Written by: Michael Den Boer on May 30th, 2010
Release Dates: USA, 2004-2008
Director: Nick Zedd
Writer: Reverend Jen Miller
Cast: Reverend Jen Miller, Faceboy, Lloyd Floyd, Claudia Gross, Jen Junior, Andrew J. Lederer, Taylor Mead, Diane O’Debra, Tanya O’Debra, Annie Sprinkle
DVD Released: April 20th, 2010
Approximate Running Time: 592 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Full Frame
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo English
Subtitles: N/A
DVD Release: MVD Visual
Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC
Retail Price: $29.95
The Adventures of Electra Elf is a cable access show that was created by Reverend Jen Miller. She also appears in the series in the role of Electra Elf. The series originally aired on Brooklyn Community Access Television from 2004- 2008. The series was directed by Nick Zedd a filmmaker who is most known for coining the term Cinema of Transgression.
So who is Electra Elf and what is this series about? Electra Elf is the alter ego of a reporter named Jenifer Swallows who works for Ass (All Star Scene) magazine. Electra Elf is aided by her Chihuahua fluffer and a scientist named Professor McNerdz. Each episode pits Electra Elf against a different villain. Only these are not your not your a typical villains which populate countless other superheroes sagas. Some of the villains include a hard rock band named ‘Lucifer’s Angel’s’ that is hell bent on world domination, soulless tourists, corrupt politicians, diabolical landlords, aliens, a sinister pastor and a character that looks a lot like Michael Jackson. Several of the villains reappear in various episodes throughout the series.
Just like other tales about superheroes this series features a two part episode origins story about how Jennifer Swallows became Electra Elf. Even though the majority of the what occurs in each episodes is done in a tongue and cheek way. Many of the episodes actually subtlety interject social commentary into the stories at hand. In the midst of all the madness that unfolds throughout this series. The casts gung ho approach to the material insures that there are rarely a dull moment. Without a doubt the most enjoyable aspect of this series is its irreverent take on the superhero genre.
The DVD:
The Adventures of Electra Elf is a public access show and the transfers look very good considering the series low budget origins.
This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital stereo mix in English. The audio sounds clean and clear throughout. The sound effects and music benefit most from this audio mix.
Extras for this release include a image gallery, outtakes, behind the scenes footage, two bonus episodes “Red Letter Day” where Electra Elf reads fan mail and “Xmas” a Christmas themed episode and a text related piece about the series. Also included with this release is a booklet with comments from Nick Zedd about the series. Overall The Adventures of Electra Elf gets a fully loaded DVD release from MVD Visual.