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Post by blinker on Sept 23, 2006 9:30:13 GMT -5
101 - MAN OF TOMORROW
PLOT:
When fearsome villains the fatal five set their sights on the newly formed Legion of Super Heroes, three of the Legion's members go back in time to get help from the greatest hero of all time: Superman. Instead they find Clark Kent, aware of his powers but not yet of his grand destiny.
REVIEW:
If there is one team from DC Comics that isn't highly known, it is Legion of Super-Heroes. Teen Titans was also a team that was similar but that got its own series. Twice in the Bruce Timm/Paul Dini created DCAU, the Legion appeared in the Superman: The Animated Series "New Kids in Town" episode which was based on their well known team ups with the teenage Clark as Superboy and again in Justice League Unlimited's "Far from Home" which reflected DC Comics' plan to have Supergirl join the team for their One Year Later time jump. Now, Legion of Super-Heroes finally have a show. And just like what many fans remember of them, the team has Superman as their leader (and the show's star). And now, the first episode....
The plot of this episode was what I expected it to be like. I know that may sound wrong since we knew the plot already. It was just that well; why would they need a legendary hero in their team unless they needed help? In interviews, we were told that this show was to be like Teen Titans & Justice League/Unlimited. From the first episode, we can see the animation style being from TT with the storyline mirroring that of JLU. The characters mix them both with all being serious but some popping a joke or too.
Clark Kent, when he appears, acts the same way as the Clark in Smallville's early seasons. Knows his powers, well most of them, but doesn't know what to do concerning them nor his future as a superpowered being. The recording, despite changing him from Superboy to Superman, must've also added him going to Metropolis as said in this episode's beginning. I believe that must've been Smallville High School or something. His costume is basically the traditional looking Superman costume. What was added was a more darker red, a maroon color, just like the Superman Returns costume. And just what he wore when he was with the Legion in the comics, his belt has the "L" symbol.
The Legion act like what they are, and still what Superman is, as teenagers. Or well, young adults (because of the recording, again, for Supes). They seem to have experience, but still somewhat in the learning curve. As seen when they fight the The Fatal Five, in their second time, and get beaten with Superman coming in to bail them out. Speaking of the Fatal Five, the writers made them a threat. Normally with shows like these, the danger on people like civilians is down to somethign like a slap. Here, the cars behind them explode and knock them out. Thats in shows like JLU, but haven't been seen in saturday morning ones. I guess we're being shown this will be different than Teen Titans and other saturday morning shows despite The Batman.
Overall, this episode sets up Superman as a young adult on the learning curve teaming up with a future superhero team that have experience but need help. I think this show we'll do fine. I enjoyed it and saw it has good writing and animation and characters. This was a good first episode
RATING: 8/10
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Post by The Dark Knight on Sept 23, 2006 10:04:46 GMT -5
Hmm...the opening theme was a bit...jazzier than I expected. I thought it might resemble more of the Timmverse styled heroic music, hering the BG music in all the previews. But the opening theme animation was great.
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Post by Batlaw on Sept 23, 2006 10:05:42 GMT -5
Thanks Blinker
Lets go ahead and discuss the premier here.
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Post by The Dark Knight on Sept 23, 2006 10:43:45 GMT -5
I thought it was fantastic. I really thought it would be more like TT in a comical way but boy was I wrong.
The animation, first of all was spectacular.
I loved Lightning Lad's Spunk and Bouncing Boy's characteristic and the voice actors/tresses did a terrific job! The only I had a little disagreement with was the Emerald Empress. Sounded like Sam from Totally Spies, a little girly for the Fatal Five leader.
They also adapted the Smallville Clark Kent quite well and although I think they kind of rushed the whole future approach it was a good transition
Overall this is a VERY solid episode, and I know in the past I was expecting to just geta glimpse of the first episode, but boy am I ready for more!
9.5/10
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darkfire1978
Legions of Gotham Police Officer
Brick by Brick, LEGO Batman is taking Gotham back!!!
Posts: 150
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Post by darkfire1978 on Sept 23, 2006 10:55:32 GMT -5
Near the closing of the episode, I could have sworn I heard the theme song from the Timmverse Superman Animated Series as Supes flew off. Also in the art gallery where Supermans musuem was in, did you notice all the different art forms of superman, including his square jaw as seen in STAS, JL and JLU? Is this an Homage or a pre-cursor?
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Post by All Star Batman on Sept 23, 2006 11:46:41 GMT -5
Well, this is the start of what looks to be another great DC cartoon. This episode did great showing a young Clark Kent discovering his powers, and realizing his destiny of becoming Superman. The show is good, but the theme song could use some work.
