Before Samuel L. Jackson started assembling the Avengers, before Ben Affleck started gathering the League, and before Stephen Amell said "you have failed this city," Bruce Timm made a superhero shared universe that set the bar for all others. Back in the 1990's, the writer/director/producer gave us probably the greatest superhero series ever with Batman: The Animated Series, and then something great in Superman: The Animated Series. Then he brought it together with Justice League and Justice League: Unlimited. If you add Batman Beyond to the mix you've got a crossover universe that was fantastic to watch.
I remember watching Batman: The Animated Series on Saturday mornings. I was a bit older when Justice League came around in 2001, but through Netflix and streaming services I finished all four seasons many years ago. I grew up reading DC Comics, but this series introduced me to all the colorful characters DC has in their bank. I HIGHLY recommend Batman, Superman, and Justice League for anyone wanting to get a good grasp on all that DC superheroes are and can be.
With the JL heading to theaters next week for their first live-action(big screen) adaptation I thought I would share with you some of my favorite episodes of Timm's Justice Leagues series and just maybe you'll check them out to get ready for the Snyder/Whedon film.
JL: SEASON 1: EPISODES 5 & 6: THE ENEMY BELOW
Sure the series premiere 3-part was great as it introduced new characters not in the Batman and Superman cartoons like Hawkgirl, Wonder Woman, and Martain Manhunter, but these two episodes introduced us to Aquaman, and just how bad ass he can be. At the end of the first episode his brother has betrayed him to lead Atlantis against the "surface dwellers" and his infant child is about to die next to him.
Aquaman cuts off his own hand to free himself to save his child, teams up with the League to stop his brother, and ends up with a spear for a hand like he had in the comics at the time. This act of brutality was pretty raw for a show that was rated Y7 and let us know this series was not going to be all "fluff." I wonder how long till Mamoa gets his spear-hand?
JL: SEASON 2: EPISODES 1 & 2: TWILIGHT
Superman: The Animated Series finale was about Darkseid brainwashing Superman to lead his armies against Earth and losing the people's trust in the man of steel. So when Darkseid shows up at the Watchtower wanting the League's help because Brainiac is attacking Apokolips, Clark tells him to shove it. But of course, they fly off to battle, Darkseid betrays them, and Batman has to pull Superman off of Darkseid before the walls cave in on them. Part 2 ends with Clark in Batman's face saying "You know something, Bruce? You're not always right."
These episodes helped us see a different side of the big blue boy scout and also introduces us to the New Gods. We meet Orion, High Father, and a fantastic world that I hope we see live-action in the near future. Also, Superman burns through Darkseid's foot when he stomps on his face.
JL: SEASON 2: EPISODES 11 & 12: A BETTER WORLD
The Justice League meet an alternative version of themselves. They come from a reality where Lex Luthor has become president and killed the Flash. Also, Superman kills Luthor. The team is chained up while the Justice Lords try and bring peace to a reality not their own. This episode is very important to set-up the series from here on.
JL: SEASON 2: EPISODES 24, 25, & 26: STARCROSSED
In the season(series) finale the warriors of Hawkgirl's homeworld, Thanagra, come to Earth to invade, and Hawkgirl stands by her people, betraying her friends and possible love interest; Green Lantern. The League must free themselves if they are to save Earth.
Episodes leading up to this one begin a romantic relationship for John and Shayera, which is felt when she chooses her people over the League. This is also when the Leaguers finally reveal all their secret identities to each other in order to survive. And we get a kiss from another possible romance in the series; Batman and Wonder Woman.
JLU: SEASON 1: EPISODE 2: FOR THE MAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING
On Superman's birthday, Diana and Bruce visit him at the Fortress of Solitude to find him in a hypnotic sleep where Kal-El is living out a life with his family on a Krypton that never blew up. His friends must save Superman and defeat Mongul in the process.
Based on a famous Superman annual issue, this episode will pull at your heart strings and leave you crying. It always does me. Before Krypton begins to explode(in Clark's mind) he holds his son tight and says, "You are everything I ever wanted in a son. This is everything I ever wanted in a life.......but I have to go now." Kleenex please!
JLU: SEASON 1: EPISODE 6: FEARFUL SYMMETRY
Supergirl keeps having dreams about a life that isn't hers. When Green Arrow and The Question help her get to the bottom of it she finds out that her friend, Professor Hamilton, cloned her while she was injured in the Superman:The Animated Series finale. This helps set-up the best JLU episodes down the road.
JLU: SEASON 1: EPISODE 7: THE GREATEST STORY NEVER TOLD
Booster Gold is an ex-jock from the future who goes back in time (and uses future tech) to become a hero in the present. This is the funniest episode in the series as Booster is "crowd control" while the rest of Leaguers deal with big problems. Think of it like Buffy the Vampire Slayer's "Zeppo" episode. Oh and "thanks Green Lantern."
JLU: SEASON 2; EPISODE 1: THE CAT AND THE CANARY
Green Arrow has been flirting with Black Canary for a while now, but it's his infatuation with her that lands them both in trouble as they try to get her mentor, Wildcat, out of a MetaBrawl.
JLU: SEASON 2: EPISODE 7: CLASH
If you're curious about WB's upcoming Shazam film then watch this episode. We are introduced to Billy Batson and his alter-ego; Shazam. We also find out that Shazam can go toe-to-toe with Superman as Luthor plays them against each other in a brawl that destroys lots of buildings. This, again, sets up what is to come.
JLU: SEASON 2: EPISODES 9-12: QUESTION AUTHORITY, FLASHPOINT, PANIC IN THE SKY, AND DIVIDED WE FALL
This is where it all comes together! Cadmus and Luthor begin their plan to take down the Justice League. They blame them for a civilian attack, have their super army invade the Watchtower, and Luthor merges with Brainiac to take on the original JL members and possibly start them on the road to becoming the Justice Lords.
Some of the best episodes of TV ever! Superhero entertainment doesn't get better than this! Watch all those leading up to it and enjoy the awesomeness!
JLU: SEASON 2: EPISODE 13: EPILOGUE
To be honest, compared to the previous four episodes the 3rd season of this series doesn't even hold a candle to it, but this season finale is a glass of cold milk after the delicious cake you just ate. Incorporating Batman Beyond, Terry finds out his whole life was a plot by Amanda Waller to ensure there would always be a Batman, and tells him a story of how the Dark Knight is one of a kind.
If I were to make a Batman Beyond live-action trilogy I would start with the origin episodes, the Return of the Joker animated movie, and then this episode. Watch them and then tell me how right I am.
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