Justice League (TV series)
{{short description|American animated television series (2001-2004)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Justice League (TV series logo).png
| caption =
| genre = {{unbulleted list|Superhero|Science fiction|Fantasy|Action|Adventure| Crossover|Drama}}
| developer = Bruce Timm
| writer =
| based_on = {{based on|Justice League|Gardner Fox}}
| director = Butch Lukic
Dan Riba
| voices = {{unbulleted list|Kevin Conroy|George Newbern|Susan Eisenberg|Phil LaMarr|Michael Rosenbaum|Carl Lumbly|Maria Canals-Barrera}}
| theme_music_composer = Lolita Ritmanis
| composer = {{unbulleted list|Michael McCuistion|Kristopher Carter|Lolita Ritmanis}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| network = Cartoon Network
| executive_producer = {{unbulleted list|Sander Schwartz|Jean MacCurdy(S01, E01–09)}}
| producer = {{unbulleted list|Rich Fogel|Glen Murakami|Bruce Timm|James Tucker}}
| editor = Joe Gall
| company = Warner Bros. Family Entertainment
Warner Bros. Animation{{efn|Credited as Warner Bros. Television Animation from 2001 to 2003.}}
| num_seasons = 2
| num_episodes = 52
| list_episodes = List of Justice League episodes
| runtime = 20–22 minutes
| first_aired = {{Start date|2001|11|17}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2004|5|29}}
}}
Justice League is an American animated television series which ran from November 17, 2001, to May 29, 2004, on Cartoon Network.{{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 |pages=461–463}} The show was produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It is based on the Justice League of America and associated comic book characters published by DC Comics. It serves as a sequel to Batman: The Animated Series (including The New Batman Adventures) and Superman: The Animated Series, as well as a prequel to Batman Beyond, and is the seventh series of the DC Animated Universe. The series ended after two seasons, but was followed by Justice League Unlimited, a successor series which aired for three seasons.
File:Justiceleagueadventures01.jpg #1 (2002).
Art by Bruce Timm and Alex Ross.]]
Overview
Bruce Timm, who co-produced Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series in the 1990s, became producer on an animated series focusing on the Justice League. The roster consisted of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern (John Stewart), The Flash (Wally West), J'onn J'onzz, and Hawkgirl.
According to audio commentary on the DVD release of Season 2, the second-season finale "Starcrossed" was expected to be the final episode of the series. However, in February 2004, Cartoon Network announced a follow-up series, Justice League Unlimited, which premiered on July 31, 2004, and featured a larger roster of characters.
It is the first series in the DC Animated Universe to fully use digital ink and paint, also the first to be produced in widescreen starting in Season 2.
=Production=
Kevin Conroy reprised his voice role as Batman from Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995), The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999), and Batman Beyond (1999–2001). Batman's costume was redesigned, but this time, his costume was a combination of his last three costumes. The same costume from The New Batman Adventures is retained, but with the blue highlights from the Batman: The Animated Series costume and the long-ears from the Batman Beyond costume are added to the costume. Tim Daly, who voiced Superman in Superman: The Animated Series (1996–2000), was initially involved, but was unable to reprise his role due to involvement with The Fugitive.{{cite news |url=http://www.kryptonsite.com/manyfacessuperman.htm |title=The Many Faces Of... Superman |author=Dimino, Russ |date=October 2007 |publisher=KryptonSite.com |access-date=April 11, 2012 |archive-date=March 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327212718/http://www.kryptonsite.com/manyfacessuperman.htm |url-status=live }} He was replaced by George Newbern. Both Newbern and Daly have voiced the character in different DC projects outside the DCAU, with Newbern becoming the longest-running actor to portray Superman.
Alongside Kevin Conroy and George Newbern as Superman, joining the rest of the main cast is Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman, Maria Canals-Barrera as Hawkgirl, Phil LaMarr as John Stewart, Michael Rosenbaum replacing Charlie Schlatter as the Flash, and Carl Lumbly as J'onn J'onzz.
