JLU returns on April 15th!

[Dread]

According to today's update of COMICS CONTINUUM, which is very reliable:
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0603/28/index.htm

CARTOON NETWORK FOR APRIL

Cartoon Network's schedule for April 3-30 includes two new episodes of Justice League Unlimited and the network premiere of the Ultimate Avengers.

The "Far From Home" episode of Justice League Unlimited, featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, will air on Saturday, April 15 at 10:30 p.m. "Ancient History," with a teleplay by Geoff Johns and featuring Hawkman, will air on Saturday, April 29 at 10:30 p.m.

Ultimate Avengers, the first in a series of animated films from Marvel and Lionsgate, will air on Saturday, April 22 from 9:30-11 p.m.

Free plug; ULTIMATE AVENGERS is worth watching. I found it quite entertaining.

Also note that all of these episodes are already at least 2 months old overseas and probably older. These are also the last two "regular" episodes of JLU before their 2-part series finale, which presumably may air in May (unless CN decides to drag its heels again, which is very possible).

Doesn't that screenshot make anyone else hungry for the LOSH? No, me neither. They're a corny, outdated premise in a universe full of them. "Lightening Lad"? I tremble with fear. The only bit about the LOSH that I care for is that for once, it is an alternate future that is neither grim nor apocalyptic, but a more hopeful, optimistic one where the legacy of today's DC heroes are still being felt into the future. But, the last appearence by LOSH members was in the Superman animated series, "New Kids in Town", which was simply an excellent episode, so I'll researve some judgement. I wonder if Superman's legacy will still be mentioned as the reason the LOSH was founded, as was mentioned in "NKIT".

"Far From Home" was written by Paul Dini, co-founder of the "Timmverse" due to his work on B:TAS who is agrueably past his prime (his more recent episodes, "The Little Piggy" and "Tough as Nails" from STATIC SHOCK were hardly instant classics) and once again stars Supergirl, who I am just about tired of at this point (but also is creditted with appearences by Superman and Green Lantern, as well as the above featured LOSH members and the "Fatal Five"). Plus, JLU's managed to make me care about forgotten, obscure heroes before within the span of a single episode ("The Greatest Story Never Told", and amazingly, Booster Gold has never spoken since!), so it could actually be good. Expect some humor, though.

"Ancient History" should also have GL and Shayera and may at least put the "triangle" to rest. Hopefully, since this is the end of the series (save for at least one DTV, which seems inevitable, if even Superman is getting one some 6 years after his show was canned due to SUPERMAN RETURNS film). Honestly I wasn't thrilled by Hawkman in "Shadow of the Hawk", which despite that episode airing some SIX MONTHS AGO was actually part of this season, but, I have faith in Johns. Hawkman's just become such an ungodly conveluted character that much of his panel time seems to be spent with explaining crap than anything else; with his origin given, we may get some genuine mace-smashing.

But, the good news is that JLU will be returning in the forseeable future to wrap up it's historic run. Even if some episodes have quibbles (or outright blunders), JLU is still one of the best cartoons on TV right now and it seriously deserves better treatment than it has gotten from CN.

 

[Rowen]

I agree, im sad, happy, excited, & anxious all in one emotion.

 

[zer00]

So many emotions

 

[jaydawg]

According to today's update of COMICS CONTINUUM, which is very reliable:
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0603/28/index.htm

Free plug; ULTIMATE AVENGERS is worth watching. I found it quite entertaining.

Also note that all of these episodes are already at least 2 months old overseas and probably older. These are also the last two "regular" episodes of JLU before their 2-part series finale, which presumably may air in May (unless CN decides to drag its heels again, which is very possible).

Doesn't that screenshot make anyone else hungry for the LOSH? No, me neither. They're a corny, outdated premise in a universe full of them. "Lightening Lad"? I tremble with fear. The only bit about the LOSH that I care for is that for once, it is an alternate future that is neither grim nor apocalyptic, but a more hopeful, optimistic one where the legacy of today's DC heroes are still being felt into the future. But, the last appearence by LOSH members was in the Superman animated series, "New Kids in Town", which was simply an excellent episode, so I'll researve some judgement. I wonder if Superman's legacy will still be mentioned as the reason the LOSH was founded, as was mentioned in "NKIT".

