World's Finest Podcast

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Though their task of covering the entire DC Animated Universe is complete, James and Mike are far from done discussing the DCAU! In this mammoth, five-hour series finale, you'll receive answers to dozens of e-mails and voicemails, lists galore, fond memories (and one not-so-fond memory), behind the scenes secrets, and one more clip segment by Ian Wilson (complete with a dream sequence). Of course, it wouldn't be an episode of World's Finest Podcast without impressions, sexual innuendos, jabs at continuity, and a few grades / rankings that are sure to cause a stir.

We're only one episode away from the grand finale of World's Finest Podcast, so that means it's time for James and Mike to look back upon Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. They rethink a few grades, discuss their favorite (and least favorite) episodes from this era, rattle off characters they wish the League had faced, and more! And, of course, Ian Wilson delivers a clip montage crammed full of the duo's foolishness.

The Brainiac-obsessed Lex Luthor sends the Legion of Doom into space to find his robotic remains, only to unleash an even greater universal threat ("Alive!"). After the villains return to Earth to ask the Justice League for help, Darkseid and his forces storm the planet in one last attempt for domination ("Destroyer"). Then, 65 years in the future, Terry McGinnis learns the truth about his lineage and finally steps out of Bruce's shadow ("Epilogue"). And so ends the DCAU!

After discussing when they'll be reviewing The Dark Knight on Earth-2.net: The Show, James and Mike speak about the latest casting news for The Dark Knight Rises and the passing of a DCAU mainstay. Then they jump into their reviews of "Patriot Act," "The Great Brain Robbery," "Grudge Match," "Far From Home," and "Ancient History." Also, Mike confuses a household appliance for a motorcycle.

An archaeologist by the name of Carter Hall claims he and Shayera are the resurrected souls of two Thanagarian lovers ("Shadow of the Hawk"). Green Lantern, Supergirl, and an exceedingly whiny Stargirl are transported to the center of the Earth to fend off the evil Demos and his two new allies: Metallo and Silver Banshee ("Chaos at the Earth's Core"). Grodd seeks the key to immortality inside the corpse of a Viking ("To Another Shore"). Fed up with The Flash ruining their schemes, Captain Cold, Mirror Master, Captain Boomerang, and Trickster plan one final attack to bring the speedster down ("Flash and Substance"). And as Grodd's ultimate plan comes to a head, Deadman seeks revenge on the one who seemingly killed his master ("Dead Reckoning").

In the epic four-part finale of the Cadmus storyline ("Question Authority," "Flashpoint," "Panic in the Sky," and "Divided We Fall"), the Justice League squares off against Captain Atom, Amanda Waller, the Ultimen as led by Galatea, a superpowered Lex Luthor, a Lex Luthor / Brainiac hybrid, a Lex Luthor / Brainiac / Dark Heart fusion, replicas of their Justice Lords selves, and their inner strife. Later, Luthor escapes from jail, and unwillingly finds himself in league with Gorilla Grodd's Legion of Doom ("I Am Legion")!

Cadmus recruits supposedly reformed villains to stage a suicidal raid on the Watchtower, all in an effort to gain control of the Annihilator ("Task Force X"). Magic across the globe is disrupted when Felix Faust dethrones Hades as the ruler of Tartarus, leaving Wonder Woman and Shayera to set things right ("The Balance"). Huntress wants revenge on Steven Mandragora, but The Question, Green Arrow, and Black Canary all have a say in the matter ("Double Date"). Superman gets really pissed when Captain Marvel accidentally endorses Lex Luthor's run for the White House ("Clash"). And lastly, Shayera teams up with Vixen and Vigilante to save a mining ship, but all is not what it seems ("Hunter's Moon"). Also, Mike has a little fun at a listener's expense, one word haunts Mike across two podcasts, and this episode features the quickest synopsis ever.

