Double Review: Part 2 of 2 – Decoder Ring Theater’s The Red Panda Adventures

This Podcast Audio Drama is episodic and doesn’t have a clear “ending” as of this writing, there are 54 episodes of this particular show.

Podcast Novel or Audio Drama: Audio Drama

Title: The Red Panda Adventures (as presented by The Decoder Ring Theater Podcast.)

Written by: Decoder Ring Theater is made up of a company of folks, but I believe that the episodes are written by the leader of sorts Gregg Taylor. This is actually the second “run” of episodes, as the first few recorded episodes were recorded long, long ago, and were deemed too “silly”.

I found it at: Their feed on iTunes. As I mentioned in my review of Black Jack Justice my husband found the feed and brought it to my attention for the continuing adventures of that particular show. The Red Panda Adventures was included in the feed as well as a “Summer Showcase” with extra shows, another mini-series, and much more. After some debating, I finally decided to give this show a listen.

Reading/Voice Acting Quality: 5/5 – This company is truly wonderful. All of the actors are superb and I really love listening in this particular show for voices that I recognize from Black Jack Justice. I’m a little weird like that. *laugh*

Overall Production Quality: 5/5 – I’m not sure where this production group gets their sound effects, but other producers of audio drama should really find out and take note. The music appears to be written and performed on an organ specifically for each episode. It really has an old-time super-hero radio drama feel to it that I’m finding enjoyable.

Comments: This show is not at all what I expected. It is part vigilante justice, part super-heroics, part just-before-WWII fiction, part love story, part cheese, and all entertainment. Add in a dash of magical mysteries and mad science and you have The Red Panda Adventures. The writing is amazing and the characters and situations really come to life in your ears. The interplay between the two main characters, The Red Panda (voiced by none other than Gregg Taylor) and his new partner The Flying Squirrel (voiced by Clarissa Der Nederlanden Taylor) is a lot of playful banter and often some hints of romantic innuendo. You find out rather quickly that a certain Flying Squirrel is in love with a certain Red Panda.

When the dynamic duo are not out hunting down crime-committers and evil super villains, they disguise themselves as their alter-egos. The Red Panda being one of 1930’s Toronto’s wealthiest young bachelors (you don’t find out his name until episode 48 and I don’t want to give it away. ^_~) and The Flying Squirrel is his young lady driver Kit Baxter. It is revealed from the get-go that the reason that Kit becomes the Flying Squirrel is because she finds out about The Red Panda and demands to be included in his crime-fighting adventures. It’s amusing that it seems that rather than be scared of his identity as the Red Panda and the danger that comes with it, she is actually attracted to it and it makes her fall for him harder. She tries to make her feelings known subtly as she can, but she is often rebuked with “Kit Baxter, behave yourself.” And she usually answers with a resigned “Yes, boss.” (Though not always. *laugh*)

Overall I found this series to be very enjoyable, exciting and amusing. There are a few awesome twists that hit the duo starting with episode 36, so I really recommend listening to them all and in order. But as always, I don’t want to give them away. Download the episodes and listen for yourself!

Because the Decoder Ring Theater podcast feed includes Black Jack Justice, The Red Panda Adventures and other stuff, they alternate the series and release them in groups. A group of Black Jack Justice, then a group of Red Panda, and back again. They’ve just announced that their release schedule is now the 1st and 15th of every month.

Overall Score: 5/5 –I wasn’t sure at first that this kind of show would be my cup of tea. However, after the first four episodes, I was hooked! It’s worth a listen and if you enjoy it please spread the word. Go! Download it! Listen! Now! :D The episodes can also be found on their website linked below to listen to it on your computer if you have an Mp3 player that’s not in iPod/iPhone or don’t have one at all.

Author’s Website: http://www.decoderringtheatre.com/index.htm

Story Website: http://www.decoderringtheatre.com/redpanda/

Search “Decoder Ring Theater” on iTunes.

This was Part 2 of a double show review. If you missed it, please click here for the first part where I review Decoder Ring Theater’s other show, Black Jack Justice.

Reviewer’s Note: If you enjoy either of these programs, please consider voting for Decoder Ring Theater in the Roundtable Awards they have been nominated for by the Chronic Rift Podcast. More information on that HERE.