DVD REVIEW: Justice League Unlimited – Season 2

Super Heroes and Super Villains are out with UNLIMITED force. In the second season of the Justice League Unlimited DVD the last 13 episodes of the series are showcased. Here we get the ultimate fight between good guys and bad guys as the show turns to the Legion of Doom, swamp home base and all.

In the first episode we see the Secret Society of villains, led by Gorilla Grodd. Grodd brings Lex Luthor into the fold and this Unlimited Villain team seems like an unstoppable force. Throughout the season the Justice League is trying to piece together the puzzle of who’s behind this new bad guy team.

Here each episode stands alone quite well while giving us action packed adventures that explore even more of the DC universe. Whether it’s at the center of the Earth or Central City we get to see a variety of bad guys like Silver Banshee, The Trickster, Captain Boomerang, Killer Frost, Devil Ray and more. On the Super Hero side of things the focus turns more towards the leagues newer members. Mr. Terrific is dishing out orders in the watchtower and heroes like Stargirl and S.T.R.I.P.E. strut their stuff along with Shining Knight, Vigilante, Green Arrow, Huntress and Black Canary. This all builds up to some ultimate showdowns, good vs. bad, villains vs. villains and then villains and heroes against the supreme bad guy, DARKSEID

This season there were a lot of light and fun episodes, a big change from the serious Cadmus arc. Here’s a look at a few of my favorite episodes of this season.

First there’s Shadow of the Hawk which brings HAWKMAN / Carter Hall into the JLU world. At first Carter Hall comes off as a stalker type fascinated with Hawkgirl/Shayera and this of course ads to the love triangle between Hawkgirl and Green Lantern who’s still dating Vixen. The second part of this story continues in Ancient History where we discover the identity of the Shadow Thief and GL tells Shayera about their future son but still decides to stay with Vixen.

Throughout the series we watch Lex Luthor and his obsession with Brainiac, all he wants is to be reunited with the machine to achieve God like status. Soon Lex is leading the Secret Society after he locked up Gorilla Grodd for trying to turn every man into an ape. In The Great Brain Robbery Lex turns to Grodd trying to read his mind for the answers to the Brainiac riddle, at the same time the Justice League is trying to find Grodd using a psychic link from the Flash, via Dr. Fate. These two events happen at the same time and Lex and the Flash exchange minds. Here the comedy ensues, especially from the Flash being in Lex’s body. My favorite little joke comes when Flash/Lex is leaving the bathroom and a fellow villain asks; “Aren’t you going to wash your hands?” Flash/Lex’s replies, “NO, cause I’m evil.”

Next up is Grudge Match where we get the girls of the League fighting each other! Under the control of Roulette Black Canary is participating in an underground fighting league. The Huntress uncovers the truth but the fights continue to the ultimately mega battle with the Huntress, Black Canary, Vixen, and Hawkgirl all fight against the Amazonian Wonder Woman.

Last but not least is the final episode Destroyer. Darkseid is resurrected and trying to destroy Earth and Superman. What I loved most is seeing Superman just let it all loose and really pummel Darkseid; it’s truly an awesome showdown. Of course Lex Luthor steps up to the plate too and proves how smart he is using his 12th level intellect. It’s a fitting end to an awesome show, of course you’re left wishing there was more.

The Special Features offered are good but I’d like even more. The Cadmus: Exposed was quite interesting; Mark Hamill moderates a discussion with show producers Bruce Timm, James Tucker and Dwayne McDuffie. They look back at the Cadmus arc from season one and how things lead up to the current season featured on this DVD.

On Disc 2 the producers talk about their favorite episodes. One of the cool features is seeing some of the storyboards alongside the show action. That storyboard comparison would be fun option to turn on during any episode.

Ultimately this DVD is a must own for any Super Hero fan as there’s unlimited fun in every episode. Here’s the rundown of each Disc:

JLU Season 2
Disc 1
1. I am Legion
2. Shadow of the Hawk
3. Chaos at the Earth’s Core
4. To Another Shore
5. Flash and Substance
6. Dead Reckoning
7. Patriot Act
SPECIAL FEATURES:
CADMUS: EXPOSED: Mark Hamill and Series Creative Personnel Discus This Popular Series Arc

Disc 2
8. The Great Brain Robbery
9. Grudge Match
10. Far From Home
11. Ancient History
12. Alive!
13. Destroyer
SPECIAL FEATURES:
JUSTICE LEAGUE CHRONICLES: Series Writers, Producers, Directors Discuss Their Favorite Moments Among Final Season Episodes.
MUSIC – ONLY AUDIO TRACK FOR DESTROYER

Cathie Horlick
4/18/2007
Source: Toonado