Title: Justice League Unlimited:
“The Cat And The Canary”
Running Time: 23 minutes without
commercials
Media: Cartoon Network Original
Animated Series (NTSC VHS Screener)
Premiere Saturday, February 5,
2005, at 8:30pm (ET/PT)
Network: Cartoon Network (Check
your local cable/satellite listings for channel)
TV Rating: Not Available At Time
Of Review
Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera
Cartoon Network launched the
second season of the hit original animated series “Justice League Unlimited”
with the episode “The Cat And The Canary.” The episode features Green Arrow
and Black Canary teaming up to save her mentor Wildcat (Voiced by Dennis Farina)
from an underground boxing match that pits the brute strength of Wildcat against
various super criminals. The episode was a pleasant surprise for me because a
year ago when I reviewed the series premiere of “Justice League Unlimited” I
felt there was a certain adult element that elevated the program’s predecessor
“Justice League” above the average animated TV show. Adults could enjoy it
on one level while kids could enjoy it on another level. It really was a true
case of a television program that could be enjoyed by the entire family.
A year into the series now, I can
see that the writers and producers have had the time to develop the characters
more as well as present what in some ways can be construed as a more gritty
comic book inspired world on television. From last year’s series premiere, the
attraction between Green Arrow and Black Canary was hinted at and now one can
see the sexual tension between the two animated characters as they team up to
save another league member. Wildcat is one of the few league members that does
not have super powers. He does not even have a utility belt and definitely does
not have the seemingly limitless financial resources Batman has. He feels like
he has been left out of major league activity and is given little regard beyond
babysitting other members in training. So he is seduced into these underground
fights because on the obvious level they give him a sense of purpose, but if you
see the look of the female character who runs the racket, you could argue that
fighting arouses his masculine instincts and the promoter of the fights
psychologically knows how to play on Wildcat’s insecurities and therefore she
emasculates him in order to make him prove to himself he is still a viral
opponent not to be taken for granted.
The quality of the artwork is on
par with what fans have come to expect from the series and while the initial
crisis might be resolved within 30 minutes of airtime, we all know that it is
the weaknesses of any superhero that enables viewers to identify with them. So
the problems continue in both their personal and professional lives just as
problems arise and hopefully are worked through in real life. I also like the
direction “Justice League Unlimited” is taking because it mirrors our
contemporary society well. Just as the world seems more complicated and
dangerous than ever before, the world of “Justice League Unlimited” as far
more treacherous and mysterious than ever before. The main story arc for season
two will feature Superman taking on Cadmus in a battle that will determine the
League’s future. Meanwhile Black Canary, Shayera, Vigilante, Vixen, and The
Question will face villains like Lex Luthor, Felix Faust and Tobias Whale.
Episodes to air soon include
“The Ties That Bind” (February 12, 2005), which has The Flash assisting an
escape artist on a deadly prison planet and “The Doomsday Sanction”
(February 19, 2005), which pits Superman in a fight against Doomsday within the
heart of a volcano while Batman discovers an elaborate conspiracy to destroy the
Justice League.
“Justice League Unlimited”
has already aired the second season premiere entitled “The Cat And The
Canary” on February 5, but you can continue to watch future brand new
adventures on Saturdays at 8:30pm (ET/PT) only on Cartoon Network.
© Copyright 2005 By Mark A.
Rivera
All Rights Reserved.