The black clouds had blotted out the sun nearly fifteen minutes ago, giving what was previously a bright summer afternoon an eerie air of impending menace. I was racing down the freeway intent on keeping my date with a seducer of worlds as the rain and hail began to bounce noisily off my windshield, reducing my visibility to virtually zero. Just then, my cell phone began to ring. It was one of Yivo’s human wranglers. The elements were bearing down on her as well, so that both she and the oversexed alien’s harem of intergalactic space babes were forced to seek temporary shelter until the storm could blow over. She warned me that Yivo was feeling a bit deflated this particular afternoon, but I figured human that would only give this humble human a distinct edge over the tentacled menace.

By the time I arrived, the rain had subsided and Yivo was standing majestic before the media, inflated to maximum capacity and surrounded by a small but formidable army of raygun-toting beauties. I did my best to get a personal interview but I could see in his eyes that the first word I dared utter would likely earn me a tentacle to the back of my neck. His are the kind of eyes that could drive a man of lesser constitution over the edge of sanity. A mere glimpse into those swirling pupils could fill a man with all the intergalactic love in the cosmos, but at what unthinkable cost? Fearing that I may have already overstepped my boundaries as a mere mortal, I made the decision to beat a hasty retreat while I was still able.

Later, having narrowly averted a cosmic disaster, I settled down with the new DVD of The Beast with a Billion Backs to find out just what may have happened had I succumbed to the temptation of this libidinous, inner-dimensional being.

Futurama fans have been put through the ringer when it comes to fighting for their favorite show, but thankfully their loyalty has been repaid tenfold by series creator Matt Groening and company. Recognizing the passion of their fans, the creative series behind the show made the commitment to producer four feature-length Futurama films. First there was Bender’s Big Score, and now The Beast with a Billion Backs, with “Bender’s Game” and “Into the Wild Green Yonder” set to follow in short succession.

Simply stated, this disc will without question be a welcomed addition to the DVD collection of any die-hard Futurama fan. The feature, presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen, looks great. The animators seem to have had a blast stretching their vision out to the wide frame, and viewers are bound to have a blast picking out all of the sight gags. Audio is presented in English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, with optional closed-captioning for the hearing impaired as well as English, Spanish, and French subtitles.

Of course when it comes to DVD, the feature itself is only the beginning. This release of The Beast with a Billion Backs is jam-packed with enough quality bonus materials to keep viewers occupied until the year 3000. Things get off to a fun start with a lost adventure that finds the tyrannical leader Mom launching a diabolical plot to enslave the human race, with an additional storyboard animatic allowing a tantalizing glimpse into the mechanics behind some key scenes in The Beast with a Billion Backs. The latter in particular is a real treat for animation enthusiasts, as it highlights just how the show’s creators refine the final product. Things get even more detailed as the animators discuss the 3D models used to create the character of M5438, among other things. Deleted scenes alternate between pencil-line form, storyboards, and full animation, providing a chance to see a few fun gags that got excised from the final cut. “Meet Yivo!” and “Blooperama” featurettes allow the viewer the rare opportunity to step into the studio and watch the actors at work, with a popcorn-munching David Cross offering a few solid laughs by discussing his unique vocal techniques. “A Brief History of Deathball” allows director Peter Avanzino the opportunity to discuss the design of the “Deathball” uniforms and arena, and highlights how happy accidents can sometimes yield the most hilarious results. Additional commentary tracks on both the main feature and the “lost” adventure make for seriously fun listening, with a sneak peak at “Benders Game” offering an entertaining look at things to come.