Justice League’s first season officially aired in 2001 (same year Smallville aired on The WB) on Cartoon Network. It received universal acclaim from critics, fans and viewers alike. The show spawned a second season and a follow up known as “Justice League Unlimited.” James Gunn’s rebooting the DC Extended Universe into the DC Universe. “Superman: Legacy” will be the first film slated for a 2025 release. Before DC’s new era begins soon, I wanna share my thoughts on Justice League’s first season.
This review contains no SPOILERS. Feel free to read my non-spoiler article.
Positive & Negative Qualities
Positive: Kevin Conroy, George Newbern, Susan Eisenberg, Phil LaMarr, Michael Rosenbaum Maria Canals-Barrea & Carl Lumbly all did an excellent job for their respective voiceover performances.
Fun Fact: Michael Rosenbaum also portrayed Lex Luthor in “Smallville.”
Bruce Timm developed and produced the show.
Animation is much brighter and cleaner than Batman & Superman’s shows. A balance between light and dark represents The Tone.
Action Sequences display our heroes going head to head with powerful opponents.
Humor has some suitable jokes coming from Flash. He provides comic relief.
The Team’s chemistry serves as the main highlight.
Besides Batman, John Stewart is one of my favorite DC superheroes. I can’t wait to see him and Hal Jordan teaming up in an upcoming live-action series on Max. Formerly known as HBO Max.
Several voice actors/actresses guest star in various episodes.
- Mark Hamill
- Clancy Brown
- Kurtwood Smith
- Robert Englund
- John Rhys-Davies
- Eric Roberts
- Powers Boothe
- David Ogden Stiers
- Stephen Root
- Julie Bowen
- Tom Sizemore
Negative: I couldn’t find nothing wrong. I’m giving Mr. Timm and his crew and Extra Point for making a flawless season as possible.
Episodes 1-3 – Secret Origins
Batman & Superman‘s first encounter with aliens, indicates further episodes will be difficult than their previous adventures from their own shows.
Overwhelmed, the two join forces with Martian “MM” Manhunter, John Stewart/Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Wally West/The Flash & Hawkgirl. Together, they fend off against the aliens.
Alien ships remind me of the Tripods from “War of the Worlds.”
In Part 3, John says, “It’s a trap!” Admiral Ackbar’s line.
We learn about MM’s tragic past.
Episodes 4-5 – In Blackest Night
John’s accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Superman, Hawkgirl, MM & Flash try to clear his name.
Flash defends John. He’s funny as heck. Can you imagine if he quoted Reese Witherspoon’s line from “Legally Blonde?” “What, like it’s hard?”
Flash says, “If the ring wasn’t lit, you must acquit.” A reference to Johnny Cochran’s quote in the OJ Simpson Trial. If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” That joke went over my head as a kid.
The culprit behind John’s crime is pretty obvious from the get-go. Come on. We all know John’s innocent.
John says the Green Lantern oath. Ryan Reynolds, eat your heart out.
Episodes 6-7 – The Enemy Below
Arthur Curry/Aquaman factors in this two-part episode. Unlike the classic comics, Aquaman’s appearance is based on his gritty look from the ‘90s. Which later inspired Jason Momoa’s portrayal with a touch of his boisterous personality in “Batman: The Brave and the Bold.” That’s right.
Orm/Ocean Master is the villain. As you already know, he played an important role in Aquaman’s first solo movie.
Michael Rosenbaum also voices Floyd Lawton/Deadshot. This is before Will Smith portrayed Batman’s foe in the critically panned “Suicide Squad.”
Episodes 8-9 – Injustice for All
Due to prolonged exposure to Kryptonite, Lex Luthor’s diagnosed with an incurable form of blood poisoning. He escapes prison and bands a group of villains forming the Injustice Gang. They’re not alone, Joker pops up. Seeing the villains makes me wanna replay “Lego DC Super-Villains.”
Captured, Batman has a few tricks up his sleeve.
If you have a keen eye, the Wonder Twins appear as statues.
Lex wears his armor equipped with Kryptonite.
Joker quotes Daffy Duck’s catchphrase. “You’re despicable.”
Episodes 10-11 – Paradise Lost
A sorcerer tasks Wonder Woman to retrieve fragments within 24 hours or else her people and mother will remain in stone forever. She seeks help from Superman, Batman, Flash & MM.
Besides Felix, The Team fight Hades and an undead army.
Robert Englund voices Felix Faust. He later voiced Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow in “Injustice 2.”
Episodes 12-13 – War World
Superman & MM are captured slave traders. They’re sold by Mongul. He hosts an intergalactic colosseum where aliens fight in gladiatorial matches. Superman participated in combat.
John & Hawkgirl head out to rescue their friends.
Eric Roberts (Emma’s daddy) voices Mongul. He later portrayed Sal Maroni in “The Dark Knight.”
Episodes 14-15 – Brave and the Bold
John & Flash team up to stop Gorilla Grodd from using humans into pawns. Their allies also join the party.
We learn about Grodd’s background. His goal’s to fire missiles by destroying cities inhabited by apes.
Episodes 16-17 – Fury
An Amazonian named, Aresia goes rogue in an attempt to eradicate the male population using a deadly virus. Wonder Woman & Hawkgirl are the only ones who can stop her.
Aresia has a legit reason on why she wants to annihilate men. Thankfully, this episode doesn’t shove any over-the-the/top feminism down your throat.
Episodes 18-19 – Legends
During a battle, John, Hawkgirl, Flash & MM are transported to a ‘50s lookin universe where the Justice Guild are protectors.
The Justice Guild are loosely based on the Justice Society of America.
A big twist involving the Justice Guild.
This episode’s dedicated to Gardner Fox. Same guy who created the Justice League comics.
Episodes 20-21 – A Knight of Shadows
Jason Blood & Etrigan seek help from the Justice League to prevent a sorceress named, Morgaine Le Fay from obtaining a stone belonging to Merlin.
Morgaine’s magic causes MM to hallucinate.
Episodes 22-23 – Metamorphosis
John reunites with an old friend named, Rex Mason.
Simon Stagg, an evil businessman uses Mason as a guinea for a science experiment.
Mason says “Fasten your seatbelts.” Alfred Molina as Doctor Octopus later used the phrase in “Spider-Man 2.”
Rex uses his powers to fight a blob monster who captured his girlfriend.
Episodes 24-26 – The Savage Time
The Team (minus Batman) are transported to World War World II to prevent Vandal Savage from creating a dystopian reality.
Although John’s ring’s out of juice, he’s still a capable fighter thanks to his military experience.
The Blackhawks assist The Team. Their military pilots in the classic comics who participated in World War II. At one point, Steven Spielberg was considered to direct a live-action film adaptation of the Blackhawks in the DC Extended Universe. Sadly, plans were cancelled after James Gunn announced he’s rebooting the DC Universe back to the very beginning.
Steve Trevor helps out. She’s Wonder Woman’s love interest from the comics. Chris Pine portrayed Steve in Wonder Woman’s movie and sequel.
The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!
Justice League’s first season is a flawless beginning of an excellent series. If you’re preparing for James Gunn’s DC Universe, watch all seasons of Justice League and its follow up Justice League Unlimited.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 