Superman. Batman. Wonder Woman. Green Lantern. Flash. Hawkgirl. Martian Manhunter. Individually, they are powerful in their own way, but there are times when the job becomes even too big for just one hero, and teamwork must prevail for where truth and justice becomes worth fighting.

No, this isn’t the Super-Friends of yore but a team ready for the new millennium... The Justice League. For years since the advent of Batman: The Animated Series, followed up by Superman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond, fans have been clamouring to see their favourite heroes together in one show. Sneakily, the producers have been teasing us for years with hints of heroes popping up in these shows.

Batman: The Animated Series introduced us to darker characters such as Etrigan, The Demon, Zatanna the Magician, Jonah Hex, and The Creeper along with favourites Robin, Batgirl and Nightwing.

Not to be outdone, Superman: The Animated Series followed suit with even more heroes from the DC Universe with the likes of the mystic Dr. Fate, Lobo, Orion and The New Gods, Supergirl, Flash, Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner) and Aquaman. The emergence of the Justice League looked promising.

But they made an appearance in the most unlikely of places. Batman Beyond showed a future version of the Justice League called Justice Unlimited, led by an older Superman.

And the fans loved it.

That was the future, so what about now?


Secret Origins

Batman uncovers a plot for an alien invasion while Superman is receiving telepathic messages for help from a captured martian — J’Onn J’Onzz, the Manhunter from Mars. But even the combined efforts of the World’s Finest team along with J’Onn isn’t enough. Other heroes — Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern and Flash — join the fray to help fend off an impeding alien armada.

Aptly titled “Secret Origins”, this is the first installment which introduces the Justice League. The show is an updated version of the classic 1960’s comic book — Justice League of America — which pays homage to the formation of the Magnificent Seven — Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern, and The Martian Manhunter.

Even though this isn’t a true representation of the original comic book origin, it is a representation that is suited for the times, and one that stays very true to the spirit of the Justice League.

Spirit... yeah, that’s what they’re missing on the team — a ghost. That will definitely shake things. Is the Spectre available?


Super Friends

“Of all the idiotic, boneheaded, glory-grabbing moves, haven’t you ever heard of teamwork?”
— Green Lantern, Justice League “Secret Origins”

Chemistry is always a main concern when dealing with group dynamics. It’s not easy especially when egos clash and maintaining the peace becomes more of a chore. Add superpowers to the mix and you have a powderkeg in the making. The Justice League is definitely made up of an assortment of characters who, at times, can get under each other’s skin, no matter how invulnerable it may be, with each hero bringing something different to the table.

Superman brings to the team a sense of credibility and stability. After all, to the world, he is the best and most renowned hero on the team becoming the team’s (reluctant) leader and spokesperson. With a group dynamic such as the League’s, he’s the ultimate boy scout, moreso know than he was in his own show.

Tim Daley used to voice Superman on his own animated series but for Justice League, George Newbern takes over the reins. George who? You know, that guy who played “Danny” on Friends? Yeah, him.

With Superman on board, it’s not surprising that Batman is at his side as well. No, theirs isn’t the buddy-buddy type of relationship. There’s more of a mutual respect, as grudgingly as it is, that takes precedence. Batman is the ultimate loner, not fitting much with the rest of team. However, when things get sticky he has a knack of getting of any situation. After all, Batman always has a plan.

Kevin Conroy returns to the character he breathed life since 1992’s Batman: The Animated Series and will forever be associated with The Dark Knight as being the ultimate Batman.

Wonder Woman rounds up the three iconic figures. Coming from a race of Amazons, she has been brought up in the ways of the warrior. Think of Xena with a magic lasso. What is interesting is the fact that she is the rookie on the team, only taking up the mantle of Wonder Woman when this alien invasion threatens the world. Powerful? Yes. Intimidating? Of course. Naive? That’s a given for she doesn’t understand the ways of “Man’s World” which leads to huge culture shock from her tiny, secluded island. She’s comes across as being aloof but she isn’t arrogant at all. She’s just used to being treated as an Amazon princess. Welcome to the real world Princess Diana.

Never has a character caused more controversy than Green Lantern. Fans were wondering which Green Lantern the producers were going to choose. Is it Kyle Rayner first introduced in the Superman series? Or will it be the famous Hal Jordan? Heck, how about the insufferable Guy Gardner? The answers: no, no and no. Instead, the producers chose perhaps the last Green Lantern on everyone’s mind — John Stewart. This was, perhaps, the hardest decision the producers had to make and the reason was simple: Justice League needed diversity and John Stewart brings that to the table; they didn’t want a League that was completely “whitebread”. Another reason was that hard-edged attitude which he displays: no-nonsensed, professional and determined. Think of Samuel L. Jackson with the most powerful weapon in his hand. No, he doesn’t wield a lightsaber, but does sport a glowing power ring.

