DC Superhero Girls: Batnapped

The first two 'seasons' of the DC Superhero Girls video shorts seemed intent on introducing us to the characters and giving us an overall sense of this particular incarnation of the characters. I enjoyed this new universe for what it was, a fun look at the foibles of being a super-heroic high schooler.

But with success and a following behind them, as well a couple of feature-length films and graphic novels behind them, it was time to take a step forward. The 'trailer' for the third 'season' makes it seem more like a long form story told in chapters as opposed to humorous one-offs. There are sentient Kryptonite chunks playing with the emotions of humanity. There is a Female Fury invasion. And what looks to be plenty of battles. The trailer really had a sort of Super Friends vibe to it.

A last week, the first episode of the season dropped. 'Batnapped' was a nice transition. We definitely get great fun with Batgirl, Supergirl, and Killer Moth!! And we get the seeds of a couple of threads which I think will ultimately bear fruit.

As always, I am very happy that this line exists. On to the episode!

Almost immediately, you get the sense that this season might be a little less silly and a bit more adventurous. We jump right into an air battle between Batgirl and Killer Moth. Killer Moth is in a bug ship protected by force shields. He fires lasers at Batgirl and ends up downing the Batplane.

But this is classic Killer Moth gear here. This isn't a DCSHG makeover. This is the real thing, about as real a Killer Moth I have seen in animation ever.

And when Babs wakes up she is cocooned and strung upside down in a battered 'Moth Cave'.

Things look like they might get downright dangerous.

But then we veer back into the silly.

Killer Moth kidnapped Batgirl because he wants them to be a team! Speaking with a little lisp and talking about her prowess, Moth sounds like a fanboy.

And I love that he took the time to make merchandise! Matching jackets and coffee mugs for the 'Creatures of the Night' team!

There is something quite apt about this since Moth was Batgirl's first enemy. So I thought this was fun!

Back at Super Hero High, we see Dr. Magnus running a shop class. No pipe for the good doctor in this world. Instead he has a lollipop.

We see Wonder Woman working on a motorcycle and Supergirl tinkering with the rocket which brought her to Earth. I was really hoping this would have arms like the Super-Mobile but no such luck. And yes, I know that this is product placement for the eventual toy vehicles. But for now I can roll with it.

And that is because in this scene we meet Lena, the new IT person in the school.She replaced Batgirl when Babs went from administration to student. And she seems quite interested in meeting Supergirl.

We knew Lena Luthor was coming based on Lego toys that had been announced. But here we see her! Fantastic.

Babs is able to trigger her homing device which leads Supergirl (in her rocket) straight to the Moth's lair. Once there, Supergirl flies out and frees Batgirl. Together they easily defeat Killer Moth.

While I think his motivations are amusing, he did threaten the city with his ship and kidnap Barbara. He's heading to jail.

And then we get a great ending for Supergirl and Batgirl fans.

Batgirl tells Killer Moth that she doesn't need a partner because she already has one, Supergirl. And Supergirl is the 'world's finest' partner, nice nod to the classic DC comic title. And then they hug and say they are best friends, as Batgirl and Supergirl should be.

Shea Fontana, the mind behind the Superhero Girls, seems to firing on all cylinders these days. Can't wait to see what is going to happen in those teased episodes! Female Furies!