A mindless Solomon Grundy returns from the dead, forcing Shayera to end her exile ("Wake the Dead"). Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Batman track a time traveler to the past and future, where they meet Jonah Hex and the Terry McGinnis Batman ("The Once and Future Thing"). Black Canary and Green Arrow attempt to save Wildcat from himself ("The Cat and the Canary"). Mister Miracle, Big Barda, and The Flash save Oberon from the clutches of Granny Goodness ("The Ties That Bind"). And rogue elements within Cadmus release Doomsday and a kryptonite-laced nuclear missile on Superman ("The Doomsday Sanction").

Supergirl crosses paths with her government-controlled clone, setting up the epic Cadmus storyline ("Fearful Symmetry"). Booster Gold saves the world, but no one knows it ("The Greatest Story Never Told"). Amazo returns to Earth to face Lex Luthor, and seemingly destroys Oa in the process ("The Return"). A group of young heroes learn a deep, dark truth about themselves ("Ultimatum"). And alien technology threatens the planet, prompting the League to reveal their secret weapon ("Dark Heart"). Oh, and Mike rants about Brett Favre and the sports media.

Kicking off the final stretch of World's Finest Podcast is the discussion of Justice League Unlimited! First, the Justice League has expanded its ranks, but Green Arrow is skeptical about the organization ("Initiation"). Mongul returns, and plagues Superman with his fondest wish ("For the Man Who Has Everything"). After Mordred spirits away every adult, several members of the League must become children to crush his plans ("Kid's Stuff"). Ares uses The Annihilator to upset the already-unbalanced nation of Kasnia, leaving Wonder Woman, Hawk, and Dove to thwart him ("Hawk and Dove"). And Wonder Woman is turned into a pig ("This Little Piggy").

The controversial Teen Titans era of World's Finest Podcast has come to a close, but not before James and Mike discuss some of their favorite (and least favorite) moments and characters. And, as always with these retrospective episodes, the guys reevaluate a few episodes, and are treated to a clip montage by King Moddie I... err, Ian Wilson.

Though they've finished discussing the TV series, James and Mike must still cover Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo before moving on. What do they think of this movie, the foe, the many anime references, the love story, and Grant Morrison? Wait, Grant Morrison?

Kid Flash causes trouble for the HIVE Five ("Lightspeed"), while Ding Dong Daddy steals Robin's greatest secret ("Revved Up"). After five seasons, the origin of the Teen Titans is revealed ("Go! "). Brain makes his move against the young heroes ("Calling All Titans"), and Beast Boy takes it upon himself to end Brain's quest for power once and for all ("Titans Together"). Then Teen Titans comes to a close with the possible return of Terra ("Things Change"). Also, a listener has a brilliant theory as to how the dead Titan might have returned from her stone imprisonment.

Beast Boy's past as part of The Doom Patrol comes back to haunt him, as Brain, Monsieur Mallah, and the rest of the Brotherhood of Evil butt heads with the Teen Titans for the first time ("Homecoming"). Madame Rouge has been assigned to acquire Hot Spot's communicator, but his fire powers present a slight problem for the malleable villain ("Trust"). Control Freak wants another shot at the Titans, but he finds himself pitted against their East Coast counterparts ("For Real"). Starfire befriends a Russian super soldier who's hidden himself from the world ("Snowblind"). Then the Titans go underground as Dr. Light makes a play for a crystalline girl ("Kole"). And Raven has to protect a trio of young superheroes from Monsieur Mallah ("Hide and Seek").

In the ashes of his daughter, Trigon has risen, laying waste to the world. With no hope of surviving, the Teen Titans press forward, attempting to drive the demon back. However, to win, they'll need the assistance of an unlikely and unwanted ally: Slade! The three-part story "The End" brings the fourth season to a close, and delivers one emotional punch after another.

