How the Animated Justice League Pilot Set Up the MCU

Welcome to Adventure(s) Time's fifty-fourth installment, a look at animated heroes of the past. This week, we're going back to the animated debut of the Justice League. Then, we'll examine a sequel to the story from the tie-in comic that's been largely forgotten.

Recently, we looked back on the unusual path Justice League took to air. To sum it up, this was a highly anticipated series, one we were told for years wouldn't happen. How it even came into being seems to be a minor miracle.

Debuting as a ninety-minute movie on November 17th, 2001, "Secret Origins" written by Rich Fogel and directed by Dan Riba and Butch Lukic, introduces the animated League. Finally. And it would be easy to claim the actual event could never live up to expectations, but "Secret Origins" is pretty darn good.

The animation is crisp, and the voice actors already feel rather confident in their roles. Additionally, the plot rarely drags, even over the course of three episodes. Looking back, it's fun to see the adventure begin as a standard Batman/Superman team-up, then expand into this new world.

The action-heavy plot opens with American astronauts accidentally awakening aliens on Mars. Within a few years, the invaders (dubbed "The Imperium") are on Earth. J'onn J'onzz, a survivor of the first Martian invasion, is discovered by Superman and Batman. J'onn telepathically summons Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, the Flash, and Green Lantern to aid the fight. Following their victory, Batman commissions the construction of the orbiting Watchtower. He refuses to officially join, but the remaining heroes band together as the Justice League. Superman comes up with the name. Flash thinks it's corny. The adventures begin.

Oh, and just to prove the series isn't totally divorced from the source material, Snapper Carr is here. Snapper was the kid identification character in the original Justice League comics. There's really no place for him in the plot, but he's around occasionally in the early episodes as a newscaster. He even gets to snap his fingers twice in the opening story arc.

While The Imperium were essential in forming the team, the series didn't seem interested in returning to the concept. Tie-in comics, however, are the perfect place for these kinds of sequels. Justice League Adventures #16, from writer Scott McCloud and artists John Delaney and John K. Snyder III continues the show's opening storyline.

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The story told in the comic, "Hide and Seek," is not a worldwide alien invasion, however. It's a claustrophobic mystery story, centered on J'onn's investigation of an alien imposter amongst the team. The issue opens with a flashback, as J'onn reveals an Imperium fleet remained hidden near Mars' southern pole. He fears it will also target Earth, but the League is hesitant to launch the first strike. (It's very possible McCloud was drawing upon the real world debate over America's preemptive war against Iraq around this time.) Their solution is to monitor Mars, while also wearing telepathy blockers for protection against the Imperium. While monitoring broadcasts from Mars, J'onn discovers a cable implying the Imperium have already placed a plant amongst the team.

Thanks to the telepathy blockers, J'onn is unable to mentally scan his teammates. The report suggests the imposter will make its move within the next hour, giving J'onn little time to protect the Earth. (And McCloud the classic "ticking clock" plot narrative.) Examining his teammates, J'onn concludes only two members are suspects.

Ultimately, Batman is "revealed" as the imposter. J'onn travels to the nearby Imperium fleet, demanding they return Batman's real body.

He's in for a major shock, however.

So, J'onn, turns out you're the real threat after all. Very Twilight Zone, really. What follows is the classic "imposter discovers heroism by becoming the hero" trope. The Imperium impersonator is unable to complete its mission, thanks to the lessons it's learned living as J'onn. It turns against its alien brotherhood, aiding J'onn in the defeat of the final Imperium fleet.

Perhaps this is a cheesy ending, but it's in keeping with a classic fantasy/sci-fi tradition. And, it's another affirmation of J'onn as the heart of the League. It terms of tone and structure, this has little in common with the original story.

It does use the continuity well, however, providing a link between the show and the comic that was often missing in this era. Adventures was never assigned a regular writer...some issues hew closely to the show, others don't. The lack of consistency is simply frustrating.

