DCAU

And then we know that Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes doesn't take place in the same universe as Superman:TAS because it contradicts the story of how he met them in Superman: TAS.

It's an interesting thing to think about, as originally the comics try to say that the big Justice League heroes all got started about the same time, so that no one is considered senior over the other, but I think it's just more interesting to have some wider viewpoints with everyone in different periods of their heroics. Younger Flash, immortal Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter, veteran Batman, etc.

I like the idea that Wonder Woman has been around since at least the 1940s or 1930s (or even 1910s) and was the founding member of the Justice Society. And due to her experience, she is the real organizer of the modern Justice League with Superman learning the ropes of taking leadership command.

This can also handwave the modern swimsuit design of Wonder Woman's costume despite her hailing from Paradise Island stuck in Ancient Greek fashion. Or why she would have an invisible jet in the first place. Or why she has Nazi villains in her Rogues Gallery.

I've wondered a bit if it might be interesting to change up Superman's history a little, and have it that he began his career as Superman in the 30's and, not having visibly aged due to his Kryptonian physiology, only decided to pursue his Clark Kent persona recently (which would allow for his traditional supporting cast to be around).

Chris Claremont apparently made the suggestion to DC back during Crisis on Infinite Earths in '85 that the Earth-2 Superman be the one to survive, and that he take over on the new Earth (Claremont suggested that Earth-2's Superman had used make-up to look older, so that people wouldn't be freaked out that he hadn't aged in 50 years).

Does anyone else think Hotstreak kind of looks like Vince from What I Like About You?

Edited by windleopard on Mar 23rd 2021 at 6:07:37 AM

If you mean "Does he look like a punchable late 90s young white dude?" then yeah. I don't know Vince, but I do know that look.

Granted, Adult!Tommy Oliver has that same look in Dino Thunder, but he also put in the work of being a legitimately good guy for decades.

Yes, I know I'm being judgmental. And yet I also named one of my bicycles "Hotstreak".

Edited by wanderlustwarrior on Mar 23rd 2021 at 8:28:24 AM

We're getting another DC continuation comic next month: Justice League Infinity. Written by James Tucker and J.M De Matteis, and drawn by Ethen Beavers, all of them Justice League Unlimited veterans.

It looks like it's going to be tackling some plotpoints leftover from JLU and is more focused on the original 7.

Edited by GamerSlyRatchet on Apr 21st 2021 at 11:42:17 AM

Wait, why is Shayera back in her Hawkgirl outfit?

Costume Inertia?

It might be a cover-only thing. Just like how certain covers of The Adventures Continue kept teasing Nightwing, even though he doesn't show up until Season Two.

Here's also the interior art for what I'm assuming is the first issue.

Hey Amazo is back.

J'onn took a trip around the world it seems. Wonder how many new looks/identities he has now.

Anyone read the new issue of Adventure Continues?

It was a much stronger start in comparison to season one's opening arc. The story, art, etc. felt improved. The Court of Owls fit like a glove in this continuity, with only some minor tweaking required. Talon was a pretty decent threat and it will be interesting to see how the conspiracy unfolds. Starting the issue by killing off Mayor Hill was a strong hook. I have a feeling Junior taking over his father's position will come into play at some point in the future.

The use of Deadman in this issue was a lot of fun. I always thought he has been fairly underused, so it's cool to see him again. I'm going to say the references to his past encounters with Bruce and Dick are just nods to those older Adventures issues. Of course, it was only a matter of time until Dini used Zatanna, but she was cool. I hope that's not the end of her involvement.

I think having the entire issue also helped the story. I'm not going to lie, I was never satisfied with the broken-up digital comics since they felt like they ended too soon, while the size of this story was just right. I don't really mind waiting a month for a story like this.

Edited by GamerSlyRatchet on Jun 2nd 2021 at 7:36:09 AM

DC did a mini-series that was supposed to bridge the gap between The Adventures of Batman and Robin and The New Batman Adventures that, among other things, showed what Dick Grayson did in the interim where he stopped being Robin and became Nightwing. In it, he briefly worked for Haly's Circus again alongside a living Boston Brand.

Solicits for the next issues of Batman Adventures Continue and Justice League Infinity. I really like the cover for the former.

Also, unrelated to those, but Black Manta is getting a mini-series in September, and apparently they're bringing Devil Ray from Justice League Unlimited into the main canon.

https://mobile.twitter.com/JTuckerAnimator/status/1409961267209506818

James Tucker mentioned how Bruce Timm wanted Perry White to be black in Superman: The Animated Series , but he was vetoed.

Edited by jessicadicicco610 on Jun 29th 2021 at 4:32:29 AM

Given that Devil Ray is essentially Black Manta, to what end? Two Black Mantas?

