ToonCast Beyond

TFG1 Mike and Steve Megatron revisit the 1990s animated spin-off of the Back to the Future film trilogy. They discuss the series' formulaic structure, the inclusion of live-action segments featuring Christopher Lloyd, and the show's departure from the movies' continuity. The hosts also share their thoughts on the voice acting, the educational segments, and the overall 90s aesthetic of this two-season production. This episode concludes the long-running feed with reflections on the program's history and plans for a new, revamped format.

The hosts discuss the final season of X-Men: The Animated Series, covering production challenges, shifts in animation studios, and specific episodes like The Phalanx Covenant, Stormfront, Old Soldiers, and the series finale, Graduation Day. They explore the inclusion of characters like Warlock and Captain America, evaluate Mr. Sinister's origin in the episode Descent, and reflect on Jubilee's Fairy Tale Theatre. The conversation draws on insights from the book Previously on X-Men to analyze the show's legacy, the creative team's original intentions, and whether the season's storytelling holds up compared to previous years.

We take a break from our X-Men coverage to revisit the emotional world of Pixar's Inside Out. We discuss the film's unique approach to visualizing childhood emotions, the impact of the voice cast, and the surprisingly poignant moments—like the sacrifice of Bing Bong—that left us feeling everything. We also share our thoughts on the short film Lava, discuss the potential for future Pixar sequels, and touch on the legal controversy surrounding the movie's origins. Ultimately, it’s a film that resonates with us for its honest look at how we process change and memory.

The hosts discuss the fourth season of the 90s X-Men animated series using the episode order guide provided by showrunner Eric Leewald in his book, 'Previously on X-Men.' They provide a summary of the season, including highlights like 'One Man's Worth' and 'Proteus,' while debating the quality of episodes like 'Have Yourself a Morlock Little Christmas.' The conversation also covers the show's history, production challenges, and character arcs.

This episode explores the inaugural season of Superman: The Animated Series, looking back at how the show's creative team adapted the Man of Steel for television in 1996. The discussion covers the series' distinct visual style, its role in the DC Animated Universe, and the voice performances from Tim Daly, Dana Delany, and Clancy Brown. The hosts weigh in on the show's pacing, its character updates, and specific episodes like the "Last Son of Krypton" premiere and the Lobo two-parter. They also address the challenges of balancing Superman's immense power with engaging storytelling and provide thoughts on how the season stands up today.

We break down the highs and lows of the third season of X-Men: The Animated Series, focusing on the epic scale of the Phoenix and Dark Phoenix sagas. We discuss the challenge of navigating the show's chaotic episode ordering, the recurring issues with story continuity across various viewing platforms, and how production constraints influenced the season's final composition. We also highlight standout moments like the 'Out of the Past' two-parter, cameo appearances from other Marvel characters, and the lasting impact of this cosmic-level storytelling. Finally, we look forward to future resources that might finally clarify the intended canon order of the series.

The hosts discuss the second season of X-Men: The Animated Series, covering its 13-episode run from 1993 to 1994. They break down the character-driven nature of the season, the central roles of Mr. Sinister and the Friends of Humanity, and the parallel narrative involving Professor X and Magneto in the Savage Land. The conversation covers key arcs such as the Time Fugitives two-parter and the return of Morph, while also addressing the change in voice actors for Storm. Additionally, the hosts reflect on their childhood memories of the series, the impact of the show's continuity-heavy format, and the general evolution of the production compared to the first season.

The hosts discuss the two-season run of the 90s animated series SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron. The episode covers the show's origins, voice cast, and transition to a more dynamic animation style in the second season. They share personal memories of watching the series, highlight favorite villains like Dark Cat and Dr. Viper, and analyze specific episodes. The hosts also discuss the show's failed 2015 Kickstarter revival attempt and provide a final rating for the series as a whole.

TFG1 Mike, Doug Abel, and Mr. Neal gather to pay tribute to the late, legendary voice actress June Foray. The discussion covers her vast filmography, ranging from her iconic Looney Tunes roles like Granny and Witch Hazel to her work as Jokey Smurf, Magica De Spell, and Chatty Cathy. The hosts reflect on her massive influence on the animation industry, including her successful efforts to establish the Annie Awards and create an Academy Award category for Best Animated Feature. They also recount personal anecdotes about her, including her live performances and the dedication she showed toward her craft well into her nineties.

This episode provides a preview of upcoming coverage for the podcast, outlining the featured animated series and films scheduled for episodes 75 through 80. The lineup includes discussions on Swat Kats, Big Hero 6, the first season of Star Wars Rebels, the first season of Superman: The Animated Series, the first season of The Loud House, and the film Inside Out.