Once again, Slade tries to deliver a message to Raven, forcing her to face her destiny ("The Prophecy"). The team crashes on an alien world, leaving Robin and Starfire to discuss their feelings ("Stranded"). Cyborg upgrades himself, and learns a lesson from Beast Boy of all people ("Overdrive"). And Starfire must convince her friends that the strange, pie-making woman is not their mother ("Mother Mae-Eye").

This time around the Teen Titans face a deranged punk rocker ("The Lost Episode"), Control Freak ("Episode 257-494"), monsters in the past ("Cyborg the Barbarian"), a resurrected Slade ("Birthmark"), self-doubt ("The Quest"), alien tofu ("Employee of the Month"), and racism ("TROQ"). Also, James does a perfect impersonation of the Newfu leader, and the duo answers a voicemail about Mas y Menos and how they compare to Speedy Gonzales.

Mad Mod voids America's independence ("Revolution"), then Brother Blood uses Cyborg's tech in an effort to destroy the city ("Wavelength"). Beast Boy loses himself to rage and is blamed for an attack on Raven ("The Beast Within"), while Starfire adopts a mutant pet ("Can I Keep Him?"). Raven isn't amused by Mumbo's latest trick ("Bunny Raven... or... How to Make a Titananimal Disappear"), and Brother Blood returns once more to wipe out Cyborg ("Titans East").

Cyborg infiltrates the HIVE Academy, and nearly loses himself ("Deception"). Red X reappears, but it's not Robin ("X"). Starfire finds herself engaged, but her friends uncover the truth behind her wedding ("Betrothed"). Beast Boy accidentally infects Cyborg with a virus, and the Titans enlist Gizmo to save the day ("Crash"). Slade visits Robin, but is he flesh and bone or something else entirely ("Haunted")? And Raven falls in love, but quickly learns he's not what he seems ("Spellbound").

On top of the six Teen Titans episodes they cover ("Transformation," "Titan Rising," "Winner Take All," "Betrayal," "Fractured," and "Aftershock"), James and Mike find themselves discussing LeBron James and the World Cup. Also, LARRY!

Starfire accidentally travels to a future where the Titans have disbanded ("How Long Is Forever?"), Beast Boy is abducted by a childlike alien ("Every Dog Has His Day"), a rock-controlling teen debuts ("Terra"), Cyborg learns his limits ("Only Human"), Raven deals with her fear ("Fear Itself"), and Robin is forced to go to the prom ("Date with Destiny").

Raven and Starfire swap bodies ("Switched"), Aqualad and Beast Boy reluctantly team-up ("Deep Six"), Robin betrays his friends ("Masks"), a crazy Brit attempts to teach the Teen Titans a lesson in manners ("Mad Mod"), Cyborg's new car is stolen ("Car Trouble"), and Robin joins Slade to save his friends ("Apprentice").

The most controversial era of World's Finest Podcast begins here, as James and Mike start their discussion of the divisive Teen Titans! First, Cyborg leaves the team in a huff ("Divide and Conquer"), then Starfire's conniving sister pops up ("Sisters"). Next, Slade pits the three-member HIVE against the heroes ("Final Exam"), and it's up to the team to stop the living embodiment of thunder and lightning ("Forces of Nature"). And rounding out the six reviews, Cyborg must fight for what makes him human ("The Sum of His Parts"), and Raven has to deal with her inner demons ("Nevermore").

James and Mike conclude their discussion of Justice League by covering the series finale "Starcrossed." Think their final scores are a given? Tune in to find out!

Homeownership, T-shirts, and a World's Finest Podcast first are mixed in with discussions of Superman's supposed death and the unwanted recruitment of a new Leaguer ("Hereafter"), The Joker's new gang and the Hawkgirl / Green Lantern relationship ("Wild Cards"), and the holiday spirit and Flash's love of a rude ducky ("Comfort and Joy").

Glenn Beck and Bucky are name-checked as James and Mike discuss demon-possessed gems ("Eclipsed"), an ancient god who's based on HP Lovecraft's Cthulhu tales ("The Terror Beyond"), and the short-lived destruction of the Justice League ("Secret Society").

