DVDs in Review

Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law Volume Two

Title: Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law Volume Two

Release date: December 7 2009

Certificate: 15

Format: DVD

DVD RRP: £19.99

Rating: 4/5

'Harvey Birdman: Attorney At Law' surely has to be one of the most original attempts at adult animation.

The title character, Harvey T Birdman, is a burnt out winged superhero from the Hanna-Barbera cartoon era who, upon not being able to sustain his worthiness on his show, branches out to become an attorney alongside other 1960s/70s stars in order to defend animated icons in trouble.

The prosecuting attorneys take the form of his old nemeses from his cancelled show 'Birdman and the Galaxy Trio', and the clients range from Shaggy and Scooby Doo undergoing a trial for possession of marijuana and resisting arrest, while Fred Flintstone is accused of being a mafia boss.

Season two sees the accused as Grape Ape, Droopy and, in a spot of comedy brilliance, Quick Draw McGraw being charged carrying a concealed weapon. The humour is quickfire, satirical and somewhat surreal but it's held in place by the sheer genius of the show's concept.

Gary Cole adds a fantastically deadpan voice to Birdman while American satirist Stephen Colbert turns up as the demented head of the law firm Sebben & Sebben. Give this show a go - you'll be rewarded.