008: "The Androids"

On September 8, 1973, the Super Friends premiered on the ABC Network.  Sixteen episodes were produced that repeated almost continuously for three years before being replaced with the All-New Super Friends Hour.  The Super Friends would continue in different iterations until 1983.  As the 50th anniversary rolls in, John and Dan decided to take a brief break from their Super Friends reviews to discuss this 50th anniversary.  They are joined by Chris Franklin from the JLUCast and Will Rogers, author of The Ultimate Super Friends Companion.

Superman
"Neolithic Nightmare"

JImmy Olson finds himself in an underworld where weird creatures all want to take a bite of him and it's up to Superman to rescue him.

John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get back to the Hall of Justice and open another case from The Filmation Files, taking another look at Aquaman.  Joining them for this episode is Dan's son, Sam.  In it, the three discuss announcer Jackson Beck, the various creatures in the underworld, and the fear of quicksand in 60s and 70s television.  We'll be back in two weeks with our Super Friends review of the 10th episode of the second season.

"The Collector/Handicap/The Mind Maidens/Alaska Peril"

Aired: November 5, 1977

Superman and Wonder Woman search the world for "The Collector" to retrieve stolen monuments.  Next, the Wonder Twins and their space monkey, Gleek, help a teen with a "Handicap" find his friend and learn that his handicap does not make him helpless.  Then the combined Justice League faces Medula and "The Mind Maidens".  Finally, Batman and Robin with special guest Apache Chief must rescue a pair a research assistants from an Abominable Snowman in "Alaska Peril".

John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension are joined by Dan's son, Sam to discuss how the best team-up ever in Superman and Gleek, the problems with the main Super Friends story, and the coolness of Apache Chief.

Dan references The Ultimate Super Friends Companion by Will Rodgers.  Check it out for yourself by purchasing a copy via Amazon.

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

Aquaman
"The Devil Fish"

Aquaman must rescue a test pilot of a new and powerful submersible from Black Manta.

John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get back to the Hall of Justice and open another case from The Filmation Files, taking another look at Aquaman.  In it, they discuss the Aquacave, the possibility that this could be a pilot for a "Sea Devils" series, and the cruelty of Aquaman.  We'll be back in two weeks with our Super Friends review of the 9th episode of the second season.

"Attack of the Giant Squid/Game of Chicken/The Water Beast/Volcano"

Aired: October 29, 1977

Superman and Aquaman must stop an "Attack of the Giant Squid" on the shipping lines.  Next, the Wonder Twins and their space monkey, Gleek, find themselves tested when they try to stop two teens from engaging in a dangerous "Game of Chicken".  Them the combined Justice League faces the Manta and "The Water Beast".  Finally, Superman with special guest Samuri attempts to rescue an alien craft trapped in an active "Volcano".

John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension discuss how badass Aquaman is this episode, the twist the Wonder Twin plot plays in their usually patterned story, Black Manta, and the powers set of Samuri.

Dan references The Ultimate Super Friends Companion by Will Rodgers.  Check it out for yourself by purchasing a copy via Amazon.

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

The Teen Titans
"Operation Rescue"

The Titans journey to a hidden civilization of mutant humanoids who are holding an exploerer and his son captive.

John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get back to the Hall of Justice and open another case from The Filmation Files, taking another look at Aquaman.  This time around, the two take a look at another of the Teen Titan shorts.  In it, they discuss Titans headquarters, the sexist nature of the boys to Wonder Girl, and the nicknames they give each other.  We'll be back in two weeks with our Super Friends review of the seventh episode of the second season.

"The Invisible Menace / Initiation / Coming of the Arthropods / River of Doom"

Aired: October 22, 1977

Superman and Aquaman must find a secret weapon that has been stolen by  "The Invisible Menace".  Then, those Wonder Twins, Zan and Jayna with their space monkey, Gleek, must save a young teen when his "Initiation" goes horribly wrong.  Next, the combined forces of the Justice League must face the "Coming of the Arthropods".  And finally, Wonder Woman, with special guest Riomo travels to the Amazon to rescue geologists from the "River of Doom".

John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension discuss Rima being cooler than Aquaman, the influences this episode had on Superman: The Movie and the character design of the Arthropods.

Dan references The Ultimate Super Friends Companion by Will Rodgers.  Check it out for yourself by purchasing a copy via Amazon.

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

Filmation Batman 1968 Bluray

The wait is finally over!  The Filmation 1968 Batman Bluray set is now available for ordering! Follow the link here to get your copy from Amazon.

John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get back to the Hall of Justice and open another case from The Filmation Files, this time discussing this long awaited Bluray release.  In it, they talk about the wonderful clarity of the picture, the packaging both good and bad, and the disappointing menu.  We'll be back in two weeks with our Super Friends review of the seventh episode of the second season.

Aquaman
"The Volcanic Monster"

A creature of lava is created when a volcano explodes and it's up to Aquaman, Aqualad, Tusky, Storm, Imp and a fleet of sea creatures including dolphins to take the being down before it boils the ocean.

John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get back to the Hall of Justice and open another case from The Filmation Files, taking another look at Aquaman.  This episode was recorded when there was news that the Filmation cartoons were being removed from HBO Max.  Since then, it appears the cartoons are still available to watch, but we still offer this love letter to these HD versions with a look at an episode that really shows how well the process works with these 60s cartoon.  We'll be back in two weeks with our Super Friends review of the seventh episode of the second season.

"The Enforcer / The Shark / Planet of the Neanderthals / Flood of Diamonds"

Aired: October 15, 1977

Wonder Woman and Aquaman race to rescue an underworld civilization from "The Enforcer".  Then, those Wonder Twins, Zan and Jayna with their space monkey, Gleek, must save a pair of boys from "The Shark".  Next, the combined forces of the Justice League are catapulted into the strange "Planet of the Neanderthals".  And finally, Aquaman, with special guest Green Lantern travels to South Africa to rescue trapped miners in a "Flood of Diamonds".

John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension discuss Aquaman's insecurities, the pop culture references in "Planet of the Neanderthals", and the dark rich tan of Green Lantern.

Dan references The Ultimate Super Friends Companion by Will Rodgers.  Check it out for yourself by purchasing a copy via Amazon.

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter