Justice League: Gods and Monsters is an alternate universe developed, written and filmed by Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett and Sam Liu. Bruce Timm is well known amongst DC fans, especially for his work on Batman the Animated Series. This parallel universe is a completely original concept that’s not based off any prior DC Comics. In this universe, Superman is not Kal-El nor is he raised by the Kent’s, but instead the son of General Zod and raised in Mexico. Batman is Kirk Langstrom who is Man-Bat in the normal continuity, but in Gods and Monsters, he is a vampire. Wonder Woman is not an Amazonian Princess raised on Themyscira; she is a New God, granddaughter of Highfather. This newer, darker Justice League operates like no other iteration of the heroes we know and love. The series consists of a movie, three introductory episodes for each member and each character has a three issue comic book. For a complete and proper understanding of this different world, I urge people to read the comics, then watch the three episodes followed by the movie. Justice League Gods and Monsters should be praised for its powerful morally ambiguous themes, action sequences, animation, refreshing new take on the DC Universe and proper use of playing on the foreknowledge of DC fans alike.
Justice League: Gods and Monsters is an alternate universe developed, written and filmed by Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett and Sam Liu. Bruce Timm is well known amongst DC fans, especially for his work on Batman the Animated Series. This parallel universe is a completely original concept that’s not based off any prior DC Comics. In this universe, Superman is not Kal-El nor is he raised by the Kent’s, but instead the son of General Zod and raised in Mexico. Batman is Kirk Langstrom who is Man-Bat in the normal continuity, but in Gods and Monsters, he is a vampire. Wonder Woman is not an Amazonian Princess raised on Themyscira; she is a New God, granddaughter of Highfather. This newer, darker Justice League operates like no other iteration of the heroes we know and love. The series consists of a movie, three introductory episodes for each member and each character has a three issue comic book. For a complete and proper understanding of this different world, I urge people to read the comics, then watch the three episodes followed by the movie. Justice League Gods and Monsters should be praised for its powerful morally ambiguous themes, action sequences, animation, refreshing new take on the DC Universe and proper use of playing on the foreknowledge of DC fans alike.
This DC universe urges the viewers to abandon everything they know about normal DC content, yet remember all of it. This world is unlike most DC timelines people are accustomed to. Some characters are drastically different, some don’t exist and the relationship between classic iconic characters aren’t the same. For example: Superman and Lois Lane hate each other, Victor Fries never becomes Mister Freeze and the Justice League have no qualms about killing people. It’s interesting to see because the Detective Comic fans will be expecting certain characters to behave a certain way, or for some characters to become heroes or villains only to be tricked. But then some characters like Lois Lane, aside from her not liking Superman, remain the same keeping fans on their toes, never knowing what to expect.
In addition to that, this is the darkest DC animated movie made so far. Some might argue that the Flashpoint Paradox was also just as dark but consider this. Not only was the timeline rebooted and fixed at the end of the movie restoring the lives of mostly everyone, but the heroes in that movie had what would be considered a righteous conscience. Lor-Zod (Superman), Bekka (Wonder Woman) and Kirk (Batman) aren’t full blown evil like the Crime Syndicate, but their moral compass remains in a gray area which is why they have no problem taking lives. The majority of lives in this movie were taken out by the Justice League. The protagonists are doing the murdering and the deaths of some of the characters are really bloody and gory. The overall feel of the movie is very gritty, dark and mature.
Moreover, the series challenges the viewers’ code of ethics and sense of morality. Is the locking up criminals the right way of enforcing justice or just killing the bad guys? How many times do the villains cheat the law system and roam the streets once more? How many times has the Joker escaped prison just to fill up another cemetery? When this version of the Justice League neutralize a threat, it stays neutralized. No coming back for revenge, no escaping justice or returning from off world to threaten earth again. Which way is correct? Do the ends justify the means? These are the themes and questions this movie raises.
To conclude, Justice League Gods and Monsters is the most creative DC animated film thus far and should be watched by all. Even if you aren’t a DC fan. The action, animation, refreshing new take and themes make this movie worth the watch. As a quick side note, Michael C Hall (Dexter) does an excellent job as Vampire Batman and the only other Batman voice other that Kevin Conroy I enjoyed highly.
★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Justice League: Gods and Monsters is an alternate universe developed, written and filmed by Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett and Sam Liu. Bruce Timm is well known amongst DC fans, especially for his work on Batman the Animated Series. This parallel universe is a completely original concept that’s not based off any prior DC Comics. In this universe, Superman is not Kal-El nor is he raised by the Kent’s, but instead the son of General Zod and raised in Mexico. Batman is Kirk Langstrom who is Man-Bat in the normal continuity, but in Gods and Monsters, he is a vampire. Wonder Woman is not an Amazonian Princess raised on Themyscira; she is a New God, granddaughter of Highfather. This newer, darker Justice League operates like no other iteration of the heroes we know and love. The series consists of a movie, three introductory episodes for each member and each character has a three issue comic book. For a complete and proper understanding of this different world, I urge people to read the comics, then watch the three episodes followed by the movie. Justice League Gods and Monsters should be praised for its powerful morally ambiguous themes, action sequences, animation, refreshing new take on the DC Universe and proper use of playing on the foreknowledge of DC fans alike.
This DC universe urges the viewers to abandon everything they know about normal DC content, yet remember all of it. This world is unlike most DC timelines people are accustomed to. Some characters are drastically different, some don’t exist and the relationship between classic iconic characters aren’t the same. For example: Superman and Lois Lane hate each other, Victor Fries never becomes Mister Freeze and the Justice League have no qualms about killing people. It’s interesting to see because the Detective Comic fans will be expecting certain characters to behave a certain way, or for some characters to become heroes or villains only to be tricked. But then some characters like Lois Lane, aside from her not liking Superman, remain the same keeping fans on their toes, never knowing what to expect.
Moreover, the series challenges the viewers’ code of ethics and sense of morality. Is the locking up criminals the right way of enforcing justice or just killing the bad guys? How many times do the villains cheat the law system and roam the streets once more? How many times has the Joker escaped prison just to fill up another cemetery? When this version of the Justice League neutralize a threat, it stays neutralized. No coming back for revenge, no escaping justice or returning from off world to threaten earth again. Which way is correct? Do the ends justify the means? These are the themes and questions this movie raises.
★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Written by: Nya Hemmingz
Twitter Handle: @LolitaZenpie
