10 Best Episodes of Justice League

In a YouTube video I named Justice League/Justice League Unlimited as the greatest superhero cartoon of all time.  The entire series was just released on Netflix instant so I getting through a majority of the show.  Had a difficult time limiting myself to only ten episodes, I was working from a list of 32 episodes I considered to be perfect (that is more episodes than most superhero cartoons have).  So here is my fairly subjective list, but you really can pick out any of episode of this show as a classic.

10. Destroyer

While the preceding episode Alive! may be a more consistent episode (and one of the best villain centric stories I have ever seen) this season finale has some nice touches that leaves an impact.  Not the best of the show, but still a great send off.  Lex Luthor, who in my opinion had become the star of the show, claiming to be "overqualified" for a level ten intellect was one of the character's best moments.  And of course this episode is remembered for Superman's "world made of cardboard speech" before he almost destroys Darkseid.  After his solo cartoon and four episodes of Justice League we get to see how powerful the Man of Steel is.

9. For the Man Who Has Everything

Audiences fascination with superheroes is that of wish fulfillment.  We see Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman as who we want to be.  But stories like this really show how broken and incomplete they really are.  Superman's fantasy is not one he is ever going to allow himself to have.  Batman's fantasy (simply his father fighting back against his killer) is not one that is possible.  These fully realized characters have tragic depths that when explored properly make us realize how real these costumed fantasy figures are.

8. Flash and Substance

The characterization on this show is incredible, everybody got their chance to shine and the cast had several break out characters.  The big break out character for me was The Flash.  His lighthearted and fun-loving nature really perfected the balance of the team and as other episodes point out: he is the heart and conscience of the League.  This episode is a nod to Flash's rogue's gallery and home of Central City.  Seeing the unique way in which Flash deals with his villains (literally just talking down and being a friend to Trickster) and fame is really different from the solo heroes.  I had not read many Flash comics, but this episode made me wish Bruce Timm produced a Flash cartoon.  Also this episode is fun because of the respect Batman gives his teammate.  It is rare to see Batman impressed with someone else.

Special mention to The Great Brain Robbery, the other great Flash episode where he and Lex Luthor switch bodies (a nod to Michael Rosenbaum's two big DC roles).  Hilarity definitely ensues.

7. Once and Future Thing Part II

The first part is a fun nod to DC's western heroes, but the stakes and nods to continuity of Part II stands out as one of the series' best adventures.  Batman and Green Lantern in the Batman Beyond future provides a lot of great comedy (namely with the great dialogue that comes from three Batmans).  This is a great character development episode for Green Lantern who struggles with finding his son from an ex-girlfriend.  A lot of fun with Static ("60 is the new 40") and Hal Jordan's surprise cameo.

Batman Beyond was such a great DCAU creation and it was great to see Terry McGinnis again.  Epilogue almost made the list (in fact I am really surprised that it didn't).

6. Clash

Superman's character development in Unlimited was perfect.  The way Luthor could push his buttons and Batman came to doubt him brought new levels to the Man of Steel.  Casting the legendary Captain Marvel as a more idealistic foil to Superman is perfect.  Their fight is perfectly choreographed and Marvel telling off the League is 

5. Hereafter

A lot of my favorite episodes deal focus on Superman.  I think that is because Justice League from season 2 on had such a perfect grasp on the character and really struggled with a lot of the issues surrounding the powerful and beloved hero.  This two-parter proves why Clark Kent is Superman.  Without a red son in a post-apocalyptic he still manages to be a hero without power.  Relying solely on his resourcefulness.  Seeing the League react to his death is great for illustrating the strong team dynamic.  Especially Batman in denial and Wonder Woman in anger.  Also this features the return of Brad Garrett's Lobo who tries to force the League to make him Superman's replacement.  I understand that Lobo is too strong of a character for a team show, but really wish he made more appearances.

4. Wild Cards

The funniest Justice League episode, but also in some ways one of its darkest.  This is the last appearance of Mark Hamill's Joker, which is my favorite interpretation of the character (although John DiMaggio's portrayal in Under the Red Hood is absolutely terrifying).  The Joker is in real fine form here as he works great comedically and as a scheming villain.  I really like when characters like the Joker get in over their head.  You know they won't win but you think they might.  This was banned on TV after its initial airing, so I saw it for the first time on DVD years after it aired but it is one of my favorites.

