Spider-Friends.com Reviews UK Season 1 DVD

SPIDER-MAN AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS - COMPLETE SEASON 1 DVD REVIEW
And here we are. It seemed like it would never happen.  This site is now 10 years old.  So old that DVDs weren't even an expectation when it was created.  All I and many others wanted were good quality copies of each episode, uncut.  The great news is you get what everybody has wanted for so long!

The release is broken out as follows:
 
Disc 1
"Triump of the Green Goblin" (23:52)
"The Crime of all Centuries" (23:52)
"The Fantastic Mr. Frump" (23:51)
"Sunfire" (23:55)
"Swarm" (23:50)
"7 Little Superheroes" (23:51)
"Videoman" (23:54)
 
Disc 2
"The Prison Plot" (24:04)
"Spidey goes Hollywood" (23:55)
"The Vengeance of Loki" (23:51)
"Knights & Demons" (23:55)
"Pawns of the Kingpin" (23:55)
"Quest of the Red Skull" (23:52)     

 
As you can see, there is little variance in the runtimes.  I haven't actually watched every single episode again to make sure nothing is missing because I watched a screener copy of the episodes that Liberation sent to me a few months ago. I didn't feel the need (or desire!) to watch them all again.  They were unedited then.  Odds are they are unedited now.  Of course, stranger things have happened.  Let me know if you discover something missing.

Video
Everything is relative, right?  The picture quality you get here is the best looking you'll have seen the show...depending on your point of view.  Quite a few episodes seem to have the contrast set too high.  Iceman often appears white (he's a light blue, if you didn't know) and his interior lines are washed out at times.  The transfers that have been airing on TOON DISNEY here in the US seem to be better done...but the DVD quality of these episodes makes them better overall.  I find it disappointing...but certainly not a deal breaker. And don't get me wrong, SOME episodes look great. I know Liberation had to make use of the copies that they were given.  That may have limited them severely here.  But try to avoid the Wolverine & the X-Men preview; it's so stunningly clear that it's hard not to be disappointed when you see the picture quality of this 27 year old cartoon.

Audio
Sounds clear to me!  Stunningly clear at times.  I noticed a 5.1 option on the menu but haven't had a chance to play with it.  After years of watching old VHS copies of the show, this was pleasantly surprising.

Extras
There is only a "restoration" video like the other Marvel/Liberation videos have had.  My understanding is that extras are coming for the complete series releases.

Package
This a pretty nice package for such an inexpensive release.  The DVD case slips into a cardboard sleeve.  There's a nice booklet with an episode guide.  I love that Liberation is getting the logos right on all of their Marvel releases.  Personally I think the artwork and the color scheme are misfires.  It's a nice tip of the hat to the show that they used the green background of the show's title card on the back of the box...but that's one dingy, unappealing green!  It just doesn't suit superheroes very well.  And I think it is little to ask that the artist draw Firestar's hair, mask and aura correctly.
 
Menus
Nice work.  I loved the web transitions and especially love the use of the background music on the sub-menu screens.  Fantastic job.

 

The Bad News                                                              
Now...for you completists...there is ONE THING missing:  a green title card. This title card (right) was only shown in the original NBC airings.  Spidey's eye in the pic zoomed toward the camera to reveal the episode title card.  I supplied this to Liberation from the 16MMs I have.  Unfortunately, various factors such as time and cost prevented it from being included.  Apparently, it would have thrown off ALL of the subtitles which had already been completed. It IS something I would liked to have seen included.     

Also, the show originally aired with a "cold open", meaning ACT ONE was shown, THEN the intro aired.  I don't think I even informed Liberation of the fact.  I feel that the large majority of people who watch TV shows on DVD skip the intro of a show, especially after the first few episodes.  I would have found it annoying to sit through or pick the remote up to skip the intro at that point into the episode.  Feel free to blame me if you'd like to have seen it that way.

If you're asking where the Stan Lee narrations are...there weren't any when this season originally aired.   Narrations were later added to the first season episodes when they were re-run in the second season.  The choice was made to keep the episodes original, and I feel like it was the right one.  Though, one day, I would like to see a release that makes it an option to have the Stan Lee narrations in the first season.

Summary
Does anything I've written above matter?  When it all comes down to it, we've got the episodes uncut.  The episodes have aired somewhat recently in their complete form in the UK...but the US hasn't seen the large majority of these episodes uncut since their first airing...and I mean the first YEAR they aired.  (Even NBC edited the episodes in re-runs.)   So, despite my nit-picking, I'm thrilled Liberation was the company that got their hands on this show.  I think they've done a fine job and they've included me almost every step of the way.  We didn't always agree but I've respected and understood every decision they made.  Now it's your turn to do the work:  GO BUY TEN COPIES SO THAT THEY DECIDE TO MAKE A COLLECTOR'S SET THAT INCLUDES ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES!!!!
 


