Legion of Super Heroes – Volume 2 (4 Episodes/Warner Bros. DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: D Episodes: C+
The idea
for Legion of Super Heroes originated
in a 1950’s comic series and starred Lightning Lad (originally Lightning Boy),
Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy, and of course Superboy. For the purposes of the new 2006 Superhero
series a few modifications have been made to the original concept. The creators of the new series could not retain
the rights to the name Superboy (for reasons too long for this review, still in
court!) and had to instead just go with the premise of a teenage Superman being
transported into the future. Originally
the future was the 30th Century, but in the 2006 series the future
is now the 31st Century.
Also a
new member has been added to The Legion
of Super Heroes in the form of an updated Brainiac, known as Brainiac 5
(don’t worry, he is a good guy now). The
idea for this whole new television series was spawned from an original concept
found in the final season of Justice
League Unlimited in which Supergirl goes into the future and fights along
side the same Superheroes that are mentioned above. The creators and writers must have known it
an obvious choice to revert back to the primary model for the series established
by the 1950’s comic books and use Superman as the main focus; not only is he
more popular/recognizable than Supergirl, but has the muscle to get the job
done.
The
release here is by no means the complete first season of Legion of Super Heroes, which consisted of a total of 13 episodes;
but rather is a hacked volumized release that only offers fans 4 episodes from
season one. This reviewer was not
totally impressed by the series for several reasons. The series in season one remains to light and
child-like with not a great deal of depth; some of the same issues this
reviewer had with Teen Titans. Apparently in season two the series takes a
turn for the better, having a darker edge much like the later episodes of Justice League; but for now the series
is too bubblegum for its own good. Legion of Super Heroes is a good
concept and with the correct follow through could come out on top in the
end. For now there is room for
improvement.
Similar
to the Volume One release, the
series again is presented on a single disc that is simple and to the
point. The picture again is disappointingly presented in a boring 1.33 X
1 Full Frame and though the animation is crisp and clear, it should have (as
all DC series should) have been a Widescreen production. The sound is
also adequately clear in its Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo format, but still nothing
impressive but good enough for the series. The extras are once again
absent from this release and as with everything on this DVD; it leaves the
viewer thinking they deserve more.
- Michael P Dougherty II
