The Justice League comprise the most celebrated and important heroes from DC’s impressive roster. There have been many different interpretations of the famous superhero group, but the version present in the DC Animated Universe is still viewed as one of the best and most loving takes on these foundational characters.
The Justice League is held up by strong values and teamwork, but there’s also a rotating cast of characters that occupy the group. Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, and the rest of the DCAU did great work with this material, but some characters are translated to the screen more successfully than others.
10 Were Improved: Zatanna’s Magic And Perception Become Vital To The League
Zatanna Zatara is a fascinating DC character who exhibits mastery over powerful magic. Zatanna isn’t always the most important Justice League member in the comics and she’s often overshadowed by flashier characters. Zatanna gets the respect that she deserves in the DCAU, which probably has something to do with how Paul Dini has said that she’s one of his favorite characters.
Zatanna doesn’t get sidelined in Justice League and she’s responsible for some of the series’ best and weirdest episodes, like the trippy exploration into Batman and Wonder Woman’s relationship in “This Little Piggy.”
9 Were Made Worse: Green Lantern Doesn’t Get The Same Star Treatment As Others
Justice League and Justice League Unlimited go with the John Stewart version of Green Lantern and they do a lot of good things with the character. It’s nice that the DCAU champions this version of the character, but he doesn’t get to be the hero in the spotlight for someone that’s around more than most of the other Justice League members. The series proves that Stewart is integral to the League’s success, but there are definitely moments where he recedes to the background and becomes more of a vital supporting player than a leader.
8 Were Improved: Superman Gets His Best Stories Brought To Life
Justice League and Justice League Unlimited continue to tell Clark Kent’s story that’s started back in Superman: The Animated Series. This means that a lot of thought and effort has already gone into Superman’s character, but he becomes even more nuanced in Justice League.
The series allows Superman to be courageous, yet fallible, and his struggles with his own faults make for deeply compelling story arcs. The series also elegantly adapts some of Superman’s best comic stories, like “For The Man Who Has Everything,” and does them justice.
7 Were Made Worse: Hawkgirl Isn’t Able To Rise Above Her Roots
One of Justice League’s more radical decisions is that it mixes up the team’s traditional lineup by replacing Aquaman with Hawkgirl. The rationale here was for Hawkgirl to be another positive female role model that can eschew old tropes. Hawkgirl succeeds in this area, but she typically feels like baggage during the largest Justice League adventures.
Hawkgirl’s relationship with Green Lantern marks an interesting direction for both characters, but it ultimately turns into more of a hindrance for them. Hawkgirl is a difficult character to crack and even though the DCAU version works, there’s still improvements to be made.
6 Were Improved: Batman Is Treated Like The Linchpin Of DCAU’s Justice League
The DC Animated Universe begins with Batman: The Animated Series, so it’s only appropriate that the character gets an extremely satisfying arc and fantastic representation. The full scope of Batman’s excellence gets exhibited, whether it’s his strength, detective skills, or his grief and emotional growth. Justice League treats Batman better than nearly any other character.
He gets moments where he takes out incredibly powerful villains and others where he’s the stoic voice of reason. Justice League Unlimited’s “Epilogue” is a glowing tribute that perfectly understands what makes Batman such an important character.
5 Were Made Worse: Supergirl’s Story Is Rushed And Trivialized
Kara Zor-El's Supergirl is another DCAU character that benefits from her introduction and development during Superman: The Animated Series. Justice League and Justice League Unlimited don't destroy this goodwill, but they don't expand on Supergirl's character as effectively as they do with her cousin.
The worst offense is in "Far From Home," which sends Supergirl to the future and kicks off her romance with Brainiac-5. Despite how they're pivotal events for the hero, they feel rushed and don't carry the same impact as they do in the comics as a result. Supergirl's storylines deserved more time to grow.
4 Were Improved: The Flash Gets To Prove His Worth In Ways Beyond His Speed
The Flash, regardless which version of the character, can sometimes be difficult to properly calibrate around other superheroes because his speed should make him overpowered in several ways. Justice League and Justice League Unlimited understand how to get the most out of Wally West and while his speed is integral, his compassion and brilliance are just as important.
The series does Wally right by allowing him to triumph during Unlimited’s Cadmus arc where the Flash saves the day against the combined efforts of Brainiac and Lex Luthor, when every other League member has fallen. It allows Wally to shine.
3 Were Made Worse: The Atom Gets Reduced, Both Literally And Figuratively
The Atom is in many ways DC's answer to Marvel's Ant-Man and the character often fulfills an important role within the Justice League. The DCAU treats the Atom more like a fun anomaly rather than a permanent member of their team. The Atom gets some satisfying dialogue and he's usually the hero whenever he's called to the action, but it's still an oversimplification of the character that robs the Atom of any of his more complex material. There are plenty of ways to subvert his superpower or just make use of his genius, but Justice League Unlimited seldomly indulges here.
2 Were Improved: Martian Manhunter Becomes The Heart Of The Justice League
J'onn J'onzz, otherwise known as Martian Manhunter, has become an increasingly popular character and has seen a prominent role in the CW's Supergirl, but the DCAU's take on the character may still be the best. Justice League has Martian Manhunter summon everyone together to begin the League and the series doesn't avoid the complexity of the character.
J'onn has some of the series' most impactful moments, like when he retreats to the forest after hearing humanity's thoughts, or his deeply endearing time with the Kent family during Christmas.
1 Were Made Worse: Aquaman Is Turned Into An Unessential Afterthought
Many fans were surprised to see that the DCAU’s Justice League was going to shelve Aquaman from the team. This doesn’t mean that Aquaman is absent from the series, but he’s instead turned into a much more disposable character. Aquaman briefly faces against Orm and loses his hand in an effort to save his son, but he’s not given the time to be effectively fleshed out. He’s not someone that the audience is able to get close with in Justice League.