"Phased and Confused" is the forty-second episode of Justice League Action.
Summary[]
General Zod causes the Justice League members to begin to fade into the Phantom Zone, and to reverse this they have to to alert the unaffected Booster Gold which does not prove easy.
Featuring[]
| CHARACTERS | VOICED BY |
|---|---|
| Heroes | |
| Batman | Kevin Conroy |
| Superman | Jason J. Lewis |
| Wonder Woman | Rachel Kimsey |
| Booster Gold | Diedrich Bader |
| Villains | |
| General Zod | Jason J. Lewis |
| Faora | Fryda Wolff |
| Quex-Ul | Jason J. Lewis? |
Story[]
Superman and Wonder Woman arrive in the Watchtower in response to a call from Batman who shows them a satellite recording of a solar flare. As they watch, they see the figure of General Zod appear, who has been released from the Phantom Zone by the event. Batman complains that they would have known this earlier if Booster Gold had been on his watch, and switches the display to show Booster fast asleep. The superheroes anticipate that Zod may try to use their Phantom Zone projector to release his two companions and also might make use of a Kryptonian prism held at S.T.A.R. Labs. Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman head over there, leaving the now awake Booster behind.
At S.T.A.R. Labs, Zod breaks in and takes the prism in which he can see the other two villains. Then, the three superheroes arrive and a fight ensues. Eventually, Batman uses the projector on Zod and its beam refracts through the prism, bathing everyone in an odd energy. Zod dematerializes but is still present though invisible to the others. The prism is left behind, and the superheroes take it back to the Watchtower.
There, looking in the prism, which is a window into the Zone, they can see two of the villains but not Zod. Suddenly, the three superheroes begin to fade and become intangible so that they can barely touch anything or speak to anyone. Superman says that they are "phasing" out of existence and will soon be in the Phantom Zone. They need to get someone else to use the projector to un-phase them. At that point, Booster comes in with pizza and sits down and starts to eat. He cannot see or hear the others who are trying to get his attention. With their remaining tangibility they make a series of attempts to get the scatter-brained Booster to respond (video warning message, flashing Morse code, writing on a mirror) but he shows more interest in wearing their spare costumes. Finally, they leave a trail of candy to a dollar bill on the projector and stand in the path of its beam.
But, as Booster unintentionally triggers the projector, General Zod, who had phased out earlier, appears and absorbs the beam. He is restored to normal and, knocking Booster aside, fires the projector at the prism which frees the other two Kryptonians. Now, finally, Booster can see Batman through the prism and, reading his lips, carries out his plan. Turning to Zod, Booster asks to be united with his colleagues in the Zone, but, as the beam is fired at him, he raises the prism in its path and the three superheroes are released, though he is sent to the Zone himself. A lengthy fight then follows between heroes and villains with Zod trying to use the projector to dispose of his opponents. But Superman uses some reflective material to send the beam back at the villains and, defeated, they vanish into the Phantom Zone.
Finally, though the superheroes can see Booster in the prism they show no inclination to release him.
Video Excerpts[]
Notes[]
- The title must be inspired by that of film comedy Dazed and Confused (1993) and maybe an earlier song by Led Zeppelin.
- General Zod proclaims that all shall "kneel before him", a phrase of the character popularized by Terrance Stamp's portrayal of Zod in the film Superman II.
- It would appear that the portable Phantom Zone projector on its own can only send people to the Zone. To release them, it has to be used in conjuntion with the Kryptonian prism which is said to be a 'gateway' to that place.
- Animation Error: Right after Booster Gold ignores the distress call and pulls up the game, his gloves momentarily disappear and his hands are bare. His gloves reappear when he finishes his pizza and begins playing the game.