Superhero Sampler

Elliot and John watch "The Mechanical Monsters" from the SUPERMAN theatrical shorts. When a giant bank-robbing automaton captures plucky reporter Lois Lane, it's up to the Last Son of Krypton to snap every neck that gets in his way! Is this cartoon a treasure from the golden age of Hollywood, or is it just a dry run for the immortal Challenge of the Super Friends? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "House of Freakazoid" from FREAKAZOID. When Lon Chaney Jr. comes knocking on Dexter Douglas's door, it's up to the only Steven Spielberg-produced superhero to defeat the Big Bad Wolf! Is Freakazoid a fountain of hilarity, or is the show an obnoxious bore? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "Wolverine vs. Hulk" from WOLVERINE AND THE HULK. When the rampaging green goliath causes a ruckus in the snowy Canadian woods, Nick Fury recruits James "Logan" Howlett to do some Hulk-busting. Is Hugh Jackman's famous alter ego a worthy leader of Marvel's merry mutants, or should the "team captain" job be given to Jubilee instead? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "Deadly Force" from GARGOYLES. When crates of laser rifles hit the streets of New York City, it's up to the Disney Afternoon's winged warriors to teach us a lesson about firearm safety! Do these mythical creatures deserve to fly the night sky, or should they remain encased in stone forevermore? Plus: How dorky does Elliot sound when he interviews GARGOYLES star Keith David? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "The Kingpin Strikes Again" from SPIDER-WOMAN. When Wilson Fisk and his bumbling henchmen turn themselves invisible, it's up to our arachno-heroine to end their ghostly crime spree! Is Jessica Drew worthy to wear the webs, or should she leave the wall-crawling heroics to Peter Parker? Plus: What do we think of Netflix's Daredevil? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "Gangwar: Part 1" from SILVERHAWKS. When irritating henchmen attempt to double-cross their gangster boss, it's up to the titular intergalactic winged police officers to clean up the mess! Are these shiny cops fit to protect their home from the scum of the universe, or should they turn in their badges and quit the force in disgrace? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "Misplaced" from YOUNG JUSTICE. When every adult in the world vanishes without a trace, it's up to the Junior Justice League to solve the case! Are these teenagers with attitude worthy successors to the JLA, or do they still have a lot of growing up to do? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "Muffy the Werewolf Slayer" from BIG WOLF ON CAMPUS. America's fourth favorite Teen Wolf is caught between a soul-stealing encyclopedia salesman and a plucky heroine who bears a striking similarity to Sarah Michelle Gellar. Is this Fox Family supernatural comedy an abhorrent Buffy rip-off or a secretly successful kids' version of Joss Whedon's finest achievement? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "Bigfoot Meets the Thing" from FRED AND BARNEY MEET THE THING. Hanna-Barbera wildly misrepresents the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing while Bigfoot becomes an aggressive sexual predator. Is Aunt Petunia's favorite nephew still the self-proclaimed idol of millions, or is it clobbering time for this abnormal animated adaptation? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "The True Face of a Monster" from EXTREME GHOSTBUSTERS. The next generation of spectre snatchers confront a gigantic Clayface monster as well as the dark shadow of prejudice! Does this new crew live up to their forefathers, or are they desperately missing the irreverent witticisms of Peter Venkman? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "Sons of the Fathers" from STATIC SHOCK. Static is stunned when his best friend's dad turns out to be a racist! Is this package of valuable life lessons a maudlin melodrama or a mature manifesto? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "Going Ape" from NINJA TURTLES: THE NEXT MUTATION. Raphael, a gorilla, a homeless man and a team of dragon ninjas enter an abandoned mansion. Are the following events rip-roarin' fun for the whole family or a tragic miscalcution of TMNT's ever-lasting appeal? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "Where Evil Nests" from SPIDER-MAN UNLIMITED. While living on an alternate Earth, Spidey teams up with a heroic Green Goblin to battle a giant blob of boogers. Is this off-brand version of everyone's favorite wallcrawler a wild misfire or an overlooked gem? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "Episode Five" from THE MAXX. The big-toothed title character takes a backseat to a psychological portrait of a troubled teenage girl. Does this MTV Oddity hold value for a 21st century viewer, or should it remain lost in the YouTube wilderness? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "Yellowjacket" from THE AVENGERS: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES. Right after Ant-Man seemingly dies in a lab explosion, mystery man Yellowjacket appears and goes on a rampage. Are these two events related? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "Mr. Nice Guy / Dental Breakdown" from SHEZOW, an Australian-Canadian cartoon about a boy who puts on a magic ring and becomes a female superhero. In the first half, SheZow develops super-empathy after watching a chick flick. In the second half, he/she teams up with the actual Tooth Fairy to defeat a rogue pixie. Does this show deliver a postive message to young children, or is it weighed down by messy gender politics? Listen to find out!

Elliot and John watch "I've Got Batman in My Basement" from BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES. The Dark Knight drools on a couch while the Penguin gets his butt handed to him by some meddlesome kids. Is this the worst episode of the entire DC Animated universe? Listen to find out!