Superman on Television

Justice League Action: Episode Reviews

Season 1 - Episodes 42: "Phased and Confused"

Originally Aired: October 28, 2017 (U.S.)

Written by Patrick Rieger
Directed by Jake Castorena

CAST:
Kevin Conroy as Batman (voice)
Jason J Lewis as Superman/Zod (voice)
Rachel Kimsey as Wonder Woman (voice)
Diedrich Bader as Booster Gold (voice)
Fryda Wolff as Faora (voice)

Rating - 4 (out of 5): Superman and Wonder Woman respond to an alert from Batman. They arrive at the Watchtower where Batman shows them that there's been an explosion on the sun. Seems the explosion has ruptured a rift to the Phantom Zone and has released General Zod! Superman mentions a device that can return Zod to the Phantom Zone that's at S.T.A.R. Labs. The heroes head out to the lab only to confront Zod who has promised Faora and Non to release them from the Kryptonian prism that they've been confined to. After a minor scuffle with Zod, Batman retrieves the device and sends Zod back to the prism. But instead of trapping him Zod becomes intangible and remains a phantom on earth. Meanwhile back at the Watchtower Superman explains how the prism works. It's a gateway from Earth to the Phantom Zone. Wonder Woman notices that two of the prisoners are still in the prism but no sign of Zod. Suddenly the three heroes start to fade out becoming phantoms themselves. Their only hope Booster Gold! It seems Booster was supposed to be on monitor duty around the time the eruption on the sun released Zod but Booster was asleep and Batman noticed the eruption too late. As our heroes are wondering what can be done, in flies Booster with a stack of pizzas. They must figure out a way to contact Booster before they permanently become intangible. Try as they may everything they do from Morse code to using steam to write a message eludes Booster. Realizing that he has the whole Watchtower to himself Booster decides to tap into his inner Tom Cruise and go full 'Risky Business'. He raids the heroes lockers and plays dress up. Dancing around in Batman's costume, flying around like Superman and to Wonder Woman's horror dressing in her outfit and pretending to be her! But time is running out and the heroes try one more trick to get Booster's attention. With the little bit of tangibility they have left the heroes push over a bowl of jawbreakers, using each one to lead Booster who is eating them off the floor to the Phantom Zone device. Leaving a dollar on top of the button (knowing Booster's love of money would get his attention) he grabs the dollar activating the device. But before it can change our heroes back Zod appears and takes the blast from the device and becomes tangible. Will he succeed in freeing the other prisoners and wreak havoc on the world?

Okay, this was just funny - pure and simple! While there was plenty of action, this was Booster's show. Dressing as Batman and mimicking his voice was clearly an inside joke. Diedrich Bader, who does the voice of Booster, played Batman on "Batman: The Brave and the Bold". Batman saying that he doesn't sound like that was funny. The three Phantom Zone villains are used well, though I wish they would have used Ursa instead of Faora but that's just fanboy nitpicking. The "Trinity" working together was nice especially in the fight scenes, they seem to know exactly how to choreograph their actions and work together.

Booster attempts to stop Zod but is out matched. After knocking Booster around Zod releases Faora and Non. Through the prism Booster asks Batman what to do and Batman tells him. After declaring that the world will "Kneel before Zod" Booster asks him to let him join his friends in the Phantom Zone. Zod knowing the misery this will cause grants his request but Booster quickly holds up the prism letting the blast from the Zone device release our heroes but Booster gets trapped in the prism. A fight ensues and the villains give the heroes a run for their money but as Zod is ready to blast Superman, Wonder Woman's quick actions and the use of a stray jawbreaker distracts Zod giving Superman a chance to deflect the blast landing the villains back in the Phantom Zone. After thanking Booster for his help he asks them to release him from the prism. After watching his actions while they were phantoms they decide...not to! For now.

A nice episode and great showcase for Booster. The show does play up the comedic aspects more than focusing on story but that's the style of this show and when it's done well it's worth it.

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