Justice League (2001-04)

Justice League (2001-04)

52 episodes, approx 22 minutes each, split over 2 seasons.

Seven unique heroes fighting as one unit, with each one bringing individual strengths and weaknesses, creating opportunities and anticipating reactions, kicking villainous ass in dramatic set-pieces that give way to relatable human drama is what made Justice League one of the best cartoons that I've ever seen, especially Season 02.

It's often the City of Metropolis under threat, but, while not explicitly stated, the War of the Worlds style attacks in the very first arc make it clear that the danger isn't just going to be of global origin, it'll be intergalactic.

The typical focuses are there, of course, such as the folly of those with power, the corruption of the weak-willed in the face of that same power, and the way in which good intentions ill-conceived can be catastrophic to all, but like the comic from which the show took its name the stories aren't unwilling to stray into surreal situations in its exploration of such things. JL is storytelling without constraints.

The Zeta Project (2001-02)

The Zeta Project (2001-02)

Dirs: Various | 26 episodes (12 in S1 + 14 in S2), approx 22 mins each.

TZP is a spin-off series starring a character that was introduced in Batman Beyond, specifically S02 Ep20: Zeta; with a second appearance in S03 Ep 12: Countdown. It's recommended you watch those to get the backstory, but for the benefit of anyone who didn't, a spoilery synopsis follows:

Infiltration Unit Zeta is a synthoid (robot) with a chameleon-like ability to holographically assume the appearance of anyone he's met or seen.

Equipped with high-tech gadgets and deadly weaponry, Zeta's primary function was to carry out covert assassinations for the NSA. But an existential crisis brought on by the realisation that one of his given targets was innocent of the crime they were accused of caused Zeta to overcome his programming and vow to never again kill.

The synthoid's newfound morality didn't sit well with his NSA superiors, however, who fear he's been reprogrammed by an enemy.

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)

aka Batman of the Future: Return of the Joker (2000)

Dir. Curt Geda

The only feature-length outing for Batman Beyond is a great one. It came out between Seasons 02 and 03 of the parent series, so was able to reference Terry McGinnis' life up to that point, including splicing and The Jokerz street gang. [1]

But that's not all, because being a part of TAS continuity meant is could reference Bruce Wayne's life, too, which it does via a split timeline, telling a story that spans decades and involves both the Batman of old Gotham and the Batman of New.

It's no spoiler to say that The Joker (Mark Hamill) appears to have returned, which impacts the lives of both Bruce Wayne (Kevin Conroy) and Terry (Will Friedle). The Clown Prince of Crime's appearance vexes Bruce greatly and is the mystery that drives the narrative in the early part.

Static Shock (2000-04)

Static Shock (2000-04)

52 episodes, approx 22 mins each.

I haven't had time to watch Static Shock, much less write about it. I need to publish the post, though, so I can keep the links to PREVIOUS and NEXT in functional order. I'll edit the post when I have something more to say; i.e., when time allows and I get to to watch all 52 episodes!

It likely won't be until 2024. Until then, I'll use lorem ipsum to fill the empty space. Quisque lacinia pretium convallis. Donec iaculis vulputate ante. Ut finibus sem bibendum posuere semper. Proin scelerisque iaculis dictum. Phasellus auctor lacus et ex finibus, id luctus arcu hendrerit. Duis sed risus augue. Sed ornare pretium neque vitae placerat. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet.

Phasellus eget est in sapien blandit luctus. Aenean tincidunt purus arcu, non rutrum lectus dapibus.

Batman Beyond (1999-2001)

aka Batman of the Future (1999-2001)

52 episodes, approx 22 minutes each, split over 3 seasons.

The team that created Batman Beyond (aka Batman of the Future) achieved the near-impossible: they made a show that's the equal of Batman: The Animated Series (1992-95) in tone and content and they did it without having Billionaire Bruce Wayne as the lead! Holy personnel changes, Batman.

It's set in 2039, forty years after TAS' successor, The New Batman Adventures, and continues the continuity set up by both it and TAS. The era of the original caped crusader has passed and the world has moved on.

Even Gotham has evolved, into Neo-Gotham, a towering, high-tech megalopolis wherein crime and corruption is as rife in the shiny office buildings as it is on late night docks.

Bruce (Kevin Conroy) is still around, possibly because like one of his contemporaries said he's too stubborn to die. He is, however, a retired, cranky and cynical recluse that rarely leaves the seclusion and safety of Wayne Manor.

Batman and Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998)

Batman and Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998)

Dir. Boyd Kirkland

Victor Fries (Michael Ansara) does the wrong things for arguably the right reason: for love, but it's the all-consuming kind that can cloud judgment and rationale. He's a tragic figure whom tragedy seems to follow, even when far from civilisation.

When the world that Victor purposefully left behind intrudes upon the peaceful existence that the cryogenics expert created for himself, Batman (Kevin Conroy) is forced to step in and take him down. Bruce isn't alone this time, however, because he has Robin (Loren Lester) to help him.

It's the second film in the DC Animated Universe (TAS) continuity, set sometime between the end of The Animated Series and the beginning of its successor, The New Batman Adventures. 

The New Batman Adventures (1997-99)

The New Batman Adventures (1997-99)

Dirs. Various | 24 episodes, approx 22 mins each.

A direct continuation of Batman: The Animated Series set two years after TAS ended. It had many of the same cast and creative team behind the scenes, but it's visually different to what came before, with a different title and a distinct logo design.

It's been previously marketed both as a different show with two produced seasons of its own, and, perhaps erroneously, as a third season of TAS. Like many fans I subscribe to the belief that it is indeed its own thing, albeit one that continues TAS continuity. The many visual changes in the series seem to support that belief.

It features Batgirl (Tara Strong), Robin (Mathew Valencia), and Nightwing (Loren Lester) at various times throughout, with Batman (Kevin Conroy) being the only team member who appears in every episode, but the characters were redesigned to more closely match Superman TAS, due to how the two series were being screened on TV at the time.