Frankenstein
Jr. And The Impossibles: The Complete Series
(1966 - 1967/Hanna-Barbera/Warner Archive Blu-ray Set)
Picture:
B Sound: B- Extras: C Episodes: A-
PLEASE
NOTE:
This Blu-ray set is now only available from Warner Bros. through
their Warner Archive series and can
be ordered from the link below.
Every
episode of Frankenstein
Jr. and the Impossibles
features two distinctive flavors of Hanna-Barbera studio animated
superhero action. Each half hour episode toggles between a tale of
the Impossibles (a trio of super-musicians) and an adventure of
Frankenstein Jr. (a giant automaton combining elements of classic
Japanese giant robot tales and Universal Monster madness). Under the
careful command of "Big D," Coil Man (super-strength and
leaping), Fluid Man (transformation into and control of water), and
Multi Man (mass duplication), fight crime and churn out rockin'
musical hits. While visually distinctive, these two sets of super
animated features remain thematically linked through their madcap
adventures and over-the-top adversaries.
The
robotic giant Frankenstein Jr. (voiced by the amazing Ted Cassidy)
was created by brilliant boy-scientist Buzz Conroy (voiced by Dick
Beals). Facing such foes as Dr. Shock, Cyclaws, Plant Man, Dr. Hook,
and many others, this dynamic duo just as often thinks their way out
of jams as punches them!
The
swinging singers known to the world as the Impossibles combine their
amazing powers to face such varied threats as Spinner, Paper Doll
Man, Professor Stretch, and many more. Coil Man (voiced by Hal
Smith), Fluid Man (voiced by Paul Frees) and Multi-Man (voiced by Don
Messick) rely on Big D's (also voiced by Paul Frees) directions and
solid teamwork to prevail over their criminal foes.
Many
of these amazing voice actors do double-duty providing the voices of
the many zany villains their heroic alter egos battle.
This
expertly remastered collection in high definition from 4K scans have
great color, definition and detail in these 1080p 1.33 X 1 digital
High Definition image transfers, while the
DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 2.0 Mono lossless mixes can sound limited
and boxy in parts, but sound fine otherwise. The combination is the
best you can get outside of a mint condition film print of any of
these episodes.
As
for extra features, we get just one; the featurette entitled Monster
Rock: The Adventures of Frankenstein Jr, and The Impossibles.
This is a fun exploration into the history and development of both
shows.
While
not a direct copy of their Marvel and DC comic book counterparts, the
heroes and villains featured in both Frankenstein
Jr. and The Impossibles
cannot help but appear as madcap reflections of some of the
characters from the period (1966 - 1967) they both share. You can
certainly see a bit of the Legion
of Superheroes
both Bouncing Boy and Mr. Fantastic in Coil Man, and Frankenstein Jr.
remains at least a little reminiscent of the Metal Men. Channeling
the energy of these sorts of comic book forebears counts as a
feature, not a bug, of both of these shows. Pairing them together
into six minute mini-tales made for easy consumption by even the
youngest of viewers.
Even
many decades later, they remain bright lights in Hanna-Barbera
studio's constellation of animated superhero offerings.
To
order
this
Warner Archive Blu-ray set, go to this link for it and many more
great web-exclusive
releases at:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/ED270804-095F-449B-9B69-6CEE46A0B2BF?ingress=0&visitId=6171710b-08c8-4829-803d-d8b922581c55&tag=blurayforum-20
-
Scott Pyle
