Review By: Zach Sheer
ZachSheer@TheCinemaSource.com

Arguably there comes a time in every show’s development where the creators ask themselves, “How can we combine the conflict of humanity and the power of superheroes?” Justice League Unlimited answers that question in a way that The Greatest American Hero never could. It provides realistic character dynamics amongst the most unnatural of situations.

Justice League Unlimited Season One not only brings back the refreshing take on the DC Universe originally seen in the Bruce Timm ground breaker Batman: The Animated Series but also raises the bar. The series consistently pushes the envelope on what it means to be an ‘all-ages’ program by not being afraid to allow character moments to shine where other shows would just cut to the action. It realizes that the show exists first for the characters and second for the episodes and that is why it is truly note-worthy.

Whereas the previous series, Justice League, was centered on the better known DC line-up of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman with a few other big leagues, Unlimited is called such to acknowledge the shows active roster of over 50 of DC Comic’s heroes and villains. Whether there is an entire episode dedicated to the character or they’re just a body in a sea of 20 extras, the series presents stories that allow you to witness the industry’s most celebrated icons interact with B and C class heroes in a completely satisfying and realistic way. Picture a cafeteria setting where the guy pouring a drink in the distance just happens to be Wild Cat.

The structure of the superhero crime-fighting power house that is The Justice League is brilliantly laid out in Unlimited. Martian Manhunter is the shift-commander, you don’t give him flak; he’s the boss. Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Green Lantern, they’re the cool cops and you do what they say. The Flash and Hawkgirl, they’re popular too, too popular to just hang out with but they’ll talk to you. But then there’s the rest of the fleet – Green Arrow and Black Canary, The Huntress and The Question. These are the characters that you view the world through and what separates this show from its predecessor.

Fortunately, the show, having originally aired on Cartoon Network, was allowed to be mature and it takes advantage of this by establishing a true continuity throughout the season. Every episode counts. Even seemingly insignificant ones like “Hawk and Dove” on the first disc set forth ideas and elements that will become incredibly important in later episodes down the line. This quality of being able to reference previous storylines and build upon them adds a depth to the show that makes everything about the world complete. This is not to suggest that you can’t watch a random episode and enjoy it, you can. The storytellers are good at what they do and they make it work on both sides. For those who decide to stick with it all the way through, the final disc ...