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The Batman - The Complete Fifth Season

BATMAN THE: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON (DVD MOVIE)

Teen Titans - The Complete Fifth Season

TEEN TITAN: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON (DVD MOVIE)

Batman - The Animated Series, Volume One (DC Comics Classic Collection)

Warner Brothers' Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995) remains a striking, stylized program that helped to revitalize the familiar comic book hero. Drawing on such diverse influences as Frank Miller's graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns, the Fleischers' Superman cartoons of the early '40s, and contemporary Japanese animation, the filmmakers stress interesting designs and cinematography. The Caped Crusader prowls a sinister, Art Deco-styled world of tall verticals, sharp angles, silhouettes, searchlights, and grid-like shadows cast by window frames. Its visual pizzazz eclipses Filmation's pallid kidvid, The Batman/Superman Hour (CBS, 1968), which ran off and on in various incarnations through 1981. Many of the same artists worked on the Batman animated features (e.g., Mask of the Phantasm (1993), Batman Beyond--The Movie (1999)), which display similar strengths and weaknesses.

Ironically, Batman: The Animated Series looks better in stills than it does in motion. The artists fail to stylize the movements of the characters to match the dramatic settings, as Genndy Tartakovsky and his crew did in Samurai Jack. Batman uses sophisticated computers to combat the well-known villains--the Joker, the Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Catwoman--as well as some less celebrated baddies: Manbat, Clayface, The Mad Hatter. The bad guys cram a lot of plotting and scheming into each 22-minute episode, but the violence is kept to a broadcast standards minimum.

The Dark Knight's First Knight easily ranks as the most interesting of the extras. Producers Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski recount the genesis of the series, and show their mini-pilot, which is more violent and more fully animated. If the complete episodes had matched the pilot, the series would have been much more exciting. (Unrated, suitable for ages 8 and older: violence, mild grotesque imagery) --Charles Solomon

Scooby Doo, Where Are You! - The Complete First and Second Seasons

The whodunit format was a daring new frontier for an animated series but the members of the Mystery Inc. team have grown to become authentic popular-culture icons. To solve their newest mystery - finding the most awesome Scooby-Doo DVD ever with 25 vintage episodes and snackin' good extras on 4 discs - you need only follow this simple clue: you're holding it!Running Time: 549 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY UPC: 014764233321

Chuck Jones and other great studio animators sneered at the cheap look and lazy craftsmanship of Hanna Barbera's television cartoons in the 1960s, but there's no question HB's original, 35-year-old Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! is enduringly beloved. The Complete First and Second Seasons includes all 25 stories first broadcast from September '69 to October '71, a growth period in which canine hero Scooby's voice (by Don Messick, who also voiced The Jetsons's pup, Astro) was gradually refined from murky garble to Scoob's more familiar, "Rrroowwrr"-inflected, human-like speech. This set also represents the pre-frills Scooby-Doo: no guest appearances by Don Knotts or Batman, no Scrappy-Doo--just adventure and occasional bubblegum pop tunes by Danny Janssen and sundry co-writers (e.g., "Pretty Mary Sunlite" in the episode "Don't Fool with a Phantom").

Watching all the shows back-to-back reveals evolving complexity in the scripts. Over time, Scooby-Doo's creators added multiple bad guys in cahoots with major villains, and developed sub-plots, backstories, and even appealing allies and friends of Mystery, Inc., a traveling band of young debunkers of supernatural phenomena. Riding around in their psychedelic Mystery Van, preppie leader Fred and his friends--haughty Daphne, brainy Velma, quasi-hippie Shaggy, and Shaggy's best pal, Scooby, an excitable Great Dane--chase down and are chased by alleged ghouls who generally turn out to be venal humans running various scams.

Included here is Scooby-Doo's premiere, "What a Night for a Knight," in which the gang looks into the disappearance of a noted archaeologist and end up in a "haunted" museum. The fun "Go Away Ghost Ship" finds our heroes helping a shipping company daunted by the apparent ghost of pirate Red Beard, while the silly classic "A Tiki Scare Is No Fair" concerns a Hawaiian vacation for Mystery, Inc. disrupted by a witch doctor. --Tom Keogh

Batman - The Animated Series, Volume Two (DC Comics Classic Collection)

The early-'90s Batman series was probably the best animated superhero show ever, mixing stylish animation with a dark tone appropriate for the Dark Knight. The second volume, comprising four discs of 28 episodes and vastly preferable to the many single-disc releases, features familiar characters the Joker, Catwoman, the Penguin, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, as well as the first appearances of the Riddler, and Ra's Al Ghul and Talia. The episodes are highlighted by the Emmy-winning two-parter "Robin's Reckoning," which recounts the origin of the Boy Wonder and his chance for revenge years later. In "Perchance to Dream," Bruce Wayne finds his parents alive and another Batman patrolling Gotham City, the two-part "Something" pits Batman against Miyazaki-styled robots, and Batman revisits the samurai training of his past in "Night of the Ninja" and "Day of the Samurai." Give the series credit for not talking down to kids--Japanese characters spoke in Japanese with English subtitles, and one episode, "Almost Got 'Im," was styled after a '50s black-and-white variety show. It employed smart humor and characterization even to the point where it could let villains carry an episode. Certain stories were based on comic books, and the series involved comics veterans such as Denny O'Neil and Len Wein. Also camp-master Adam West appears as the voice of the Grey Ghost. --David Horiuchi