The Flash is the cocky, arrogant kid on the block. Always in a hurry, always in a rush, and always
impatient, he nevertheless lives up to his billing as The Fastest Man Alive. Michael Rosenbaum provides the voice for the Scarlet Speedster. Funny how he is double-dipping as another DC character on the hit TV series Smallville, the charismatic Lex Luthor.

Hawkgirl is a surprise but welcomed addition to the team. The producers felt it needed more females on the team, hence the deletion of Aquaman from the original line-up. She has more of the typical girl-next-door persona even though she does hail from another planet. However, do not tick her off. When provoked in battle, she will go into a battle-frenzy state with her trusty energized mace, ala Wolverine attitude.

J’Onn J’Onnz, the Martian Manhunter, is the sole survivor of Mars who escaped extinction from this alien menace that threatens Earth. In fact, “Secret Origins” is really his story, about an outsider who is trying to fit in a new situation. The producers decided to limit J’Onn’s powers so he didn’t come across as a Superman clone. He does retain his power of flight, strength, invisibility, telepathy and shape-shifting abilities. If anything, J’Onn is the reason the Justice League exists, the heart and soul of the team.

“I once thought I could protect the world by myself, but I was wrong. Working together, we saved the planet, and I believe that if we stay together and work as a team, we would be a force that can truly work for the ideals of peace and justice.”
— Superman

“What, like a bunch of super friends? Do you know how corny that sounds?”
— Flash, Justice League “Secret Origins”


“Hera, Help Us”

Developing a team show is a harder task than one can imagine for great care is needed to making sure that each character gets ample time to showcase his or her personality.

It will be interesting to see how both Superman and Batman will fit in a team situation. One would expect that Superman will have an easier time since he is more personable than Batman, but it isn’t as clear cut as it seems.

Superman may be an approachable person but he is also overprotective. In fact, he feels that he does need to protect his fellow members at all times. A case in point in “Secret Origins”, when Superman and Hawkgirl teamed-up and were attacked by the aliens, Superman instinctively pushed Hawkgirl aside to protect her. Surprisingly to everyone, especially the Man of Steel, she took the initiative and defeated the group of aliens... by herself! If there is a weakness of Superman’s, other than kryptonite, he has to learn to trust his teammates abilities.

Batman, on the other hand, may not be a people person but he is a team player. How else can you account for the fact that he is surrounded by an entourage that includes Robin, Nightwing and Batgirl? He isn’t afraid to take charge if the situation requires it. He also understands the strengths and weaknesses of his teammates and can act accordingly to it. And he has to be the best there is. Just look at the line-up: three are aliens (Superman, Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl), one is an Amazon demi-god (Wonder Woman), and two have enhanced powers (Green Lantern and Flash); Batman is the only one without amazing powers, and, in essence, it makes him the most dangerous man on the planet.

Green Lantern and Flash already have a sparring repertoire going on between them; the former all ready for business and the latter always comical. This is actually a tribute to the many classic Green Lantern and Flash team-ups in the comic books.

Snapper Carr, former JLA mascot, also makes an appearance updated for the show. He is now a TV reporter who follows the activities of the League.

Probably the biggest disappointment right now is Wonder Woman. For some reason, she’s more annoying than she should be. This isn’t surprising because it’s hard to pinpoint who and what Wonder Woman is, and it’s evident in her portrayal. It’s one thing to read the words “Great Hera” on paper but to actually hear it is really unnerving. Despite my reservations, though, she has the biggest potential to develop into a truly, remarkable character, but right now, her character is really flat. Only time will tell.


For Truth and Justice

The artwork continues in the style of The New Batman/Superman Adventures with some few changes along the way.

Superman is sporting a more rugged and weathered look to himself adding to the illusion that he is an experienced hero.

Batman has a couple of cosmetic changes to himself as well. First thing that one will notice is that he has highlights on his cape and cowl again going back to his “dark deco” days in Batman: The Animated Series. This was mainly done to make him stand out more in a show filled with colourful characters. Also, on a more subtle note, Old Pointy Ears really has some pointy ears this time round with a classic Bob Kane style coming into view. Who needs a Batarang anymore? Just throw that cowl. It’ll do the job just the same.

The artists are trying some different things with the artwork which makes it clumsy right now. The alien shapeship looks like a cardboard cut out and moves like one, ala South Park style. It really was noticeable and out of place in the sequencing. But experimenting is a good thing if it allows the show the improve over the course of time. How it happens is something that we will have to wait for.


DVD Extras

It’s usually a bargain to find many different things added to a DVD and unfortunately, there isn’t much on this one. Along with the movie, the following are included:

• character bios
• a list of cast & crew
• trailers for other WB titles
• enhanced features for a DVD-Rom PC

In other words, a very weak selection. It would have been nice to include comments from the producers about the subject matter, if not just the episode alone.

Or maybe I’m just spoiled.

Overall, I hope this is the beginning of a series in the making that translates to a collection for a great library that can be enjoyed whenever you want.

Okay, so they are a bunch of super friends.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8