About fifteen years before being brought together by Zack Snyder, DC Comics’ most iconic characters teamed up in the early 2000s animated series Justice League.
Comprised of 91 episodes divided into five seasons, the program was created as a direct sequel to the animated series Batman (but also its spin-off films) and Superman produced in the 90s.
Broadcast in the United States on Cartoon Network, the series was offered here on France 3, then broadcast on France 4, Boing and Toonami in particular (it is also available with a Warner Pass subscription).
For the first time on the screen, the main heroes of DC gathered together in one team: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl and J’onn Jonzz Martian Manhunter.
The series also features many iconic villains, most notably Lex Luthor and the Joker. But also Darkseid, who fans got to see in Zack Snyder’s Justice League movie (and who would have played the main villain of the franchise had the sequels seen the light of day).
One of the best DC adaptations yet
The series takes time to focus on each of its characters. The stories are mostly told in double-episodes, a format that therefore allows the plots to develop, but also provides good character development.
To this day, the Justice League series is considered by many fans to be one of the most faithful adaptations of the DC Universe. Its broadcast foreshadowed the live-action Justice League movie, but also the Arrowverse (the connected universe of the series Arrow, Flash, Supergirl, etc.).
One of the reasons for the success of this series can be explained by its dubbing. In VF, Superman is played by Emmanuel Jacome (who already voiced him in the animated series), Wonder Woman by Marie-Frédéric Hubbert, and J’onn J’onzz by Boris Rellinger. The only downside: Richard Darbois, unfortunately, is not reprising his role as Batman.
In the original version, many famous actors appear in the credits of the series. Starting with Mark Hamill (in the Joker’s skin), Michael Rosenbaum in various roles (he simultaneously played Lex Luthor in Smallville), Neil Patrick Harris, Moreca Baccarin and J.K. Simmons.
For the generation that discovers it today, the series will surely bear the brunt of the years. Still, that vintage aspect probably won’t bother longtime fans. More than twenty years after it aired, nothing beats the quality of the series’ story and the fun of crossing over the adventures of these DC superheroes.
The first 26 episodes of the Justice League animated series are now available to watch on Netflix.
Discover the list of series currently available on the platform!
Source: Allocine
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
