Danny Phantom: The Complete Series

This Nickelodeon series—animated in a jagged style similar to Dexter's Laboratory—gene-splices the ghostbuster mini-genre with superhero spoofs. Fourteen-year-old Danny Fenton (voiced by David Kaufman), son of a ghost-obsessed inventor couple, is accidentally mutated by his parents' technology into a half-ghost with otherworldly superpowers (and, of course, a costume). Assuming a secret "Danny Phantom" identity, Danny and his multicultural ensemble of classmates get busy fighting (with Batman-type POW! and ZAP! graphics) against a variety of campy spirits who invade the Fentons' hometown of Amity Park. As the rambunctious series progresses (with jokes about Hello Kitty-style anime, goth-teen culture, Spike Lee, "Scooby-Doo," and Burning Man), a vampirish type (robustly voiced by Martin Mull) becomes Danny's regular antagonist. Other celebrities incarnated as guest ghosts include Patricia Heaton, Peter MacNicol, Mark Hamill, Jon Cryer, William Baldwin, Chynna Phillips, and the late David Carradine. Compiling all 52 episodes aired from 2004-07, this fun series is recommended. Aud: P. (C. Cassady)