Waverider's Moments in Initiation - A Prelude to Armageddon 2001?

[Karkull]

I was typing up my update for "Who's Who in the JLU?" page, and I when I got to Waverider, I noticed something about his screentime in Initiation. He's got two scenes in the episode:

1) In scene one, he hovers over everyone else in the meeting room (see here). He's not being very chatty, despite Elongated Man's attempts to stretch up and talk to him. That places him in a good vantage point to check out the room.

2) In scene two, we get a close-up of the character as he listens to Superman's speech. Then, he turns and looks suspiciously at Atom Smasher, who's standing over to his right (see here).

Is it just me, or is he sizing up his new teammates? In Armageddon 2001, the storyline where he made his first appearance, Waverider traveled back to the present day in an attempt to stop the ascension of Monarch, a superpowered dictator who -- legend has it -- was once one of Earth's heroes. Maybe Waverider's trying to figure out if anyone looks suspicious?

Suddenly, I'm guessing that that Monarch story arc may be more of a possibility that I thought...

BONUS: in the first pic listed above, the only other character in the air was Booster Gold. Funny how the two time-traveling characters are in the air in a sort of visual timeline (Earth's heroes on the floor [2004], Waverider hovering over them [2030], and Booster Gold flying over everyone [2462]).

[Knight]

His presence there is very interesting. I wonder how the League knows of him and who invited him to join. Waverider was never much of a superhero in the since of going around and saving people or crime fighting. Maybe he is here to do his investigation and find out who Monarch is. I am not a big fan of that storyline but if they are going that route Im sure Timm and Co will make it good.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

For those who don't read comics and want an overview of Armageddon 2001, this page is as good as any. Many jokes that could be made involving tyrants conquering the world starting in 2001 are being deliberately withheld in the name of bipartisan cooperation or something .

In any event, I thought the best bits of the Armageddon 2001 crossover were the annuals where they explored the alternate timelines of the DCU (even if the multiple Superman and Batman books meant Waverider had to visit those guys multiple times "just to be sure" -- riiiiight). Doing that kind of thing could take an entire season, though, and it also means you'd probably have to dedicate at least an episode's worth of time just to explain the backstory.

However, the crossover page there says Waverider was instrumental in the Zero Hour storyline, which ultimately killed off Hal Jordan and turned him into the Spectre (and triggered much on-line bloodletting between Hal fans and the rest of the world). I think Zero Hour is an even less likely candidate for a JLU storyline, since it still depends on Waverider's backstory, is even more complex than Armageddon 2001, and isn't a story many comics fans are very fond of. However, if anyone can do it right, it'd be the JLU team.

Didn't Waverider take Highfather's place as the head of the New Gods in the comics continuity? Maybe he's there as a rep from the New Gods rather than as the time traveler. Wouldn't be the first time the Animated Age took a character and stripped away the clunky backstory.

-- Ed/Ace

[PeterFries]

It bugged me that Waverider's fiery "hair" didn't animate at all...

[squashua]

"Waverider" did not take over for Highfather in the comics.

That was a different character, a formerly blind Earth human who was imbued with the powers of the Source Wall (whatever that means; I guess he can display omnious messags on his body or something). his name was "Takion", and I'm not really sure I care what happened to him.

[Luminous]

It bugged me that Waverider's fiery "hair" didn't animate at all...

Spot on, PeterFries!

It annoys me as well when animators "get lazy" like this. It's part of this character's look and to me things like this just shouldn't happen. It detracts from the overall experience of viewing an animated comic book.

A very similar nit I like to pick is the thing with Hawkgirl's wings. There would be times when she would be shown hovering in the air sometimes with wings flapping to keep herself aloft and other times they wouldn't be. Now what is up with THAT?? Laziness? I dare respond in the affirmative.

[Nick K.]

Cool thoughts Karkull.

I kind of thought he wasn't keen on the idea of having to take orders from the League so he made a face... he he...

[Yojimbo]

It literally could be anyone, since everyone knows in the comics it was Hawk. I have faith, it'll rock. It could be Obsidian, his powers come from a shadow realm and he eventually is driven insane by his power to read people's souls. But it's too early to really be sure what route Timm and co will take with the cast.

[All-Star 1.5]

I am thinking that if they do adapt a Armageddon storyline that it will probably be Armageddon: Inferno. I mean I haven't read the storyline or anything but from what I can tell it could be another reason why he was looking around and seeing who he could trust. I mean he might want their help in fighting a new baddie???