You're asking that as if comics didn't love derivative characters. They'll just find different angle.

Justice League Infinity#1

It was pretty good overall, loads of action as well as sweet and tense character moments. You're reminded of all the vital relationships too ( Diana still wants Batman, Shayera still pines for John, and John is still with Vixen but is awkward around Shayera and worried about whether or not he's hurt her) interestingly enough, Seems like Superman is still dating Lois without having told her he's Clark just yet, I loved Wally's reaction to the battle afterwards, calling it his best birthday ever

Edited by Zarius on Jul 6th 2021 at 10:05:25 AM

Batman: The Adventures Continue

That was a pretty deceptive cover. I know Nightwing got to reunite with Boston, which was a nice moment, but he didn't really do anything afterwards. Zatanna wasn't even in it. I expect the variants to have different characters, but the main cover doing so is a bummer.

The rest of the issue was solid. Not as strong as the previous issue. I didn't like the decayed Talons as much as the main "complete" one. While I'm curious to see how the rest of the season goes on, I do think the Court of Owls feels too small. They were easily defeated by the end and it feels like the only active members were the current Grandmaster and the revived Talons. I could be wrong on that.

Speaking of the Grandmaster, the reveal that it was Hamilton Hill Sr. is honestly not that bad, in theory. Hill was never a super compelling character in B:TAS, he was already corrupt in the comics, and, again in theory, it's a good way to shake up the status quo without altering a more sacred character. My issue is his flimsy motivation. So, he suddenly believes what he thought was a silly legend to be true just because he got bored and read one of the books? He already has wealth and high-status, so why does he crave more power via the Court? In the past, he seemed foppish and incompetent, but not an outright megalomaniac. I think it would've made more sense if the comic revealed he was always a member of the Court who played the role of stuffy politician to draw off suspicion. As it stands, it's kind of clumsy and rushed.

Curious to see Hill Jr.'s role in the series. Will he become mayor immediately or will we see an election subplot? I guess he's an ally of Batman considering he gave him credit for saving his life. I guess covering up what his father did makes the name of Terry Mc Ginnis's high school still logical.

I did like the final moment between Batman and Deadman. It's pretty cute, and a bit heartbreaking considering what ends up happening between them in Justice League Unlimited.

Justice League Infinity

A very strong opening issue. I know this is a complete cliche, but I really heard the respective voice actors when reading the lines. I even had the JLU theme stuck on my head.

I love the character art and coloring. It can look a bit off at times, but I enjoy how vibrant and expressive it is. It has a very different energy from the darker, more downbeat approach in Batman: The Adventures Continue. Both work for their perspective approaches. I particularly enjoyed Amazo's trip beyond time and space.

The story is pretty simple, but I think it was meant to reintroduce the characters and their dynamics. liked that it directly picked up several threads and relationships from the end of the series. However, I can also see that making it difficult for anyone reading this as a standalone. J'onn's subplot was easily the most compelling part, since I always thought we barely got explore his quest on the original series. So, it's cool to see his experiences as a shapeshifting traveler.

Also, while I enjoyed getting an update on the disarray following Darkseid's disappearance, I thought the fight between Granny and Kalibak's armies, ft. the Justice League was kind of underwhelming. Having characters like Booster Gold and Blue Beetle quipping also didn't help establish the stakes either.

Still, this was fun. I'm looking forward to seeing Overman and all of the AU counterparts we're likely going to see.

Edited by GamerSlyRatchet on Jul 8th 2021 at 10:01:48 AM

In honor of the 25th anniversary of Superman The Animated Series, the entire series will be released on Blu Ray on October 12.

https://mobile.twitter.com/SuperPRGuy/status/1425196578164252673

Justice League Infinity #2

Another strong issue. I enjoyed how this is its own DCAU-flavored version of Overman and his world, rather than just translating the comic one. We get nifty stuff like Blonde Jimmy Olsen, Vandal Savage as the ruler of Earth along with a sub-servant Brainiac, and a different version of the Freedom Fighters, consisting of General Zod (using a very old-school design), Metallo, and Doomsday (who looks more like Clayface).

I loved Superman's characterization. He's merciful and understanding, even when surrounded by sheer hatred. Lois was also cool and had a bigger role than I expected. I guess Kal-El falling for Lois is always an universal constant.

Poor J'onn has to be forced out of retirement to help with the crisis. After reading so many stories where he gets overwhelmed and defeated quickly lately, I enjoyed him "finishing" a rampaging Overman, while also acknowledging it was a complete violation. I hope J'onn is able to return to his current life after this, though.

Not exactly related to the DC Animated Universe, but pretty adjacent to it.

The 2004 animated series The Batman is finally coming to Blu-ray February 2022!

That's pretty neat, I did enjoy it the few times I caught it on TV.