Vandal Savage makes his return and threatens the world with a railgun ("Maid of Honor"). Meanwhile, Despero attempts to take control of the galaxy by using the Flame of Py'tar ("Hearts and Minds"). Then the Justice League meets their alternate reality counterparts, the Justice Lords ("A Better World").

In "Twilight," Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl give themselves over to stoic, abusive vampires... oh, no. Actually, Brainiac and Darkseid join forces to destroy the sun so vampires no longer sparkle... wait. That's wrong, too. Ohhh, okay! They set a trap to kill Superman because he wrote a positive review of the book for The Daily Planet... or because they're jerks who simply want him dead. Then in "Tabula Rasa," Lex Luthor manipulates Amazo into destroying the League, but he decides to find his own fate. (Hmm, oddly enough it involves becoming stoic and sparkly.) "Only a Dream" then sees Doctor Destiny invading the dreams of his girlfriend and the Justice League, all in an effort to bring them to their knees. (Didn't Edward and Bella come to Stephenie Meyer in a dream? Christ!)

The first season of Justice League comes to a close with the epic three-part "The Savage Time."

After playing two really cool sound bites, James and Mike plot a Superman video game trilogy, then they discuss "Fury," "Legends," "A Knight of Shadows," and "Metamorphosis." One of those reviews features the return of Mike's "stoner" persona.

Diana returns home to find an unwelcomed guest has laid waste to her sisters ("Paradise Lost"). Superman is forced into gladiatorial combat on a ruthless alien world ("War World"). And Grodd seeks to destroy both Gorilla and Central City ("The Brave and the Bold"). Also, Tom Deja phones in to set the duo straight about the Green Lantern Corps.

Green Lantern is accused of genocide ("In Blackest Night"), Aquaman fends off a coup ("The Enemy Below"), and Lex Luthor assembles a team of villains to destroy the League ("Injustice for All").

A brand new era in World's Finest Podcast is here, as James and Mike finally sit down to discuss Justice League. First up is "Secret Origins," the three-part episode that redefined these "super friends" for the modern age. And though the series is generally known for its excellence, don't expect the guys to gush from start to finish.

Their coverage of Justice League is almost here, but first James and Mike have to answer a lot of e-mails, then give their final thoughts on The Zeta Project and Static Shock. (Well, and the webtoons, which they spend less than 10 seconds on.) Overall, what did they think of the two series? Which episodes did they choose to reevaluate? Will they mess-up Hotstreak's name one more time? How does one of them react to seeing pictures of Dana Delany for the first time? And what clips did Ian Wilson select to embarrass the duo? All these questions and more will be answered by downloading the episode!

As Static Shock comes to a close, Rubberband Man must overcome his dyslexia if he's to save Dakota ("Where the Rubber Meets the Road"), a professional football player is blackmailed by a former friend ("Linked"), a scientist tests a cure for Bang Babies ("Wet and Wild"), Mr. Hawkins learns his son's secret ("Kidnapped"), and a handful of metahumans fight to turn themselves back into supermen after the Bang Baby cure is spread across the city ("Power Outage").

Green Lantern seemingly goes rogue ("Fallen Hero"), light-sick Bang Babies attempt to blot out the sun ("Army of Darkness"), Edwin Alva tries one last time to save his boy ("No Man's an Island"), four NBA superstars join Static and Gear as superheroes ("Hoop Squad"), and a stalker preys on Daisy ("Now You See Him").

Virgil travels to the past in an effort to save his mother's life ("Flashback"), then he meets an elderly superhero with powers very much like his own ("Blast from the Past"). Traveling through time once more, Static joins forces with the Terry McGinnis Batman in an effort to save his future self ("Future Shock"). She-Bang and Madelyn Spaulding return to Dakota, both to the annoyance of Static ("She-Back!"). And Anansi visits America, where he teams with Static to retrieve a priceless artifact that holds the key to his powers ("Out of Africa").