Fight crime day and night alongside the Dark Knight with this deluxe 4-disc set packed with 28 heroic adventures from the acclaimed series! Filled with gripping plots, multidimensional characters and superb voice talent, this Emmy-winning series has defined Batman for legions of fans. Enjoy amazing encounters with Catwoman, duels with the Penguin, contests with the Riddler and of course, battles of wit with the Joker - plus Exclusive Extras from the minds that conceived this cutting-edge version of the classic hero! Grab your cape and swing into action with this quintessential Batman compilation!

Batman - The Animated Series, Volume Three (DC Comics Classic Collection)

Gotham City crime czars Scarface and Rupert Thorne battle evil masterminds like the Joker and the Penguin for money power and respect. Kidnappings rise as foe-versus-foe attacks become more vindictive. And just when you thought you knew the good guys from the bad the craziest villains try to go straight triggering one dangerous blowout after another. Amidst all the terror one man walks the fine line between vengeance and justice as often as he balances his crimefighting persona and his billionaire playboy public life. This is the Batman series that introduced a new kind of super hero: cool composed uncompromising. Your Batman collection won't be complete without this compilation!Running Time: 609 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY UPC: 012569688001

Batman - The Animated Series, Volume Four (From the New Batman Adventures) (DC Comics Classic Collection)

In the hit show that continues the Batman storyline from the EmmyO-winning Batman: The Animated Series two years have passed and Batman still protects the streets of Gotham City from the demented criminals that inhabit its dark alleys. But irreconcilable differences with Dick Grayson lead to the collapse of the Batman/Robin crimefighting duo and to the birth of Gotham's new hero Nightwing. Batgirl fights at Batman's side and a new Robin takes flight after Batman's chance encounter with young Tim Drake. In these 24 thrilling episodes the Gotham Knights face their worst enemies - Joker Penguin Mr. Freeze and many more - in a comprehensive 4-disc set that completes the Batman animated saga!Running Time: 521 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS UPC: 012569688018

The fourth and final volume of Batman: The Animated Series is a little uneven but still encompasses some great episodes. Start with "Over the Edge," a nightmarish scenario in which Commissioner Gordon dedicates himself to hunting down Batman following the death of his daughter, Batgirl. "Critters" is a tribute to Japanese monster movies, "Mad Love" recounts the origin of Harley Quinn, and "Legends of the Dark Knight" animates both a '50s-styled Batman adventure as well as a scene from Frank Miller's Return of the Dark Knight. This run of 24 episodes has a lot of Batgirl, too little Nightwing, and a lot of the new Robin, Tim Drake, whose origin is explained in "Sins of the Father." Drake gets a mostly solo adventure, Batgirl teams with Supergirl, and there's still a sense of fun, with goofy humor that includes an appearance by the Three Stooges as the Joker's henchmen. Guest voices include Sela Ward as Calendar Girl and Tippi Hedren, and Mark Hamill continues the excellent work as the Joker that created some early rumors about his taking the live-action role in the sequel to Batman Begins. By this time, Batman had become part of the Batman/Superman Hour, so viewers can choose the opening sequence for either that or the original animated series. That, as well as the unbalanced number of episodes in the seasons (e.g., the first season of the animated series was 60 episodes), is why Batman: The Animated Series was released in volumes rather than as single-season sets. --David Horiuchi

Justice League Unlimited - Season Two (DC Comics Classic Collection)

Characters from the original series of Justice League Unlimited are joined by a number of new superheroes making this final seasons showdown between Justice League Unlimited vs Legion of Doom the most suspenseful yet. After years of foiled plots and repeated beatings the galaxy's worse villains finally have a plan: strength in numbers! Led by Lex Luthor the Legion of Doom prepares to dominate the universe. First order of business: destroy the Justice League. Featuring the original seven Leaguers -- Batman Superman Wonder Woman Flash J'onn J'onzz Green Lantern and Hawkgirl -- plus many other favorites each episode showcases these heroes in battles like you've never seen. And just when you think they'vefaced the most unimaginable evils a dark figure from the past resurfaces to exact revenge on all of them.Running Time: 286 min.System Requirements:Run Time: 299 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: NR UPC: 012569723566 Manufacturer No: 72356

In the final 13 episodes of Justice League Unlimited, Grodd recruits Lex Luthor, Sinestro, Bizarro, Giganta, and hordes of other villains to form the Legion of Doom, leading to numerous action-packed episodes of villains fighting the superheroes of the expanded JLU. The core members of the original series--Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl, Flash, and Green Lantern--are supplemented by such heroes as Green Arrow, Black Canary, Supergirl, Red Tornado, and Mister Terrific. But even waves of super-beings would be a bore if the stories weren't compelling and well-thought-out, and dashed with humor. It's the respect for the viewer's intelligence that elevates JLU beyond a kids' series to arguably the best animated-superhero show ever.

