Yes, Justice League Unlimited Pays Homage to DC’s Animated Series

One of the most exciting pieces of comic book news in the DC world is the reemergence of Justice League Unlimited. As part of its All In Initiative, DC is launching new in-continuity stories that pay homage to some of its best ideas. The most exciting example of this is in its Justice League Unlimited title, which hearkens to the golden age of its animated series.

From the powerhouse team of Mark Waid and Dan Mora, who recently worked together on Batman / Superman: World’s Finest, Shazam!, and Absolute Power, comes a new phase of DC’s new era with Justice League Unlimited, the new Justice League title from DC Comics. With a full roster of heroes including classic members like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman to lesser-known heroes like Star Sapphire, Captain Atom, and Nightwing, almost every DC hero is likely to play a starring role.

Thanks to the first issue’s title and credits page, the likeness to its animated predecessor becomes even clearer with the book’s characters backed by golden light, just like the iconic Justice League cartoon title card. Fans today most certainly grew up with the Justice League Unlimited television show, and this image proves that the new comic series will be taking its beats from the landmark series.

Justice League Unlimited Gets the Perfect In-Continuity Comic Book Homage

Justice League Unlimited Season 1 Poster

Justice League Unlimited is a rare gem, as it is a sequel that surpassed the original. While its predecessor, just known as Justice League, focused on the seven members of the Justice League and their adventures saving the earth, the Unlimited sequel featured a rotating cast of characters with new heroes getting the spotlight every episode. Ahead of its time, it was a comic adaptation that allowed its main characters to shift and have their own stories under the larger heading of the Justice League.

The comic is going to use some of the very same methods in utilizing these DC heroes. Instead of being a Batman or a Superman-focused series, Justice League Unlimited will be an ensemble title with many moving pieces depending on the mission. In this way, some lesser heroes will get their chance to shine in a more central role; it was through this method that Booster Gold got his chance to become a more iconic character in the general public. Hopefully many more heroes will become fan-favorites during the course of the new comic-book series.

The New Justice League Unlimited Comic Book Takes Essential Elements from the Beloved Cartoon

Justice League Unlimited #1 Cover by Dan Mora

Further proof that the comic is taking its impetus from the television show lies in the return of the famous Watchtower, which debuted in JLA #4 by Grant Morrison and Howard Porterbut didn’t become a staple until the television show. Even more, this version of the Justice League united in DC All In Special #1 by Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson, Wes Craig, Daniel Sampere, and Mora, in which they battle Darkseid, while the television show ended with a culminating battle against Darkseid. It is as if Waid and Mora are picking right back up from where the show dropped off.

With heroes all throughout the DC Universe getting their chance to shine as a main character, Justice League Unlimited is both promising to become an instant classic and paying its proper respects to its predecessor. For DC fans who grew up with the show, the arrival of this comic series is welcome, adding nostalgia to new adventures. Justice League Unlimited is finally back, and not just in memory.

Justice League Unlimited #1 is available now from DC Comics!