Customer Reviews

Superman - The Animated Series, Volume Two: The New Superman Adventures (DC Comics Classic Collection)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Prepare for the ultimate flight in adventure with Superman: The Animated Series - Volume Two. Featuring guest-star superheroes Batman, Dr. Fate, and Steel while introducing memorable villains Bizarro, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Kalibak and Darkseid ("THAT is who I am."), this 2-disc set (390 min.) contains the 2nd wave of 18 episodes from the series. First-rate scripts and quality voice acting propel the episodes in this collection which include the 3-part Batman/Superman classic "World's Finest", "Ghost in the Machine", "Brave New Metropolis", "The Hand of Fate", and the excellent "The Late Mr. Kent" with a "killer" finale. Another splendid collection of Superman episodes await you. Here are the contents of this 2nd super-set:

Disc 1:
Identity Crisis
Target
Action Figures
Mxyzpixilated
Double Dose
Solar Power

Disc 2, Side A:
Monkey Fun
Brave New Metropolis
Ghost in the Machine
World's Finest: Part 1
World's Finest: Part 2
World's Finest: Part 3

Disc 2, Side B:
Father's Day
The Hand of Fate
Bizarro's World
Prototype
The Late Mr. Kent
Heavy Metal


Special Features:
Video Commentary: "Mxyzpixilated" by Bruce Timm (Producer), Paul Dini (Producer), Dan Riba (Director) and Moderator Jason Hillhouse.

Audio Commentary: "Brave New Metropolis" by Bruce Timm (Producer), Paul Dini (Producer), Alan Burnett (Producer), Glen Murakami (Art Director), and Dan Riba (Director).

Audio Commentary: "World's Finest Part 1" by Bruce Timm (Producer), Paul Dini (Producer), Alan Burnett (Producer), Glen Murakami (Art Director), and Dan Riba (Director).

Featurette: "Menaces of Metropolis: Behind the Villians of Superman": The Origin and Evolution of Superman's Adversaries.


Well worth the wait, and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Like several other reviewers, I am looking forward to this release. I only recently finished Volume 1 of "Superman" and cannot wait for more episodes.

Just to clarify something a previous reviewer mentioned...the three-part episode "World's Finest" (cross-over with Batman) originally aired as three episodes of "Superman: The Animated Series" and IS part of this show. The single-disc "Batman/Superman Movie" was released before WB started putting out season sets of "Batman" and "Superman."

I'm looking forward to the other Batman cross-over episodes, as well as appearances from Aquaman and Green Lantern in future volumes, as well as the great episodes coming in Volume 2.

People have complained about "missing episodes" - don't worry, there are actually 18 more in the series which, based on the episode list of 18 in this volume, means we're looking at a volume 3 in the near future. Chronologically, this volume is right on track and the others will inevitably come.

Superman and Batman are such different characters, it's hard to "compare" the series as many reviewers simply prefer the Batman character, so they naturally like the Bat eps better. I do think some of Timm and Dini's most thoughtful work overall was on early episodes of the Batman animated series, but they've still given us the best version of Superman to hit the screen since Richard Donner made us believe a man can fly.

Superman: The Animated Series Vol. 2 packs in another 18 episodes of the now-classic WB animated series. This series had a truncated run of only 54 episodes, and will be completed when vol. 3 is released in 2006.

There's a lot of a-list episodes in this set. The highlight is definitely the first meeting between Superman and Batman called "World's Finest," previously available in a single disc edition called "The Batman/Superman Movie." Other notables include the first appearances of Dr. Fate and Steel, and also Superman villains Bizzaro and Mr. Mxyzptlk. There's a trip to a totalitarian alternate universe where Superman and Luthor have joined forces, and another episode where Clark Kent seemingly dies. Even look for an episode that ties directly into the 2nd season finale of Justice League Unlimited.

And yet there's some clunkers as well. Depending on your tastes the series often fell flat when it resorted to action-heavy episodes that shorted characterization and development. The Metallo episodes are pretty bland, as is a team-up with Parasite and Livewire. Luminus is a gimmicky villain in a generic spandex costume, and the episode with the giant monkey grows old fast. The set is also pretty light on the ongoing Darkseid plot, and his most notable appearances have been saved for vol. 3.

Nitpics aside, Superman: vol. 2 is another great set worth picking up for fans and those wanting to get something worthwhile for their children. They could've loaded the extra features with more commentaries, but that's WB for ya. Snap this set up and soar with the man of steel.

While Warner Bros. Superman animated series never lived up to the excellence of the Batman animated series, this second volume of the series contains plenty of solid animated superhero action for all ages. Tim Daly once again provides the voice for the Man of Steel, while Dana Delany is Lois Lane once again, and the always excellent Clancy Brown is once again the nefarious Lex Luthor. The episodes collected here include the 3-part "World's Finest" arc (which is also included on the upcoming Batman animated series Vol. 4 DVD set) in which we see the first cross-over event with Superman and Batman as they take on the Joker and Luthor. Also featured here are the first animated appearences of allies Dr. Fate and Steel, and Supes faces off against Bizzaro, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Metallo, Darkseid (voiced by Michael Ironside), and others as well, including a smashing episode where Lois finds herself in an alternate and dark future where Luthor and Superman teamed together to form a totalitarian world. While many of the episodes here are more or less aimed towards a younger audience, the strikingly mature "The Late Mr. Kent" finds Superman faking the death of his reporter alter-ego to find a killer, with the end results being a bit of a shock. All in all, just like the previous volume, the Superman animated series is solid superhero excitement that all ages can enjoy, and there's actually some decent extras here including some great commentaries by the crew.