Several actors in previous DCAU media also reprise their roles, including Dana Delany as Lois Lane, David Kaufman as Jimmy Olsen, Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Alfred Pennyworth, Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell as Jonathan and Martha Kent, Mark Hamill as the Joker, Clancy Brown as Lex Luthor, Corey Burton as Brainiac, Ron Perlman as Clayface, Arleen Sorkin as Harley Quinn, Peri Gilpin as Volcana, Diane Pershing as Poison Ivy, Mark Rolston as Firefly, Ted Levine as Sinestro, Brian George as Parasite, Michael Ironside as Darkseid, Michael Dorn as Kalibak, Lisa Edelstein as Mercy Graves, and Brad Garrett as Lobo. In the episode "Hereafter", Maria Canals-Barrera voiced Livewire and Corey Burton voiced Toyman and Metallo, replacing their respective original actors Lori Petty, Bud Cort, and Malcolm McDowell.
Episodes
{{Main|List of Justice League episodes#Justice League episodes|l1=List of Justice League episodes}}
{{:List of Justice League episodes}}
File:Justice League - Wonder Woman Saves The Day - DC Kids.webm
Voice cast
{{See also|List of DC Animated Universe characters}}
=Main cast=
Home media
From 2006 to 2011, Warner Home Video (via DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Family Entertainment) released the entire series of Justice League on DVD and Blu-ray, and presented in original broadcast version and story arc continuity order.
Season releases
| class=wikitable | ||||
| Name | Disc | Release Date | Ep # | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season One | DVD | March 21, 2006 | style="text-align:center;"|26 | Contains a set of 4 DVDs with all of the episodes from the first season as well as audio commentaries, interviews, and other special features. |
| Season One | Blu-ray | August 19, 2008 | style="text-align:center;"|26 | Season One has been re-mastered and re-issued as a set of 3 Blu-ray Discs (in full 1080p and with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound) with everything included on the prior release. |
| Season Two | DVD | June 20, 2006 | style="text-align:center;"|26 | Contains a set of 4 DVDs with all of the episodes from the second season as well as audio commentaries and a panel discussion involving the production team of the series (although the set packaging indicates a featurette hosted by voice actor Phil LaMarr, it is misprinted, the featurette is on Disc One instead of Disc Four). Despite the show having been produced in a widescreen format this release lacks anamorphic encoding. |
| Season Two | Blu-ray | July 26, 2011 | style="text-align:center;"|26 | Warner Home Video released Season Two on a two-disc (50GB each) Blu-ray set. |
Warner Home Video also released another DVD set titled Justice League: The Complete Series. It contained all 91 episodes of Justice League and Justice League Unlimited on a 15-disc set with the 15th disc containing a bonus documentary. This was later re-packaged and sold as a 10-disc set without the bonus documentary.
;Individual releases
| class="wikitable"
!DVD name!!Release date!!Additional information | ||
| Justice League | April 23, 2002 | Contains all three parts of "Secret Origins". A mini-DVD version of this disc has also been released. |
| Justice on Trial | April 22, 2003 | Contains "In Blackest Night" and "The Enemy Below". |
| Paradise Lost | July 22, 2003 | Contains "Paradise Lost" and "War World". |
| Starcrossed The Movie{{Cite web|url=https://www.dc.com/movies/justice-league-star-crossed-2004|title=Justice League: Star Crossed (2004)|website=DC|access-date=11 March 2023|archive-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311090538/https://www.dc.com/movies/justice-league-star-crossed-2004|url-status=live}} | July 13, 2004 | Contains "Starcrossed" in both widescreen and fullscreen. |
| The Brave and the Bold | October 19, 2004 | Contains episodes "The Brave and the Bold" and "Injustice For All". |
;Boxsets
| class="wikitable"
!DVD name!!Release date!!Additional information | ||
| The Justice League Collection | April 13, 2004 | Contains previous "Secret Origins", "Paradise Lost", and "Justice on Trial" DVDs |
| Challenge of the Super Friends to Justice League: | April 13, 2004 | Contains the previously released "Justice League" (Secret Origins) DVD along with two Super Friends discs in a slip-case. |
| Justice League - The Complete Series | June 20, 2006 | Contains Justice League seasons 1 & 2 along with Justice League Unlimited seasons 1 & 2. (Blu-ray/DVD release) |
| Justice League: 3-Pack Fun | July 19, 2011 | Contains "The Brave and the Bold" and "Injustice For All" As well as the Justice League Unlimited episodes: * "For The Man Who Has Everything" * "The Return," * "The Greatest Story Never Told," the Young Justice episodes: * "Independence Day" * "Fireworks," * "Welcome To Happy Harbor" * "Drop Zone". |
Soundtrack
A 4-disc soundtrack of musical highlights from both seasons of Justice League was released by La-La Land Records in July 2016. It is a limited edition of 3000 units and can be ordered at the La-La Land Records website.{{Cite web |url=http://www.lalalandrecords.com/Site/JusticeLeagueLE.html |title=Film music | movie music| film score | JUSTICE LEAGUE - Michael McCuistion - Lolita Ritmanis - Kristopher Carter - Limited Edition |access-date=2016-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629073516/http://www.lalalandrecords.com/Site/JusticeLeagueLE.html |archive-date=2017-06-29 |url-status=dead }} The set includes tracks from fan-favorite episodes like A Better World, Hereafter, Wild Cards and Starcrossed.
