ToonCast Beyond

ToonCast Beyond

by GeekCast Radio Network, LLC

Animation and Manga TV & Film

Green Lantern: The Animated Series Review

We take a look at the first ten episodes of the computer-animated series Green Lantern: The Animated Series. We discuss the art style, the voice cast including Josh Keaton and Kevin Michael Richardson, and how the show compares to other DC entries like Young Justice and Justice League Unlimited. We also touch upon the world-building, the Red Lanterns, and the general reception since the show's premiere on Cartoon Network.

The Spectacular Spider-Man Review

A breakdown of the animated series The Spectacular Spider-Man, discussing its development, high school setting, and complex interconnections between iconic villains. The hosts examine the series' unique animation style, voice acting performances by Josh Keaton and others, and the storyline's evolution across its two seasons. They also navigate the show's distribution and home media issues, ultimately sharing their final ratings and thoughts on how it compares to other Spider-Man and superhero cartoons.

Spider-Man: The New Animated Series Review

An analysis of the 2003 CGI-animated series produced for MTV, covering its voice cast, visual style, and its connection to the 2002 film. The hosts discuss their initial impressions of the show, the effectiveness of the cell-shaded animation, and the inconsistent narrative quality. They also evaluate the series against other entries in the franchise and address its cancellation, ultimately labeling it a forgettable but occasionally interesting experiment.

Young Justice Review

An analysis of the first season of the animated series Young Justice, covering the show's animation, voice acting, and continuity. We discuss the character portrayals, the strengths of the storytelling, the frustrating release schedules on Cartoon Network, and the overall production quality. We also touch upon the voice cast, including Bruce Greenwood as Batman, and compare the series to other DC animated projects.

Fleischer Superman Cartoons Review

An exploration of the 17 animated theatrical shorts produced by Fleischer Studios and Famous Studios between 1941 and 1943. The hosts discuss the production history of the series, the transition from Fleischer to Famous, the use of rotoscoping, and the voice performances of Bud Collier and Joan Alexander. They also analyze the historical significance of these shorts, their influence on later series like Batman: The Animated Series, and share their experiences viewing the collection.

Reboot Series Overview

The team travels back to 1994 to discuss the history, production, and characters of the Canadian computer-animated series Reboot. The hosts cover the evolution of the show from its episodic first season to the more mature, serialized storytelling of later seasons, including the shift in tone during the transition to seasons three and four. They also examine the series' groundbreaking use of 3D animation, the influence of Tron, and the complex relationships between characters like Megabyte, Hexadecimal, and the various iterations of Enzo Matrix.

Mega Man 1994 Animated Series Review

We revisit the 1994 Ruby Spears Mega Man cartoon, discussing its origins, the voice acting performances from Ian James Corlett and Scott McNeil, and how it compares to the original video game source material. We explore the character dynamics between Mega Man, Dr. Wily, and Proto Man, while analyzing the show's animation quality and music production. Additionally, we touch on the inclusion of Mega Man X elements and reflect on the series' place in animation history compared to other game-based cartoons of the era.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold Review

A deep dive into the animated series Batman: The Brave and the Bold, covering its unique Silver Age comic book tone, unconventional voice casting choices like Diedrich Bader, and its focus on team-ups with lesser-known DC heroes. The hosts discuss their initial skepticism, how the series evolved over its three-year run, and its place alongside other Batman productions like the DCAU and The Batman. They also highlight favorite episodes, notable voice cameos, and available media including the soundtrack and video game adaptations.

The Batman Review

Deidre and Mike dig into the animated Batman series with guest JT from Saskatoon, breaking down five seasons of the show. They discuss the character designs by Jeff Matsuda, the shift in tone from darker early seasons to a more kid-friendly approach by season three, the voice acting across the cast, and how the series compares to Batman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, and other superhero cartoons. The hosts praise the action and redesigns while critiquing creative choices like the Batgirl character, certain villain interpretations, and the series' tonal inconsistency.

Justice League: Doom Review

ToonCast Beyond and Animation Aficionados cross over to discuss DC's Justice League: Doom, comparing it to the source material Tower of Babel comic while praising the film's strong voice cast reunion, fight choreography, and exploration of Batman's contingency plans. The hosts break down each League member's storyline, debate the merits of having arch-nemeses face their counterparts, and discuss Kevin Conroy's 21st performance as Batman across DC animated films.

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