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The Wrap-Up

Design-y

"Secret Origins" debuts new designs for Batman, Superman, and the Flash, following his Superman appearance. Flash has a perpetual shadow cast over his costume, per DC's request. The black line around his chest emblem has also been removed. Superman's trunks are darker, and he now carries lines under his eyes and prominent cheekbones. Timm has stated the extra lines were intended to make him appear a bit older, following his possession by Darkseid in the later Superman episodes. The look was not well received, and was therefore dropped in the next season.

Finally, Batman receives his third DCAU design. Blue has returned to his costume, his boots now have heels, and his ears almost resemble horns. This was apparently foreshadowing for his upcoming Batman Beyond design. There's some debate over whether we should interpret this costume as the same one worn on The New Batman Adventures. Did Batman change suits or is there a slight creative license going on here? This dispute was recently addressed by The Watchtower Database channel. Personally, I side with their conclusion.

Over the Kiddies’ Heads

The alien designs, meanwhile, are heavily inspired by adaptations of H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds. Another nod to the early days of science fiction is naming the astronaut exploring Mars John Carter. Perhaps for legal issues, the series officially lists the character as J. Allen Carter.

Continuity Notes

The Imperium appear to be inspired by the White Martians seen in the opening 1997 JLA comics arc. It's as difficult today to emphasize the impact of the Grant Morrison/Howard Porter run as it is to explain the anticipation for a real League cartoon. This was the run that restored Justice League as the home for DC's heavy hitters, and it sold amazingly well at the time. The White Martians also shapeshift, impersonate heroes, and, well, come from Mars. In both stories, Batman has a deceptive death scene, rescues the rest of the League, and discovers the alien enemies' weakness.

"Secret Origins" is also significant, of course, for introducing Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, J'onn J'onzz, and John Stewart to the DCAU. Superman already recognizes Hawkgirl and John, even though the audience has yet to meet them. Kyle Rayner previously appeared as Green Lantern on Superman, but is absent from this series. This is never truly explained, aside from a brief reference next season.

Hey, I Know that Voice

Most Justice League cast members have also established themselves in live action series. Carl Lumbly was already gaining attention on Alias before being cast as J'onn J'onzz. Phil LaMarr, known from Mad TV, provides the voice for John Stewart and numerous peripheral characters. Michael Rosenbaum voices the Flash; his second DC role from the era. Rosenbaum also portrayed Lex Luthor on Smallville. Finally, Maria Canals, Hawkgirl, is now best known for playing Selena Gomez's mother on Wizards of Waverly Place.

As for guest stars, Gary Cole voices astronaut and Senator J. Allen Carter. Cole is famous from Crusade and The West Wing. But his role as middle-manager Bill Lumbergh in Office Space is what will truly live forever, mmmkay?

Battle Of The White Martians That Aren't THE White Martians

"Secret Origins" is the culmination of years of careful world building and character work. It's also the answer to countless fans' demands for the DCAU heroes to finally come together as a team. And if you think I'm not going to draw a parallel between this and what Marvel's accomplished with its cinematic universe...you're crazy.

Of course it's a precursor to the world Marvel began building with Iron Man. Right down to the more "realistic" hero introducing the world to the audience, the slow reveal of other aspects of the canon followed by an alien invasion forcing disparate heroes into working together. No one could've dreamed it would've worked so well, but Timm and company had already created this template within the world of TV animation.

Drawing a direct comparison to "Hide and Seek" isn't entirely fair. One story expands a universe, another serves as a terse mystery. "Hide and Seek" does use the show's continuity well, however. And while there's no shortage of tales reminding us of J'onn's heart, McCloud's delivery does sell the idea. It's a footnote in the history of the show, but worth pursuing for any Justice League fan. It's unfortunate Justice League Adventures couldn't deliver these stories on a monthly basis.

That’s all for now. If you have any suggestions for the future, just leave a comment or contact me on Twitter.