice him?) which is a relief because on the old 90s Spider-Man cartoon he was seriously unpleasant to watch. I like the show's take on Norman Osborn too (smarmy butthole).
If there are any complaints about the series they are minor: the theme song is SO underwhelming and with Kids WB playing Squeeze the Credits I can't actually see who voices who which is REALLY annoying when you recognize a voice but can't place it. Other than that the premiere rocked. *****.
The Spectacular Spider-Man "Interactions"
Not as good as the first episode, probably because Peter is such a tool throughout. But the first episode not written by Greg Weisman is not without it's charms. The scenes of Curt Connor and the lizard DNA are truly unsettling and Electro is a pretty sympathetic villain. I also liked Peter's subplot with Liz at the science lab.
Even better was the fact that they followed straight through with the continuity of Peter's curfew set-up during the previous episode. This is going to be a CONNECTED series (with Weisman in charge it SHOULD be) and I'm going to enjoy that.
Solid second episode, but not as good as the first. ***1/2.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles "More Worlds Than One"
I liked this. It's cool to see all of the Turtles and their allies strengths and weaknesses during their training. Some may say that this arc is so far nothing BUT training but I'm enjoying the ride so far. Michealangelo had some funny scenes and I'm really digging the Turtles' new powers. I'm REALLY worried about Splinter's dream though. This is the second time he's had it and it appears like it's there to set-up something unpleasant. Yeah, we know everyone survives (Fast Forward anyone?) but I like that the show has an element of danger to it that is missing from a lot of Saturday morning cartoons.
A good episode. ****.
Legion of Super Heroes "In the Beginning"
Hmmm, as far as origin stories go, this was pretty weak. Not being a comic book fan I had always imagined the foundation of the Legion of Super Heroes as some sort of epic government program with a rich history. But this episode gave the first three Legionaires an origin not dissimilar to Sherman's junior detective agency from I've Got Batman in My Basement. It was MUCH better than that episode to be sure but I am underwhelmed and disappointed.
I AM glad that Saturn Girl is FINALLY back in the mix. Taking her out of action for most of this season was one of the season opening two-parter's few mistakes (I want the Third Triplicate Girl back too now).
Another thing I liked about this episode was Doyle's Total Recall face disguise. I got a kick out of that.
But all in all, the episode was nowhere NEAR as good an origin story as Teen Titans' "Go!" which is a shame. ***.
The Batman "Lost Heroes" Parts 1 and 2
As an original Justice League story goes (teaming up ALL of the heroes against the Joining) it was really fun to watch. I'm going to miss George Newbern as Superman. This is the SECOND time a series he voiced him in got canceled (third of you count Static Shock). But as a potential series finale (as it was) it wasn't as satisfying as the last three DCAU "last episodes": Starcrossed, The Cadmnus Finale/ Epilogue, and Alive/ Destroyer. Maybe they weren't looking at it as a series finale and expected a pick-up but the only Batman rogues who showed up were the Joker in a voiceless cameo and Hugo Strange (who IS admittedly one of this series' best villains). The Joining made a MUCH better potential finale last year.
I like Batgirl and Robin having prominent roles and it was cool seeing cameos from Mirror Master and Toyman who has gone back to his original comic book look. It was also nifty seeing Batman and Green Arrow team up to save the League and Superman, the Martian Manhunter, Hawkman, Green Lantern, and Flash joining them sans powers. I liked the concept a LOT but I REALLY wish we had gotten to see more Batman (or even Superman) rogues. Alfred wasn't even in the last two episodes and that stinks. (Although to be fair the The-verses' version of Alfred is annoying).
I'm gonna miss this show. I just wish that they had gone all-out on the finale. Even though it WAS the first time the entire League joined together on the series it was still somewhat of a let-down. My grade for the episode will reflect my affection for the series and the fact that I'll miss it: ****1/2.
The Spectcaular Spider-Man "Survival of the Fittest"
This is the best Spider-Man cartoon EVER! We haven't had a really good Marvel cartoon since X-Men: Evolution was canceled. Yes, I gave a postive review for Doctor Strange but that was simply a fine stand-alone movie and not it's own franchise. EVERYTHING else recent, from the MTV Spider-Man, to the Ultimate Avengers Movies, to the god-awful Fantastic Four feuxnime has sucked. Then this show came along.
The cartoon is SO old-school. It's kid-friendly and SO not catered exclusively to fanboys (which is a criticism that even the Excellent Justice League Unlimited was sometimes guilty of). The animation is rubbery and cartoony and the voice work is great. I'm betting the Big Bad Keith David voices is Kingpin. I didn't catch all of the Gargoyles shout-outs that Greg Weisman put in the first time but I didn't miss THAT one.
I loved the premiere and right now wish to GOD we were already in the show's fourth season. The entire first episode was delicious set-up for bigger and better things coming down the road. We got practically an entire rogues gallery of introductions to characters who are going to be villains later on (Norman Osborn, Flint Marko, Eddie Brock, Curt Connors) and I just want to see them NOW! The series is smart to give them to us one at a time but it's so dang good that I want to see their take on ALL of the baddies.
J. Jonah Jameson is ALMOST as good as he is in the movie (does J.K. Simmons voice him?) which is a relief because on the old 90s Spider-Man cartoon he was seriously unpleasant to watch. I like the show's take on Norman Osborn too (smarmy butthole).
If there are any complaints about the series they are minor: the theme song is SO underwhelming and with Kids WB playing Squeeze the Credits I can't actually see who voices who which is REALLY annoying when you recognize a voice but can't place it. Other than that the premiere rocked. *****.
The Spectacular Spider-Man "Interactions"
Not as good as the first episode, probably because Peter is such a tool throughout. But the first episode not written by Greg Weisman is not without it's charms. The scenes of Curt Connor and the lizard DNA are truly unsettling and Electro is a pretty sympathetic villain. I also liked Peter's subplot with Liz at the science lab.
Even better was the fact that they followed straight through with the continuity of Peter's curfew set-up during the previous episode. This is going to be a CONNECTED series (with Weisman in charge it SHOULD be) and I'm going to enjoy that.
Solid second episode, but not as good as the first. ***1/2.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles "More Worlds Than One"
I liked this. It's cool to see all of the Turtles and their allies strengths and weaknesses during their training. Some may say that this arc is so far nothing BUT training but I'm enjoying the ride so far. Michealangelo had some funny scenes and I'm really digging the Turtles' new powers. I'm REALLY worried about Splinter's dream though. This is the second time he's had it and it appears like it's there to set-up something unpleasant. Yeah, we know everyone survives (Fast Forward anyone?) but I like that the show has an element of danger to it that is missing from a lot of Saturday morning cartoons.
A good episode. ****.