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DVD Reviews: March 2007 DC Comics Animated Releases
Reviewed by Craig Byrne
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On Tuesday, March 20, Warner Home Video released two more DC Comics-related animated DVD sets. The "second season" of Justice League Unlimited features at least one episode that would be special to Smallville fans (keep reading), and the other provides some good "young hero" action.

Before we start, though, a comment regarding BOTH sets... while it's nice to have as much shelf space as possible, these sets were released in such small packaging that I can barely see the spines on my shelf! It's especially disappointing because the previous Justice League sets, especially, had a consistent look. I guess we should be happy to have these DVD's at all, but it was still disappointing.

On the bright side, though, both of these sets can be found under $20, which is a steal!

Justice League Unlimited: The Complete Second Season
Website: superheroesdvd.com
Click here to order a copy

As I said in my review of the previous JLU set, I love this series. The amount of DC characters showing up alone is worth the price of admission. I wonder if the success and storytelling devices used in Justice League Unlimited inspired the comics writers' plans for their popular weekly comic series 52. (Having episodes starring Booster Gold - though that was in the first season set - plus The Question surely helps)

The final 13 episodes of JLU are on this set, and the arc for the season features the modern-day adaptation of the Legion of Doom - complete with Darth Vader-like headquarters. The creators of JLU clearly see that the bad guys are as much fun if not more fun to write than the heroes, and there's even an episode where the baddies mostly get the spotlight!

One episode that should stand out to Smallville fans is "The Great Brain Robbery." Michael Rosenbaum is the usual voice of The Flash, you see... and in this show he switches brains/bodies with Lex Luthor... meaning, essentially, that Michael Rosenbaum is the voice of Lex Luthor! But keep in mind this is a very different Lex; in fact, he even says his name "Lu-thor" the Otis way. Keep your ears open for a familiar voice as Dr. Polaris in that same episode.

Hawkman finally gets the JLU treatment in this last season, and Darkseid gets an updated look that would still make Jack Kirby proud. I can't say enough good things about this show.

As for the set itself, there are some great sit-down commentaries with the creators... on some episodes. I REALLY wish this had been done for all 13, as the writers' thoughts are really fascinating and interesting. There's also a bonus look at the show's Cadmus arc.

I give this set a 4 out of 5. Commentaries on all of the shows plus better packaging could've gotten it a perfect 5. The shows are definitely worth it. And one final request - can we please have more Justice League? I feel like there were many more stories left to be told here.

Click here to order Justice League Unlimited Season 2 through Amazon.com and support this site!

Batman Beyond: The Complete Third Season
Website: superheroesdvd.com
Click here to order a copy

Batman Beyond finishes its DVD run with 13 episodes in a "Season 3" set also recently released.

On this set, keep an eye out for the 2-parter "The Call," which may have been the first time the term "Justice League Unlimited" was ever said. Oh yeah, that same 2-parter also features Superman!

I still have a lot of watching left to do on this set, but if it's anything like the show's first two sets, I'll be in for some good watching. And remember, there's some more Terry in JLU Season One. Extras on this set include a feature on favorite moments on the series with the creative team and voice actor and Cory Matthews' brother Will Friedle, and there are also commentaries by the show creators.

From what I've seen thus far, I give this a 3 out of 5. You might want to see the earlier episodes to see how Terry got started as the Batman of the future; but if you're a fan, it's somethign you've got to pick up!

Click here to order Batman Beyond Season 3 through Amazon.com and support this site!

Visit the official SuperheroesDVD.com site

Read some of our other DVD reviews! The Adventures of Superman: Season 2 The Adventures of Superman: Seasons 3 & 4 The Dukes of Hazzard: Season 1 The Dukes of Hazzard: Season 2 Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law: Volume 1 Space Ghost: Coast To Coast: Volume 3 Smallville: Season 1 Smallville: Season 2 Smallville: Season 3Smallville: Season 4 Smallville: Season 5

Wonder Woman: Season 2 Wonder Woman: Season 3 Lois & Clark: Season 1 Lois & Clark: Season 2 Lois & Clark: Season 3Lois & Clark: Season 4 Teen Titans: Trouble In Tokyo DC Comics Animated DVD Offerings - September 2006 DC Comics Animated DVD Offerings - October 2006 Superman DVD Offerings - November 2006 The Ultimate Superman DVD Movie Collection Veronica Mars : Season 2