EntertainmentTVSuperhero ShowsJustice League20 years on, there’s been no better adaptation of DC’s Justice League than Bruce Timm’s TV showWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentTVSuperhero ShowsJustice League20 years on, there’s been no better adaptation of DC’s Justice League than Bruce Timm’s TV showWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Cartoon Network)
Contrary to popular belief, DC’s ‘holy trinity' is not Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. No, it’s the ‘90s Batman cartoon, the ’90s Superman show, and of course, the Justice League animated series that ran after for just two seasons before ending in May 2004.
Across 52 episodes, Justice League expanded the world Bruce Timm and co. created in those first two shows with the best adaptation of DC’s premier super-team to date. And yes, that absolutely includes anything and everythingZack Snydergot his hands on, as well as the fan-favorite Young Justice series and popular animated films like Doom and The New Frontier.
Found family
(Image credit: Cartoon Network)
That’s not to say Justice League soared from the get-go. The initial three-part alien invasion that first brought The Seven together falls a bit flat now in hindsight, but from that point on, the show successfully juggled each giant personality with natural ease, which is no easy feat given that they’re not designed to mesh together in the same way that a family like Marvel’s Fantastic Four or X-Men do. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl, and Flash were all created separately, yet you wouldn’t know that when watching Timm’s Justice League.
Whether the story at hand brought in the whole cast or featured just a select few heroes at a time, everyone had their fair share of the spotlight with unique character dynamics that made the team feel like a family and not just randoms brought together to fight a threat too big for any one hero. There’s too many to name here, but highlights of this include Batman’s begrudging respect for The Flash’s kid-like exuberance, Martian Manhunter singing a Martian song with the Kents at Christmas, or when the team had to decide what to do with Hawkgirl afterthatbetrayal.
Dream team
(Image credit: Cartoon Network)
AlongsideKevin Conroy, the definitive Batman for many, Justice League’s pitch-perfect voice actors also included Smallville’s Michael Rosenbaum and Supergirl’s Carl Lumbly, as the Flash and Martian Manhunter respectively. Together, the cast balanced all the stoic heroics we’ve come to expect from these heroes with a lighter touch that no other adaptation has nailed so easily, before and since. Because yes, the world needs saving and sure, there’s a lot at stake, but that doesn’t mean everyone has to scowl under their cowl the whole time. Even more serious characters like Green Lantern and Hawkgirl enjoyed occasional lighthearted moments in the show, reminding us that they’re ultimately still human whether they were born in the US or on Thanagar.
Subsequent adaptations like The CW’sArrowverseor Snyder’s Snyderverse attempted that same balance, but often skewed much further in one direction over the other, often to mixed results. After all, it’s hard to enjoy banter when Supes is snapping necks or Aquaman is bro’ing out to the Nth degree.
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A mature take
(Image credit: Cartoon Network)
Like Marvel’s animated X-Men series from a decade earlier, Justice League had universal appeal in that sense, treating both audiences and the team itself with the kind of respect live-action cinema wouldn’t even begin to attempt until a few years later.
This was also reflected in Timm’s signature animation style which channeled the grandeur of classic Golden Age and Silver Age comics with much-needed weight in the fight scenes, imbuing them with a tangible physicality sans blood or gore. When Superman hits Darkseid and lets out all his pent-up frustration in one earth-shattering punch, you viscerally feel the rage the Kryptonian boy scout is barely able to contain. That terribly dated CGI opening aside, it’s remarkable how well all this animation stands up still today.
Lessons to learn
(Image credit: Cartoon Network)
With this in mind, it’s baffling how theZack Snyderfilms in particular just cast aside this timeless, proven blueprint in favor of what they came up with over at Warner Bros. That’s not to say new creators shouldn’t try new things — that’s exactly how the DC mythos has thrived so long in the comics — but there’s so much to gain from studying Timm’s Justice League cartoon specifically, not least how the show prioritized lesser known versions of iconic heroes like Hawkgirl over Hawkman, Wally West over Barry Allen, and John Stewart over Hal Jordan, reminding us that there’s so much more scope to this universe beyond the usual go-to heavy hitters
Around 2004, Timm revealed plans to create a movie that would bridge the gap between Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. While that didn’t happen, a later film named Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths lifted the same plot in 2010, albeit without any canonical reference to Timm’s original team. The same voice cast and same animation models later returned for another feature, Justice League vs. the Fatal Five, in 2019, and three years on, the OG team were brought back for a new comic book run titled Justice League Infinity that continued the story of the original cartoon. Yet nothing quite compares to the original series still. It’s the third pillar of DC’s animated trinity that best captured the world’s finest at their finest and every subsequent adaptation has been playing catch up ever since.
Season 1 of Justice League is available to stream now on Netflix.
Discover what else to add to your watchlist with our guide to theupcoming superhero moviessoon heading your way.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5
Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”