La-La Land are hoping to release a soundtrack for Justice League Unlimited as well, provided that sales of the Justice League soundtrack improve significantly and that there is sufficient demand from fans.{{Cite web|url=http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/board/posts.cfm?threadID=119094&forumID=1&archive=0|title=FSM Board: Save DC Comics Animated Music!|access-date=2017-02-27|archive-date=2017-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228082307/http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/board/posts.cfm?threadID=119094&forumID=1&archive=0|url-status=live}}{{cite web| url = http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/2012/07/la-la-land-records-confirms-further-batman-the-animated-series-soundtracks-coming/| title = La-La- Land Records Confirms Further "Batman: The Animated Series" Soundtracks Coming - The World's Finest| date = 2 July 2012| access-date = 26 August 2016| archive-date = 20 September 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160920170550/http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/2012/07/la-la-land-records-confirms-further-batman-the-animated-series-soundtracks-coming/| url-status = live}} A second Justice League volume may also follow if fans support the existing release.
Broadcast history
{{Expand section|date=July 2016}}
The series premiere on November 17, 2001, set a Cartoon Network record with over 4.114 million viewers. This made it the channel's highest rated premiere ever, a record it would keep until September 13, 2009, when the world premiere of Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins gathered over 6.108 million viewers.
The show was aired in the Republic of Ireland on TG4 in both Irish and English from 6 September 2002 to 2007.{{list journal|work=RTÉ Guide|date=31 August - 6 September 2002 edition and subsequent dates}}
Reception
Justice League Season 1 received acclaim for its portrayal of the superhero team and its engaging storytelling. WhatCulture praised the season for its exceptional execution, and highlighted the series' mature handling of themes such as relationships, trauma, and loss, which contributed to its broad appeal across different age groups.{{Cite web |last=Paterson |first=Ewan |date=2017-11-29 |title=10 Reasons Why The Justice League Cartoon Is Better Than The Film |url=https://whatculture.com/film/10-reasons-why-the-justice-league-cartoon-is-better-than-the-film |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=WhatCulture.com |language=en}} Den of Geek highlighted the show’s effective team dynamics, drawing a favorable comparison to Star Trek: The Next Generation for its exploration of character relationships.{{Cite web |last=Jasper |first=Jim Dandeneau, Marc Buxton, Mike Cecchini, Gavin |date=2018-11-17 |title=Justice League Unlimited: The Essential Episodes |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/justice-league-unlimited-the-essential-episodes/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}} The Young Folks admired the show’s versatility, noting its ability to seamlessly shift between emotional, humorous, and epic moments.{{Cite web |last=Wing |first=Chelsea |date=2015-07-18 |title='Justice League': Saturday Morning Cartoons |url=https://www.theyoungfolks.com/review/59991/saturday-morning-cartoons-justice-league/?amp=1 |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=The Young Folks |language=en-US}} io9.com also appreciated the charm of the heroes’ initial team-up, benefiting from their backgrounds in previous animated series.{{Cite web |last=Whitbrook |first=James |date=2015-11-13 |title=Why Justice League Unlimited Was, and Still Is, the Best Superhero TV Show |url=https://gizmodo.com/why-justice-league-unlimited-was-and-still-is-the-bes-1742256265 |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Gizmodo |language=en-US}}
Despite its strengths, the season faced some criticism. CBR noted that the storytelling in Season 1 often felt superficial, with deeper narratives and character development emerging in later seasons.{{Cite web |last=Kendall |first=Gene |date=2018-06-10 |title=When Justice League: The Animated Series Gave Us John Stewart's Blackest Night |url=https://www.cbr.com/justice-league-animated-series-john-stewart-blackest-night/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=CBR |language=en}} Filip Vukcevic of IGN agreed, pointing out uneven character development as a drawback but still finding the show entertaining overall.{{Cite web |last=Vukcevic |first=Filip |date=2006-03-30 |title=Justice League: Season One |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/30/justice-league-season-one |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=IGN |language=en}} Oliver Sava of the AV Club countered this view by praising the expansive nature of the series and its multi-part episodes, which he felt contributed to a strong iteration of the Justice League.{{Cite web |title=Justice League: "Initiation" |url=https://www.avclub.com/justice-league-initiation-1798177179 |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=AV Club |language=en-US}} Indiewire ranked the show overall as the 20th best animated show of all time.{{Cite web |last=Chapman |first=Ben Travers,Wilson |date=2024-03-20 |title=The 75 Best Animated Series of All Time: 'Daria,' 'Cowboy Bebop,' 'Scott Pilgrim Takes Off,' and More |url=https://www.indiewire.com/feature/best-animated-series-all-time-cartoons-anime-tv-1202021835/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}}
