TNMC
This site’s design is only visible in a graphical browser that supports web standards, but its content is accessible to any browser or Internet device.
Justice League
“Secret Origins”
Air Date: November 17, 2001
Written by: Rich Fogel
Directed by: Dan Riba & Butch Lukic
Tonight I was a kid again. Not since the Superfriends has a show about the Earth’s mightiest heroes (in the DC Universe at any rate) been made. Earth faces your usual everyday intergalactic invasion, and the heroes have to band together to stop them. It didn’t help, I suppose, that Superman pretty much wiped out the nuclear armaments our country has been using to win every international pissing contest since World War part Deux.
These invaders have an old enemy, a millennia old that is, in J’onn J’onzz, the Martian Manhunter. His people managed to stop the invaders when they popped up in his backyard, but at the cost of his entire race. He summons all the big leaguers to the party, and a major ass kicking is dished out. Everyone kicks alien ass in this. Even Hawkgirl. That’s a major feat for the producers, because Hawkgirl NEVER kicked ass before.
Speaking of producers, my hat goes off to these guys and/or gals. They’ve made a quality show for all ages here. Given it’s late debut it’s obvious they’re catering to the older fans, but I guarantee, extreme violence aside, this show is safe for kids too.
My only gripe is Superman’s voice. It’s a bit high, but I got used to it. Kevin Conroy returns as the Dark Knight Detective, but I guess they couldn’t get Tim Daly for Supes. What, is there a Wings reunion or something? How about a sequel to Dr. Jeckyl, Ms. Hyde? In other voice cast news, if you’re savvy, you might recognize the voice of the Flash as none other than Michael “Lex Luthor” Rosenbaum from Smallville. And for Alias fans, the voice of the Martian Manhunter is Carl “Dixon” Lumbly. Let’s just hope they get Clancy Brown and Mark Hammil for future appearances of the adult Lex Luthor and the Joker.
All in all the voice work was fantastic. The animation was definitely up to snuff. The dialogue wasn’t spectacular, but it was still pretty good. Plus, the plot was straightforward, and a bit predictable, but I’m glad they didn’t try too hard on the premiere. It leaves room to improve. I give Secret Origins Parts 1, 2, and 3 a startling:
Episode Rating: 9 out of 10
Steven “drenball” Dougherty appreciates the irony that he’s now reviewing TWO shows featuring the talents of Michael Rosenbaum.
