First episodes/issues of super-hero teams are hard to do well. There's so much to do—introduce all your main heroes, introduce your villain, find some means to assemble your heroes, build up the villain as a credible threat, and then have the heroes triumph—that it's hard to fit everything in without just going by the numbers. And while this introduction to the Justice League is given plenty of time—three 22-minute episodes—to pack everything in, “Secret Origins” still kind of feels "by the numbers".
The plot revolves around an invasion by an alien race that, we find out during the story, destroyed the Martian civilization centuries ago. Superman and Batman are the Earth's first line of defense, but the troops are all called in telepathically by J'onn J'onnz, last survivor of Mars who came to Earth to warn us humans about the invasion. The troops consist of Wonder Woman (new to Man's World), Green Lantern John Stewart (with glowing green eyes), Hawkgirl (who Superman seems to already know), and Flash (who's given the most personality -- that of a cocky flirt).
The first third of the pilot is a great exercise in mounting tension and danger. The first scene in particular, in which a pair of Earth astronauts discover something sinister on Mars, is very tense. Batman and Superman’s growing realization that there’s something brewing are done well, too, and the invaders, disguised as humans, are creepy with their alien language and superhuman strength. The episode then veers straight into “War of the Worlds” territory, with meteoroids hiding alien tripod war machines crashing all over the world. You’ll find it either derivative or a nice tribute, but either way, these scenes are handled well, showing the magnitude of the threat.
The tension rises through the rescue of J’onn J’onnz by Batman and Superman when the trio are attacked by aliens disguised as U.S. soldiers. The heroes flee and are attacked by the invaders’ aircraft. What follows is a great action sequence as the other heroes arrive and the combined forces of the good guys decimate the attacking aircraft. So far, so good, but it’s at this point that the pacing changes and all the built up tension starts to fade away. During the rest of the pilot, the newly formed Justice League fights some aliens, faces some setbacks, and finally wins out thanks to a plot twist or two that as astute viewer can easily see coming. While the first third of the pilot is a nail-biter, the rest of it definitely feels less intense. Furthermore, the relative strength of the alien invaders seems to fluctuate with the plot. When the Leaguers need a setback, the aliens are tough as nails. When they need a win, the aliens melt like candy (literally).
What else goes in in this pilot? Well, we meet our heroes, of course. Superman and Batman are likely well known to the viewer through their previous animated series. (“Justice League” takes place in the same continuity as the “Superman” and “Batman” animated series.) J’onn J’onnz (not called the Martian Manhunter here) is given a flashback sequence on Mars that really defines his character. We see a bit of Wonder Woman on Paradise Island to give her some context. I was surprised to find out that she is apparently new to the DC Animated Universe. I thought she would have been a guest star in one of the earlier series. She’s written here as naïve to Man’s World (as she calls it), but still a warrior born. She clashes a few times with Green Lantern John Stewart, who seems more soldier than architect. Flash’s character probably comes through the strongest since he’s the overconfident funnyman of the group. His cockiness is overplayed a little here. It’s funny, but it makes you wonder why J’onn would have summoned him, especially since he’s relatively underpowered in this group of heroes. (So is Batman, but J’onn didn’t summon him, which I thought was a nice touch.)
Then there’s Hawkgirl, who’s not given much personality here, which is unfortunate since she’s the most unusual casting choice here. In the original Justice League line-up in the comic books, her place was occupied by Aquaman. In fact, she didn’t join the League until much later in their run, long after her husband Hawkman joined. Having her as a founding member is surprising, but it makes sense. The team needs more of a feminine presence, and making up reasons for Aquaman to be useful every episode would be difficult. (See the “Superfriends” show for many contrived reasons for action to take place underwater.) To power her up a little, she’s given some kind of electric mace that seems able to bash through anything. It seems a bit contrived, but otherwise she would just be a girl with wings. Plus, it’s fun seeing her smash through everything that comes in her way.
In summary, “Secret Origins” does what it needs to. It sets up a fairly credible reason why all these heroes should band together, and it gives each hero at least a few moments to shine and interest the audience. What it doesn’t do is follow through on the promise of the first 25 minutes. The alien threat is just a little too generic and the plot just a little too formulaic. However, it’s still way better than “Superfriends” ever was, and it’s a fun show.
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The heroes race to rescue two of their own before the Imperium gets to Earth and completes its conquest.
 George Newbern |
Superman/Clark Kent/Kal-El |
 Maria Canals |
Hawkgirl/Shayera Hol |
 Carl Lumbly |
Martian Manhunter/J'onn J'onzz |
Kevin Conroy |
Batman/Bruce Wayne |
Susan Eisenberg |
Wonder Woman/Diana |
 Michael Rosenbaum |
Flash/Wally West (Seasons 1-2, 4+) |
 Gary Cole |
J. Allen Carter |
Guest Star |
Max Brooks |
Howie |
Guest Star |
Jason Marsden |
Snapper Carr |
Recurring Role |
 Kevin Michael Richardson |
General Wells |
Recurring Role |
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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TRIVIA (5)
ADD TRIVIA-
When the alien flagship escapes and the League is standing on the Daily Planet, you can see that Hawkgirl isn't wearing pants but just her red shorts (i.e., her legs are bare).
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When stopping to rescue the people trapped in pods, two aliens run up and start to shoot at Superman. These two aliens clearly walk into the sunlight, and are half in and half out of the light (which should start killing them. They don't react and in the next shot they are back in darkness with no indication they physically shifted place.
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Why is Green Lantern unable to use his ring simply because it is imbedded in the alien entrapment substance?
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Why do the aliens imbed Hawkgirl in the entrapment substance with her electro-mace in her hand?
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This version of Superman doesn't seem to have a code against killing: he deliberately opens up a section of wall and lets some of the aliens fry in the sunlight.
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QUOTES (8)
ADD QUOTES-
Green Lantern: Okay, we're going in. Flash create a diversion – Diana, watch my back.
Diana: You want to rely on an amateur? -
Flash: Is it just me, or does (J'onn) creep everyone out?
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Superman: You shouldn't have risked your lives for us.
J'onn: Would you have done less for me? -
Flash: Iced moca?
Superman: No thanks.
Diana: Umm. They don't have these on Themyscira.
Flash: Stick around, Princess – I'll show you the ropes. -
Batman: I'm not really a people person. But when you need help ... and you will, call me.
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Superman: I once thought I could protect the world by myself, but I was wrong. Working together, we saved the planet and I believe that is we stayed together as a team, we could be a force that could truly work for the ideals of peace and justice.
The Flash: So you want us to be some kind of...super friends?
Superman: More like a Justice League. -
(looking at their new HQ)
Superman: Do your stockholders know about this, Bruce?
Batman: A line item hidden in the aerospace R&D budget. -
J'onn: My family and loved ones are long gone. I am the last of my kind.
Superman: I know the feeling.
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NOTES (1)
ADD NOTES-
The episode along with "Secret Origins, Part 1 and 2" was released on DVD as Justice League.
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ALLUSIONS (2)
ADD ALLUSIONS-
The Flash: Buh-bye.
Emulating the phrase popularized by David Spade on Saturday Night Live in the "Airline Stewardess" skits. -
The Flash: So you want us to be some kind of ... super friends?
A reference to the SuperFriends TV series, a Hanna Barbara animated version of the Justice League that aired in the early 70's.
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A League of Their Own (2)
Ep 27
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