Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show - The Complete Series (1984)

Hanna-Barbera's continues at showcasing DC�Comic book characters in animated shorts. These stories contained the now-familiar superheroes Superman, Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman, along with the new Cyborg and Firestorm.� In addition to this core group of six, episodes during this season featured cameos by old and new Superfriends Superfriends: The Legendary Super Powers Show premiered on the ABC television network on Saturday 1984- 1985.

Super Friends of the 80's

Growing up watching the "Challenge of the Super Friends", this mid 80's part of the Super Friends run was quite different.I'm enjoying it very much, it has a much more detailed plot then its predecessor and better character interaction with a wider base of characters including Lois Lane and introducing Firestorm whom is a new and like able edition to the Justice League, (if you will). Its also great to see the villains back in action and causing chaos for the Super Friends. We haven't seen any villains like this since the first series of "Challenge of the Super Friends" when they were up against the "Legion of Doom". My only problem with it is the change in casting on the voices of Batman and Wonder Woman. Batman is now voiced by Adam West, and don't get me wrong, I love Adam West in his live action role as Batman, but I find in this Series of Super Friends he sounds dull and unintelligent. Wonder Woman is now played by a former Playboy bunny and kind of sounds like it. Again nothing wrong with Playboy bunny's, but for the voice of Wonder Woman? I'm use to a deep and strong voice from Wonder Woman. April 24, 2008

Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powes Show - The Complete Series (DC Comics Classic Collection)

Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show - The Complete Series (DC Comics Classic Collection) is a wonderful cartoon. The Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show - The Complete Series (DC Comics Classic Collection) has lots of adventure and excitement. I recommend Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show - The Complete Series (DC Comics Classic Collection) to people of all ages. I ENJOY watching it over and over again. ITS GREAT!! January 7, 2008

An Era of Innocence Slightly Matured

I was looking greatly forward to this set for some time on account of the fact that this is the era of the Superfriends that coincided with Kenner's popular Superpowers Collection of toys. As others have stated, the writing in the show matured a bit over seasons past and seemed to have better figured out how to create situations that required the unique skills of the individual members.

As the bonus features confirm, this season was also noted for its use of specially created ethnic characters to diversify the roster. As such expect a slight overload of Samurai, Apache Chief, Black Vulcan, and El Dorado. Additionally the Wondertwins (and Gleek) make a few slightly out of place appearances. On the positive side this also the season that introduced us to Firestorm; the first Superfriend to truly have a personality.

Like others have said in their reviews, one does begin to miss the Legion of Doom slightly. Darkseid and his brood make up the antagonists in a majority of the episodes here. Although I should mention that we are treated to the redesigned Brainiac (much improved) and Lex Luthor sporting his cybernetic PowerSuit.

In addition to the 16 episodes across 2 discs, the special features included are "Evolution: New Heroes, Viler Villains, and Ethnic Additions", writer commentary of 5 episodes, and my personal favorite "The Super Powers Collection: The Effect of the Toy Industry on the Super Friends" which explains some very interesting history on why so many animated shows in the past failed to have a corresponding toy line.

The episodes themselves are very short (roughly 11 minutes each) which often results in a show that resolves in the tune of 45 seconds or so. The pace is certainly welcomed to the drag-heavy hour-long shows of seasons past but prepare for some seriously quick wrap-ups. Upon hearing the sheer number of restrictions that were placed on the writers, it's amazing this show existed at all. Honestly, once taking into consideration that there could be no real violence, no weapons, no punching, only a few robot enemies on screen at a time (so as not to scare children) the beauty of the writing starts to become clear. We're lucky the Superfriends weren't all just sitting around in a group hug!

Overall, a nice set that is definitely worth the money for the extra features if nothing else. This era marked an interesting time for the Superfriends, especially considering that this really was their last iteration in classic form.

Here is the complete episode list:

1. The Bride of Darkseid (Part 1)
2. The Bride of Darkseid (Part 2)
3. The Wrath of Brainiac
4. Reflections in Crime
5. No Honor Among Super Thieves
6. Mr. Mxyzptlk and the Magic Lamp
7. Case of the Shrinking Super Friends
8. The Mask of Mystery
9. Darkseid's Golden Trap (Part 1)
10. Darkseid's Golden Trap (Part 2)
11. Island of the Dinosoids
12. Uncle Mxyzptlk (Super Brat)
13. The Case of the Dreadful Dolls
14. The Royal Ruse
15. The Village of Lost Souls
16. The Curator
January 6, 2008

Videos

These two videos were for my grandson...I have to admit that I did not watch them but he thought they were great. December 28, 2007

super powerrific

I think i just created a new word super powerriffic thats the word i'd us to describe this dvd set. great animation super powered characters and great story lines, each episode brings back all the fond memories that caused you to march down to your local comic book store each week to buy the newest comics, these characters will jump through your TV screens and your heart.great fun deffinatly a must have classic November 25, 2007

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