OFFICIAL DVD RELEASE?

Yes, it's crazy that neither Superbook nor The Flying House have had a decent DVD release in North America. They released the first twelve episodes of Superbook on three DVDs a few years ago, but then stopped. Sister series The Flying House had the first four episodes released--on one DVD--around the same time, but then, they stopped.

Although the series was animated by Tatsunoko Productions, CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) owns the rights to the original Superbook and The Flying House series. All episodes of The Flying House are available to watch for free through CBN's website, but I know that many fans would like a DVD release of both shows.

I feel that CBN is more concerned about the newer Superbook series, and simply does not feel that the earlier two series are especially marketable for the contemporary viewer (which I feel is a mistake and not true). Moreover, CBN hasn't been marketing their earlier two shows to the right audience: they should be aiming for those who originally watched the series. Other companies have fallen victim to poor marketing of their series as well--not trying to push shows for the correct (original) audience.

CBN Asia released both shows about ten years ago on VCD (our English dub), and if you haven't had the chance to see the box art for the VCDs (Video Compact Discs), check them out--they are impressive. (I purchased them on eBay a number of years ago, and I'm glad I did since CBN hasn't released either show yet in its entirety; the discs will play on most computers and many DVD players in the U.S.)

In fact, there was a rumor just a couple years ago that a box set of the original Superbook series was coming to DVD, but it does not seem like it ever materialized. I think maybe some emails to CBN or the "Superbook Department" (as I was told this was an inner division of CBN) might be fruitful. CBN should consider selling the show as a MOD ("Manufacture on Demand") if they are worried about making too many DVDs and losing money on the deal. Warner Bros. has had success with MOD DVD sets, particularly with some of their lesser known Hanna-Barbera shows.

Any other thoughts? Ideas?

Dan