"Far From Home" was written by Paul Dini, co-founder of the "Timmverse" due to his work on B:TAS who is agrueably past his prime (his more recent episodes, "The Little Piggy" and "Tough as Nails" from STATIC SHOCK were hardly instant classics) and once again stars Supergirl, who I am just about tired of at this point (but also is creditted with appearences by Superman and Green Lantern, as well as the above featured LOSH members and the "Fatal Five"). Plus, JLU's managed to make me care about forgotten, obscure heroes before within the span of a single episode ("The Greatest Story Never Told", and amazingly, Booster Gold has never spoken since!), so it could actually be good. Expect some humor, though.

"Ancient History" should also have GL and Shayera and may at least put the "triangle" to rest. Hopefully, since this is the end of the series (save for at least one DTV, which seems inevitable, if even Superman is getting one some 6 years after his show was canned due to SUPERMAN RETURNS film). Honestly I wasn't thrilled by Hawkman in "Shadow of the Hawk", which despite that episode airing some SIX MONTHS AGO was actually part of this season, but, I have faith in Johns. Hawkman's just become such an ungodly conveluted character that much of his panel time seems to be spent with explaining crap than anything else; with his origin given, we may get some genuine mace-smashing.

But, the good news is that JLU will be returning in the forseeable future to wrap up it's historic run. Even if some episodes have quibbles (or outright blunders), JLU is still one of the best cartoons on TV right now and it seriously deserves better treatment than it has gotten from CN.

Let me save you alot of time when getting your thoughts together. "Far from Home" is easily the worst episode in the entire final season. It's contrived, pointless and very, very rushed. Trust me on this Dread. When looking back on this season as a whole, this will be that episode you wished they never made so they'd have room for a three part finale.

As for that plug, well, its no secret I hated Ultimate Avengers, but I find it hard to believe someone as critical as you actually enjoyed it.

 

[Cryostar1177]

Wooo....Ancient History was a good episode too.

After that it's only Alive and Destroyer left.

 

[TheVileOne]

Ultimate Avengers proves to me that MU animation will never surpass DCU animation.

I mean, I loved the X-men and Spider-man series. When they were on, albeit a short amount of time, Iron Man and Fantastic Four were pretty good as well. But they could never surpass the best of Batman, Superman, Batman Beyond, or Justice League. MAYBE the first season of Justice League, but that's it.

 

[SsM]

the first season of fantastic four was bland I never got a chance to see more than one or two episodes of iron man. I can still go back and watch anything from the dcau over and over again even the first season of justice league I enjoy just because i love the characters so much. Xmen TAS is so 90s too :x seems like every episode they are at the mall. I can barely watch any of the 90s marvel toons. I bought the fantastic four dvd box set almost a year ago and still havent finished watching all of the episodes.

 

[TheVileOne]

Fantastic Four and Iron Man recieved huge boosts in quality in the second seasons. Much like Justice League.

Not every episode of X-men takes place in a mall. You are thinking of X-men Evolution. That has way more mall episodes than X-men.

 

[TheGrayGhost]

Let me save you alot of time when getting your thoughts together. "Far from Home" is easily the worst episode in the entire final season. It's contrived, pointless and very, very rushed. Trust me on this Dread. When looking back on this season as a whole, this will be that episode you wished they never made so they'd have room for a three part finale.

As for that plug, well, its no secret I hated Ultimate Avengers, but I find it hard to believe someone as critical as you actually enjoyed it.

Well, he's stated before that he is more of a MARVEL fan. As such, he is more likely to enjoy the video. There's nothing particularly wrong with that (although I myself have drifted very far from the company and come to resent it.) In fact, I'm much the same way but with DC.

I really hope Far From Home isn't as bad as you say. Dini needs to make a comeback. And, hopefully, redeem himself if the show miracously is renewed for another season.

