This is the end, my loyal 6 readers. Seeing as this little exercise actually got some pretty undeserved attention on ComicVine.com (to which I'm extremely flattered and grateful... I'm grattered), I figure I should just finish it up now while I'm still writing relatively well. Let's finish this bad boy up...4.) Episode 26: Epilogue
The world of Batman Beyond and its role in both the DC Animated Universe and in DC Comics in general is one that will always be polarizing. While some people seem to really like Terry McGinnis and his futuristic bat-exploits, some people will always find it just a superfluous extension to a popular character. Either way, "Epilogue" is an episode that, regardless of your feelings on Batman Beyond, you should enjoy. It really is more of a story about Bruce than it is Terry. It's really a testament to his humanity and how that is what makes him a hero. The gist of the episode is Terry is done being Batman, he doesn't want the responsibility and is done with feeling obliged to do Bruce's dirty work. He visits an elderly Amanda Waller in an attempt to gain some kind of closure on his life, but what he finds instead is a new purpose to continue being Batman. I won't spoil some of the best moments of this for you, as there are a few in which you're bound to choke up (if you're the sentimental type like me), but if you're Batman fiend then this is surely a must-see.
3.) Episode 31: Flash and Substance
What a fun episode. It's Flash Appreciation Day in Central City and Flash has convinced Batman and Orion to turn out for the big Flash Museum unveiling. However, Flash's Rogues (including Captain Boomerang, Captain Cold, Mirror Master, and Trickster) have decided to use the big day as a chance to take the Flash down once and for all. It's the Rogues that really make this episode, as they walk a fine line between being poor washed-up schlubs and the formidable villains they once were. It's fun to watch them bicker about their various methods (nobody likes Captain Boomerang's giant rocket-propelled boomerang!!!), and I really credit this episode with turning me into a Flash fan... because he has awesome villains! Heck, Mark Hamill even voices the Trickster. Mind blown. But for as much as I've said about the villains, the Flash being shown for the truly unorthodox hero that he is is just another great aspect to this episode, which could have easily taken the top spot. BUT THIS IS JLU! So as it stands... it's only number 3.
2.) Episode 8: The Greatest Story Never Told
Booster Gold is the greatest hero you've never heard of, and I can't say I'd heard of him prior to this episode of JLU. However, after an epic half-hour, I'll never forget him ever again. Put quite frankly, this is a hell of a romp that combines the best of Justice League's comedic and action elements. The League has their hands full and needs every single member to help with the crisis, even Booster who they're none too fond of. Sadly, he's put on "crowd-control", but from his own natural curiosity and desire for fame and glory, Booster ends up having one hell of a wild night of super-hero-ing. Of course, in the end, nobody believes him (and half the people he meets think he's Green Lantern, for some reason). He even gets lambasted for abandoning his "crowd-control" post, but he does get his just rewards after all. I know I'm being especially vague about this episode, but that's only because I can't do it justice with just a description. Go watch this episode right now.
1.) Episode 2: For the Man Who Has Everything
How can you go wrong with an episode based on a work by Alan Moore? Episode 2 is based on an old Alan Moore Superman story by the same name, and is by far one of the most intense and emotionally arresting episode of any cartoon EVER. It doesn't follow the story to a tee, removing aspects like Jason Todd and the overt political dealings of Moore's story, but in its place is still a fantastic episode by any measure. It's Superman's birthday and Wonder Woman and Batman go to visit him. When they arrive at the Fortress of Solitude, they find Superman under the hypnotic trance of a plant growing into the Man of Steel's chest. The plant was given to him by Mongul, one of his greatest and most powerful foes, as a way to incapacitate him for his coming conquest of the world. The plant shows Superman his heart's desire, placing him in a state that he never wants to awake from, and so Wonder Woman must take on the far stronger Mongul whilst Batman tries to remove the plant from Clark.
We get an episode split into various parts, showing the extremely touching fantasies of Clark in which he is happily married with a family on Krypton, Batman trying to use all his intellectual know-how to get the plant off his friend, and Wonder Woman fighting for her life against a vastly more powerful opponent. These parts all geniusly meld into a story that will make you laugh, cry, and feel thrilled all in one sitting. It might not be the best representation of what the rest of the series has to offer, but if anybody wants a single example why the DC Animated Universe is a far more than just kid-stuff and deserves attention from audiences of all ages, this is it.
And that's it, my loyal readers. What has this top 15 countdown taught us?
- Tons of heroes featured in one show is a recipe for success.
- Heroes' exposition's awesomeness is equivalent to its dramatic delivery.
- Girl fights can be awesome in a completely un-creepy way.
- Sometimes the bad guys are just more fun.
- Apparently turning into a pig is a constant threat superheroes must worry about.
- Booster Gold is not Green Lantern.
- Alan Moore's work makes great cartoon material (which he probably would hate).
If you stuck through all three parts, I'm greatly appreciative. If you're that crazy, then hopefully you'll be inspired to get into Justice League Unlimited because it really does deserve serious attention. From a completely biased and fanboy perspective, this is a fantastic series. Lastly, I hope you had as much fun reading this as I did writing it, because it was honestly a labor of love.
Until my next lapse in judgement, I bid you adieu.
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