Can the Justice League Series really live up?

[DisneyBoy]

Although this question is a little premature, do you really think that the Justice League animated series will live up to your personal expectations or the hype in general? The reason why we all love the animated Batman is because of the interactions and relationships between the characters. As much as I am interested in seeing Wonder Woman explored similarily, will there actually be enough time or space for it to be done to our sastifaction? Seriously here people, there are seven main characters, all equally important (they're a team right?) and all, arguably, equally complexe. Then there are their respective villains and secondary characters, many of which need to be introduced to the animated continuity for the first time. According to the interviews I have read, the main cast's alter egoes will not be shown, but what is Batman without Bruce Wayne? Not nearly as much as he is when both exist, that's for sure! Part of what made the best epsiodes of BB and TNBA were the episodes that focused on developping characters and relationships: (TNBA) Over the Edge, Judgement Day, Mad Love. (BB) Meltdown, Out of the Past. True, the action played a part in the sucess of these episodes, but all action just isn't enough (EX: Critters!). Sure, I have high hopes for the JL show, but with all the hype going on on the net, even here, and seeing as how the JL simply exist to fight off bad guys, how can the show live up to our expactations?

[Nightwing]

Originally posted by DisneyBoy
Seriously here people, there are seven main characters, all equally important (they're a team right?) and all, arguably, equally complexe. Then there are their respective villains and secondary characters, many of which need to be introduced to the animated continuity for the first time. According to the interviews I have read, the main cast's alter egoes will not be shown, but what is Batman without Bruce Wayne?

Yeah, that's something I've been thinking about. But I always make sure I remember, a small handfull of the people who made that Bat-brilliance that you're swooning over in your post are working on the Justice League. I'm sure they won't cut any corners, and they'll make sure everything is explained. For example I'm sure they'll still make Batman his complicated self, without giving him a complex amount of screen time, since everyone needs their "turn".

Anyone else have any lingering doubts they're worried about, while still expecting the show to come out great? Of course there must be some.

[Calhoun07]

I stay away from hype, I don't pay attention to the rumors, I don't read up on movies or TV shows very much before they come out. I am probably the only Star Wars fan in the world who really had no idea what was all going into the Phantom Menace before I saw it (and I still thought it was a weak movie, tho it wasn't because it didn't meet certain expectations.) If you have no expectations, if you just take things as they are then decide, you can't be let down for false hopes. And I have never really read any JLA comic books, so I don't know what to expect from a JLA series, tho I will be watching it. I am sure it will be worth the wait, though.

[Nightwing]

Originally posted by calhoun07
If you have no expectations, if you just take things as they are then decide, you can't be let down for false hopes. And I have never really read any JLA comic books, so I don't know what to expect from a JLA series, tho I will be watching it.

I agree, but it's just that in a way that seems like a fear of being let down. Having the facts that we do, we can be sure the show will turn out as great as TNBSA at the very least. But will it excell to the ground breaking levels of BTAS? That we won't know until we see it.

I've never read any JLA comics, but from fans just like us, I've heard quite a bit of praise from the original line for example. We know it'll be good.....but how good?

[Calhoun07]

I get a feeling it won't exceed the original Batman animated series. As much faith I have in Bruce Timm to bring us the finest programming he can offer, rarely do ground breaking artists exceed the original work with which they broke ground. There is always something special about that first ground breaking work. Generally speaking, that is.

[Tim Drake]

I think Justice League has a potential that BTAS never had. Remeber every episode is an hour long!! In terms of plot development every story gets ample time to develop, add twists, and surprises. Many of the great BTAS eps were two parters. The other argument is their ability to develop 7 heroes as well as a villain in each epsidoe. Remember, they mentioned that many episodes will only feature 2 or 3 heroes. The story that Dini started was only Flash and Green Lantern. We might even get a Batman solo episode! I have great faith in Justice League because of Toonami's different opinion of appropiate material. The less restricitve censors alongside with an hour program slot should make the Justice League a great show!!

[Salvor]

Originally posted by calhoun07
I get a feeling it won't exceed the original Batman animated series. As much faith I have in Bruce Timm to bring us the finest programming he can offer, rarely do ground breaking artists exceed the original work with which they broke ground. There is always something special about that first ground breaking work. Generally speaking, that is.

Once again I agree with you. It cannot have the potential BTAS used to have. The original show was trailblazzing in a way, plus the Art-Deco skylines and the "film noir" were just top-notch. The JLA will only be what it can be: a cartoon. BTAS was so much more than that.

[Salvor]

hehe I dig replying to my own posts...

Anyway I just wanted to add that I know what you (Tim or whoever) might tell me: you don't know the show, maybe it will be "tralblazzing". Well, from what I've seen on Superman, BB and even the new Batman, Bruce Timm and co. have gotten used to doing more standard cartoons nowadays... great ones, that's for sure, mainly because of the very stylish designs Murakami, Timm, Glines and the others are able to provide. But still, they don't have the originality and the amibtion of the orignal show.

In short, in JLA you'll get enthralling adventures with tremendous superheroes facing evil. You won't see Bruce crying in front of his parents' grave.

[I.R Joey]

Often the reason the first works of any artist are praised, is because they are the first. They come out of nowhere and nobody even see's them coming. Such was the case of B: TAS, JLA however has a legacy to live up to, expectations to meet and so on. We'll just have to see.

[Calhoun07]

You really hit it on the head of the nail there, friend! Bruce Timm blazed a new trail with the original Batman series, and established a style that WORKS! He is not going to try to re-invent it or do something different for JLA and try to blaze new ground. It will be in the same style as his other cartoons, because he knows that is what we are all looking for. And he ain't going to fix what ain't broke!