 

[Dread]

Let me save you alot of time when getting your thoughts together. "Far from Home" is easily the worst episode in the entire final season. It's contrived, pointless and very, very rushed. Trust me on this Dread. When looking back on this season as a whole, this will be that episode you wished they never made so they'd have room for a three part finale.

As for that plug, well, its no secret I hated Ultimate Avengers, but I find it hard to believe someone as critical as you actually enjoyed it.

You mean it's worse than "Chaos at the Earth's Core"? Because so far that's my pick for "worst episode of this season of JLU" (even though, yes, overall there are far worse episodes of the DCAU). Hmm. I'll still watch it.

As for ULTIMATE AVENGERS, yes, as was stated I am more of a Marvel fan so I can admit some bias. It's not the greatest movie in the world but for what it was trying to do, which was introduce a messload of characters and try to tell an action story, I felt it was enjoyable enough. Besides, it's no secret that a sequal is in the works which hopefully will flesh out some of those characters that were left ignored, and improve on some of the flaws. I saw ULTIMATE AVENGERS in a simular way as I saw X-MEN from 2000; held back because it had to introduce an ungodly large cast and get some fighting done in a short amount of time (the biggest flaw of it; 71 minutes is barely longer than SECRET ORIGINS was; most movies are at least 90 minutes for a reason), AND introduce the general universe. There was no time to focus on a lot of the characters or so on. The sequal doesn't have to build-up as much so hopefully it will be better, much like X2 was. But, yeah, after a good 2-3 years it was good to see some Marvel animation with serious content again. Plus I frankly feel that some people's expectations were WAY too high. But that's always the way for movies.

But I've diverged. Yes, I feel a mix of emotions for JLU episodes these days. This season has been more "hit or miss" in some ways than the last.

 

[Unleashed]

I've sen them all and I'm sad of that fact.

 

[jaydawg]

You mean it's worse than "Chaos at the Earth's Core"? Because so far that's my pick for "worst episode of this season of JLU" (even though, yes, overall there are far worse episodes of the DCAU). Hmm. I'll still watch it.

As for ULTIMATE AVENGERS, yes, as was stated I am more of a Marvel fan so I can admit some bias. It's not the greatest movie in the world but for what it was trying to do, which was introduce a messload of characters and try to tell an action story, I felt it was enjoyable enough. Besides, it's no secret that a sequal is in the works which hopefully will flesh out some of those characters that were left ignored, and improve on some of the flaws. I saw ULTIMATE AVENGERS in a simular way as I saw X-MEN from 2000; held back because it had to introduce an ungodly large cast and get some fighting done in a short amount of time (the biggest flaw of it; 71 minutes is barely longer than SECRET ORIGINS was; most movies are at least 90 minutes for a reason), AND introduce the general universe. There was no time to focus on a lot of the characters or so on. The sequal doesn't have to build-up as much so hopefully it will be better, much like X2 was. But, yeah, after a good 2-3 years it was good to see some Marvel animation with serious content again. Plus I frankly feel that some people's expectations were WAY too high. But that's always the way for movies.

But I've diverged. Yes, I feel a mix of emotions for JLU episodes these days. This season has been more "hit or miss" in some ways than the last.

Since this is a JLU forum, we can save the debate on UA (which basically was Millar's genius vol 1 run without, well, the genius). I went in to "Far from Home" knowing it would be average at best, but somehow, it still disappointed me. At best I was hoping some sweet GL action moments and a bit more development on his relationship with Kara. While those both happen, it feels just so rushed. It starts out actually quite well, but from the moment they go into the future, the episode falls apart. So basically, about two minuets were good. So I suppose in that way, its comparable to "CAEC." After all great intro, almost the same leaguers, an entire new world introduced with a host of new characters, but Chaos definitely has this ep beat in terms of quality. Flat villians (which is a shame considering how much I love the Fatal Five), boring Legion characters and just an average episode overall. Almost everything that happens in this episode needs improvement. Honestly, "Hard as Nails" was better. I'm not trying to be a downer, but this is only slightly above your average season one episode.

 

[Cryostar1177]

Here's a shot to bring us back on to topic...

