he Cartoon Network's new animated series, Justice League, finally brings the DC Comic superheroes of the Justice League of America comic book series to television after a more than a 15-year absence. However, these superheroes aren't the Super Friends of the past.
In the series premiere, "Secret Origins," Batman (voiced by Conroy) is in Metropolis investigating security breaches in the global deep-space monitoring network, when three scientists begin behaving strangely. He confronts them, only to be attacked. Superman (voiced by Newbern) arrives but is suddenly hit by a strange vision, and he blacks out. As the facility is about to blow up, Batman grabs the unconscious Superman and they barely escape.
Batman shares his suspicions with the recovered Superman, who concurs that they warrant investigating. However, Superman has a prior commitment. He has agreed to help eliminate the Earth's weapons of mass destruction by disarming weapons around the world and serving as a protector "not just for America,
but for all the world."
Several months later, what appears at first to be an asteroid lands in the middle of Metropolis. But it's no asteroid. It's an enormous alien walker that shoots lasers and nearly takes out both Superman and Batman. As another of the alien walkers arrives, an enormous battle breaks out between the two superheroes and the
mysterious machines. With most of their powerful weapons disarmed, the world is reliant on Superman to save them.
Superman has another sudden vision and flies away from the battle to a secret government installation. With a curious Batman on his heels, they discover J'Onn J'Onzz (voiced by Lumbly), the last surviving Martian, who has come to Earth to warn mankind of the alien invasion. The Martian is well aware of what the Earth is up against, because the invaders wiped out his race. He has used his special telepathic power to call others who might be able to help in the fight. But as the aliens begin to overrun the Earth, J'Onn is unsure if even the combined forces of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman (voiced by Eisenberg), the Green Lantern (voiced by LaMarr), The Flash (voiced by Rosenbaum) and Hawkgirl (voiced by Canals) can save the day.
In a League of its own
It's hard to believe it's taken the Cartoon Network so long to revisit this idea. Justice League is the perfect series for an uncertain time, as those enduring DC comic-book superheroes come together once again to fight for truth and justice. The Justice League was originally conceived in 1940, and now, 60 years later, they're still at it, if a little wiser and not quite the Super Friends of previous animated shows.
"Secret Origins" kicks off the series in fine form, spending much of its time with Superman and Batman, but still giving the rest of the heroes a moment or two for development. A little extra time is also given to J'Onn J'Onzz, the Martian Manhunter, because this is the episode which establishes his character and where we begin to discover what his super powers are. By the end of this three-part episode, the seven distinctive superhero personalities have started to develop.
The series is set to follow the premise and storyline of the DC comic books. What creator Bruce Timm has focused on with his version of Justice League is the differences of the superheroes rather than their similarities. They may come together to save the world, but just as in real life, you may not always like the people you have to work with. Timm is a veteran of Batman Beyond, and he knows how to develop character.
"Secret Origins" is tightly written and full of action. The animation makes use of its colorful characters, and fans of specific superheroes shouldn't be disappointed with the rendering. The voice actors do a terrific job in defining their characters. Of specific note because of their previous work are: Rosenbaum as The Flash, who also plays Lex Luthor on Smallville; LaMarr as the Green Lantern, who also voices Samurai Jack; and Lumbly as J'Onn, who once played M.A.N.T.I.S.
The producers are wisely taking advantage of name talent, and guest voices will include Mark Hamill (Joker and Solomon Grundy), Robert Englund (Faust), Clancy Brown (Lex Luthor), Olivia D'Abo (Star Sapphire) and Eric Roberts (Mongul).