   

Luke Skywalker Unleashed

Coming this fall to the Xbox360 in the form of downloadable content 4 new character costumes for The Force Unleashed. First up is RTOJ Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Kit Fisto, and Ki-Adi-Mundi. As far as Obi-Wan goes at this time it is unknown if it is the young or old obi wan. I am looking forward to kicking some StormTrooper ass with Luke, however I would much rather play as Darth Maul or Darth Vader than Kit Fisto or Ki-Adi what ever. There is no information at this time as to how many microsoft points each costume will cost. As usual I will post information when it is released. 

But wait there's more. Also later this year look for a new downloadable mission in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, where the Apprentice will "learn more about his father, and while searching through the rubble of the destroyed building he must confront his inner demons."

 

Spider-Friends and Incredible Hulk Pre-Orders Etc...

Pre-Orders are finally up for Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends the Complete seasons 1-3, The Incredible Hulk the Complete 1982 Series and X-Men Complete Seasons 1 and 2. Spider-Friends Complete Collection and The Incredible Hulk the Complete 1982 Series are due to release October 27th and X-Men Complete S1 and S2 is due to release November 10th. The complete Spider-Friends set will come with collectable art cards and as far as special features nothing is known at this time.

Click on this link to pre-order Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends the Complete Collection

 Click on this link to pre-order The Incredible Hulk the Complete 1982 Series

Click on this link to pre-order X-Men Complete Seasons 1 & 2

If some of you are unable to get a region free player I have discovered that all of Liberation Entertainments DVDs are region free. However they will not play in a US DVD player but they will play on your computers DVD player, weird huh. But if you are still interested in owning a region free DVD player you can get one here  www.world-import.com as I have stated in a previous post.

Those of you who are big Tick fans and want the complete uncut unedited collection can order it below. I watched both the crappy US version release  and the UK version and there is no doubt that the UK version episodes are the original broadcast masters that were originally aired back in 1994-1996. If you are a Tick fan and loved the cartoon series you don't want to miss out on this set. Also be on the look out for The Tick the Complete Edlund Comic run Trade Paper Back which you can get at Heroes and Dreams soon. Click the link below to order the complete Tick Animated series.

The Tick the Complete Collection 

Bionic Commando the History

In 1987 Capcom released in arcades all over Japan a title known as Top Secret and later in the United States under the name Bionic Commando. It was marketed in the US as a prequel to the game Commando. This was the first title in the series. The game featured Super Joe as the Bionic Hero. Much like its console version our hero would have a bionic grapple arm and a gun. However unlike the NES version the grapple arm in the arcade version had a much longer reach. The game play was pretty much the same but with few differences, and a bit more challenging. The game only consited of 5 levels. I have very fond memories of playing the arcade version as a child at the local now long gone Put-Put Golf arcade room. The arcade version can be found on Capcoms Classic Collection 1 for the original Xbox and PS2. I am sure you will be able to find it at your local gamestop in the pre-owned bin or off ebay.

In 1988 Capcom released in Japan for the Famicom/NES Top Secret: Hitler's Revival/Bionic Commando, the sequel to the arcade version. This time around the hero was not Super Joe but a new commando named Nathan "Radd" Spencer. Radd was sent behind enemy lines to rescue Super Joe after being captured by the Nazis trying to put a end to Project Albatross. The project was put into motion by their leader Generalissimo Weizmann. Part of Project Albatross was to resurrect Hitler so he could lead their forces to victory and dominate the world. The Nazis didn't count on Radd putting an end to their plans once and for all. This is one of the greatest NES games of all time. It is one of my all time favorites.

 

In 2008 Capcom released Bionic Commando: Rearmed for Xbox live arcade, PS3 network and PC. While the gameplay is pretty much the same as the NES version it has been upgraded. The story is pretty much the same as the NES version. You can now switch between weapons in game and you can upgrade your bionic arm this time around. The biggest edition to your weapons are grenades. These babies really help you out when you are in a bind. The game still plays like and old NES game but improves on the platform. If you are an old school gamer or a Bionic Commando fan you should not miss the chance to play this game.

Whats next for Radd Spencer? Radd will be making his leap to the next gen console and going fully 3D. While most 2D games can't make the leap into the 3D world (like Castlevania) it looks like for once it could work. The game is set 10 years after the events of the NES version. It will feature Radd Spencer once again as the main hero and Super Joe will also appear in the game. Most BC fans did not like the new look of Spencer so in the game you can put in a code to play as the original version of Radd seen in the video below. The game will also support a huge online Vs match.