 

[Dread]

Since this is a JLU forum, we can save the debate on UA (which basically was Millar's genius vol 1 run without, well, the genius). I went in to "Far from Home" knowing it would be average at best, but somehow, it still disappointed me. At best I was hoping some sweet GL action moments and a bit more development on his relationship with Kara. While those both happen, it feels just so rushed. It starts out actually quite well, but from the moment they go into the future, the episode falls apart. So basically, about two minuets were good. So I suppose in that way, its comparable to "CAEC." After all great intro, almost the same leaguers, an entire new world introduced with a host of new characters, but Chaos definitely has this ep beat in terms of quality. Flat villians (which is a shame considering how much I love the Fatal Five), boring Legion characters and just an average episode overall. Almost everything that happens in this episode needs improvement. Honestly, "Hard as Nails" was better. I'm not trying to be a downer, but this is only slightly above your average season one episode.

True, "CATEC" at least had Metallo, who is usually good for a hoot. Thanks for the warning. My eyes are set for "suck".

 

[Cryostar1177]

But it had Warlord in it....you have to love warlord!

 

[Dread]

But it had Warlord in it....you have to love warlord!

Warlord himself was alright but the episode just wasn't one of my favorites, to say the least. I can think of many guest stars I enjoyed more than Warlord. He was above Hawk & Dove and B'Wanna Beast for me, basically.

 

[Warhammer]

I am happy for new JLU and Ultimate Avengers.
I am sad that there are only four new episodes until its over.
CN is a garbage channel that doesnt respect JLU.

Terrible.

 

[Cryostar1177]

Crimson Avenger rated a higher guest appearence? I'm scared now...someone hold me.

 

[EmmaInDoubt]

cant wait

 

[Dread]

Comics Continuum just updated again, giving the official CN dates for the 2-part finale of JLU (which, for the record, aired at least 3 months ago overseas) today. As predicted, they will wrap up in May.

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0604/07/index.htm

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED FINALES

Cartoon Network has announced that the final two episodes of Justice League Unlimited will air on Saturday, May 6 and Saturday, May 13, both at 10:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

The episodes are titled "Alive!" and "Destroyer."

Here's how the network describes the episodes:

"In the series conclusion of Justice League Unlimited, the powerful force behind the world's villains is revealed as an army of bad guys is formed. The biggest face-off yet between good and evil causes a relentless fighting match that takes place on both Earth and in space. This time around, Superman and the others must enlist all the help they can get to save the world, even if it means making one of the most unexpected team-ups in Justice League history."

Daniel Dai Kim is providing the voice of Metron, Lex Lang the voice of Atomic Skull and Jennifer Hale the voice of Killer Frost in "Alive!"

I haven't looked at one spoiler, amazingly, but let me guess:

Spoiler

Will this "unexpected team-up" be the JLU allying with the Legion of Doom to fight some alien threat (like Darkseid)? Because if it is, that's not so unexpected; the LOD have been getting almost equal airtime to the heroes this season.

. Still, I can't wait for these episodes and hopefully JLU will manage to end on a high note, even if this season hasn't been as good as the last one.

 

[mathhater]

I wanna see the Anti-Monitor....really, really, really, really, really, really, really bad.....

....Anti-Monitor!

 

[Cryostar1177]

Dread, I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head. There's a Destroyer thread somewhere around here, it's got screencaps and all in there.

I'm sorry to asy Mathhater....anti-monitor just didn't make it....at all. Besides, after the events of Far-From home, it would be somewhat hard to do the anti-monitor story with the same effects.

 

[Dread]

Dread, I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head. There's a Destroyer thread somewhere around here, it's got screencaps and all in there.

I figured I did. Sunday's update of the COMICS CONTINUUM more or less confirmed it for those of us who haven't downloaded the episodes from the UK months ago.

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0604/09/index.htm

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED UPDATE

Cartoon Network has released three images from "Destroyer," the series finale of Justice League Unlimited scheduled to air on Saturday, May 13.

