DVD Review: Adventure Time “Islands”

Should you purchase the home release after the series finishes airing on Cartoon Network?

The Islands DVD comes with extra features. The storyboards of each episode have been put together, so it is possible to watch the entire miniseries in its original, sketchy form. After watching the fluid animation, it is interesting to see the contrast and think about how the storyboards form a foundation for the finished product. 

There is also a short behind-the-scenes segment about a board pitch for the first episode, where the animation team meet to discuss storyboards. The boards are displayed on a wall, and the team goes through the plot and dialogue for each. 

In addition, there are stills of the backgrounds that range from the forests to the inner city of the Island. The stills are of fairly high quality, so fan artists wanting to replicate the scenery in their own work do not have to look far. 

The last segment features song demos for the Elefly Song, and the Founder’s Song. Neither of them are long, but this feature is fun for fans that enjoy the musical aspect of the show.

The list price is $14.97. While that is pricier compared to the season collections, the price is about average compared to previous Adventure Time miniseries DVDs. If you shop around, you can find it offered for about $8.99. The main season is comprised mostly of standalone stories that hint at the larger narrative, so for those wanting to watch something entirely plot-based, buying the miniseries allows for a more concentrated watch. 

For artists interested in the process of animating Adventure Time, or Adventure Time fan artists, the extras contain good reference resources. The casual fan might not be as interested, but the extras will greatly appeal to artists.