3. Starcrossed

The plot twists, the scale, the characterization.  This show was capable of anything.  Hawkgirl did not start off as a popular character.  She replaced Aquaman in the main lineup and did not have a huge fanbase from the comics.  But the show really had a strong grasp on her.  The volatile warrior from another planet had great relationships with the team, especially Flash and Lantern.  There was a mystery surrounding the character that you never realized until things went down in the finale of the first series.

Hawkgirl makes some moral comprises while continuing to be a sympathetic character.  Her betrayals and loyalties create some incredible moral dilemmas for the team and the audience that are difficult to deal with.  The Thanagarian invasion was not just an adventure the heroes had, it changed everything.  All of the characters were developed in this tightly plotted, exciting three-parter.

2. Question Authority/Flashpoint/Panic in the Sky/Divided We Fall
I couldn't pick just one episode.  The Cadmus arc makes up most of the episodes of the first season of JLU, but four of the last episodes of the season are a perfectly escalating story arc.  The Question and Amanda Waller both come close to stealing the show and Lex Luthor has never been better.  Flash, Green Arrow, Supergirl and Batman all have great moments.  And the struggles and worries about Superman are a practical evolution of the story.  The reveal of the true big bad at the end of Panic in the Sky and the surprising way in which he is defeated in Divided We Fall are terrific surprises.  I cannot remember being more excited while watching a TV show.  Every week during these episodes something changed and I didn't know what would happen.

1. A Better World
This is the best superhero fiction can be.  Comics, movies, cartoons, whatever: this two-parter is my all time favorite look at superheroes.  It provides an honest view of the negative implications of super powers and vigilantism without losing the idealism of the DC universe.  Seeing Superman as a dictator, the importance of Flash to the team and especially Batman fighting his alternate self are all fascinating.  Justice Lords Batman convinces our Batman to change by arguing they've created a world where, "no eight year old kid will ever lose his parents to some punk with a gun."  Just completely fascinating.

10 Most Important Animated Series of the Animation Renaissance

The animation renaissance that I would date from 1982 to 1994 is my favorite era of entertainment.  I was born in 1991 and grew up with the influence and impact of these cartoons.  The renaissance is when animation was able to reach new audiences, new levels of success and heights of quality.  The medium reestablished itself as an indispensable part of our culture.  Here is a look at the most important animated series of this exciting period.

10. Tiny Toon Adventures (98 episodes, 1990-1992, Syndication and Fox Kids)

They're Tiny, they're Toony, they're all a really great.  Tiny Toon Adventures was the first television cartoon that Steven Spielberg was a producer on.  This was Warner Bros. animation's return to fame, the studio would reach heights they hadn't seen since the Termite Terrace shorts.  Tiny Toons is unlike any other franchise update, it creates its own characters and identity while being true to the spirit and quality of the original Looney Tunes.  The characters match up with Bugs and Daffy but are able to have their own identities and dynamics.  Also this series features great appearances from the original Looney Tunes, bridging the two generations.  This series is full of sight gags, pop culture irreverence and wit.  It is everything that Warner Bros. does at their best.

9. Gargoyles (78 episodes, 1994-1997, Disney Afternoon and ABC)

Disney theatrical animation was the king of the animation renaissance, but the output of Walt Disney Television Animation was just as influential.  The Disney cartoon with the biggest following is easily this action cartoon.  The tight storytelling, heavy action and high quality designs were unseen in television animation.  TV animation is normally economical and made for the assembly line, but everything about Gargoyles (the writing and the art) was an artistic endeavor.  This show has a strong, dedicated fan base.  The legacy of the show has continued in comics written by series creator Greg Weisman.

8. VeggieTales (48 episodes, 1993-present, Home Video)

Not a TV series like the rest of this, this was an original series for a whole different medium.  VeggieTales is important because it was created by nonprofessionals for a market that was not being reached.  The fun characters and funny gags were different from the sanitized, uncreative material that conservative Christians usually receive and they have supported the franchise for twenty years.  The series with a message is so accessible that it has a large following outside of Christian children.  It is rare to see animation used for something outside of money, but VeggieTales is continuing proof that the medium can be used for anything.  It is also a great example of early successful computer animation.