Here's how the network describes the episode:

"In a knock-down, drag-out battle on Earth and in space, the power moving behind the scenes of the villains is revealed leading to the most unexpected team-up in Justice League history."

Like I said, that's not really unexpected for anyone who either is paying attention to episodes, and/or has any ideas of how these sorts of stories are written.

It is a shame, though. The finale had one surprise and now it's done. On the plus side, it looks like J'onn will return for the finale, although as to how many stars will actually speak all depends on how many actors are allowed for an episode (each episode has a cap as to how many actors can be creditted per episode with a role, believe it or not. I think that cap is about 11-15 actors per episode, although all can play at least 3 roles under SAG guidelines). Hopefully it won't disappoint, though. Usually seasons of JL/U have a clear pattern:

Season 1 JL: Underwhelming
Season 2 JL: Good
Season 3 JLU: Underwhelming
Season 4 JLU: Good
Season 5 JLU: Looking to repeat the pattern, but with 4 episodes left, I'll save judgement.

So I guess I can understand why some posters desperately want another season; according to the pattern, it'd rock.

And it is worth mentioning that even an underwhelming season of JL/U is still far superior to most other team/comic cartoons on TV, save for TMNT. And while the first season of JL was underwhelming, it's strength was that while the writers still had to get their barings with plots for 2 episodes, the time-frame allowed the characters to do something that had previously rarely happened on superhero shows; TALK. As in, have exchanges and conversations that weren't simply "evey word has to matter to the plot" sort of thing. It allowed even for terrible episodes like "War World" to expand some characterization; the sort of thing that is rare for comic cartoons, but that watchers of live action dramas (which are often 44 minutes without commercials per episode) take for granted. And of course the 12+ years of "Timmverse" continuity has really been a great way to "revision" many of these great DCU characters for modern times, and boil down their essences while stripping away a lot of the crap that the comics layered on over the years, that every comic character has but a media revision can ignore to get down to what REALLY makes the character work, from Batman to Superman to even The Question.

Plus, it is worth adding that the main reason why expectations are so high is because the Timmverse has always tried to outdo itself, and has been competing with it's own peak moments in the eyes of fans.

 

[TheGrayGhost]

So I guess I can understand why some posters desperately want another season; according to the pattern, it'd rock.

I can't speak for all of the "some posters," but I think I can safely say that I'm one of the few who is really, really pushing for another season. Accordingly, I say that you're wrong. I want it to continue, but not out of a hope that the next season will make up for the last. I want it to continue because I know that it will continue to deliver quality episodes. I know that you're just stating your honest opinion, but the way you present this supposed "pattern" sounds as though your spouting fact. And it isn't fact. Just ask any fan how much they enjoy each season. To be sure, there are highs and lows within each season, but each have been of consistent high quality. Yes, some are better overall than the others, but I would hardly call anyone of the seasons "underwhelming." In fact, I don't look at these shows in terms of seasons, but as part of a single strand of continuity (maybe you should try that.)

The point of my post is this: don't assume too much.

 

[Dread]

I can't speak for all of the "some posters," but I think I can safely say that I'm one of the few who is really, really pushing for another season. Accordingly, I say that you're wrong. I want it to continue, but not out of a hope that the next season will make up for the last. I want it to continue because I know that it will continue to deliver quality episodes. I know that you're just stating your honest opinion, but the way you present this supposed "pattern" sounds as though your spouting fact. And it isn't fact. Just ask any fan how much they enjoy each season. To be sure, there are highs and lows within each season, but each have been of consistent high quality. Yes, some are better overall than the others, but I would hardly call anyone of the seasons "underwhelming." In fact, I don't look at these shows in terms of seasons, but as part of a single strand of continuity (maybe you should try that.)

I wasn't trying to imply that the "pattern" of the series in my eyes was a "fact" or something "planned". I know that writers need to explore different avenues for every episode, and when the structure of the show changes, it takes time to get your "barings". The first JL season wasn't the strongest because it took a while being able to write and pace plots that could fully occupy 44 minutes; by Season Two they'd worked through the kinks and the show was stronger for it. Same with JLU; cutting the time in half and adding in dozens of new heroes to explore meant that many episodes felt rushed or whatever, and again, by the second JLU season, they were on their game again.