9/10 (Sorry, but in comparison to The Batman today, this show is nowhere close.)
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Post by Blackgate on Sept 23, 2006 12:09:12 GMT -5
I have to say i was pleasantly surprised with this show. It has defiantly started a new era for DC comics animation. First it was BTAS and sTAS now its LOSH and TB. I really liked the Fatal five, espicially emerald empress, although i think the eye should have been on her, like in jewlery form. The smallville part was also really well done. I was a little disapointed that we didnt get to know the Legion very well, but hopefully we will. It wasnt fantastic, but its a good way to kill 1/2 hour untill the Batman comes on.
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Post by Dark Nightwing on Sept 23, 2006 12:37:02 GMT -5
Well this was a pleasant surprise. The animation all looked rather well done. At first I didn't understand why Bouncing Boy was flying, but then they explained it so I'm happy. I may be the only one that noticed, but did anyone else get a look at Booster Gold? I'd be surprised if he was the only cameo. The story was a decent starter. It wasn't bad, it just focused more on getting Clark than why they couldn't take them on themselves. I like most all of the designs. I'm not that familiar with the comics, so I didn't know some of the people names. I thought the Superman statue that was up looked a lot like his DCAU design. I think this series will do just fine. Now lets see more villains. They better not just fight the Fatal Five each week.
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Post by All Star Batman on Sept 23, 2006 13:06:31 GMT -5
Well this was a pleasant surprise. The animation all looked rather well done. At first I didn't understand why Bouncing Boy was flying, but then they explained it so I'm happy. I may be the only one that noticed, but did anyone else get a look at Booster Gold? I'd be surprised if he was the only cameo. The story was a decent starter. It wasn't bad, it just focused more on getting Clark than why they couldn't take them on themselves. I like most all of the designs. I'm not that familiar with the comics, so I didn't know some of the people names. I thought the Superman statue that was up looked a lot like his DCAU design. I think this series will do just fine. Now lets see more villains. They better not just fight the Fatal Five each week. I didn't see Booster Gold, but I did see his little robot sidekick. What was his name again? |
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Post by Dark Nightwing on Sept 23, 2006 13:16:03 GMT -5
I didn't see Booster Gold, but I did see his little robot sidekick. What was his name again? Skeets was his name. Booster Gold was in the background in the scene directly after Skeets had its cameo. |
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Post by The Dark Knight on Sept 23, 2006 13:24:24 GMT -5
Yes I remember seeing Skeets on the sidewalk where Clark had run away. I didnt see Booster though  |
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Post by Dark Nightwing on Sept 23, 2006 13:28:05 GMT -5
Yes I remember seeing Skeets on the sidewalk where Clark had run away. I didnt see Booster though It turns out he was a janitor, lol. I thought I saw him operating a floor buffer, but I wasn't sure until I checked on Wikipedia |
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Post by Batlaw on Sept 23, 2006 15:52:01 GMT -5
Got to admit I was Very pleasantly surprised. I actually liked it quite a bit... despite never having been a traditional LOSH fan.
Everything was ultimately well done top to bottom and certainly couldve been much much worse... and I admit I was pretty apprehensive and expected much worse.
I dont have any real complaints and greatly look forward to seeing more!
Most the voices and performances were excellent IMO and the animation looked pretty swell and better than I expected it to.
The story was well done and worked. Nothing altogether objectionable in my eyes.
I agree the weakest and most notable problem was the portrayal of Emerald Empress. I also think Clark may have seemed a bit too young? (especially to be using the name SuperMan) but then we all know the issues with that and was originally meant to be. I didn't find either to have been major concerns personally. I'm really happy with what I saw.
On a side note, I too saw Skeets. That was a great egg! as were the (subtle) STAS imagery and the various alien races known for having members in the Green Lantern Corp.
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Post by Batlaw on Sept 23, 2006 16:34:27 GMT -5
Oh I almost forgot the music! Not bad at all. The opening theme was pretty solid and rather fitting. Though it had quite a bit of a "Spy" type flavor IMO? Not bad.
Some musical moments I thought were particularly good. Such as when they all first teleport from the Kent kitchen. That piece could easily be embellished into perhaps a great theme.
Both the opening theme and the entire opening sequence really reminded me of the old X-Men cartoon. Thought it very similar.
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Post by ayenlou on Sept 23, 2006 19:58:53 GMT -5
I SAW BOOSTER GOLD TOO! He was doing janitor work ahhaha at the Superman Museum. Right when Clark walks in for the first time you see Booster Gold vacuuming or something.
