Dave Newman

On request… Scooby’s All-Star Laff-A-Lympics

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As suggested by riraho, I’m looking at Laff-A-Lympics, specifically the ones set in England. The concept is that all the Hanna-Barbera characters that could be mustered compete with one another in Olympics-style games in different countries and places around the world. Characters are divided up into three teams – the Scooby Doobies, which I’m just shocked got past the censors, the Yogi Yahooeys, and the Really Rottens, who are captained by the Dread Baron and Mumbly, barely disguised copies of Dick Dastardly and Muttley (why not just call them Rick Rotten and Roughly?). My knowledge of the show is minimal, so it’s going to be first reactions pretty much, although I have watched the episodes a LONG time ago.

Read moreOn request… Scooby’s All-Star Laff-A-Lympics

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe – The Greatest Adventures of All!

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Today and next Sunday I’m going to look at two specials Filmation produced to promote season one and then season two of the new He-Man show, which it goes without saying was a massive hit. They took three episodes and then added some new animation around them “hosted” by some of the characters from the show. Next week’s episode is probably the better one in that respect, although this is the special that has the best episode.

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Wakanda Forever! The Best of Black Panther in Animation

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The great actor Chadwick Boseman died last week, and it’s going to be a tremendous struggle to find a man as good as him to play Black Panther, which really was one of the best Marvel movies ever produced. With the character in mind, I thought I’d have a look at some of the appearances of Black Panther in animation building up to his explosion on film.

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WCW Worldwide – June 13th, 1992

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Whatever date this actually aired in the UK, I remember going to Blackpool with my sister and grandparents for a club outing and buying a toy mobile phone. My dad had taped this show for me and when he saw the phone he swiped it off me and went “This is Paul E Dangerously, the manager of the new TV champion, Stunning Steve Austin!” – spoilers, dad! What a jerk!

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Wednesday Is Comics Day! Transformers ‘84: Secrets and Lies – Apocrypha

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I had something planned that blended both comics and wrestling, but ran out of time. In a bit of a notice, school is back in from next week, so I’ll be revising my review schedule and what I review and when. I hope you’re still enjoying reading about what I’m reviewing.

Read moreWednesday Is Comics Day! Transformers ‘84: Secrets and Lies – Apocrypha

X-Men – Night of the Sentinels

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I looked at Pryde of the X-Men a few weeks ago, a failed pilot that was intended to launch an X-Men TV series. Just a few years later, an X-Men series would be launched that many consider THE X-Men series, even with a few subsequent versions that are pretty good in their way. I’ve always liked the show, never loved it, though, so I thought it was ripe for a look at again.

The writers really made use of the serial format, and the first season was definitely a go for broke effort, so I’m going to look at it in order here and there to give it a reappraisal.

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The Sunday Funnies! Defenders of the Earth

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Tried this a few weeks ago, but it didn’t really hit when I looked at The Legend of Prince Valiant, possibly as much because people are busy on the weekend, but let’s try again with Defenders of the Earth, which is like the Avengers or Justice League of King Features Syndicate, starring:

  • Flash Gordon, and his son Rick
  • The Phantom (27th iteration) and his daughter Jedda
  • Mandrake the Magician and his ward Kshin, with pet alien Zuffy
  • Lothar, Mandrake’s bodyguard, and his son LJ

Opposing them are Ming the Merciless, with his own son Prince Kro-Tan, and his ice warriors.

Read moreThe Sunday Funnies! Defenders of the Earth