This has been a great week for DC Comics news. One of the more exciting tidbits is that WB and Cartoon Network are ramping up a new animated series, “Justice League Action.” Here’s what we know:
Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman lead the DC Comics Super Heroes against their most infamous foes in adventures packed with relentless thrills, fun and action. No need to wait for the good stuff to start, each eleven-minute episode jumps in with lightning-paced action and heroics. Whether defending the Earth, facing invaders from space, or battling the bizarre forces of magic, the always-rotating team of Justice League heroes, are up to any challenge.
The press release also let us know that Kevin Conroy (the voice actor who was Batman on “Batman: The Animated Series” and subsequent DC Animated Universe series) would be returning as Batman. Also Mark Hamill as Joker.
The series is going to be in “quarter hour” (actually eleven minute) episodes. That’s how they’ve done “Adventure Time” and “Teen Titans Go!”, and there are times I like those shorter episodes. If it’s not that great an episode, it goes by quickly; we’ll see more heroes and villains, hopefully have a variety of tones. The current Teen Titans series is ALL LAFFS ALL THE TIME and I kind of can’t stand it. It makes me miss the better, more serious cartoon. And yet, it’s a consistent performer for Cartoon Network, so it keeps running. I’m hoping “Justice League Action” has more to offer.
I’m particularly pleased because ever since “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” went off the air in 2011 and “Young Justice” in 2012, there hasn’t been anything featuring the larger DC Universe that was fit for kids. DC has focused on their direct-to-video movies, which have been hit and miss, but are all too dark/violent/adult for children. I’m fairly liberal with what my 11 and 13 year old sons watch, but about half of these movies cross that line enough that I don’t watch it with them. Or at the very least need to preview it before I let them watch it. So. Excited for this new offering. Hoping for the best.