COMICS/TV STUFF-(JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED: "Divided We Fall")
Great Rao, Merciful Minerva and Heavens to Oa... Justice League Unlimited was the real
"superhero event of the summer". The dreaded "long, drawn-out conspiracy" had been running
through the show for the past year or so. When the big money shot pay-off arrived, it
actually delivered and didn't feel forced.
The team's been bothered by the enigmatic government-supported Project Cadmus recently. Spurred into
action by the old Justice Lords episodes, the US government has felt threatened by an army of super-powered
people in spandex orbitting the Earth. Yeah, that's not high on MY list of personal nightmares, but
that plot has worked well for the Justice League Unlimited cartoon. Led by
a thinktank of recurring characters Amanda Waller, General Eiling, and Professor Hamilton, Cadmus
has cloned an evil Supergirl, produced the Royal Flush Gang, created the Ultimen
and even churned out Doomsday. More importantly,
their super-phobia led to shack up with ultimate comic book villain Lex Luthor.
"Divided We Fall" is the culmination of the whole Cadmus/Luthor plot. In the previous episode, Lex
framed the League for the destruction of Cadmus. Meanwhile, Waller suddenly realized Lex's
true extent-- he wasn't planning to run for President, he was planning total domination. As
the last episode ended, the original
seven League members (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Martian Manhunter and
Flash) confronted Lex in his skyscraper. At that point, Lex and the heroes were dealt
a big swerve--Lex's body had been taken over by Brainiac!
The new "Lexiac" and the Leaguers go a few rounds, which includes a big duel with Brainiac's
"head ship". But it was just round one, as the Lexiac escapes to pursue a nastier plan. The two merged
villains sneak off to the remains of Project Cadmus, where they incorporate the "Dark Heart",
an alien techno-organic menace that had given the entire League fits a few months back. In cooperation
with Brainiac's programming, the new
"Lexiac" is planning to absorb the entire universe, then destroy it. Lex would have "ultimate
power and knowledge". With the rest of the League tied up with relief efforts, the big showdown is set
between the original 7 members and Lex. With only the entire universe at stake. After
four seasons and almost four years, fans, this was YOUR main event! Where's Tony Schiavone, because
this is the Greatest Match In the History of Our Industry!
Despite subplots, conspiracies, character development and all that...when it's all said and done,
comic book fans just like to see big slugfests. To get things started, "Lexiac" creates
techno-organic versions of
the Justice Lords, including the previously unseen Flash (complete with a Professor Zoom
costume!). The League manages to trash their duplicates after "switching dance partners". But then,
MORE slugfesting (is that even a word?)! "Lexiac" proves to be a formidable foe, singlehandedly
holding off the League. Wonder Woman drops an entire plane (a JL Javelin) on him and he still survives!
A big explosion knocks all the heroes out and Lex slowly walks up to execute the Flash.
Lex executing the Flash was supposedly a big event that led to either armageddon, or the creation of
the Justice Lords' world. Lex is about to kill Flash, when suddenly...
Flash becomes SIGNIFICANT! Flash moves faster
than he ever has and beats the living pulp out of the combined Lex/Brainiac. To gain momentum,
Flash runs around the entire
planet, several times, while pummeling "Lexiac". Wow. In an early episode, Flash couldn't
out-run a cookie truck. In three minutes, Flash makes up for all that and saves the universe on his own.
Brainiacs disappears and Lex is left battered. Lex expects Superman to kill him...but Superman takes the high
ground and turns him over to the authorities.
The next morning, Superman announces at a public press conference that the Justice League, and all
100 or so members, are disbanding. Green Arrow speaks up, declaring that the people need the League.
The public agrees and Superman reconsiders. The League is no longer an army floating in
space...they'll have an earthbound "embassy" and a "rotating membership". Sets things up nicely
for a new season. Batman departs, but not before Wonder Woman gives him a little wink, acknowledging
she still "has his number".
Lex is probably the most recognizable villain in comics history and having him
involved as the be-all, end-all ultimate menace was perfect. After four years, we got the seven original
members fighting the ultimate bad guy with the entire universe at stake. Nothing weak about that.
There's still one more episode to go in this season-- this weekend's "Epilogue"-- but I'm
perfectly content if this was the end of the line.
According to Canadian fans, there is a new season
arriving. Smaller rotating cast, new HQ and all that. The "Unlimited" concept made it easier to
introduce new heroes and guest stars, but a super-army of mostly worthless heroes was a tough sell.
Did they really need Hawk, Dove, Vibe, Gypsy, The Shining Knight and Vigilante? ALot of
the background characters existed just to pander to comic book fanboys. I mean,
the female Dr. Light?! I'm guessing
characters like Green Arrow, the Atom, Steel and Black Canary will stick arounnd...but thankfully,
this may have been the last we'll see of Starman, Fire, Ice, Wildcat and Booster Gold.
Question and Huntress
were backgrounders, but they were given enough attention that they'll probably return as well.
Not much else I can say. Well, okay there is...get all geeked out and say it with me:
Best. Episode. Ever.
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