Justice League Doom - Mobile Edition

Animé and Toons
Justice League Doom
By Chris Zimmerman
March 15, 2012 - 16:33

Writer(s): Dwayne McDuffie
ISBN: 0-7806-7307-7
$24.98 US
Starring: Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly, Susan Eisenberg, Nathan Fillion, Carl Lumbly, Michael Rosenbaum, Bumper Robinson, Phil Morris
Directed by: Lauren Montgomery
Produced by: Warner Animation
Running Time: 77 Minutes
Release Date: February 28, 2012
Distributors: Warner Home Video

Justice League Doom is the closest thing to a sequel fans of the original Justice League series can hope for. DC Comic's animation division has been cranking out a slew of hits and considering the story in which Doom is based on, it should come as no surprise that this is another strong entry in the line. Being the last script written by the late, great Dwayne McDuffie, Doom packs in all the prerequisite character moments, twists, and brawls that make for a bittersweet sendoff for one of the true greats.

The film borrows its concept from two comics, the first being primarily from the “Tower of Babel” arc that ran through the core JLA book, and written by Mark Waid, with the other being “Justice” by Alex Ross. The core plot of Doom takes more from the former, which see’s the League being dismantled by traps specifically tailored toward their weaknesses by none other than Batman. The influence of “Justice” can be felt in the Injustice League’s inclusion in the film. McDuffie’s fondness for the team is felt throughout his body of work, having used them in the original Justice League Series, then onto Unlimited, and finally his run on the book. So it makes it almost poignant that they would crop up again for his last hurrah.

The film makes excellent use of its limited runtime, wasting little time in setting up the conflict and delivering the heroic moments that one would expect of a lineup like this. Doom fundamentally builds on every minute detail introduced in both the comics and what fans have seen before in animation. Metallo’s effort to finally finish off Superman isn’t new by any stretch, having been employed several times, and by the villain himself, however the lead-up to the act is so carefully crafted that the plot almost comes out of left field, adding a new wrinkle to the overplayed scheme. Likewise, the dialogue between the characters suggests a more personal vendetta between the heroes and their combatants beyond simply good versus evil.

Despite the conflict embroiling the two teams, there are still character moments that add a bit of depth to the cast. J’onn J’onzz benefits the most from this, having previously foregone a secret identity in the Justice League series, this time around audiences are given a clearer look at the character’s relationship with the Earth. Unlike Superman, J’onn is awkward in his identity, and struggles to fit in, whereas Superman embraces it.

The straight-to-DVD films have seen their fair share of stalwart acting, and Justice League Doom is no exception. The majority of the series’ cast returns to their roles, with the exception of Green Lantern being voiced by Nathan Fillion, reprising the role from another animated film, Emerald Knights. Hearing the actors returning to the characters is a treat, though the switch up from the Wally West iteration of the Flash to Barry Allen makes for a toned down Michael Rosenbaum that doesn’t quite connect.

The bonus features this time around are strong all around. The meat of the extras is “A League of One: the Dwayne McDuffie Story,” recounting the writer’s contributions to the DCU. Hearing his colleagues and family discuss his work offers a tender glimpse into the life of a truly astonishing writer that was taken from us too soon. Two more featurettes make up the rest of the new content. “Guarding the Balance: Batman and the JLA” explores the similarities between Doom and :Tower of Babel, with industry professionals offering input. The second feature, “Cyborg: His Time has Come,” explores the character and his importance to the DCU. Rounding out the extras are two episodes from the series in which the League faces down the Royal Flush Gang.

Justice League Doom has all the drama and weight needed for an emotional superhero epic. With its paltry runtime, the film feels like an extended episode of Justice League, though this is by no means a bad thing. Dwayne McDuffie’s final entry into DC’s animated film series is a worthy entry into the man’s extensive list of hits. Offering everything from action to character drama, Justice League Doom is a worthy addition to the collection of any Comic Book fan.

B+