The Justice League…errrr Super Friends are back!
When the world is in danger, the Super Friends jump into action! Be it monsters attempting to take over the world, malfunctioning creations, mad scientists, or super-villains, Super Friends will attempt to set things right. With new trainees Zan and Jayna aka the Wonder Twins and their pet monkey Gleek, the Justice League has their hands full…but they also still have time to teach a lesson to the children when they need it.
The All-New Super Friends Hour—Season 1 is a DC Comics Hanna-Barbera superhero animated TV series. The series aired on Saturday mornings from September 10, 1977 to December 16, 1977 on ABC. Despite being labeled as Season 1, it actually is the second season of the Super Friends series following Super Friends! which originally aired in 1973.
Can we just admit that it’s all about the Wonder Twins?
The Super Friends cartoon was a Saturday morning institution when I was little. As a kid we played Super Friends on the playground and argued about who got to be whom and which character was better. Despite some pretty distinct differences between the seasons, the Super Friends show all blended together. The All-New Super Friends Hour however is where the series really began to take shape for me and many of my friends.
The difference this season was the breakout stars of the Wonder Twins. Wendy and Marvin were always big question marks with limited powers and an annoying dog, but the Wonder Twins (also with limited powers and annoying pet) actually worked here. The “Shape of an *animal*” and “Form of a *water based item*” was a fun little twist…and being younger characters, they were easy to connect to. I’m sure when the series was released there were stalwarts that argued that they weren’t “real characters” (they were introduced in the proper DC Universe much, much later), but they are fun and the most distinctive aspect of the series.
I can feel and hear this….
The episodes break down into a couple small groupings of the Super Friends (generally with the last short episode being a guest star like Flash or Green Lantern), a bigger episode with all the Super Friends, and a “lesson” type episode with the Wonder Twins helping kids on everything from anti-racism to not playing tricks. The show is very preachy, and the Super Friends never do anything wrong.
It is also fun to see the “side” stories within the Super Friends episodes. There are lessons about health and safety (like how to get something out of your eye), activities, and decoder messages and riddles. They are goofy and definitely aimed at younger children. Both it and the Wonder Twin stories show some age with things like Superman shaming a kid smoking cigarettes at a little league game and the Wonder Twins stopping a kids going after African American teens that “don’t belong in their neighborhood”…it is kind of shocking from today’s standards and especially since the target is such a young audience.
I bet the Super Friends just replaced their computer with an iPhone
Fans of Super Friends will probably enjoy Super Friends for the nostalgia factor, but those who didn’t grow up with it or viewers older than five or six might turn up their nose at the show in comparison to much higher quality shows like Batman: The Animated Series or other current DC series which feature better storytelling and better art. Despite this, there is a nice simplicity to Super Friends that even the Batman series lacks. You know everything is going to turn out right and you have fun characters making it happen…which isn’t all that bad. The All-New Super Friends Hour was followed by Challenge of the Super Friends.
The All-New Super Friends Hour—Season 1 Complete Episode Guide:
“The Brain Machine”
“Joy Ride”
“Invasion of the Earthors”
“The Whirlpool”
1.1 The Brain Machine/Joy Ride/Invasion of the Earthors/The Whirlpool Airdate: 09/10/77
The Brain Machine—Doctor Crainum becomes superhumanly intelligent from an experiment and it is up to the Super Friends to stop him. Joy Ride—The Wonder Twins must stop a couple of kids who steal a plane that has an engine that is about to give out. Invasion of the Earthors—An attack from within the Earth threatens the surface world as the Earthors try to collect bedrock. When the Wonder Twins are captured, the Super Friends must rescue them. The Whirlpool—Aquaman and Black Vulcan fight to save the captain of an oil liner from destroying his ship in a deadly whirlpool.
“Invasion of the Hydronoids”
“Hitchhike”
“City in a Bottle”
“Space Emergency”
1.2 Invasion of the Hydronoids/Hitchhike/City in a Bottle/Space Emergency Airdate: 09/24/77
Invasion of the Hydronoids—The Hydronoids arrive on Earth and attack a local city. When Aquaman is captured by the Hydronoids, Batman and Robin must free him and stop the Hydronoids. Hitchhike—The Wonder Twins set out to help a hitchhiking girl who is kidnapped after taking a ride from a stranger. City in a Bottle—The Wonder Twins find themselves trapped in Big City when it is shrunken by an alien named Mongo and the Super Friends set out to free Big City and its inhabitants from Mongo. Space Emergency—Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and Wonder Woman are summoned to space to help astronauts in danger. Wonder Woman pursues the Skylab as it heads into the sun while Hawkgirl and Hawkman try to rescue the shuttle from spinning into deep space.
“The Marsh Monster”
“Runaways”
“Will the Worlds Collide?”
“Time Rescue”
1.3 The Marsh Monster/Runaways/Will the World Collide?/Time Rescue Airdate: 12/09/77
The Marsh Monster—A swamp creature attacks and steals secret plans for a new magnetic powered engine. When the Super Friends intervenes, Batman, Robin, and Superman expose the real danger. Runaways—The Wonder Twins learn about a couple of runaways headed to Central City. When the two kids get involved with a criminal, the Wonder Twins must stop a robbery. Will the World Collide?—The Earth’s weather goes crazy when a Kryptonite planet is headed to a collision with Earth. The Super Friends learns that Professor Fearo could be behind the attack and Batman and Wonder Woman set out to stop Fearo and his alien partner Cleazor. Time Rescue—Professor Comstock creates a time machine and travels into the future. When Comstock becomes trapped in the future, Superman, Hawkman, and Hawkgirl must travel into the future to rescue Professor Comstock.
“Doctor Fright”
“Drag Race”
“Day of the Plant Creatures”
“Fire”
1.4 Doctor Fright/Drag Race/Day of the Planet Creatures/Fire Airdate: 10/01/77
Doctor Fright—Metropolis is being sprayed with a gas to invoke fear by Doctor Fright and the Super Friends must stop out stop him. Drag Race—The Wonder Twins are called in to stop a series of dangerous street drag races. Day of the Planet Creatures—Plant creatures begin forming from a meteor’s radiation and transforming everything they touch into living plants. As the swamp creatures begin headed for populated areas, the Super Friends must find a way to stop them. Fire—A fire threatens a forest and Batman, Robin, and Rima team together to stop the fire with rangers while rescuing a crooks entering danger.
“The Monster of Dr. Droid”
“Vandals”
“Super Friends vs. Super Friends”
“Energy Mass”
1.5 The Monster of Dr. Droid/Vandals/Super Friends vs. Super Friends/Energy Mass Airdate: 10/08/77
The Monster of Dr. Droid—Dr. Droid accidentally creates a rampaging robot and attempts to transfer Wonder Woman’s brain to his android. Vandals—The Wonder Twins learn that kids are breaking into Midland High and set out to stop them before they get in too much trouble. Super Friends vs. Super Friends—Aquaman is captured by the undersea dwellers of Oceana who use him for their gladiator competitions…when the Super Friends respond, the Super Friends find themselves pitted against each other. Energy Mass—An experimental energy source in Japan loses control and creates a runaway train. Batman, Robin, and the Atom set out stop the danger.
“The Secret Four”
“Tiger on the Loose”
“The Mysterious Time Creature”
“The Antidote”
1.6 The Secret Four/Tiger on the Loose/The Mysterious Time Creatures/The Antidote Airdate: 09/17/77
The Secret Four—A group called the Secret Four are trying to force the world to change to new sources of energy finds themselves at odds with Superman, Batman, and Robin. Tiger on the Loose—A tiger escapes the zoo and a girl named Suzie is blamed. When Suzie escapes, the Wonder Twins learn that Suzie might not be responsible. The Mysterious Time Creatures—A time master named Dictor attacks Earth and the Justice League must stop him and his time powers. The Antidote—An earthquake drives cobras into a village, and Wonder Woman and Apache Chief set out to bring anti-venom to the area…but learn that they must find the legendary giant king cobra to get enough anti-venom.
“The Enforcer”
“Shark”
“Planet of the Neanderthals”
“Flood of Diamonds”
1.7 The Enforcer/Shark/Planet of the Neanderthals/Flood of Diamonds Airdate: 10/15/77
The Enforcer—Wonder Woman and Aquaman try to stop the Enforcer in an attempted coup in a hidden civilization. Shark—The Wonder Twins must rescue teen divers from sharks at Rocky Point Cave. Planet of the Neanderthals—A man named Varko transforms the Earth into a primitive world…and it is up to the Super Friends to save it! Flood of Diamonds—The Super Friends are called in to save miners trapped in an African mine, but an attempt to rob the mine could mean death.
“The Collector”
“Handicap”
“The Mind Maidens”
“Alaska Peril”
1.8 The Collector/Handicap/The Mind Maidens/Alaska Peril Airdate: 11/04/77
The Collector—Newton Domehead and his children have found a way to convert matter into pictures…and they intend to “save” the resources of the world with their camera unless Superman and Wonder Woman can stop him. Handicap—The Wonder Twins help rescue kids from a car wreck after getting aid from a boy with a handicap. The Mind Maidens—Medulla has enslaved an army of women and it is up to the Super Friends to stop them. Alaska Peril—An abominable snowman has gone on a rampage and Batman, Robin, and Apache Chief must save researchers caught in the middle.
“Attack of the Giant Squid”
“Game of Chicken”
“Water Beast”
“Volcano”
1.9 Attack of the Giant Squid/Game of Chicken/Water Beast/Volcano Airdate: 10/29/77
Attack of the Giant Squid—A scientist with ability to enlarge animals threatens to endanger the world to save it…unless the Super Friends act first! Game of Chicken—The Wonder Twins try to head off a dangerous game. Water Beast—Manta is controlling a massive creature and the Super Friends must stop him from taking over the world. Volcano—An alien ship crash lands in a volcano, and Superman and Samurai discover helping the aliens might be harder than expected.
“Invisible Menace”
“Initiation”
“Coming of the Anthropods”
“River of Doom”
1.10 Invisible Menace/Initiation/Coming of the Anthropods/River of Doom Airdate: 10/22/77
Invisible Menace—When criminals using an invisibility ray steal an experimental device meant to mine precious ores from the ocean floor, the Super Friends must spring into action to stop them! Initiation—The Wonder Twins find a bear club’s initiation for a new member has gone wrong and they must be part of a rescue. Coming of the Antropods—Alien insect prisoners sent to Earth seek revenge on the planet that banished them…and that means stealing a secret ray from the military. River of Doom—Rima and Wonder Woman set out to rescue explorers from headhunters in the Amazon.
“Forbidden Power”
“Pressure Point”
“The Lion Men”
“Tibetan Raiders”
1.11 Forbidden Power/Pressure Point/The Lion Men/The Day of the Rats Airdate: 11/18/77
Forbidden Power—Professor Zarkov finds evidence of secret civilization destroying power and the Super Friends must stop him from finding it. Pressure Point—Determined to prove his bravery, the Wonder Twins must rescue a boy trying to complete a dangerous stunt. The Lion Men—Lionax intends to split the world for its resources and the Super Friends must stop him. The Day of the Rats—Batman, Robin, and Black Vulcan must locate a device driving the rats of the city into a frenzy.
“Man-Beasts of Xra”
“Prejudice”
“Tiny World of Terror”
“Tibetan Raiders”
1.12 Man-Beasts of XRA/Prejudice/Tiny World of Terror/Tibetan Raiders Airdate: 11/25/77
Man-Beasts of Xra—Dr. Xra has created monsters, and Batman, Robin, and Superman must stop his creations. Prejudice—When two kids try to drive out a Black couple from their neighborhood, the Wonder Twins must step in to stop it. Tiny World of Terror—A newly discovered shrinking ray means danger when a scientist intends to profit off of it. Tibetan Raiders—A plane crash in the Himalayas has the Flash and Superman fighting to save the survivors from Tibetan raiders.
“Frozen Peril”
“Dangerous Prank”
“The Mummy of Nazca”
“Cable Car Rescue”
1.13 Frozen Peril/Dangerous Prank/The Mummy of Nazca/Cable Car Rescue Airdate: 12/02/77
Frozen Peril—Someone is freezing the oceans, and Superman and Aquaman must stop it. Dangerous Prank—The Wonder Twins are called in to find a missing skier lost in a snowstorm following a prank by her friends. The Mummy of Nazca—Professor Korlof brings a mummy to life and plots to use it to discover hidden treasure. Cable Car Rescue—A storm traps a cable car, and it is up to Wonder Woman and Atom to save the passengers.
“The Fifty Foot Woman”
“Cheating”
“Exploration Earth”
“Attack of the Killer Bees”
1.14 The Fifty Foot Woman/Cheating/Exploration Earth/Attack of the Killer Bees Airdate: 11/11/77
The Fifty Foot Woman—Professor Amy Zahn believes strength is the only way women can win equality but when she grows to a giant size, Wonder Woman, Batman, and Robin must stop her. Cheating—A runner takes an illegal short cut during a race, he must decide if his reputation is more important than the life of two lost boy scouts as the Wonder Twins search in a race against time. Exploration Earth—An alien race from the planet Zeno has raided Earth and the Super Friends must stop them from kidnapping prisoners. Attack of the Killer Bees—Aquaman and Samurai must save an African village from killer bees.
“The Protector”
“Stowaways”
“The Ghost”
“Rampage”
1.15 The Protector/Stowaways/The Ghost/Rampage Airdate: 12/16/77
The Protector—The Shark has plans to take control of the oceans, and Batman, Robin, and Aquaman must stop him. Stowaways—The Wonder Twins must rescue two stowaway girls when their boat becomes trapped in a storm at sea. The Ghost—The Gentleman Ghost has returned and his quest for revenge on Superman and Wonder Woman has him facing off against the Super Friends. Rampage—A rare and worshipped white elephant is on the rampage and Green Lantern and Superman must find a way to stop it.
Related Links:
Super Friends!—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
The World’s Greatest Super Friends!—Season 4 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Super Friends—Season 6 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Super Friends!—Season 7 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show—The Complete Series Review and Episode Guide
