Top 12 Justice League episodes

*For all intents and purposes spoiler warning (even though this series is about a decade old)*

Hello loyal readers and welcome to another edition of Dustin's Dirty Dozen, this issue takes us deep into one of my favorite series when I give you my top 12 "Justice League" episodes. I know a lot of you are wondering why I am doing this issue, and the answer is: the new Batman/Superman movie. I have heard so much about the upcoming movie and can't help but think that it is some sort of precursor to a Justice League movie. With all of the news surrounding the upcoming film it seems that this new DC movie is going to be another in the long line of DC movie failures. So I am here to bring you back to a time where DC was amazing, even if it might cut out a good portion of my readers. I could write a book on this series, it is one of the greatest things ever to come out of DC (along with "Teen Titans" and the 90's shows). So, without further adieu let's get these capes counted off.

12) The Cat and the Canary

This episode shows us the trials and tribulations of Wild Cat, one of the League's most normal members. No powers, no gadgets, just skill in the boxing ring and a costume. He has found himself in an underground, illegal fighting competition where he beats super-powered villains to a pulp. The thing that makes this episode great is that it shows us what a superhero in the middle of a mid-life crisis does. Feeling cast aside by the Justice League for not being as useful as the more powerful heroes he goes into this blood sport, where he can once again feel like he is accomplishing something. His student Black Canary and her love interest Green Arrow try to stop him, and succeed when Green Arrow uses a stun gun to put him in metabolic stasis. This gives Wildcat the feeling that he has killed someone in the ring and finally breaks him of the crowd's draw. This may have had the overlying intention of getting Green Arrow and Black Canary together, but the subtle more meaningful message of growing old, being outclassed and the addiction of popularity are why this episode was great.   

11) The Savage Time

These episodes bring us into a parallel timeline, where we see what would have happened if we lost WWII, and if the Germans were under more "experienced" leadership. Randal Savage (an immortal villain that has lived since the stone age) has assumed power over the Nazi regime, and uses advanced technology to turn the tide of the war. The Justice League (being unaffected by the skewed timeline due to the protection of Green Lantern's ring) seeks to put the past back in order and undo the horrors savage has brought upon the world. This episode was good for a multitude of reasons. We get to see John Stewart as a man with no power ring and reverted back to his United States Marine Corps training. We get to see the work of past heroes fight alongside current superheroes when Hawkgirl meets The Blackhawks (a group of ace fighter pilots). If you are a fan of "Band of Brothers"/"Justice League" fan-fiction, or if you simply love parallel universes these are the episodes for you.

10) Legends

Another parallel universe story line (beginning to sense a theme here?) where the League meets a team very similar to them, the Justice Guild of America. Something is a miss though when the League starts noticing some inconsistencies in this world: an ice cream truck that never stops for patrons, the town having only two cops, it seeming like the 1950's even though it is current day. It turns out that the universe is fabricated (from a mutant child with mental powers) and it means that the Guild is fabricated as well. The Guild sacrifices themselves to take out the mutant that caused everything, and all is set right again. These episodes give us a look into the past by comparing "The Golden Age" of comics to the more current one. That comparison brings along so many awkward moments: sexism, a slightly racist comment, "role call" for the guests, corny dialogue (to include a seemingly infinite amount of puns). The sacrifice scene is amazing and if nothing else we get a proper look at how someone in today's timeline would react to a more naive one.  

9) A Better World

Last parallel universe arc I swear. These episodes show us a parallel version of the Justice League, called the Justice Lords. The only differences between the two teams are that the Lords are willing to kill and the Flash is dead. So long story short on this one, the Lords find out about the League's universe and try to take it over. It doesn't work. The reason it doesn't work is one of the reasons why this episode is great. The League frees Lex Luthor to stop the lords, and that sets up the arc for the big Justice League: Unlimited season two finale. Another big reason these episodes were great was the Lords' martial law, and Superman going on a lobotomy rampage.

8) Wake the Dead

This is based off of an older episode (The Terror Beyond) where the villain Solomon Grundy gave his life (or whatever type of life a zombie has) to save the world. Some college kids get together and perform a ritual they think will give them the power to defend themselves against bullies. It turns out that the ritual raised Solomon from the grave (insert zombie reference) and it is up to the League to stop him. This episode is great because it gives a very real look at what would happen when a superhero tries to come back in to the fold, after betraying the people of Earth. Hawkgirl is going through an identity crisis already and she has a soft spot for Grundy; so the fact that her return has to be centered around taking him out provides great character development. If nothing else it provides the viewer with a decent "Old Yeller" style scene when Hawkgirl has to put down Grundy.

7) Epilogue

Not a parallel universe but a look into the future of "Batman Beyond," tied in with "Justice League" and it shows how truly great Bruce Wayne was. So, Terry McGinnis finds out Bruce Wayne is his biological father and goes through a bit of an identity crisis (you are going to see a lot of these characters go through an identity crisis, probably comes with the territory of wearing a mask). He seeks out Amanda Waller (an old enemy of the League and ex head of Cadmus) assuming she is the only one that has the answers. He's right, and Amanda Waller tells him why she did it, defending her decision with a story about Bruce Wayne when he was in the League. I just like any episode that ties in different DC franchises; like "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm," Justice League," and "Batman Beyond." Even without the tie-ins, the story is pretty awesome. It shows us what sets Batman apart from the other League members. I know Bruce Wayne is a bit overplayed in Hollywood right now, but this Bruce Wayne will never be played out. 

