In 1959, the world of animated television changed forever--as the groundwork was laid for future cartoon series like "The Simpsons" and "SpongeBob SquarePants"--with the appearance of a perky flying squirrel and his slow-witted sidekick of a moose. "Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends" was a groundbreaker,

using wit, satire, and hilarious wordplay to poke fun at everything from the Federal government and the Cold War to the great space race. No wonder it was the first cartoon that appealed to children and grown-ups alike--kids fell in love with the adorable characters while adults were captivated by the sophisticated humor.

This great series has stood the test of time as one of the boob tube's greatest satires. Who can help but be enthralled as our heroes fight to thwart no-goodniks Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale or Dudley DoRight of the Mounties battles crime wherever he finds it--unencumbered by personality? Then of course, there is Mr. Peabody, the world's most intelligent dog, and Sherman, his adopted pet boy, hopping into the WABAC machine to travel through time, saving famous figures from themselves and making sure the history of the world happens as it's supposed to.

Yet, best of all, topping even the marquee characters of Rocky and Bullwinkle, is Fractured Fairytales. Where else would the Big Bad Wolf be in therapy or Snow White's mirror be churning out stock reports or the Ugly Duckling undergoing plastic surgery?

For those who haven't seen the goings on in Frostbite Falls since its original airing (1959-63), or Sunday morning reruns (1964-73), or in cable syndication (1973-2003), Jay Ward's brilliant creation has been released in a digitally remastered DVD Box Set--The Complete Season 2 ($39.95), 52 half-hour shows in original broadcast order--by Classic Media, Los Angeles, the same folks who have preserved "Casper the Friendly Ghost," "Mr. Magoo," "Underdog," "Lassie," and the holiday favorites "Frosty the Snowman," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "The Little Drummer Boy," and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." (Season 1 of "Rocky & Bullwinkle," 26 uproarious 30-minute programs, came out in 2003.)

Bonus features on the four-DVD set include classic Bullwinkle TV commercials, an interview with June Foray (the distinctive voice of Rocky and Natasha), and, for all you "American Idol" fans, "Moosecalls: The Best of Bullwinkle Sings!"