Atomic Betty, Volume 1—Betty, Set, Go!

Atomic Betty—think Kim Possible for elementary schoolers—is a typical junior high school student with an atypical secret identity as "Galactic Guardian and Defender of the Cosmos." Another empowering hero for preteen girls, plucky Betty is proficient in martial arts and well-equipped with space-age gadgets to defeat any variety of alien supervillains. But these foes are nothing compared to Betty's earthbound nemesis, the rich and spoiled Penelope. This generous collection contains eight stories from the animated series—"Toxic Talent," "Spindly Tam Kanushu," "Atomic Roger," "Furball for the Sneeze," "Really Big Game," "But the Cat Came Back," “The Doppelganger," and "The Incredible Shrinking Betty"—with a look that owes much to the anime-inspired The Powerpuff Girls and Samurai Jack with its sudden switches from full to widescreen, and comic-book-panel-style action. Still, while the intended preteen audience will doubtless cheer the capable and confident Betty's resourcefulness, this series breaks no new ground. DVD extras include the theme song music video. Optional. [Note: also newly available in the series is Vol. 2—Betty to the Rescue!] Aud: P. (D. Liebenson)