6) Tabula Rasa (to include The Return)

This is the story of Amazo the android and a scientist making a god. Amazo can copy ANYTHING (he copied the properties of a star, so yeah anything) and make it part of him. Lex Luthor takes advantage of the robot's naivety, to try and kill the Justice League. The android takes Martian Manhunter's powers, and with his new found telepathy learns that Lex is using him. He copies the properties of a celestial star and leaves. In The Return, he comes back to kill Luthor or find his purpose. He doesn't kill Luthor and is brought under the care of Dr. Fate to find his purpose. So, these are great episodes because it gives many of our character's more depth. In Tabula Rasa, Martian Manhunter is having a crisis of self when he can't turn off his telepathy, and eventually he learns why he is fighting for humanity. In The Return, we get to see where Hawkgirl has been hiding herself and learn a little more about Dr. Fate. If you like satires on over powered superhero's these is definitely the episodes for you.

5) Only A Dream

I'm going to keep the synopsis short here, basically these are episodes about a Freddy-Krueger-like villain, and we get to see what scares the members of the League. I think the whole bird in a cage comparison of Hawkgirl's claustrophobia was brilliantly subtle. There is more identity crisis from Green Lantern's dream, when he fear's that he has grown too distant from his roots and is slave to the ring's power. Superman feel's like his power will never stop growing, and he won't be able to control it. Flash fears that he will one day go too fast and never be able to slow down again. We never see, the Martian Manhunter's fears or Wonder Woman's (since she is not in the episode). Batman's fear's are pretty self evident by now (especially if you saw Batman: The Animated Series). They're great episodes to watch for character development, and if you're a fan of Batman proving himself to the "more powerful" members of the League.  

4) Secret Society

Secret Society is the third attempt to create an Injustice League, except this time it comes close to working. Gorilla Grodd uses his mental powers to play with the League's emotions, getting them to say the things that they would usually keep hidden from one another. This episode gives us even more character development showing us how it is to live and work with roommates. Basically, if you spend a long time with anyone they are going to get on your nerves. This instance just so happens to give the roommates superpowers and secret identities. I like anytime a show about other worldly beings can bring them down to a level the audience can relate to. 

3) Question Authority/Flashpoint/Panic in the Sky/Divided We Fall

These episodes were not only the longest continuing story line in the shows airing but also the most built up. Through out all of the "Justice League: Unlimited" the viewer is taken through different episodes all hinting at a shadow cabinet called Cadmus; whose sole reason for existing is to prepare the world against the possibility of a superhero uprising. These episodes are the finale, the climax of all that planning, and they do not disappoint. We find out that the campaign for presidency Luthor was building up is fake, and he was just doing it to get under Superman's skin. We get to see what Cadmus has been planning all this time, and see the plan fall apart at the end of everything. Finally, we get to see Amanda Waller and the League work together to bring down a Brainiac infused Luthor. Everything that has been given to us so far in the series is tied together in a nice little package, and the result is amazing.

2) Starcrossed (to include Hunter's Moon)

Starcrossed is one of the Justice League three part episodes that was turned into a movie. It center's around the Thanagarian army occupying Earth and taking control, as well as showing us that Hawkgirl wasn't being completely honest with the League. It turns out that she was a spy for her home world (scouting out the locals), and more so is engaged to the commander of the Thanagarian army. Long story short, they try to destroy Earth to save their home world and the League stops them. The part I like the most about this episode is when the League takes off their costumes. The Flash is a little hesitant and Batman just reveals all of their secret identities to save time. I am not to fond of episodes that are centered around the love story arcs, but the betrayal against Green Lantern makes it seem better. Aside from all that, we have Hawkgirl quitting the Justice League and becoming a pariah to her people. She puts herself in an extremely tough situation and that is made all the more evident in the Hunter's Moon episode when her people try to take revenge against her betrayal, and the members of the League she is with still don't fully trust her.

1) For the Man Who has Everything

This episode was deliciously depressing, and brought together the members of the big three. So, it is Superman's birthday, Batman and Wonder Woman arrive to give him their well wishes to find him "indisposed." Turns out he got a mysterious gift and it was a plant that (once attached) gives you a completely realistic, pseudo reality of what you want most in the world. What Superman want's most in the world is to be back on Krypton, and to have a family with Lois Lane once there. He soon realizes that this world is fabricated, and must give up his heart's biggest desire to be free. Once freed the plant attaches to Batman and we get a look at Bruce's father mercilessly beating the shit out of the mugger that took his parent's lives. They get the plant off of him and beat the bad guy that put it there, but at a great price. All of this to include Wonder Woman's fight with the bad guy makes this episode the best that the Justice League has to offer. It was dark, depressing, and filled with deep emotional loss. Simply astounding. 

Honorable Mention) Secret Origins

If I may quote the DC animation heads, "everyone loves an origin story," and I am no different.

Next time on Dustin's Dirty Dozen: Top 12 characters that Hollywood needs to let die. I get back on the movie track by giving you the characters that have lived far to long, and finally need to be laid to rest.