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Super Friends
Super Friends.jpg
1973–1974 season title card
Genre Superhero
Voices of Danny Dark
Olan Soule
Casey Kasem
Shannon Farnon
Norman Alden
Sherry Alberoni
Frank Welker
Ted Knight
Ted Cassidy
Theme music composer Hoyt S. Curtin
Will Schaefer
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 9
No. of episodes 93 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Joseph Barbera
William Hanna
Producer(s) Lewis Marshall
Iwao Takamoto
Running time 60 minutes approx.
Production company(s) Hanna-Barbera Productions
DC Comics
Warner Bros. Television
Distributor Taft Broadcasting (1973–79)
Worldvision Enterprises (1979–85)
LBS Communications (1983–88, syndication)
Warner Bros. Television Distribution (1983–present, syndication)
Release
Original network ABC
Original release September 8, 1973 (1973-09-08) – September 6, 1986 (1986-09-06)
Chronology
Related shows Justice League
Justice League Unlimited

Super Friends was a popular American cartoon show about a team of superheroes. It aired on ABC every Saturday morning from 1973 to 1985. The show was made by Hanna-Barbera and was based on the famous Justice League of America comic book characters from DC Comics.

The show's name changed a few times during its run. For example, it was called Super Friends and Challenge of the Superfriends. In total, there were 93 episodes. Some characters like Batman and Robin even appeared in two episodes of The New Scooby-Doo Movies before the Super Friends series began.

Contents

Show Titles Over the Years

The Super Friends cartoon had several different names during its time on TV:

How the Stories Were Written

In the early Super Friends shows, the villains were often mad scientists or aliens. These characters usually had good intentions but tried to reach their goals in wrong ways. The heroes would often talk to them and convince them to find better solutions.

Later, in The All-New Super Friends Hour, the villains became harder to reason with. The heroes had to use their powers to stop them. Starting with Challenge of the Superfriends, many famous villains from the DC Comics like Lex Luthor and The Riddler started to appear. The stories often ended quickly, just like in comic books.

Making the Show: A Look Behind the Scenes

In 1973, American Broadcasting Company (ABC) got the rights to use DC Comics characters. They teamed up with Hanna-Barbera to make a TV show based on the Justice League of America comic book. ABC changed the name to Super Friends to avoid any ideas of extreme patriotism. However, the team members sometimes still called themselves the Justice League on the show.

The violence often seen in superhero comics was made much softer for younger viewers. This was done to follow the rules for children's television in the 1970s.

Warner Bros., which owned DC Comics, later shared the series with other TV channels. Cartoon Network could not show Super Friends until 1996. This was after Warner Bros. and Cartoon Network's parent companies merged. This merger also gave Warner Bros. control over Hanna-Barbera. The series was owned by Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, DC Comics Entertainment, Warner Bros. Family Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Animation.

The First Super Friends Series (1973–1974)

The first Super Friends show started on September 8, 1973. It featured well-known DC characters like Superman, Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman. Many of the voice actors from earlier animated shows for these characters returned for Super Friends.

The show also introduced three new sidekicks who were not from the comic books: Wendy and Marvin and their pet, Wonder Dog. Wendy and Marvin did not have superpowers. Wonder Dog could talk and reason. This idea of "teen detectives and their talking animal" was very common in Hanna-Barbera cartoons at the time, like Scooby-Doo.

Each episode began with the heroes getting an emergency alert from the TroubAlert computer. This computer was located in their headquarters, the Hall of Justice. Colonel Wilcox, a U.S. Army official, often worked with the Super Friends during emergencies.

Problems were usually solved by the heroes convincing the villains to change their ways. The show often featured natural disasters caused by human or alien actions. Environmental themes were also very important. Three other DC Comics heroes appeared as guest stars: the Flash, Plastic Man, and Green Arrow.

This first Super Friends series had 16 hour-long episodes. It was canceled on August 24, 1974. However, because other superhero shows were popular, ABC decided to bring Super Friends back. The original 16 episodes were shown again from February 1976 to September 1977. These episodes were edited into half-hour versions. Hanna-Barbera then started making a new version of the show.

The All-New Super Friends Hour (1977–1978)

The All-New Super Friends Hour had four short cartoons in each program. Wendy, Marvin, and Wonder Dog were replaced by the Wonder Twins, Zan and Jayna, and their pet monkey, Gleek. Unlike Wendy and Marvin, Zan and Jayna had real superpowers. A total of 15 episodes were made.

The show usually followed a set plan each week. The first part had two heroes teaming up. The second part featured a story with the Wonder Twins. The third part was the main adventure, with all the Super Friends. The last part had one main hero and a special guest star. This guest star often used their unique powers to solve a problem.

Between the cartoons, there were short clips. Super Friends members would give safety lessons, first-aid tips, or show magic tricks. This season was the first to feature two villains from the comic books: Black Manta and Gentleman Ghost. Their looks and names were slightly changed for TV.

Super Friends / Challenge of the Superfriends (1978–1979)

The next season of Super Friends had two main parts:

First Part: Super Friends Episodes

This part featured the main group of heroes: Superman, Batman and Robin, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and the Wonder Twins with Gleek. These episodes were often shown again in the early 1980s.

Second Part: Challenge of the Superfriends

This half-hour introduced the Legion of Doom. This was a team of 13 villains who were the Super Friends' worst enemies. They had a flying headquarters called the Hall of Doom, which looked like a swamp-based machine. It was a dark contrast to the bright Hall of Justice. A total of 16 episodes were made.

More heroes who had been guest stars were added to the team, making a total of 11. These included The Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkman. Also, three new heroes created by Hanna-Barbera joined: Black Vulcan, Apache Chief, and Samurai. The Wonder Twins and Gleek did not appear in Challenge of the Superfriends.

The World's Greatest SuperFriends (1979–1980)

In the fall of 1979, Super Friends went back to its earlier style. It brought back the original five DC superheroes, along with Zan, Jayna, and Gleek. Eight new half-hour episodes were made. Most of the season showed repeats of earlier episodes. This series was renamed The World's Greatest SuperFriends. It ran from September 22, 1979, to September 27, 1980.

SuperFriends (1980–1982)

The show changed its name again to SuperFriends in 1980. It stopped making half-hour episodes and instead made seven-minute short cartoons. Each episode of SuperFriends would show one old rerun and three new shorts. These new adventures featured the main group of five Super Friends and Zan, Jayna, & Gleek. Other heroes from Challenge of the Superfriends also made guest appearances. A new hero created by Hanna-Barbera, El Dorado, was added in 1981 to bring more cultural diversity.

This version of the series lasted for three years. A total of 22 episodes were produced.

The Best of the Super Friends (1982–1983)

For the 1982–1983 TV season, ABC only showed half-hour reruns from the past seven seasons. None of the seven-minute shorts were shown again. ABC called this rerun package The Best of the Super Friends.

Cancellation and "Lost Episodes" (1983–1984)

Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros. started sharing earlier Super Friends series with other TV stations. These shows were often broadcast on weekday afternoons. ABC did not want to compete with these shows, so they removed Super Friends from their Saturday morning lineup in 1983. For the second time, Super Friends was canceled.

However, Hanna-Barbera kept making new episodes with ABC's approval. In total, 24 "lost episodes" were made but not shown in the United States that season. They did air in Australia. Three of these episodes were shown when Super Friends returned to ABC the next year. The rest aired on the USA Network in 1995. The 1983 Lost Episodes of Super Friends were released on DVD in April 2009.

SuperFriends: The Legendary Super Powers Show (1984–1985)

Super Friends came back to ABC on September 8, 1984. It was a new 30-minute show, usually with two 11-minute stories per episode. This version featured Superman, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, and the Wonder Twins with Gleek. They were now joined by Firestorm. Other old and new Super Friends also made guest appearances. The series ended on August 31, 1985. It featured comic-book villains like Brainiac, Lex Luthor, Mirror Master, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Darkseid, and his helpers from Apokolips. This season and the next used the "Super Powers" name. This was part of a marketing plan with a toy line made by Kenner.

The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians (1985–1986)

In fall 1985, the next version of Hanna-Barbera's DC Comics heroes began. This show no longer used the Super Friends name. It focused on teen members Cyborg and Firestorm. The heroes were still based at the Hall of Justice in Metropolis. They fought familiar enemies like Lex Luthor, Brainiac, the Scarecrow, and Darkseid. This series also featured the only appearances of The Joker, The Penguin, the Royal Flush Gang, and Felix Faust.

A notable moment was the first time Batman's origin story was shown outside of comics in a cartoon. Batman and Robin chased The Scarecrow into Crime Alley. This was where Thomas and Martha Wayne, Batman's parents, were murdered. This triggered a scary flashback for Batman.

The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians lasted one season before being canceled. The last new episode aired on October 26, 1985. This was the final cancellation, ending Hanna-Barbera's 13-year run of the series.

Who Were the Characters?

The Main Super Friends Team

The core group of five heroes who made up the "Super Friends" were:

Other Justice League Members Who Appeared

Many other Justice League members joined the team at different times:

  • The Atom (1977; 1980–1983)
  • Firestorm (1984–1985)
  • The Flash (1973; 1977–1985)
  • Green Lantern (1977–1985)
  • Hawkgirl (1977; 1980; 1983)
  • Hawkman (1977–1978; 1980–1985)
  • Cyborg (1985)
  • Rima the Jungle Girl (1977; 1980) (not from DC superhero comics)

Heroes Created for the Show

Some Justice League members were created just for the Super Friends series:

  • Apache Chief (1977–1978; 1980–1984)
  • Black Vulcan (1977–1978; 1980–1984)
  • El Dorado (1982–1985)
  • Samurai (1977–1978; 1980–1985)

One-Time Justice League Guest Stars

These heroes appeared only once:

The Teen Sidekicks and Their Pets

  • Pets:
    • Gleek (1977–1984)
    • Wonder Dog (1973–1975)
  • Wendy and Marvin:
    • Wendy Harris (1973–1975)
    • Marvin White (1973–1975)
  • Wonder Twins:
    • Jayna (1977–1984)
    • Zan (1977–1984)

Other DC Comic Characters in the Show

The Legion of Doom Villains

Thirteen villains formed the Legion of Doom during the Challenge of the Superfriends season. They were:

Other DC Comics Villains Who Appeared

These villains appeared on their own, not as part of the Legion of Doom:

  • From Apokolips:
    • Darkseid
    • DeSaad
    • Kalibak
    • The Paradrones
  • Bizarro's Clones:
    • Cyzarro (Cyborg Bizarro)
    • Firezarro (Firestorm Bizarro)
    • Mr. Kltpzyxm (Mr. Mxyzptlk Bizarro)
    • Wondezarro (Wonder Woman Bizarro)
    • Alfred Bizarro (Bizarro of Batman's butler Alfred Pennyworth)
  • Felix Faust
  • Gentleman Ghost
  • The Joker
  • Mirror Master

Mr. Mxyzptlk

Villains Not From the Comic Books

Many villains were created just for the Super Friends cartoon:

  • The Alien Mummy
  • The Anti-Matter Monster
  • Barko
  • Bigfoot creatures
  • Blackbeard
  • Bulgor the Behemoth
  • The Brain Creatures
  • The Capricorn Kid
  • Captain Shark
  • The Collector
  • The Incredible Crude Oil Monster
  • Darkon
  • Dictor and the mysterious Time Creatures
  • The Dollmaker
  • Dracula
  • Dr. Cranium
  • Dr. Droid
  • Dr. Frankenstein
  • Dr. Fright
  • Dr. Gulliver
  • The Earthors
  • The Enforcer
  • Giant Snow Creature
  • The Highway Angels
  • The Hydronoids
  • The Ice Demon
  • Insecta and the Arthropods
  • The Iron Cyclops
  • John Palette
  • The Junk Creature from the Dump
  • Kareem Azaar
  • Keelhaul Kelly
  • King Arthur
  • The Lion Men
  • The Make Up Monster
  • Mal Havok
  • The Man Beasts Of Xra
  • The Marsh Monster
  • Medula and her Mind Maidens
  • Mongor
  • The Mummy Of Nazca
  • The Mysterious Mutants of the Space Sphere
  • Nartan
  • Ocina and the Ancient Atlantean Warriors
  • Old Man Holmes
  • Orville Gump (Otis in Superman)
  • The Outlaws of Orion (Pack and Stardust)
  • The Phantom Zone Villains (Hul, Logar, Rom-Lok)
  • The Plant Creatures
  • Professor Amy Zhan
  • Professor Fearo
  • Professor Korloff
  • The Power Pirate
  • The Robber Baron and Sleeves
  • The Rock and Roll Space Bandits
  • Rock Batman
  • Rokan
  • R.O.M.A.C.
  • The Secret Four
  • Scorpio
  • Sculpin
  • Sinbad and the Space Pirates
  • Solderath and the Lava Men
  • The Space Dolls
  • The Evil Space Genie
  • The Space Racers
  • The Star Energy Creature
  • The Super Enemies
  • The Termites from Venus
  • Torhana
  • Tyrannic
  • Vampiress, the Voodoo Vampire
  • Yuna the Terrible
  • Zarnum
  • The Zoons
  • Zycree (see General Zod)

Voice Actors You Might Know

The Narrator's voice was Ted Knight in the early episodes. Bill Woodson took over in 1977. His famous line was "Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice...". Frank Welker voiced Marvin, Wonder Dog, and many villains like Mr. Mxyzptlk and Darkseid. Adam West, who played Batman in the live-action TV show, voiced Batman in the later Super Friends series. Casey Kasem was the voice of Robin and many other characters.

DVD Releases

You can find Super Friends on DVD! Here's a list of the seasons and their release dates:

Season Episodes Season premiere Season finale DVD title/volume DVD release date and ASIN
Region 1 Region 2 ASIN Number
1 16 September 8, 1973 August 24, 1974 Super Friends - Season 1: Volume 1
Super Friends - Season 1: Volume 2
January 5, 2010
July 20, 2010
B002S3Y1LQ
B003F3NE4S
2 15 September 10, 1977 September 2, 1978 Super Friends - Season 2: The All-New Super Friends Hour, Volume 1
Super Friends - Season 2: The All-New Super Friends Hour, Volume 2
January 8, 2008
January 27, 2009
B000W2C28Y
B001HRS8HW
3 16 September 9, 1978 September 3, 1979 Super Friends - Season 3: Challenge of the Superfriends, The First Season
Super Friends - Season 3, Volume 2
July 6, 2004
May 24, 2005
B00023E88U
B0007XFZMS
4 8 September 22, 1979 September 27, 1980 Super Friends - Season 4: The World's Greatest Super Friends, The Complete Series April 23, 2013 B00CREAO9O
5 24 September 13, 1980 September 1, 1981 Super Friends - Season 5: A Dangerous Fate, The Complete Series July 23, 2013 B00CM0DIT6
6 18 September 26, 1981 October 31, 1982 Super Friends - Season 6: Super Friends! Legacy Of Super Powers, The Complete Season Six (6 on DVD label) October 8, 2013 B00DVKKWFE
7 8 September 10, 1983 September 8, 1984 Super Friends - Season 7: Super Friends The Lost Episodes August 11, 2009 B0027WNRV8
8 16 September 8, 1984 August 31, 1985 Super Friends - Season 8: The Legendary Super Powers Show, The Complete Series August 7, 2007 B000PC8AKK
9 10 September 11, 1985 November 6, 1986 Super Friends - Season 9: The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians, The Complete Series October 23, 2007 B000TSTEJG

Other Shows and Comics Inspired by Super Friends

Legends of the Superheroes (1979)

In 1979, Hanna-Barbera made two live-action TV specials called Legends of the Superheroes. These were based on Super Friends and the 1960s Batman TV show. They included other DC characters like Black Canary and Captain Marvel.

The Plastic Man Comedy Adventure Show

Plastic Man first appeared in one episode of the first Super Friends season. Later, another company, Ruby-Spears Productions, made a cartoon series just for him.

Batman (Proposed Series)

A new Batman cartoon was considered in the mid-1980s. Adam West was expected to voice Batman again. One episode, "The Fear," was written as a pilot. Instead, it became an episode of The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians.

The New Teen Titans (Proposed Series)

In 1983, a cartoon based on The New Teen Titans comics was being planned. It was meant to be a companion to Super Friends and share the same cartoon world. Robin was not going to be a regular character because he was already part of the Justice League in Super Friends. This show was never picked up by ABC. It would have featured Wonder Girl as the leader, along with Cyborg, Kid Flash, Changeling, Raven, and Starfire. A Teen Titans cartoon was eventually made, but with a different team.

DC Super Friends (Toys and Comics)

Fisher-Price created a toy line called DC Super Friends for young children. A comic book series and a direct-to-video cartoon called The Joker's Playhouse (2010) were made to go with the toys. The video included the World's Greatest Super Friends theme song and references to the Legion of Doom and the Hall of Justice.

Super Friends in Comic Books

The Super Friends Comic Series

The name Super Friends first appeared in a DC Comics comic book in 1975. DC published a Super Friends comic book series from November 1976 to August 1981. This comic series gave Zan and Jayna backstories and secret identities as high school students. They were shown as more capable heroes than their cartoon versions.

Even though the cartoons were not part of the main DC comic universe, the comic book writer E. Nelson Bridwell tried to connect the Super Friends comic to other DC titles. For example, he explained that Wendy, Marvin, and Wonder Dog were the only ones at the Hall of Justice because the Justice League was busy elsewhere. He also gave Wendy and Marvin last names and linked them to other characters' histories.

In 2008, DC started a new Super Friends comic book. It starred Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, and Green Lantern. This comic was based on the Imaginext toy line and was made for children. It ran for 29 issues until September 2010.

Collected Editions of the Comics

You can find collections of the Super Friends comic books:

  • Super Friends: For Justice! (collects #1-7)
  • Super Friends: Calling All Super Friends (collects #8-14)
  • Super Friends: Head of the Class (collects #15-21)
  • Super Friends: Mystery In Space (collects #22-28)
  • Super Friends: Saturday Morning Comics
    • Volume 1 (collects #1-26, Aquateers Meet the Super Friends, and stories from Limited Collector's Edition C-41 and C-46)
    • Volume 2 (collects #27-47)

Extreme Justice

In the comics, the Wonder Twins were part of a short-lived team called Extreme Justice.

Young Justice

The Young Justice comic series followed the adventures of teen superheroes. Towards the end of its run, the team needed to invade an island of super-villains. They gathered all known teen heroes, including the Wonder Twins. In these comics, the Wonder Twins were rude and sarcastic, unlike their cartoon versions.

Super Buddies

The fun and lighthearted style of the Super Friends show was made fun of in two DC miniseries called Formerly Known as the Justice League and I Can't Believe It's Not the Justice League!. In these comics, a group of former Justice League members called themselves the "Super Buddies." A TV ad for the team showed them posing like the original Super Friends title card.

Teen Titans (Comics)

As of 2006, Wendy and Marvin became part of the main DC comic universe. They are now fraternal twins and brilliant engineers. They work at Titans Tower as maintenance and tech experts. Wonder Dog was also introduced, but as a dangerous, shape-shifting demon dog. Wonder Dog attacked Wendy and Marvin, leaving Wendy unable to walk. Wendy later gets help from former Batgirl Barbara Gordon.

Justice League of America (Comics)

After their old base was destroyed, the Justice League Watchtower, the Justice League set up the Hall of Justice in Washington, D.C. It served as an embassy and emergency base. In the comics, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman designed it. In 2010, Samurai made his first appearance in the DC Universe comics.

Super Friends in Other DC Media

Superman: The Animated Series

In an episode of Superman: The Animated Series, Superman fights villains in Metropolis. In the background, there is a building that looks like the Hall of Justice. This was likely a nod to the Super Friends show.