I've often said that even JL/U is occasionally at its worst is better than many shows at their best, much as I do for TMNT (a show criminally ignored by a lot of comic fan circles, and given no favors by CN, rerunning at 6 a.m. weekend mornings), but there are natural dips and peaks in quality if you watch any show, even a good one. Even "Hawk and Dove" (which is ranked up there with "Critters" as the worst episode of any DCAU show, ever, for most people) is a bit better than a few episodes of TEEN TITANS or THE BATMAN, IMO, or heck, a lot of the stuff that passes on Toon Disney (or a slew of Marvel episodes from the 90's; First season of IRON MAN or second season of INCREDIBLE HULK, anyone?).

Plus, JLU, you have to realize, has reached the point where fans are so attached to it, that even if a season was outright terrible, I mean REALLY terrible along the level of SPIDER-MAN UNLIMITED-terrible, nobody would want to admit it, because deep down we like the show and the characters as a whole. I've heard it called "Fan Goggles", and to some extent we all have them with something. Thankfully, I doubt ANY season or episode of JLU could ever be that bad. And it hasn't.

I just have a certain tone when I type, I don't mean to come off as my views are "canon". Everyone has their own opinion. I'm sure to someone somewhere, "Hawk and Dove" was their favorite episode. And I'd like to meet that someone.

If anything, Season 5 of JLU is shaping up to look like "Superfriends, only Mature". Which is good or bad, depending on how you look at it.

The point of my post is this: don't assume too much.

My point is that I really, really, really like good episodes of JLU, because I've been with the universe a while and I've seen what it can accomplish. So when you have an episode or two that seems to miss potential, you're left with a feeling of "huh?" Sort of like when I was sitting through some Season 1 episodes for the first time and going, "My god, they cancelled BATMAN BEYOND for THIS!?" Of course the show did improve.

But the fact of the matter is that CARTOON NETWORK and the WB are realizing that if they want to air cartoons that appeal to an older audience, they save more money by dubbing anime than on funding JLU or some other original animated series. And they also want to appeal to kids because kids buy toys (if the show is decent); adults don't (at least not in the volume that companies want). TEEN TITANS bent over backwards to appease the networks' lust for anime and kiddie-stuff, and that show's been mercilessly canned. And it wasn't even as GOOD as JLU. So I'm more willing to believe Timm when he says that right now, the future's not lookin' rosey.

Plus, every show, every series, on TV somewhere reaches a conclusion. The question that always remains is whether it left too soon or too late in the eyes of the audience. A show that ends too soon is recalled fondly for what "could have been" as the audience asks for endless encores (SEINFIELD). A show that leaves too late, after it has jumped the shark and is past its prime, is often not looked at as fondly (MARRIED WITH CHILDREN). If this is to be its last season, then JLU really needs to hit one out of the park, much like X-MEN EVOLUTION did, to be fondly remembered like it deserves to. At least to me (what, do I have to post "in my opinion" after every sentence?). All I know right now was that in Season 4, I was RIVETTED for every episode, and by and large they all delivered (on a very tight storyline). This season has less urgency, and at this point with 4 episodes left, I'm going, "Please don't suck". You've had your instant classics ("The Great Brain Robbery", which admittedly I expected to fail, or "Flash and Substance"), your "satisfying in-betweens" ("Grudge Match", which was a brainless actioner and proud of it, or "Dead Reckoning", a great episode marred forever by "lets turn everyone into gorillas!"), and, well, "Chaos at the Earth's Core". It's still a decent season, and may end with a bang, but it's not the same as the last, and I won't pretend it is because of seniority of the show.

It all comes to taste, and I'm sure I like stuff and champion stuff that others wouldn't.

I also mentioned a lot of good stuff that I've liked about JL/U before, but for some reason people like debating me when I bash something.

But having said all this...JLU deserves a lot better than what CN has done to it, mishandling it and so on. And as these episodes wrap up, good, bad, or in-between, I'll do my best to catch 'em.