But man I was surprised of this cartoon show. It certainly exceeded my expectations and I like it a lot. I'm glad they got half of the Teen Titans crew working here. I love Amy Wolfram's writing. All the episodes she did over at Teen Titans were the best episodes. Can't wait for next week!
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Mumbo
Gotham Tourist
Posts: 10
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Post by Mumbo on Sept 23, 2006 21:27:09 GMT -5
Hey guys, I put some New Metropolis characters up on my blog. I SAW BOOSTER GOLD TOO! He was doing janitor work ahhaha at the Superman Museum. Right when Clark walks in for the first time you see Booster Gold vacuuming or something. He's buffing the floor, with a high-tech future floor buffer. If I can dig it up, I'll put up the Booster design later on. |
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Post by Dark Nightwing on Sept 23, 2006 21:52:59 GMT -5
I thought that one alien that was yellow and had that fin on her head was a Green Lantern! Thank you Batlaw! I didn't realize there were other GL's in the background, but I did notice her.
I like that the show mixes the story of JLU and the animation of TT. I love that I get a whole new series with heroes and villains I've never even heard of. Bravo!
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Post by DrGreenEvil on Sept 24, 2006 0:22:58 GMT -5
Its like Teen Titans meet Star Trek with Superman.
I was pleasantly surprised by this. Its not something I will watch religiously but if the ep description sounds good Ill watch.
Is it just me or are Superman prequels getting a little old.
I liked the characters more than I thought I would.
I saw the Booster Gold cameo to. Maybe they will have an ep where he joins the Legion, but sucks at it, and thats why he goes back to the 21st century to be a super hero. I saw alot of the GL species but I didnt see a Green Lantern. Where there any ?
DrGreenEvil
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Post by /\/\att on Sept 24, 2006 2:45:33 GMT -5
Hey guys, I put some New Metropolis characters up on my blog. I SAW BOOSTER GOLD TOO! He was doing janitor work ahhaha at the Superman Museum. Right when Clark walks in for the first time you see Booster Gold vacuuming or something. He's buffing the floor, with a high-tech future floor buffer. If I can dig it up, I'll put up the Booster design later on. Thanks for posting Derrick, and letting us know! I missed the ep today, MOST unfortunately! If anyone can help me out with that drop me a PM or an email please! |
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Post by ayenlou on Sept 24, 2006 10:50:54 GMT -5
Hey guys, I put some New Metropolis characters up on my blog. I SAW BOOSTER GOLD TOO! He was doing janitor work ahhaha at the Superman Museum. Right when Clark walks in for the first time you see Booster Gold vacuuming or something. He's buffing the floor, with a high-tech future floor buffer. If I can dig it up, I'll put up the Booster design later on. Yeah thanks again for letting us know. Sweet designs too! |
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J. Torres
Legions Of Gothamite
Member of the Bat-Comic Industry
Posts: 59
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Post by J. Torres on Sept 24, 2006 19:02:43 GMT -5
I loved it. Even my wife got into it. This is gonna be a great series...
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Post by ??The Riddler?? on Sept 24, 2006 21:43:11 GMT -5
[shadow=green,left,300] I loved it, not only will I look forward to 'The Batman' but LOSH too   [/shadow]
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Post by /\/\att on Sept 24, 2006 23:39:35 GMT -5
I loved it. Even my wife got into it. This is gonna be a great series... Hey J. Glad you guys liked it I'm still needing to check it out. argh! |
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Post by Batlaw on Sept 25, 2006 10:59:29 GMT -5
Yes thanks Mumbo, thats nifty!
I missed Booster himself but saw skeets. I saw the Tomar Re race and the crystal fellas.
I think Saturn Girl and Emerald Empress' voices should be swaped or EE recast or the actress should be allowed to take a more dramatic approach. I loved Saturn Girl's voice and portrayal... but I found her earings became a little distracting.
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Post by Blackgate on Sept 27, 2006 0:04:13 GMT -5
I agree with that, saturn girl should sound a little more ditzy and emereald empress should sound more tom boyish or at leats like shes been to jail, you know tough. But to me it wasn't that distracting from the show.
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Post by Dark Nightwing on Sept 27, 2006 0:25:10 GMT -5
I didn't notice anything wrong with the voice. Then again, I have to watch a show/episode multiple times to notice such things. The first time I watch an episode, I'm paying attention to the story. After that comes voice and animation. After that comes the music. I guess I just have a one track mind.
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[/shadow]