A nostalgic compilation of the classic 1978 TV cartoons. Superman leads a superhero team comprised of the greatest DC Comics superheroes against a team of 13 of the most notorious DC Comics supervillians. Episodes include:... more » Wanted Ten Super Friends, Invasion of the Fearians, The World's Deadliest Game, The Time Trap, Trial of the Super Friends.« less
"Considered the best in the series, Challenge of the Superfriends features an all star line up of DC Comics flagship and popular characters: Superman, Batman and Robin, Green Lantern, Flash, Wonder Woman, Aquaman. They are joined by Samurai, Apache Chief and Black Vulcan.The vilains: The Legion of Doom, headed by Lex Luthor. All of the major bad guys are here, from Bizzaro, Black Manta, Cheeta, Giganta, Riddler, Toyman, Gorilla Grood, Solomon Grundy, Scarecrow, and Brainiac!Expect nothing short of a Royal Rumble when these two teams collide against each other. This is the best interpretation of the DC comic books into animation. No other series involving Super Heroes has ever matched it. Hanna Barbara did outstanding work on this series, possibly one of their best on television. The voice talents were also good.A lot of creative forces, who are now legends in the comic book business, were involved in the series: Alex Toth, who did an outstanding job designing the characters for animation. DC staff, such as artist Carmine Infantino, writer and afficinado E. Nelson Bridwell and of course, editor Julius Schwartz (who was a major contributor to the Silver Age of Comics with his revamping of the Flash and Green Lantern) This DVD has been long awaited by fans. Never before has there been an official video release of the series. A must have for anyone who is interested in Super Heroes. (WB, release the entire series on DVD, I have my dollars ready :)"
A childhood favorite comes to DVD
John | 02/22/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I know, I know... now that we've grown up, most of us who watched this cartoon as kids find it silly and archaic. When compared to new, sharply animated and written cartoons such as Batman The Animated Series or Justice League, we tend to cringe when we happen to come across it on Cartoon Network.However, I continue to enjoy this cartoon because of the memories it brings back. I love it based on its nostalgic value. My brother and I would watch it religiously every Saturday morning, and when the repeats began to be aired in the afternoons on a local UHF channel, our appetites for it only increased.Although the Super Friends tended to be a little softer in the physical displays of force category, it more than made up for it in many ways. The stories were fun, the plots were creative, and The Legion of Doom episodes which this DVD showcases, were the best of the series. Pitting each Super Friend against his or her arch-enemy was fun to watch. Superman outwitting Lex Luthor, Wonder Woman sparring with The Cheetah, or Aquaman defeating Black Manta was always exciting and entertaining.True, there was a lack of grit and "Superheroness" in it. For example, you never saw Wonder Woman get smashed through a concrete wall, only to come flying back out and decimate her adversary like you do on Justice League. Batman never pulverized The Scarecrow or Toyman the way he does The Joker in Batman The Animated Series. However, there were some episodes that were pretty intense for kids. An episode that sticks out in my mind had The Legion of Doom raising the dead out of a swamp to defeat the Super Friends. Another episode featured the villains actually killing each Super Friend with a powerful crystal.I'm glad this cartoon is being released on DVD. I plan on buying it and watching it with my son. I'm sure he'll enjoy it as much as my brother and I did. It's sure to bring back memories of sitting in front of the TV on Saturday morning with a big bowl of sugar cereal in hand, waiting to see what new challenge awaited the Super Friends."
Probably the best of all superman cartoons on DVD
John | 09/19/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My 3 1/2 years old son watches this dvd over and over again.I have bought him all 3 justice league dvd which are the newer version with better color, sound... But, for a 3 years old this does not really seems to matter much since after I got him this DVD I have a hard time playing him the justice league ones.I highly recommend this one for your kids. They will enjoy this one over and over and over again."
At Last!!! This series is Awesome!
R. FELLOWS | San Francisco, CA USA | 02/15/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm all over this like a fly on...well, you know.
This is my favorite of the early days of the Superfriends. No Wendy and Marvin, no silly "don't talk to strangers" messages from Wonder Woman...just flat out rock 'em - sock 'em fun when the Superfriends meet their evil equals from the Legion of Doom.
I always get a chuckle out of these because it seems the LOD can do ANYTHING! They can travel through time, space, send our fearless heroes into famous storybooks...whatever makes an entertaining story. It's always a hoot watching Wonder Woman float in space wearing her bustier, hot pants, boots and a plastic bubble on her head with no breathing apparatus on her back.
Cheers to Cartoon Network for releasing this series first. I hope all the episodes involving the Legion of Doom are available soon!"
About Time
R. FELLOWS | 02/15/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Plain and Simple. I have waited for over 20 years for this to come out ever since it was pulled from TV. What's more, they put on DVD arguably the best and most memorable of the series which is vs. The Legion of Doom. Whoever did this has my vote for best release of the year."