During the season, Hawkgirl meets Katar Hol, Hawkman, who claims that he and Hawkgirl are the resurrection of centuries-ago lovers, which throws a wrench into her developing relationship with Green Lantern ("Shadow of the Hawk," "Ancient History"). Flash fights a rogue's gallery of his arch enemies alongside Batman and Orion ("Flash and Substance"), Luthor switches brains with the Flash in "The Great Brain Robbery" (inside joke: Michael Rosenbaum is the voice of Flash, but plays Lex Luthor in the series Smallville) , and Luthor's and Grodd's struggle for dominance of the Legion of Doom comes to a head in the final two-parter, which leads to an unlikely partnership against the ultimate supervillain. The series also dips into other characters and realms of DC comic-book lore, such as the Legion of Super-Heroes ("Far from Home"), Deadman ("Dead Reckoning"), the Seven Soldiers of Victory ("Patriot Act"), Birds of Prey ("Grudge Match"), and Mike Grell's Warlord ("Chaos at the Earth's Core"). In the bonus features, the series creators discuss JLU's ongoing Cadmus story line, there's a music-only track of the series' final episode, and the creators do a 30-minute on-screen commentary talking about three late-season episodes. --David Horiuchi

Justice League - Season Two (DC Comics Classic Collection)

Superman Batman Wonder Woman The Flash Green Lantern Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl - they have all used their unique powers to fight evil across the galaxy. These 7 super heroes unite to become the Justice League. Dangers across the galaxy threaten Deep-rooted feelings of mistrust and insecurity surface and plauge the Justice League causing internal strife and leaving them vulnerable to attacks from their enemies. But when one of their own commits the ultimate betrayal it could be the end of the Justice League and Earth forever. Don't' miss one second of suspense or one iota of excitement with this 4-disc 26 episode collection.Running Time: 593 min.System Requirements:Run Time: 593 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY UPC: 012569723146 Manufacturer No: 72314

Better characterization and epic storylines combined with the usual topnotch voice talent make Justice League's second season even better than the first. Some of the more intriguing story lines involve the League forming an unlikely partnership with Darkseid against Brainiac ("Twilight"); an alternate-dimension Justice League establishing a martial state in order to keep the peace ("A Better World"), which raises an interesting moral question that came up later in DC's Identity Crisis comic series; the death of Superman ("Hereafter"); and the League teaming up with Doctor Fate, Aquaman, and Solomon Grundy ("The Terror Beyond"). Other villains include the Secret Society and the Joker's Royal Flush Gang; Amazo, the android who can absorb the heroes' powers; Vandal Savage; and Eclipso. Most story lines are given two episodes (except the holiday-themed single episode "Comfort and Joy" and the three-part season finale "Starcrossed") and involve some combination of the seven Justice Leaguers: Batman (voiced by Kevin Conroy, continuing his work from Batman: The Animated Series), Superman (George Newbern), Wonder Woman (Susan Eisenberg), J'onn J'onzz (Carl Lumbly), Hawkgirl (Maria Canals), Green Lantern (Phil Lamarr), and the Flash (Michael Rosenbaum). One of the themes developed was an emerging relationship between Hawkgirl and another Leaguer, but it threatens to come apart in the monumental "Starcrossed," when her fellow Thanagarians arrive on Earth to protect humanity from a Gordanian invasion and it turns out Hawkgirl has been keeping a secret from her teammates. Producer Bruce Timm, casting director Andrea Romano, and others also worked on the highly regarded Batman and Superman animated series, and the result is one of the best animated series on television, satisfying for adults and sometimes too intense for kids.

DVD features include commentary by producers Timm and James Tucker, director Butch Lukic or writer Stan Berkowitz, and story editor Dwayne McDuffie on three episodes (why they love Hawkgirl: "If she loves you, she loves you with all her heart. If she hates you, she's gonna hit you with that big honkin' mace."), and featurettes on the voice talent and the second season. The series is shown in the widescreen format it adopted for this season, but it's not anamorphically enhanced for widescreen televisions, which is unusual for 2006, especially considering Starcrossed was released in anamorphic widescreen as a stand-alone DVD in 2004. --David Horiuchi

Justice League - Season One (DC Comics Classic Collection)

Superman Batman Wonder Woman The Flash Green Lantern Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl they have all used their unique powers to fight evil across the galaxy. These 7 super heroes unite to become the Justice League. These 26 adventures feature battles with favorite villains like Lex Luthor Vandal Savage and sorceress Morgan Le Fey. Acts of justice include saving Aquaman from a coup and clearing Green Lantern's name in a charge of genocide. From the smash hit TV series these triumphant tales of teamwork will enthrall and inspire!Running Time: 575 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ANIMATION/ADULT SWIM UPC: 012569750098 Manufacturer No: 75009