A number of sources are reporting that the hugely successful Superfriends animated series is going to be released on VHS and DVD beginning in April of 2003. There were over 150 episodes of the various incarnations of this show produced by Hanna Barbera and aired beginning in 1973 through the mid-80s. Loosely based on DC Comics' Justice League of America, the super-team series failed in its initial release in 1973, but garnered big ratings in new versions beginning in 1978. The series also spawned a lot of successful merchandise and was routed back into the Superfriends comic series at DC. This represents both a continuation of the retro trend in animation, toys, and comics that has been seen in pop culture stores for over a year, and an homage of sorts to the successful Justice League animated series currently being aired. Two obscure HB-created characters from Superfriends, Zan and Jayna the Wonder Twins, were recently optioned by Warner Bros. for a live action movie (see 'Retro Toon Mania Goes Live Action'), so there are stirrings of other developments related to the property as well.