The episodes in this volume are top-notch. Unfortunately, Warner Brothers Video went the cheap route (again) and Disc 2 and Disc 3 are on opposite sides of the same disc. This may or may not have been the reason, but after the first play of Disc 3, it would no longer play (or even be recognized) on any of my DVD drives (a Panasonic DVD-R, a Panasonic DVD Player, a Toshiba DVD-R PC drive, a Panasonic DVD-R PC drive and an external Panasonic DVD-RAM PC drive (which normally plays DVDs just fine)). There's no visible damage to the DVD surface. It just won't play.

I wrote WB Customer Service and eventually got a response saying my e-mail had been forwarded to corporate, but I have not heard anything after that.

I'm well past my return window for returning to Amazon without paying postage plus a 15% restocking fee, so unless Warner Brothers corporate eventually gets back to me, I guess I'll just have to shell out the bucks to get a replacement set.

Update: Warner Brothers Video sent me a pre-paid postage label, so I sent it back, and they quickly turned around and sent me a new set that worked just fine. I'm very impressed with their customer service.

When trouble brews in the heart of Metropolis, the mighty Man of Steel responds at a moment's notice in "Superman: TAS - Volume Two". Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! You know the rest. The lone survivor from the doomed planet Krypton develops superhuman abilities on Earth and grows to be the world's strongest superhero. In this collection of action-packed episodes, Superman continues to protect Metropolis from such dangerous super villains like criminal mastermind Lex Luthor, the cruel warlord Darkseid, the troublesome prankster Mxyzptlk and the deadly cyborg Metallo. "Superman: TAS" is another excellent comic book adaptation from the creators of the award-winning "Batman: TAS". The animated series has some very amusing storylines, interesting characters, wonderful voice acting, a lively music score and engaging comic book excitement. The animation is brighter and more colorful than the unique gothic style in "Batman: TAS". This fine collection includes such standout episodes as "The Late Mr. Kent", "Ghost in the Machine", "Brave New Metropolis" and the entertaining three-part crossover adventure "World's Finest".

If you've enjoyed the previous release, then you'll be well satisfied with "Superman: TAS - Volume Two". All 18 episodes are presented in their original full screen format. The 2-Disc DVD contains a bright video transfer with some minor bits of dust, and a good 2.0 Dolby Digital sound. Its supplemental extras include audio commentaries by series creators on three episodes (Brave New Metropolis, Myxzpixilated & World's Finest Pt.1), the revealing "Menaces to Metropolis: Behind the Villains of Superman" featurette and colorful interactive menus. Overall, "Superman: TAS" scores an amusing "B".

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!

(Edited on 12/28/05 to add information on the Special Features.)

I love these series. I watched more Batman Animated than Superman when these were on TV, but I find I enjoy this the same, if not more than, the Batman series.

The storylines are well done and realistic most of the time. I like how characters and villains are interwoven throughout the episodes, so that there is a continuity that makes it all the more believable. Also enjoyable is the way Lois and Superman's relationship is developing. The constant teasing reminds me of the Lois and Clark TV series, which I also love.

The highlight of this volume is of course the World's Finest episodes, a three-episode arc that brings Batman in Metropolis to stop The Joker from killing Superman. Seeing the two superheroes sharing the screen is such a treat, especially if you like both characters. And The Joker is simply delightfully badass here.

Kudos to the voice acting too, it's just amazing. I could recognise all characters by voice with my eyes closed.

If you are a fan of the Batman Animated Series, but never watched this show, get it. If you have watched and liked this show, and are wondering whether it is worth buying the DVDs, get it. The commentaries available on key episodes are enjoyable and informative. Besides the commentaries, this volume includes a short feature on the Superman villains. I was also treated to a small litho print of Superman and Lois when I opened the package. From package to content, this is one of the best additions to my DVD library.

If you like comics, animation, and well thought-out storylines, or any of the above, pick this up. I can't wait for the next volume.

I was a huge fan of this series back when I was a kid. So being able to get the second set of this amazing series is just great! Reliving the episodes while seeing them in a whole new light is just a fantastic experience. But this set isn't only for the nostalgia. There is so much in this series that your average animated series these days doesn't have. For example the animation is fluid and amazing! One thing to mention is that it was animated by a Japanese studio, and yet it doesn't look like anime style at all. The backgrounds are much better than your average anime, and the storylines, of course, are for American audiences.

A main reason to buy this series is that the whole family will love it. These episodes can be enjoyed by kids from 7 years of age (and will be a welcome change from the crap they usually see on TV) all the way up to 60 year olds (believe me, my dad is 65 and he loves these episodes). Not only will these be enjoyed by all ages, but they're great for animation buffs too. These episodes were animated with cell paint and drawings. Yet they look just as good, if not better, than any digitally-aided series today.

And the voice acting! It's no secret that most animated series are voiced by the inexperienced. But this series brought in a load of acclaimed actors as well as many experienced voice actors. You'll never see a problem with any of the voice acting in this series.

The commentaries are fun to listen to. The episodes are great and imagninative, and the animation is exceptional. Watch and love this series. Now all I'm waiting for is for Batman Beyond and the Justice League to be released on DVD.