[maxnugget]

Well one thing's for certain: there's no way in HECK all those 57 heroes are gonna play nice with the League. I mean, we saw everyone from Orion to the Creeper to ETRIGAN...I mean, since when do Orion or Etrigan take orders from the league? You just know something's gonna happen...

Unfortunately my comics knowledge is sparse...I don't know anything about these other characters besides what I've read here from people, so that's all I've got to say.

[Dr_Flask]

Cool thoughts Karkull.

I kind of thought he wasn't keen on the idea of having to take orders from the League so he made a face... he he...

My thoughts exactly. And to be honest I would have loved a scene showing various "heroes" leaving during Superman speech. It would've been a clear indication 1) that not everyone wants to join the JL, 2) hate following someone else orders, and 3) Have grown tired of Superman boy-scout routine and what he "thinks" is good for everybody.

Waverider, little eye2eye to Atom Smasher said what I wouldv'e been "thinking" at the same time during Superman speech. Like, "where does this guy come off?"

If Iwas hero, I'd fit the profile of a loner who's very snarky.

[maxnugget]

My thoughts exactly. And to be honest I would have loved a scene showing various "heroes" leaving during Superman speech. It would've been a clear indication 1) that not everyone wants to join the JL, 2) hate following someone else orders, and 3) Have grown tired of Superman boy-scout routine and what he "thinks" is good for everybody.

Waverider, little eye2eye to Atom Smasher said what I wouldv'e been "thinking" at the same time during Superman speech. Like, "where does this guy come off?"

If Iwas hero, I'd fit the profile of a loner who's very snarky.

Or maybe he was thinking "This guy needs a better speech writer"

[Yojimbo]

Well, the recruits are going to be whittled down to 20 or so, so it's not like they're all to stay. True that Orion, the Dog of War won't take orders from a guy like Superman. The only thing that binds them is their mutal hatred of Darkseid. I hope to see an episode that deals with discension among the ranks.

[Nobie]

Ever since I saw Waverider in JLU I was worried that he'd be involved in a crazy and convoluted time travel episode, and I hope that they're not planning an Armageddon 2001 episode or two.

On the other hand, if they are, they have the actual super hero who becomes Monarch in the JLU, so it might work out.

[EJill34]

You know, I always thought that maybe they would infuse the Armageddon 2001 storyline with the President Lex storyline. I mean, "Initiation" dealed with some political stuff and it looks like "Hawk & Dove" may deal with a few topics, considering there was mention of a possible

Spoiler:

WWIII

in the summary.

Plus, we know that

Spoiler:

Lex has become involved with politics and will most likely become president.

This is kind of off-topic, but I had a thought about that

Spoiler:

"Starcrossed" sequel (which might also have something to do with the underlying arc). Maybe it's not really the Thanagarians, but the Invaders from "Secret Origins" and they'll do something like Terror Incognita from the JLA comic book.

[FALLEN ELDOR]

Originally I thought Zero Hour...then Armageddon 2001...now I'm starting to wonder with the season finally being the way it is, that B.T and crew come up with something else, or more a combination type thing. In any event, Waverider is the coolest advent of DC comic in the 90's, and I can't wait to see how they handle him

With so many 40's era heroes and modern generational JSA members I hope they have a huge time spanning epic...

[Rebis]

Waverider's presence is pretty interesting, and certainly does suggest that we may be headed for some kind of major time-spanning cataclysm like Armageddon or Zero Hour. Heck, we already know that we're going to be meeting up with a future JLU at the end of this season. Given the way b.t. and crew sometimes use original comics arcs as source material, but reconfigure them with their own funky twists, this cataclysm (if that's what's in store) could include elements of any of a number of DC's more noteworthy crossover events.

I have to say, Supergirl's prominence in "Initiation" along with her reappearances later this season, make me wonder if

Spoiler:

they're building towards her death, a la the Crisis on Infinite Earths. It's just a hunch.

What do you think?

[squashua]

I think an iteration on Armageddon 2001 would be awesome; likely set-up for next season.

I mean heck, the two primary contenders for "Who is Monarch" are right there; the original choice that DC was going to go with (and eventually went with in the pages of "Extreme Justice"), and the fallback choice who ended up being selected.