Justice League (Animated Series)

At the end of the first episodes of Justice League, Superman suggests forming a superhero team. The Flash jokingly asks if they will be called "Super Friends." Superman then renames the group the "Justice League."

Justice League Unlimited

In Justice League Unlimited, Gorilla Grodd creates a large group of villains. While not called "The Legion of Doom," their headquarters is a craft similar to the Hall of Doom, located in a swamp. Also, the Justice League's Metro Tower headquarters looked a lot like the Hall of Justice.

The Ultimen, characters based on those created for Super Friends, were briefly allies and then enemies of the Justice League. They included Long Shadow (like Apache Chief), Juice (like Black Vulcan), Wind Dragon (like Samurai), and Downpour and Shifter (like the Wonder Twins).

The Batman

The animated series The Batman featured a version of the JLA Watchtower that looked very much like the Hall of Justice.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

The Hall of Justice appeared in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "Sidekicks Assemble!". It even played music similar to when the Hall appeared in Super Friends.

Smallville

The Wonder Twins appeared in the Smallville episode "Idol." Zan was played by David Gallagher and Jayna by Allison Scagliotti. Their pet, Gleek, was shown as a cartoon image on their cellphones.

Young Justice

The Hall of Justice was featured in Young Justice as the Justice League's fake base. Wendy and Marvin also appeared as classmates. The villains' base looked like the Legion's Hall of Doom.

In the second season, teen heroes similar to those created for Super Friends were introduced. These included Tye Longshadow (like Apache Chief), Asami "Sam" Koizumi (like Samurai), and Eduardo "Ed" Dorado Jr. (like El Dorado).

Teen Titans Go!

In an episode of Teen Titans Go!, the Titans visit the Hall of Justice. They later become Justice League members and save them from Darkseid. This scene makes fun of the introductions of heroes in the Super Friends series.

In another episode, "You're Fired," Beast Boy is fired, and the Wonder Twins win a competition to replace him.

Arrowverse (Live-Action TV Shows)

The shows in The CW's Arrowverse often refer to Super Friends.

  • In Supergirl, Winn Schott suggests calling the hero team "The Super Friends." Later, Supergirl herself calls her team "The Super Friends."
  • In the "Invasion" crossover event, the secret STAR Labs base used by the heroes was based on the Hall of Justice.
  • In Legends of Tomorrow, the villain group is called the "Legion of Doom." In one episode, the new design of S.T.A.R. Labs looks like the Hall of Doom.
  • In Crisis on Infinite Earths, the secret S.T.A.R. Labs base becomes the headquarters for Earth-Prime's heroes. At the end, an escaped Gleek is heard, hinting at future appearances.

The Lego Batman Movie

In The Lego Batman Movie, the characters from Super Friends are seen celebrating a party at the Fortress of Solitude. Batman was not invited. Characters like El Dorado, The Wonder Twins, Gleek, and Wonder Dog are shown.

Video Games Featuring Super Friends Locations

Injustice: Gods Among Us

The Hall of Justice is a playable fighting stage in the game Injustice: Gods Among Us.

Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham

In Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, the Hall of Justice is one of the main areas you can explore. The Hall of Doom and its swampy surroundings are also playable areas.

Toys Based on Super Friends

Super Powers Collection

The Super Powers toy line was based on the last two seasons of Super Friends. Samurai, a character created for the show, and the Hall of Justice were both made into toys. There were plans to make toys of Apache Chief, El Dorado, Black Vulcan, and the Wonder Twins too.

Justice League Unlimited (Toy Line)

The toy line based on Justice League Unlimited released a three-pack of figures. These figures were Black Vulcan, Apache Chief, and Samurai, all characters created for Super Friends.

DC Super Friends (Fisher-Price)

Fisher-Price started making DC Comics characters as kid-friendly toys. This toy line was named after the Super Friends.

DC Universe Classics

This toy line honored Super Powers by producing figures of original Super Friends characters. These included Apache Chief, Black Vulcan, El Dorado, Samurai, and the Wonder Twins.

See also

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