The second season of Justice League however, is considered to be one of the best seasons of the entire DC Animated Universe, with Oliver Sava from The A.V. Club writing "good enough isn't good enough." "That's the philosophy for Justice League season two, according to producer Bruce Timm on the DVD commentary, and this two-part season opener is the perfect example of that new attitude in action. Just as Batman: The Animated Series set a new standard for solo superhero cartoon excellence, Justice League season two is only eclipsed by Justice League Unlimited as the strongest superhero-team series. Everything is of higher quality this season: the direction, animation, music, sound effects, and most importantly, the stories."{{Cite web |title=Justice League: "Twilight" |url=https://www.avclub.com/justice-league-twilight-1798173583 |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=AV Club |language=en-US}}
= Accolades =
Cancelled film
Circa 2004, Bruce Timm announced that a direct-to-video Justice League feature film was being produced to bridge the second season of Justice League and the first season of Justice League Unlimited. It was planned to reveal how Wonder Woman acquired her Invisible Plane and feature the Crime Syndicate as the main antagonists, an idea that was originally conceived for the episode "A Better World" until the Syndicate was replaced by the Justice Lords.{{Cite web |url=http://jl.toonzone.net/episode18/episode18.htm |title=A Better World |access-date=2016-11-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217020729/http://jl.toonzone.net/episode18/episode18.htm |archive-date=2013-02-17 |url-status=dead }} Dwayne McDuffie wrote the script and Andrea Romano assembled the cast, but Warner Bros. finally scrapped the project.{{Cite web |url=http://jl.toonzone.net/episodeC/episodeC.htm |title=World's Collide |access-date=2016-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182731/http://jl.toonzone.net/episodeC/episodeC.htm |archive-date=2016-03-03 |url-status=dead }} In 2010, the film was repurposed and released as Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, a standalone film unconnected to the DCAU.
Adaptations
=''Justice League Adventures''=
DC Comics published a series of 34-issue numbered comics based on the television series, between 2002 and 2004. However, while the comic would use the style of the animated show, it would often ignore its continuity and use backstories and personalities for characters based on the mainstream DC comics instead.
- #34 (2004-08-04): Guardians Against Darkness!{{Cite web|url=https://www.dc.com/comics/justice-league-adventures-2002/justice-league-adventures-34|title=JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #34|website=DC|access-date=11 March 2023|archive-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311092039/https://www.dc.com/comics/justice-league-adventures-2002/justice-league-adventures-34|url-status=live}}
==Compilations==
- Justice League Adventures: The Magnificent Seven (2004-01-01): Includes #3, 6, 10–12.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/justice-league-adventures-2002/justice-league-adventures-vol-1-the-magnificent-seven|title=JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES VOL. 1: THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN|website=DC|access-date=11 March 2023|archive-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311093543/https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/justice-league-adventures-2002/justice-league-adventures-vol-1-the-magnificent-seven|url-status=live}}
See also
{{Portal|Television|United States|Speculative fiction}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Wikiquote}}
- DC page: [http://www.dccomics.com/tv/justice-league-2001-2004 TV], [http://www.dccomics.com/comics/justice-league-adventures-2002 comics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028112612/https://www.dccomics.com/comics/justice-league-adventures-2002 |date=2021-10-28 }}
- {{IMDb title}}
- {{dcauw|Justice League (animated series)|Justice League}}
- [http://worldsfinestonline.com/WF/jl Justice League] at [http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/ The World's Finest]
- [http://league.guttertrash.net/ League Night] a podcast reviewing every episode of the series.
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Category:2000s American animated television series
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Category:2000s American superhero television series
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