7. Animaniacs (99 episodes, 1993-1998, Fox Kids and Kids' WB)

Tiny Toons brought Warner Bros. back, and the studio continued to improve with this fun series.  Irreverent and wacky, Animaniacs pulls no punches and follows no formulas.  It is a return to animation for the sake of fun and it really holds up.  The series gifted us with great characters, jokes and really catchy songs.  The series spun off into Pinky and the Brain, continuing the incredible collaborations of Spielberg and WB.

6. Batman: The Animated Series (85 episodes, 1992-1995, Fox Kids)

This is the best comic book adaptations have ever been.  This is better than superhero movies and even superhero comics.  This series had a great grasp on Batman in the characterization and the visual style of Gotham.  The series was dark and mature, but exciting and fun enough to win over kids as well as adults.  The universe was so real that it expanded into feature films and further adaptations of DC comics: Superman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond and Justice League.  This show was so good that it did not stop with this show, the legacy of it is still being felt in the comic books.

5. DuckTales (100 episodes, 1987-1990, Syndication and Disney Afternoon)

Disney's greatest television success.  It was made in a time when toyetic, cheaply produced assembly line animation ruled the airwaves and audiences responded with this change in quality.  DuckTales had a high budget, the best animation a TV series could have and great characters.  The series had varied adventures, rather than sticking to one formula.  It kept the spirit of the Carl Barks comics, immortalizing Scrooge and his nephews and gifting the world with the breakout character of Launchpad.  DuckTales was successful well into the nineties and is still remembered fondly today.

4. Ren and Stimpy (52 episodes, 1991-1996, Nickelodeon)

Television animation is rarely associated with an artist or creator, Ren and Stimpy is the exception.  The star of the series was really the style and personality of John Kricfalusi.  Animation die hards watched this series as well as mainstream children audiences.  Today, Nicktoons are the most successful cartoons on television and that started in 1991.  But while the other initial Nicktoons were runaway hits (Rugrats) or supported by the network (Doug), Ren and Stimpy was remembered as a great piece of animation.  The surrealism and mature humor is still unlike anything in TV animation.

3. Adventures of the Gummi Bears (64 episodes, 1985-1991, NBC and ABC)

While this is one of Disney's best animated series it is hard to argue that it is better than DuckTales or Gargoyles.  Other cartoons from Walt Disney Television Animation such as Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck and many others seem to have larger followings but this was the start of quality TV animation in general.  Disney put money into the animation and storytelling, it was unlike the cheap efforts from Hanna-Barbera or the cheaper efforts of Filmation.  Gummi Bears was when television animation became more than just a pastime or diversion for children.  Gummi Bears' influence is still being felt today.

2. Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures (19 episodes, 1987-1988, CBS)

While this popular series only aired 19 episodes due to resistance from watchdog groups (in one of the most ridiculous controversies of all time), the field of animation was watching.  Read any animation article or book from 1987 on and chances are this series will be mentioned.  Animators and aficionados hold this show in such high regard because it was the first time on television that a cartoon was lead by an artist's vision.  This was not made to sell toys, it was made to entertain by luminaries that believed in it.  Ralph Bakshi, John Kricfalusi, Andrew Stanton, Bruce Timm, Rich Moore and many other animation luminaries worked on this show or got their start on it.  The humor of the series led to Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Ren and Stimpy, Animaniacs and many others.  This series was pleasing to the eyes, the heart and the funny bone.  It was short lived, but its influence was monumental.

1. The Simpsons (521 episodes, 1989-present, Fox)

This was not just a cartoon that was enjoyed by animation buffs.  It was not just enjoyed by children.  This was a pop culture phenomenon that everybody was watching.  It had an older target audience, but found its way into pretty much every demographic.  One of the few times that a cartoon had that large and lasting of a reach.  The Simpsons is continuing today and holds a lot of weight worldwide.  Definitely the most important television cartoon of all time.