Justice League Unlimited
Justice League Unlimited is an animated television series produced by and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, it is a direct sequel to the earlier Justice League series. It debuted on july 31, 2004.
The series is a continuation of its predecessor, taking place soon after the previous series ended. It is sometimes considered to be the same series as the original; season 1 of Justice League Unlimited is referred to as season 3 of Justice League.
It features a greatly-expanded Justice League, in which the characters from the original series are joined by a wide array of newly-appearing characters as well as a number of DC heroes who had made guest appearances in the first two seasons of Justice League.
"Justice League Unlimited" also refers to a team of superheroes in the future that appeared in the Batman Beyond two-part episode "The Call" (which, incidentally, aired well before work began on the Justice League series). This team consisted of Superman, Barda, Green Lantern, Warhawk, Aquagirl, and Micron. A connection with this team and the present-day team featured in Justice League Unlimited was established in the Justice League Unlimited two-part episode "The Once and Future Thing".
Table of contents |
Format changes
Besides the addition of dozens of new League members, the show has also shortened in length. Justice League Unlimited episodes are a half hour long, unlike a typical one hour episode of Justice League.
Justice League Unlimited, similar to the second season of Justice League, is animated (and broadcasted) in widescreen. The show also features a new theme song.
Members of the Justice League
Founding members
The seven founding members were the original regular lineup of the League the previous two seasons. It is evident that the founding members have higher rank and more responsibilities than the new members of the Justice League.
- Superman
- Batman
- Wonder Woman
- The Flash
- Green Lantern
- Martian Manhunter
- Hawkgirl (Initially absent because of events in the Justice League series finale, "Starcrossed", she rejoined in the episode "Wake the Dead".)
New members
Many of these members have only made small appearances in the series so far. Some have only been pictured in the backgrounds and have not been mentioned by name yet. Other characters have already been featured prominently in episodes.
- Aquaman
- Atom Smasher
- Aztek
- The Atom
- Black Canary
- B'Wana Beast
- Booster Gold
- Captain Atom
- The Creeper
- Crimson Avenger
- Crimson Fox
- Doctor Fate
- Doctor Light
- Dove
- Elongated Man
- Fire
- Green Arrow
- Gypsy
- Hawk
- Huntress
- Ice
- Mr. Terrific
- Nemesis
- Long Shadow
- Orion
- The Question
- The Ray
- Red Tornado
- Rocket Red
- Sand
- Shining Knight
- Starman
- Star-Spangled Kid
- Steel
- S.T.R.I.P.E.
- Supergirl
- Thunderbolt
- Vibe
- Vigilante
- Vixen
- Waverider
- Wildcat
- Zatanna
Future Members:
Guest Stars
Other DC heroes have made appearances, but not as Justice League Unlimited members:
- Bat Lash
- Big Barda
- El Diablo
- Etrigan
- Downpour
- Green Lantern Corps
- Guardians of the Universe
- Jonah Hex
- Juice
- Katma Tui
- Mister Miracle
- Sheriff Ohiyesa Smith
- Shifter
- Wind Dragon
Episodes
First season
Initiation (aired July 31, 2004) – A reluctant Green Arrow joins forces with the new Justice League to stop a rampaging nuclear monster in Asia.
For the Man Who Has Everything (aired August 7, 2004) – Batman and Wonder Woman visit the Fortress of Solitude on Superman's birthday, only to find him trapped by Mongul. Based on the popular story by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.
Hawk and Dove (aired August 21, 2004) – Wonder Woman teams up with two super powered brothers, one warlike,the other a pacifist, to stop Ares' plans to escalate a European civil war into World War III.
Fearful Symmetry (aired September 4, 2004) – Supergirl discovers that a series of nightmares she's been having about being an assassin may be far more than just a bad dream. (This episode is also known as "Galatea.")
Kid Stuff (aired August 14, 2004) – Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern are transformed into eight-year-olds in a desperate attempt to save the world from the magic of Mordred. Also feature Morgan la Fey.
This Little Piggy (aired August 28, 2004) – It's musical mayhem when Batman and Zatanna join forces to save a teammate from a fate worse than death. Features Wonder Woman and Circe.
The Return (aired September 18, 2004) – Nearly two-dozen heroes join forces to prevent an all-powerful android from reaching his goal: the recently reformed Lex Luthor.
The Greatest Story Never Told (aired September 11, 2004) – The Justice League is in epic battle with Mordu in downtown Metropolis, but the real story is what happens to Booster Gold while he's supposed to be on "crowd control".
Ultimatum (aired December 4, 2004) – The Justice League meets the Ultimen, a popular group of young heroes who are about to discover their own horrifying secret origins. (As a nod to fans who grew up watching the Super Friends, the Ultimen are a pastiche of heroes unique to that show.)
Dark Heart (aired December 11, 2004) – When the entire League is helpless to stop an alien invasion, the world's only hope is the Atom, a microscopic super hero.
Wake the Dead (aired December 18, 2004) – When Solomon Grundy rises from the grave, an old friend must come out of hiding and team up with the League once more.
The Once and Future Thing, Part 1: Weird Western Tales (aired January 22, 2005) – Batman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern chase a time-traveling villain to the past, where they team up with the some of the greatest DC heroes of the Old West.
The Once and Future Thing, Part 2: Time Warped (aired January 29, 2005) – The Justice League's adventures in time take them to a futuristic Gotham City, where they join forces with that era's Batman and his super team: The Justice League Unlimited.
Second season
The Cat and the Canary (aired February 5, 2005) – Black Canary convinces Green Arrow to help save her mentor, the Wildcat, from his involvement in an underground, super-powered fight club.
The Ties That Bind (aired February 12, 2005) – The world's greatest escape artist needs help from the Flash in order to break a deadly enemy out of an inescapable prison on an alien planet.
Doomsday Sanction (aired February 19, 2005) – While Superman battles Doomsday in the heart of a Volcano, Batman discovers an elaborate conspiracy to destroy the Justice League.
DVD releases
Saving the World (released February 15, 2005) – Contains Season One episodes "Initiation", "Hawk and Dove", and "Kid Stuff".