Justice League Unlimited: Season 1 (DC Comics Classic Collection)

JLU is probably the finest example of how a comic book should be translated into cartoon form. This particular season (technically seasons... since, on Cartoon Network, they were broken into 13 episodes per season...) has the benefit of having some of the best animated television of all time, not only of the Justice League series but of all animated programs ever... First off, as far as the "Best Of" list comes 'For The Man Who Has Everything', which is, to my knowledge, the only Justice League specific tale that was taken directly from a single issue of a comic (I say Justice League specifically, because Batman: The Animated Series had a few eps that were directly from comic sources, and of course some of the old 60's era Marvel cartoons, like Captain America, Spider-Man, and Iron Man were practically lifted directly from the page!!). And this particular issue was conceived and done by the single greatest writer in comics history, Alan Moore, and his co-star from WATCHMEN, Dave Gibbons. This is one of the greatest single issues of a comic book of all time, and it is translated superbly. Also in this season is 'This Little Piggy', which is, without a doubt one of the single funniest half-hours you'd ever see on TV. The arc of this set, which involves Project Cadmus and their belief that the Justice League should be considered a very serious threat to the entire planet, is an absolutely captivating one. It permeates almost the entire season, and gives some feelings that is not normally captured in "kids" cartoons: Paranoia, suspicion, guilt, fear... this is not necessarily a cartoon that is directed entirely at children, nor just comic book fans. There are several themes that work on par with some of the most powerful live-action programs on television. The two side characters that seem to get the most to do here in this season are Green Arrow and The Question, who are very much opposites of the same coin... GA is extrememly leftist who has no agenda past helping "the little people" and is uncertain that a group like the Justice League should be completely trusted to always look out for the best interests of others, and then we have probably the most interesting character the series has to offer, which is The Question... a conspiracy theorist that makes Oliver Stone seem tame, who finds himself at the center of one of the darkest secrets of both the League and Cadmus. The 2-parter 'Question Authority' and 'Flashpoint' are extremely powerful episodes of television and they pave the way for all that is going to come in the season. And the resolution of that leads us to the season's final and perhaps finest episode, simply titled 'Epilogue', which is actually a heavily Batman-centric episode, but not in the way you'd expect. It's an episode that rivals the best that television has to offer, and that's all I really need to say about it. Frankly, this is a program that was so good, it was destined for cancellation from the moment it was conceived as trying to be something more than just a "kiddie cartoon". In a time where kids' choices between cartoons are Spongebob and Yu-Gi-Oh and Teen Titans and dozens of other cookie-cutter programs, it was very refreshing to see a show that dared to ask certain questions and maybe make kids think a little rather than be bombarded by wacky visuals that are completely without substance. JUSTICE LEAGUE and JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED are simply 2 of the best cartoons to ever air, and I can't wait until they announce the second set of JLU!!!

Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are just three of the characters that have been around for more than five decades but their popularity has never waned. When The Cartoon Network gave the go-ahead to produce a show based on DC's The Justice League, the Warner Brothers animation team produced a cleverly-written and really exciting series with updated takes on the aforementioned trio, along with The Flash, The Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, and Hawkgirl.When the actual third season began, the series revamped itself, not just with the core seven members but expanding the league to include over forty-five other superheroes in the DC Universe. Likewise, there was an increase in the villain quotient, not just dependable bad guys like Lex Luthor, The Joker, or Braniac, but including the likes of Gorilla Groud, Morgan LeFay, and an expanded Legion of Doom.This compilation has some really standout installments: "For the Man Who Has Everything" takes a peek at an alternative life of Superman; "Kids Stuff" is an award-worthy tale of four Justice Leaguers turned into children; "This Little Piggy" is another lighter tale with a porcine Wonder Woman; and "The Return" is an exciting story with an impressive assault on The League by a super android."Wake the Dead" showcases the league's most sympathetic character, Hawkgirl, as she makes a poignant life-and-death decision for a resurrected Soloman Grundy. "Dark Heat" features a seemingly unstoppable alien armada that is defeated by the smallest member of the team. The two-part "The Once and Future Thing" is an imaginative journey through time.However, the best of the bunch are the final eight installments, prior to "Epilogue," which brings the Cadmus storyline to a head. "Clash" features a slam-bang battle between Captain Marvel and Superman, while "Flashpoint" and "Panic in the Sky" have plot twists that couldn't be anticipated.The aforementioned "Epilogue," which was scheduled to be the final episode, before the show was picked up for an additional thirteen shows, pays homage to not just this show but to "Batman: The Animated Series" and "Batman: Beyond."The best thing about the series is its vocal casting. Besides the original cast members (George Newbern, Carl Lumbly, Michael Rosenbaum, Maria Canals, Susan Eisenberg, Phil Lamar, and Kevin Conroy), the show also boasts a truly impressive array of guest artists.The inspired casting of Fred Savage and Jason Hervey, brothers on "The Wonder Years", helps elevate the rather mundane "Hawk and Dove" to somewhat memorable status. The episode also has the distinctive pipes of Michael York as Aries, the god of war.Recurring characters Dr. Emil Hamilton and Amanda Waller are given wonderful life by guests Robert Foxworth and CCH Pounder, respectively.And Emmy-winner Ed Asner does double duty by appearing as Hephaestus in "Hawk and Dove" and as the deliciously wicked Granny Goodness in "The Ties That Bind." The latter episode also features the genius casting of Arte Johnson, reprising his German accent from the old "Laugh-In" days in the from of Vermin Vunderbarr.The show utilizes traditional pen-and-ink animation coupled with impressive computer graphics.The bonus extras on the disc are also, noteworthy, especially the commentary on both "This Little Piggy" and "The Return."

Perfect for the comic lovers

Zu der Serie ist inhaltlich nichts zu bemängeln. Es ist derselbe Zeichenstil wie auch in den Batman und Superman Animated und das ist ja auch gut so.Leider habe ich die Box hier als gebraucht gekauft und so sind 4 Episoden der letzen DVD nicht anzusehen, da die Scheibe halt spring da verkratzt, aber das ist ja ein Problem des Verkäufers und nicht der Serie.Daher volle Sternzahl.

Pas parfait, car manque la VOSTFR mais la VF est bien présente donc à posséder pour tout vrai fan.Superbe coffret.

*Warner Bros...If you include more in the DVD bundle the fans will buy it. :PThis series kept getting moved around on the YTV channel. It frustrated me and the episodes were being aired out of order. As a fan I am ecstatic to have this set in my hands. Not much in wonderful extras, but I get to see more of the series and now plots are making sense to me. The Justice League and Justice League Unlimited titles were confusing.To collect the series, purchase Justice League Season One & Justice League Season Two.For seasons three and four, buy - Justice League Unlimited Season One.The writing in seasons 3 & 4 have been kicked up a notch. I found myself leaning forward addicted to my "cartoon soap". :P The artists have my respect. Nothing in the writing nor the visuals gets compromised.Fans will enjoy having access to this series, its a must have in your dvd library. I only hope that Warner Bros. will spare no expense in dvd extras upon the release of season five.The only downside is that whatever episodes were made/aired in 2006 in this series..is the end. :((I keep the hope alive of a continuation.Unless another series is in the works. :O

If you remember the Justice League cartoon fondly but don't want to put the money down for all four dvd volumes of the series, this is the one to go with. By far the strongest in terms of plot and characters. There are a handful of gems on JLU: season 2, but for the most part all the classic episodes are on this one. It's the season that made stars out of Booster Gold and the Question, and it's worth it for those two characters alone.