A television producer has big plans for Static ("Showtime"), Daisy falls into a coma after suffering a head wound ("Consequences"), Lil Romeo and Static make a music video together ("Romeo in the Mix"), Specs and Trapper return as costumed villains ("Trouble Squared"), Toyman wants to have sex with a teenage girl ("Toys in the Hood"), and Shebang needs help from Static and Gear to find her abducted parents ("The Parent Trap"). (And no, that line about Toyman is not a mistake or joke.)

Richie gains superpowers, and just in time to save Virgil from Ebon and the Meta-Breed ("Gear"). Pops takes his children to Africa, where Static steps in to save a village from a madman willing to do anything in search of gold ("Static in Africa"). A new superhero is in town, but she's more than she seems ("Shebang"). Virgil and Richie judge a book by its cover, nearly pushing a bully over the edge ("The Usual Suspect"). And lastly, the teen heroes must take on Brainiac with the help of the Justice League ("A League of Their Own").

Static doubts Rubberband Man has turned over a new leaf ("Bad Stretch"). A perfectionist attempts to rig an election by creating an army of mindless drones ("Attack of the Living Brain Puppets"). A shape-changing musician impersonates a Backstreet Boy to secure a record contract ("Duped"). When a troubled student brings a gun to school, Virgil is powerless to stop him from harming his best friend ("Jimmy"). And Static teams with Batman once more to save a runaway ("Hard as Nails").

Sharon figures out her brother's secret in "Brother-Sister Act," then in "Static Shaq" Shaquille O'Neal pays a visit to Dakota. "Frozen Out" is the story of a lonely homeless girl, and "Sunspots" sees Virgil lose his powers. And lastly, pops gets a girlfriend in the appropriately titled "Pop's Girlfriend."

This week, Edwin Alva, Jr. makes a mess of his father's businesses ("Junior"), a former child actor uses Static to wreak havoc ("Replay"), Virgil fights a purple monster while trying to come to terms with the death of his mother ("Tantrum"), the Joker shows up in Dakota ("The Big Leagues"), and Richie and Virgil come to odds when the former gains superpowers of his own ("Power Play").

In this batch of episodes, Static is hunted by his new teachers ("The New Kid"), and must face the living imagination of a young boy ("Child's Play"). He then confronts the evil that is racism ("Sons of the Fathers"), and nearly loses his best friend ("Winds of Change"). And lastly, he has to stop bounty hunters from capturing Rubberband Man ("Bent out of Shape").

Leaving the future of the DCAU in the dust, James and Mike finally return to the present to discuss Static Shock ("Shock to the System," "Aftershock," "The Breed," "Grounded" and "They're Playing My Song"). They also answer a slew of e-mails.

First, a listener owns Mike, then James and Mike cover the last five episodes of The Zeta Project: "On the Wire," "Cabin Pressure," "The River Rising," "The Hologram Man" and "The Wrong Morph." (Pardon the slight audio troubles near the end of the program.)

Before discussing another batch of episodes of The Zeta Project ("Hunt in the Hub," "Ro's Gift," "Lost and Found," "Eye of the Storm" and "Quality Time"), a listener asks Mike his opinion about Dick Grayson becoming Batman. And the answer might surprise you.

As James and Mike review the next batch of episodes from The Zeta Project ("Ro's Reunion," "Kid Genius," "Absolute Zero," "Wired" and "Resume Mission"), they give both the highest and lowest scores for the show thus far.

This week, Agent West nearly redeems himself ("Westbound"), Ro attempts to impress her first foster family ("Hicksburg"), Zeta has to fend off Infiltration Unit 7 and Batman ("Shadows"), the duo gets mixed up in a kidnapping ("Crime Waves") and then they have to escape both the NSA and a bounty hunter ("Taffy Time").