Super Powers DVD is Here

Sometimes it’s good to save the best for last.

Last week saw the long overdue arrival of the DVD set “The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians.” The final ten episodes of the Superfriends series which began circa mid-seventies. A treasure trove of animation that’s a rare breed.

I’ve never grown to like the Superfriends series myself. They were silly. A bit too childish. The target audiences seem to be younger kids, but the series remained a mainstay of Saturday morning cartoons.

I prefer the Justice League incarnation that came out a few years ago produced by Bruce Timm.

When The Super Powers Team series was brought out, it was a tie-in to a league of toys ushered on the shelves for the kids to buy. They signaled an entirely new, different era for the Hanna Barbara saga that seemed to be running out of steam.

It was different this time. The stories were better. The animation were far more complex, which looked like more work was done on it. It was superior to the lite-feel episodes of previous. This time, they were garnering a more adult audience for the heavier stories.

There’s also the introduction of the African American character Cyborg that is an important part of the cultural diversity we see amongst the superheroes. That was an important move.
Some excellent episodes are sprinkled along the eight half hour episodes. “The Fear” and “Wild Cards” centered on the Batman. They have the feel of the up and coming Batman animated series in the 1990s. The atmosphere is darker. The stories are far more sophisticated touching on the Batman origins. It’s great stuff. Anyone who appreciate the Batman Animated series will get a chance to see these little gems.

What’s more is the voice of Batman is performed by Adam West. He plays the straight, with a dark edge. He’s moody, showered with past grief of his parent’s deaths. “The Fear” explores the richness of this character who does have a wounded soul.

We get a glimpse of the acting range West is capable of. And it gives us an idea of what the 1960s series could’ve been like if West had played his part without the chunks of campy being tossed in.

Another person worth mention is the remarkable Frank Welkner who can do almost any voices. But here, his voicing of the Darkseid character is brooding, effective, a very menacing presence. He sounds wonderful in the part. And this is the same guy who did the voice for Fred from the Scooby Doo shows. And a number of other cartoons.

Casey Kasem does the voice for Robin, a familiar, always welcome voice.

Here he leaves behind a landmark in cartoon voicing… hearing Darkseid’s voice brings a chill down you. There’s a darkness that travels in his words that are resonant and deep, like he’s speaking from an abyss.

Another great installment is the “Death of Superman,” the final episode on the DVD tracks. This time they explore the idea of death in a hero and what he does to represent humanity. It’s a perfect way for them to tell a story through the point-of-view of a different character Firestorm who blames himself for the death. Masterfully done. Too bad they didn’t make more before they decided to put an end to the series.

Each episode has its worth. Go ahead and compare with the other Superfriends shows and you’ll find some stunning differences. It charters the changes needed in some of the most iconic characters in the DC universe.

The only thing is there aren’t that many DVD extras on the box set, so there’s just a couple things including a very good 13 minute documentary on the series’ formation. After that, it’s pretty much nothing.

But the episodes themselves make up for the lack of extras. They are the crowning jewels of Hanna Barbara productions that has brought so many legends to life on screen.
And it’s up, up and away with this fantastic addition for cartoon addicts.