Before I start, the European Football (Soccer) Championships (Euro 2004) have begun.

16 European countries are battling it out to see who's the best football team in Europe.

So I’m gonna take this time and say “C’mon England!”

Ok, back to business. I want to take a slight detour and talk about comic books on TV.

Or more correctly known as Animated Series.

Half hour shows that can be enjoyed by practically all ages.

Click here to check out Justice League - Secret Origins [DVD] (DC Comics)

Currently DC is the undisputed master of the animated series.

It started with Batman, the Dark Knight.

This moody series returned Bruce Wayne to his detective, film noir roots and permanently buried the comedic, colourful version that had first appeared in the sixties.

The sixties live action TV version of Batman is sometimes still thought of as the definitive version of the character.

The tone of that live action TV series helped to foster the general public perception that superheroes were primarily for kids.

The Batman Animated series shattered all those old myths and brought the prestige back to the DC icon.

With a look designed by artist Bruce Timm, the stories told were intelligent, hard-hitting and uncompromising.

Click here to check out Batman Animated Season 1 - Volume 1 [DVD] (DC Comics)

With frequent guest stars and realistic villains, you need to check this out if you haven’t seen it already.

The concept proved so successful that several feature length TV movies were made including Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.

Another animated series from DC is Static Shock, which brings the electrically powered superhero Static from Milestone Comics series to life.

Following the adventures of Virgil Hawkins (Static) and his sidekick, Gear.

This series was something of a milestone in itself as this was the first animated series spotlighting a black superhero. Containing great stories and cool action, this has to be seen!

Click here to check out Static Shock: The New Kid [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] (Milestone Comics/DC Comics)

A new series will begin soon entitled The Batman, which will focus on his early years, learning the job.

DC followed this smash hit with a similar successful take with the Superman Adventures.

This had a brighter look and was set in Metropolis and was very faithful to the comic book version of the character, keeping the emotional content high.

Click here to check out Superman Vol.1 - Last Son Of Krypton [DVD] (DC Comics)  

Both these series were consolidated into the phenomenal JLA (or the Justice League).

Featuring the ‘big guns’ of the DC universe this team featured Green Lantern, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl and included Batman and Superman.

A team of this magnitude fought foes and disasters of similar or greater stature.

Sometimes splitting into smaller teams to examine each character in greater depth as there is only so much screen time.

A sleeper hit has been the manga stylised Teen Titans.

Looking like Japanese animation this is a high octane, adrenaline rush and great fun. Fusing comedy with the action I have to say I love this.

It pays great homage to the superhero genre and is based on a group of young heroes that have a popular following in the comics community.

Starring Robin (the sidekick of Batman), Cyborg, Starfire, Raven and Beast boy, these heroes are frequently pitted against Slade (Deathstroke the Terminator) and an assortment of other rogues.

This is beautifully animated and is a joy to watch and the clever scripts and dialogue often brings a smile to your face.

So, after all that.

Click here to check out Teen Titans: The Complete First Season [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] (DC Comics)