Macross Complete Collection Coming

ADV will finally be releasing the Complete Macross Collection and the complete Southern Cross and Genesis Climber Mospeada collection on DVD. While most fans in the US know this series as Robotech, these are the original japanese versions 100% uncut and uncensored. This is the 2nd release for Macross. The first release was done by AnimEigo and contained Japanese only with english subtitles. The ADV version also contains the original japanese plus a new english dub with the return of Mari Iijima who was both character and singing voice of Lynn Minmay. She supplies the english voice over as well as the japanese voice, now that's impressive. 

Southern Cross and Genesis Climber Mospeada will be a double pack collection instead of individualy. Both series made up seasons 2 and 3 of the US version of Robotech. This was also done with Voltron, however Voltron was 2 different series instead of 3 Beast King Golion and Dairugger XV.

Macross the Complete Collection will be released 10/21/08 and retail for $89.98

Southern Cross/Genesis Climber Mospeada: Double Pack will be released10/21/08 for around $59.98

More than likely both of these sets will be on sale at your local retail store or amazon.com for pre-order for a reduced price.

 

Heroes Season 3 Preview

Heroes Season 3 is just around the corner, due to air 9/22/08. Due to season twos lackluster performance Tim Kring decided to step things up and give the fans what they want more action and more evolved characters. The Villans story arc will last for a total of 13 episodes. Season 2 will be released on dvd 8/26/08. So there should be enough time to catch up before season 3 airs. I for one am looking forward to the new season. I hope that Hiro will really step up this season and start down the path towards becoming like Future Hiro.

Bionic Commando Returns

         Old School                                   New School with Old School Flavor

Bionic Commando Returns. Nathan "Rad" Spencer is back in a big way. Capcom is finally making new Bionic Commando games. The first is an updated version of the original NES Classic. The 2nd game is a full 3D version. Both games look incredible. As a added bonus for downloading the new BC Rearmed game you can unlock a skin to play as the original Nathan "Rad" Spencer instead of the crappy new version of Rad Spencer sporting dreadlocks and wearing a wife beater. There is only one Bionic Commando and thats Rad Spencer. Check out the trailer for the new Rearmed game. It comes out August 13th 2008 for Xbox360 Live and PS3 Network. If you are a fan of the original game both of these are a must for any diehard Video Game Player.

Also check out the new next gen Bionic Commando. It will be coming out on Xbox360, PS3 and PC. This title is due out 10/31/08 (keep in mind this date is not 100% and could change)

Wonder Woman Animated Movie Trailer

Here it is the first teaser trailer for the new Wonder Woman Animated Movie. Finally something from WB that isn't Batman and Superman related. I know that Batman and Superman are WB's bread and butter, but it's about time the other heroes took the spotlight. This looks to be one amazing animated movie. The action looks amazing and I love the art style, but there is one thing that I don't think works in the voice casting department. I speak of Keri Russell as Wonder Woman. Much like the horrible casting for Superman Doomsday she doesn't fit the character. Unlike Susan Eisenberg who voiced Wonder Woman in the Justice League Tv series or Lucy Lawless from JL New Frontier I don't think Russell has the acting chops. Take a look at these two clips the first one is Lucy Lawless as Wonder Woman and the second is Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman. I think you will agree with me and say WTF? was Warner Bros thinking.

Clip 1

Clip 2

Marvel Animated DVD Release updates

Liberation Entertainment has updated their release date list for their Marvel Animated Series DVDs. I will post pre-order information when it becomes available. Check out Liberations Marvel Site here

http://dvdsuperheroes.co.uk/ 

 September

Fantastic Four Complete Season 1 [1994]
The Incredible Hulk Season 1, Volume 2 [1996]
Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends Complete Season 1
X-Men Season 1, Volume 2

October

Fantastic Four Complete Season 2 [1994]
The Incredible Hulk Complete Series [1982]
Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends Complete Seasons 2 & 3
X-Men Season 2, Volume 1
Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends Complete Box Set

November

Wolverine And The X-Men - Wolverine Vs The Incredible Hulk
Spider-Man Original '67 Series - Complete Season 1
Fantastic Four Complete Series [1978]
The Incredible Hulk Complete Season 2 [1996]
Fantastic Four Complete Box Set [1994]
The Incredible Hulk Complete Box Set [1996]
X-Men Season 2, Volume 2
X-Men Complete Seasons 1 & 2 Box Set

Cartoon Clip of the Week