DVD Reviews

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 - DVD Review

By Patrick Luce May 5, 2011, 14:59 GMT

If the planet is threatened by super villains, time traveling conquerors, alien invaders, mythical beasts, or robots bent on the total destruction of humanity, if the forces of evil are so overwhelming that no single hero has the power to save the world, when there is no hope left, you assemble the AVENGERS. The Avengers are the best of the best in the Marvel universe, the greatest heroes who take ...more

While fans wait for the Avengers to assemble on the big screen, The Avengers: Earth Mightiest Heroes, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 bring the action and excitement to the animated smallscreen.

The series is a great show for the kids, but throws in enough action and comedy that the adult fans can have a good time too.

The two volumes (each sold separately) feature the early days of the Avengers – Thor, the Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Wasp, Giant Man, and Captain America. Other heroes also pop up throughout the two volumes – including Black Widow, Nick Fury, Black Panther, and Hawkeye.

Volume 1 (7 episodes) focuses on each hero individually and then sees the heroes joining forces in the final two episodes to take down a threat too big for one of them to face alone.

Volume 2 (6 episodes) sees the heroes adjusting to their new roles as a team (along with Captain America adjusting to life in a modern world), and the growing dangers of the super villains out to defeat them.

Like the Marvel comics that inspired the series, the show features lots of knockdown epic battles and destruction, but also makes sure the storyline sees the team dealing with personal dynamics - which also gives the series plenty of opportunity for comedy.

They may be heroes, but that doesn’t mean they always see eye to eye – there are some classic confrontations between Thor and Hulk (who often refers to Thor as Goldilocks). Iron Man seems to be the leader of the group (even if he is late for their meetings) and makes sure they are living it up in style. He also makes sure that the Avengers have all the great technology.

Along with the villains, the Avengers also have to deal with Nick Fury and SHIELD – a government organization that wants the Avengers working for them. With his constant recruitment of the Avengers, Fury seems to have the best interest of the planet at heart, but he might have other plans for certain heroes like the Hulk.

Although it features epic battles and the struggle between hero and villains, the series keeps most of the tone light (even when dealing with the Captain America’s World War II storyline and the death of Bucky), and makes sure there are plenty of laughs in every episode (Iron Man is constantly running his mouth and the Hulk/Thor exchanges are hilarious).

With its action and superheroes, The Avengers may also seem like a series geared towards boys, but my daughter LOVED it. After watching the first episode, the DVDs quickly became a part of her after naptime routine, and she often turns into the Hulk if she doesn’t get to hear that theme song (which is one of the best in animation) quick enough.

Both volumes of the show are a little light on special features, but do include a sneak peek at season two.

Fans might be counting the days until the big screen debut of some of Marvel Comics greatest heroes, but The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes delivers all the epic action and stories that made these characters such icons.

Visit the DVD database for more information on The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2.