Fresh Question #8: Character Comparison

[Nightwing]

Hi hi. Nothing new to report, so I'll get right to the new Fresh Question! I really think character interpretation is the key important element in telling stories, and with past talks about continuity in mind, let me ask this:

How would you compare the animated JL characters we have so far to their counterparts from past comic character interpretations??

[Terminatah]

They're shinier.

-Terminatah

[umbc8]

For most part I think they are very true to their comic book counterparts. Although, I haven't read many comics with John Stewart as GL or with Hawgirl, the others are very good interpretations.

[SimonMoon5]

Originally posted by Nightwing
How would you compare the animated JL characters we have so far to their counterparts from past comic character interpretations?? [/B]

Assuming you only mean character-wise, rather than power-wise...

First, the cartoon League is all a bunch of blood-thirsty genocidal vigilantes (as seen in Secret Origins). The comic book versions of the characters would never massacre their enemies.

Otherwise...

Superman and Batman: about the same personality-wise, though Superman has been gone through a state of flux personality-wise, ever since he died.

Wonder Woman: cartoon version is a lot meeker. We still haven't seen much of her personality yet though, despite the two-parter devoted to her.

Flash: comics version is a lot more serious and responsible. The comics version did have an irresponsible phase but it was short and not as bad as the cartoon version.

J'onn: too hard to tell. Both versions are meant to be enigmatic.

GL: John Stewart's personality was nothing like this in the comics. The "space cop" attitude was more often attributed to Hal Jordan than John Stewart. John Stewart's defining moments were in GL: Mosaic and the GL comic of the time that layed the groundwork for Mosaic. He's an engineer, not a cop. He's been a screwup (actually causing the destruction of a planet due to his own hubris), and has learned to accept that part of himself. The comics John Stewart is (or was, pre-Kyle) too complicated to easily summarize.

Hawkgirl: The comics version was never this ruthless. She was merely the equally-competent partner of Hawkman, a typical superhero (with conservative leanings in JLA due to being a cop).
The "Hawkworld" version of Hawkwoman, however, had some tendencies towards "act first, think later" which, if boiled down to the simplistic cartoony "each character gets one character trait" personalities that the animated JL must have, would seem not too far from this version of Hawkgirl, I suppose.

[Crimson]

Originally posted by SimonMoon5

First, the cartoon League is all a bunch of blood-thirsty genocidal vigilantes (as seen in Secret Origins). The comic book versions of the characters would never massacre their enemies.

Because, of course, when your planet is attacked by a vicious race of aliens bent on massive destruction and conquest, you're only supposed to respond in a peaceful manner ...

[Crimson]

How would you compare the animated JL characters we have so far to their counterparts from past comic character interpretations??

Superman: reasonably close. Unlike Batman, or even Wonder Woman, Superman doesn't seem to lend himself to drastic personality re-interpretations. His power-level, generally, is the only thing that varies.

Batman: Possibly the most frequently re-imagined comic book character. I don't follow his books, so I don't how close JL is to his current comics counterpart, I can only say so far Batman seems in character for what's been established in BTAS.

Wonder Woman: Definitely inspired by early Perez; young and somewhat naive. After reading some early comments about how Wonder Woman would be presented in JL, I was worried. "The Amazon princess angle will be emphasized. ... She sometimes displays a condescending attitude towards others" I envisioned Diana as being either a snotty brat, or a man-hating b****. Luckily, neither has been the case. Still, not my favorite interpretation of WW -- I prefer her to have more experience -- but, given her sheltered history, one that is logical.

Flash: Definitely an extreme interpretation of the Wally West/Flash persona. My only real exposure to him in the comics was his days with the Teen Titans, and I don't remember him being this goofy.

Martian Manhunter: J'onn has never struck me as having much personality, in any incarnation.

Hawkgirl: The only previous version of this character I'm reminded of while watching JL is her appearance in the Elseworlds mini "The Nail".

[SimonMoon5]

Originally posted by Crimson


Because, of course, when your planet is attacked by a vicious race of aliens bent on massive destruction and conquest, you're only supposed to respond in a peaceful manner ...

Well, whether you should or not, that's how the comic book versions act. Consider how carefully they worried about dealing with the White Martians in the comics. They've got a dozen or so guys with all the powers of Superman and more (all the powers of the Martian Manhunter, so psionics out the wazoo plus shape changing etc.) and these aliens have no compunctions about killing all of humanity. So what does the JLA do?

They hypnotize them into thinking that they are ordinary humans and set them free to live ordinary lives.

[Apache Chief]

Which turned out to be a huge mistake! Did you read the recent "Terror Incognita" story in which they returned?

I'm sorry if you don't like the League killing aliens, but "genocide" is awfully strong word to invoke.

[Drpryr]

I wish they hadn't thrown out so much of the continuity that the comic books laid down. The characters aren't bad by any stretch,
but they're not what they could be either.

[Tracer]

Originally posted by Crimson

...
Flash: Definitely an extreme interpretation of the Wally West/Flash persona. My only real exposure to him in the comics was his days with the Teen Titans, and I don't remember him being this goofy.

...


I agree the Batman and Superman are close enough that you don't lose anything.

The Flash acts more like another Superspeed Character - Impulse, but a few years older (For those not familiar, Impulse is an 8 yr great Nephew to the 2nd flash, Barry Allen. He was abducted as a infant, and grew up in a virtual world. He was broken out and send back in time to Wally's care. Basically as the name says, if he thinks it, he does it will little thought to a plan or consequence. basically a well meaning goof off but he is learning.) Even as Kid Flash barry wasn't this goofy, he just wasn't commited to anything (being a hero, relationship, etc..)

I don't remember a wonder woman this green (thank god!!) So I have no reference point.

John Stewart was a 3rd string GL and latter they decided to give him an actual personality.

Hawkgirl - All the hawks have been competent and warriors but she has Waay to many aggressive tendencies (yet I love her in the show :D One of my favorite characters.)

I agree again with Jonn, never had much of a personality to begin with. Brought new meaning to the word recluse.

[DisneyBoy]

Wonder Woman I find is too comfortanble on Man's World. I really think that the writers could have played up the "newness" of earth in regards to J'onn and Diana. They just took to it too quickly for newcomers. In the Perez 80's WW run, she wasn't even completely at ease after the first year of issues. Her character was built up gradually and I think it makes for more interesting interaction. On JL, she jsut showed up, said "This place is different" and started fighting like crazy. I'm sorry, but that's not how a person would behave. Where are her questions? It's like the writers just dropped them in and skipped the whole part where they don't completely understand everything. And the golden lasso is SO the Lasso of Truth! :mad: