Best Bits: Justice League/Justice League Unlimited

Welcome to my childhood.

The Magnificent Seven that I (and many others) grew up with.

Developed by Bruce Timm. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation. All images fair use.

Superman (George Newbern). Batman (Kevin Conroy). Wonder Woman (Susan Eisenberg). Green Lantern (Phil LaMarr). The Flash (Michael Rosenbaum). Martian Manhunter (Carl Lumbly). Hawkgirl (Maria Canals-Barrera). It might not be the original comics’ Justice League roster, but it’s what I and millions of people my age around the world think of when we think of DC’s foremost super-team.

Justice League and Justice League Unlimited were the last two DC Animated Universe shows to air — and, strangely, the only ones I’ve ever seen in full. I caught bits and pieces of Batman Beyond and Static Shock growing up, and knew Batman and Superman both had their own beloved animated series, but JL/JLU snagged my attention like few shows had before or have since.

Although technically two different shows, they’re inextricably tied in almost every way, with JL leading straight into JLU. The major difference is the cast: JL features the seven aforementioned heroes, whereas JLU features them alongside a waterfall of other DC characters — well known or otherwise. I’d say John Stewart (the show’s choice of Green Lantern), J’onn J’onzz (Martian Manhunter), and Shayera Hol (Hawkgirl)…