Available at Amazon.com
Studio: Warner Bros.
Release Date: October 23, 2007
Number of Discs: 2
Number of Episodes: 10
Running Time: 170 Minutes
MSRP: $26.98
Creators:
Ray Paterson
Cast:
Adam West……….Batman (Bruce Wayne)
Casey Kasem……….Robin (Dick Grayson)
Ernie Hudson……….Cyborg (Victor Stone)
Danny Dark……….Superman (Clark Kent)
B.J. Ward……….Wonder Woman (Diana Prince)
Frank Welker……….Darkseid
The show:
In 1973 Hanna-Barbera began producing Super Friends cartoons. Over the years the show took on several different names and team line-ups. In 1985 the last incarnation graced Saturday morning television in the guise of The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians.
With The Super Powers Team, the Wonder Twins were finally ditched and Cyborg (Ernie Hudson) was introduced as a new character. A majority of the episodes focused around Darkseid (Welker) trying to destroy the world but other villains such as Lex Luthor, Scarecrow, The Joker, Mr. Mxyzptlk, and even Bizarro.
Like the Super Friends seasons before it, Super Powers Team is totally cheesy, completely ridiculous and utterly entertaining. The dialog is stiff and loaded with unnecessary exposition. But with voice talents like Adam West, Casey Kasem and a young Ernie Hudson, what should be bad comes comical and fun.
It’s always been odd that the team wasn’t just called the Justice League like they are in the comics, but to call them The Super Powers Team is even more silly than Super Friends. Every time Darkseid shouts, “I’ll get you next time Super Powers Team,” you’re sure to fall out of your seat laughing.
It must be noted that while the packaging claims 10 episodes two of the episodes are two short stories so, in fact, there are actually only 8 episodes. Also, while many characters are shown on the box and in the credits, only Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Robin, Cyborg and Firestar are reoccurring. Aquaman, Halkman, Green Lantern, The Flash and Samurai have little screen time.
This certainly isn’t a show for everyone but you love cartoons based on DC superheroes then this collection is a must own!
Bizarro clones spells trouble for the Super Powers Team.
Episodes:
Disc One:
The Seeds Of Doom
We are introduced to Cyborg who begrudgingly joins the Super Powers Team to help defeat Darkseid in his latest plot to destroy Earth.
The Ghost Ship/The Bizarro Super Powers Team
In “Ghost Ship” Superman, Firestorm and Cyborg arrive on an alien ship and meet an alien princess. While they attempt to help her save her people Darkseid shows up to destroy them.
In “The Bizarro Super Powers Team,” Bizarro comes to Earth and to make Super Powers Team Bizarro clones to take back to Bizarro world. However Mr. Mxyzptlk sees this and tricks the Bizarro clones into terrorizing Metropolis.
The Darkseid Deception
Darkseid captures Steve Trevor, Wonder Woman’s love, and takes his place in yet another attempt to destroy the world.
The Fear
Scarecrow learns that there is something that Batman is afraid which leads to a flashback of Batman’s origin for the first time in animated form. Batman can only save the day if he can over come his fear.
Disc Two:
The Wild Cards
A villain calling himself Ace puts together a Royal Flush Gang and is working in cahoots with Darkseid. However Ace isn’t who he seems to be and it’s up to Batman to uncover the fiendish plot.
Brainchild/The Case Of The Stolen Super Powers
In “Brainchild,” Cyborg is kidnapped by Braniac and it’s up to Batman and Firestorm to rescue him.
In “The Case Of The Stolen Super Powers,” Felix Faust steals Superman’s powers but The Penguin gets them too. Now the Super Powers Team have to get Superman’s powers back and stop a seemingly unstoppable Penguin.
Escape From Space City
When The Super Powers Team visit Star City, Earth’s first orbiting city in space, they are unaware that they are walking into a trap set by Darkseid. This is the only episode that Samurai is featured in this season.
The Death Of Superman
When Darkseid learns that Superman has died from Kryptonite poisoning he captures Firestorm to learn the full story.
The Extras:
Super Friends Redux: Galactic Guardians Retrospective Featurette: (11 min.) This is a great retrospective that talks about how this season pushed the show forward as far as character development and improved animation. It talks about the introduction of Cyborg as a character and the two best episodes “The Fear” and “The Death Of Superman.” They also talk about how this season was the stepping-stone towards Batman: The Animated Series and all that has come since.
