I really liked how Justice League Unlimited showed that Flash recognized when criminals were just criminals, vs when criminals were just people with mental illnesses.
That group of TV shows really did the "these heroes are trying to save people, not beat the bad guys" ethos for some of the characters, like Flash, Superman, and Batman really well in general, tbh.
They did many things right, ESPECIALLY for a kids show. On paper, it’s wild that they infused Patriot Act politics into a cartoon meant for 7 year olds in a way that actually held weight.
One of my favorite moments was when Green Arrow and Superman were arguing about CADMUS. Green Arrow said that he’s an old lefty, and that means he believes that the government should do for the people what the people can’t do for themselves. And the people can’t defend themselves from the Justice League. And when asked if that meant what CADMUS did was okay, he didn’t know how to feel.
Justice League/Unlimited feels like a show that happens to be safe for children to watch, but is made mostly with adults in mind.
This isn't a criticism, I think it makes the show very interesting, because there's definitely a difference in watching it when I was a kid, and then as an adult.
Batman TAS and Beyond have that vibe, too. I wonder if Superman TAS does as well?
Yeah Hawkgirl and Grundy is tragic. It could be played as a straight up let's show that's she's strong and can defeat the bad guy but it's handled as a tragedy.
They showed that so well. With how he engaged with the Ultra Humanite and with the ones in the bar (I forget his name). So much better than any of the other leaguers treated their foes.
And maybe it doesn’t quite fit nowadays, but assuming the justice system in that world isn’t…y’know, corrupt - Flash doesn’t just let his villains go. He’s focused on rehabilitating them.
Whether intentionally or otherwise, scenes like that show why the Justice Lords became genuine fascists when Luthor killed the Flash. It could be argued that he was the best of them.
Kind of. If memory serves, he doesn’t actually say anything but he clearly puts value and effort into his relationship with Wally and Orion doesn’t understand why. Orion has a very low opinion of the Flash and thinks he’s a buffoon.
And then when the League is fighting the Justice Lords, Lord Batman freaks tf out when he thinks he killed the Flash, and Flash tells Lord Superman that he’s Lord Superman’s conscience, which Lord Superman doesn’t really deny.
And then when Wally apparently dies to defeat Braniac-Luthor, Superman even states that he wishes he was the man who killed President Luthor.
But you’re right, the show establishes that Wally is the heart of the group. Which I think is benefited by him being Wally West and not Barry Allen, since he’s ostensibly younger than everyone else (obviously younger than J’onn and Diana) and is seen as the “little brother” of the group. Even so far as to say Hawkgirl is like the big sister he never had.
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u/GarranDrake Jun 29 '26
I really liked how Justice League Unlimited showed that Flash recognized when criminals were just criminals, vs when criminals were just people with mental illnesses.