Justice League Unlimited and Teen Titans 9/18 [Spoilers!]

[Nightfall]

Then, when WB gave the go-ahead for a Justice League show, the animators decided to use John Stewart instead of Kyle, because they didn't want the team to be composed of entirely White Men, Wonder Woman, and the Martian Manhunter. So they chose John Stewart and Hawkgirl. In an episode in first season of Justice League, they explained that Kyle had gone to OA to train as a Green Lantern, and now John Stewart was Earth's GL. So, it seems Stewart came before Raynor. So, Kyle's still in training, and has not been assigned to any particular region.

Uhm isn't that what I said?

 

[Psychotic Dreamer]

Uhm isn't that what I said?

Yeah, but Chun-tzu used more words to say it.

 

[Chun-tzu]

Uhm isn't that what I said?

Yup, but you said it while I was still typing my long-winded response.

 

[Klaus]

Also, in the episode where John Stewart was on trial, the Guardians commented that they'd have Rayner take over Stewart's sector, 2814.

 

[WizarDru]

They're doing a LOT of new things with the show this season. New characters, shorter format, new animation techniques (incorporating CGI), new music (using rock/guitar instead of orchestral). (BTW, the CGI and music aren't particular improvements to the show in any way, but I don't blame them for trying something different.

Well, to be nitpicky, the story format has changed, but the episode length actually hasn't. The thing is, for most of it's history, JL's been written as an hour-long show that got broken up (with a few exceptions). The CGI has been around since the first season...it just hasn't been used as much, until now. And frankly, I don't much care for it, when they do. It's too simplified and rough...often I think that a bunch of fans could do a better job of it than the studio is.

This episode of JLU turned it up to 11. A return of a previous 'villain', who still isn't named in the episode. He's credited as Amazo (just like he was named on his blueprints) but is only ever referred to as Ivo's Android. Great turns by Oded Fehr, Robert Picardo, John McGinley and Clancy Brown. The 'Freeze-frame' moments continue, with major stars of the DCU coming out of the woodwork. The ending, of course, was killer.

Seen this time: Starman , S.T.R.I.P.E, Red Tornado (II), Rocket Red, Fire, Ice, Captain Atom, Dr. Light (II), Supergirl, Steel and others.

I think it's pretty amusing how they don't even bother pointing out individual league members during these conflicts. They just toss some of them out there, and see if you notice. AFAIK, this is the first appearance of Prince Gavyn/Starman on the show...but he gave a good accounting of himself.

Of course, the one thought that occured to me was this: Ray Palmer is a gutsy idiot. Let's see, Ray...Amazo just plower through Superman, Starman, Captain Atom, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Rocket Red, Stripe, Fire, Ice, BLEW UP Red Tornado, Steel and a host of Javelin 7s.....and you're going to do what? Knock him out with a solid right-cross?

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Although I enjoyed this episode immensely, I do miss the presence of the Big Seven (well, I suppose it's the big seven since we're not including Aquaman... heh heh heh). I miss seeing Batman or Superman or Wonder Woman on a regular basis while, instead, we get brief visits by less well-known heroes, most of whom aren't present long enough for most non-fans to appreciate them.

I agree. What I've always loved about the Justice League comic, and then the animated series, was seeing the Iconic DC heroes interact. Batman, Superman, Wonderwoman, Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman/girl, and sure, even Martian Manhunter. Even at seven, they couldn't feature all seven heroes in the same storylines. There were just too many heroes, and not enough time to give all of them screen time.

Now we've got a bazillion heroes... I do like the episodes where they focus on a small group, especially with one of the Iconics on-board. Booster Gold was gold, because the entire episode focused on him and we got to really get a feel for him during the episode.

Amazo's episode was fun, but not one of the best as far as I'm concerned. We got plenty of action, but nothing in the way of characterization.

 

[Chun-tzu]

But there was more to the episode than just fun. We saw:

• the return of Lex Luthor, along with the implication that he may be evolving into something other than a typical super-villain (kind of like Xanatos, from Gargoyles)
• a bit more of Doctor Fate, who remains ever enigmatic, but is certainly not a typical super-hero
• we see some of the new faces in action for the first time (and hopefully not the last)
• we find out where Hawkgirl has gone, along with the implication that, like Amazo, she's searching for her own fate

So, there was a lot of character development, but it was all bits and pieces among several characters instead of focusing on one.

 

[Nightfall]

Chun is right, while it's fun to focus on a few, some times an ensamble can bring out great characterizations.

Law and Order is a great example of this.

Chun,

Thanks for clarifying and keep up the long winded responses!

 

[Chun-tzu]

Thanks for clarifying and keep up the long winded responses!

OK.

(That long-winded enough?)

 

[Lord Pendragon]

So, there was a lot of character development, but it was all bits and pieces among several characters instead of focusing on one.

I didn't see it that way. "Seeing new faces in action" is not character development. Doctor Fate just showing up is not character development. Hawkgirl just showing up is not character development. A revelation as to her whereabouts, yes. Character development, no.

Lex Luthor did show some interesting development. But it was a flicker of development in what was mainly an action-fest.

Don't get me wrong. I liked the episode. And the things you mentioned are part of the reason why I liked it. I liked seeing Doctor Fate again (I'm a stickler for magic). I liked finding out about Hawkgirl, and the nice reference to her relationship with Green Lantern. But the episode was not a character-driven episode. That doesn't mean it wasn't good. It just wasn't character-driven. The Booster Gold episode, on the other hand, was very character-driven.