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Category:    Home > Reviews > Superhero > Action > Adventure > Syndicated TV > Superboy – The Complete Second Season (1989 – 1990/Warner Archive DVD Set)

Superboy – The Complete Second Season (1989 – 1990/Warner Archive DVD Set)

 

Picture: C     Sound: C     Extras: D     Episodes: B-

 

PLEASE NOTE: Superboy is only available from Warner Bros. through their Warner Archive series and can be ordered from the link below.

 

 

I would love everything that comes out of the DC Universe to be solid gold, but that simply is not how the Krypton crumbles. Superboy was a series that lasted for 4 seasons running from 1988-1992 for a total of 100 episodes.  Unfortunately, even after that many episodes most people don’t remember the series as series like Lois & Clark, Superman the Animated Series, and Smallville have a much stronger following.

 

Superboy (later renamed The Adventures of Superboy in Season 3) cataloged the adventures of Superman in his early years as he made his way through college.  Interestingly, by the time this series made it to the small screen DC Comics had already ousted the ‘Superboy story’ from its ‘Man of Steel’ continuity and did not consider Superboy to be canon.  John Haymes Newton (Beverly Hills 90210) played Superboy for Season One, but was replaced in Season 2 by Gerard Christopher (known mostly for his Soap Opera roles) with Stacy Haiduk (also known mostly for her Soap Opera roles) still playing his love interest Lana Lang.  Superboy wasn’t the only replacement as Sherman Howard stepped into the role of Lex Luthor, replacing the less than stellar Scott Wells.

 

So, yes, after near cancellation due to a poor performing, campy Season One, Superboy returned revamped and rejuvenated for a much better Season Two.  We got a more sinister, evil Lex Luthor and even appearances from more well known Superman villains like Mr. Mxyzptlk, Bizzaro and Metallo.  The Second Season seems a bit dated in terms of hair styles, clothing, and special effects but the writing is actually pretty good; holding up to today’s standards. Even with much of the events in this series not being considered canon, I found it enjoyable and totally worth a look.

 

The technical features are subpar for this DVR release.  The picture is a 1.33 X 1 Full Screen presentation that has dull colors and black levels; while also looking a bit dingy/unrestored.  The sound is a Dolby Digital 2.0 lossy Stereo that comes mostly from the front without much life.  Though dialogue is clear and concise, as more action/special effects were added to this 26 episode season I was hoping for more.

 

No extras are available on this set.

 

Audiences have waited a very long time for the Second Season of Superboy to arrive so now is not the time to miss out on this lost fan favorite.

To order Superboy, go to this link for it and many more great web-exclusive releases at:

 http://www.warnerarchive.com/

 

-   Michael P. Dougherty II


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