'Mars' among TV shows now on DVD

These TV series are among the latest to arrive on DVD, led by the original British version of "Life on Mars."

"Life on Mars: Series 1" (Acorn, 2006, four discs, $59.99). The American adaptation of this show ran just one season and was canceled after 17 episodes. The British version ran two seasons but racked up a total of just 16 episodes. Make of that what you will.

This English original stars John Simm as a police detective in modern-day Manchester who is hit by a car and wakes up in 1973. Is he hallucinating in a coma or has he actually time-traveled to the past?

While adjusting to the zany '70s — before cell phones (or "mobiles," as the Brits say), before police brutality was frowned upon and before forensics had become an all-inclusive science — he solves crimes that seem to lead him closer to answers about his situation.

Funny, fast-paced, action-packed, laced with "classic rock" songs and loaded with quirky characters, this is a delightful police procedural with a twist, and a nice introduction to the U.S. version (which is coming to DVD on Sept. 29).

Extras: widescreen, eight episodes, audio commentaries, featurettes, outtakes

"A Touch of Frost: Season 14" (MPI, 2008, two discs, $34.98). This collection of three gripping episodes is labeled the final season but in fact David Jason returned to the character for the BBC earlier this year. And that one can't cross the pond too soon for me. Jason has lost none of his grit or humor as the gruff police detective who is less than popular with his bosses, but who, of course, gets the job done.

These episodes involve a 20-year-old missing-persons case with a surprise twist, a chilling tale of a bizarre kidnapping and, the least of these, a ritualistic killing with a surprise ending that is really no surprise at all.

Extras: full frame, three episodes

"The Spectacular Spider-Man: The Complete First Season" (Sony/Marvel, 2008, two discs, $28.96). The first season of this recent animated series begins with 16-year-old Peter Parker discovering his powers and finding he must hide his identity, battle villains and still pass his high school exams.

A real jolt to the mythology for fans.

Extras: widescreen, featurettes