Futurama Volume One

Simpsons creator Matt Groening was dominating the airwaves as one of television's greatest treasures throughout the '90s. It was only a matter of time before Groening would expand his animated empire, launching Futurama in 1999. Setting it in the year 3000 allowed the writers to let their imaginations run wild, and this was apparent within the first few episodes, as we were introduced to various creatures, robots and abstract devices. Viewers follow Fry (voiced by Billy West of Ren & Stimpy fame) as he stumbles upon what earth has become after being accidentally frozen for a millennium — an excellent way to be introduced into the Futurama world through a series of questions and discoveries. He's joined by his best friend and suicidal, alcoholic robot Bender (John DiMaggio), as well as potential one-eyed love interest Leila (Married With Children's Katey Sagal) as they deliver packages throughout the universe with Planet Express. Futurama was a brilliant show, with many outlets for creativity, seeing as anything literally could, and did, happen in the year 3000. Sadly the sophisticated humour didn't register with a large enough audience to give it the marathon run of The Simpsons. The three-disc set is a little weak on the packaging, with no series write-ups or insight, but it includes commentary on all 13 episodes from Groening and co-developer David X. Cohen, as well as West, DiMaggio and others. The quality is incredible — Futurama was digitally animated — and there are several deleted scenes to enjoy. Though it was killed before its time, Futurama will be looked upon as an underground sensation. Extras: full-length commentary on all episodes; deleted scenes; featurette; storyboards and more. (Fox)