World's Finest Podcast

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").

Shifting focus away from the more recognizable characters, James and Mike begin their discussion of The Zeta Project. The first five episodes they cover are "The Accomplice," "His Maker's Name," "Change Of Heart," "Remote Control" and "The Next Gen."

In the shortest episode of World's Finest Podcast, James and Mike take a brief look at the Lobo and Gotham Girls webtoons.

As James and Mike celebrate their 50th episode, they also look back at Batman Beyond. Who were some of their favorite villains, which character took a verbal beating and what did they think of the series overall? Plus, they both rethink a handful of grades, and Ian Wilson returns with his take on how the duo handled themselves while discussing Batman Beyond.

James and Mike cap of their coverage of Batman Beyond by discussing the breathtaking direct-to-video movie Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

In the final four episodes of Batman Beyond, Terry endangers a young boy by showing him his face ("Unmasked"), briefly befriends the man destined to lead Kobra ("The Curse of Kobra"), uncovers a traitor in the ranks of the Justice League Unlimited ("The Call") and saves Zeta from Mad Stan ("Countdown").

The Royal Flush Gang has a streak of bad luck ("King's Ransom"). Big Time uses Terry to seize control of a gang ("Betrayal"). Talia returns with a tempting offer for Bruce ("Out of the Past"). A gorilla seeks revenge on a poacher ("Speak No Evil"). And a dying Inque reunites with her daughter ("Inqueling").

Delusional teenagers are tricked into helping an insane video game producer ("Sentries of the Last Cosmos"). Terry tries to give a wayward buddy a second chance ("Big Time"). Someone is using a high-tech bio-containment suit to wreak havoc ("Untouchable"). Bruce searches for Terry deep in the Gotham subways ("Where's Terry?"). And then Ace gets a bit of revenge on his former tormentor ("Ace in the Hole").

A devious reporter threatens to expose Bruce and Terry ("Sneak Peek"), Batman teams with Stalker to save the world from a biological threat ("Plague"), Terry must balance the responsibilities of parenthood with crime fighting ("The Eggbaby"), a doctor is duped into drastically modifying the bodies of four thugs ("April Moon") and a young boy turns to vigilantism in order to get his father's attention ("Payback").

Commissioner Gordon hunts down Batman for the apparent murder of Mad Stan ("Eyewitness"), a robot assassin is loose in Gotham City ("Zeta"), fearful parents are sending their teens off to a nightmarish reformatory ("The Last Resort"), Curare is back in town ("Final Cut") and an out-of-work arms developer makes life hectic for Batman ("Armory").

In response to an e-mail, James and Mike cast their version of a live-action Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, then they discuss five episodes from Batman Beyond: "Rats!," "Mind Games," "Revenant," "Babel" and "Terry's Friend Dates a Robot."