Monday, August 30, 2010

On DVD: Justice League: Starcrossed (2003)

This served as the series finale to Justice League, while at the same time setting the stage for the follow-up, Justice League Unlimited.

The plot centers on Thanagarian Shayera Hol, aka Hawkgirl (Maria Canals). It turns out that in the DC Animated Universe, she came to Earth as a spy for her native planet. Now, a Thanagarian strike force has come to Earth, claiming that they're here to protect us from an invasion by their ancient enemies, the Gordanians. However, they're really using Earth as an avenue by which they can attack the Gordanian homeworld, which would destroy Earth in the process. The Thanagarian commander, it happens, is Shayera's "betrothed", as she was promised to him per native custom long ago. Of course, that's news to Green Lantern John Stewart (Phil LaMarr, ex-MadTV), who has been dating Shayera for some time.

Batman (Kevin Conroy), suspicious from the start, alerts his teammates to the Thanagarians' real plans, but all that does is put Earth under Thanagarian martial law, forcing the Leaguers underground and using their civilian identities. Without spoiling too much, suffice to say, the plot is foiled.

Justice League Unlimited (2004) picked up plot threads from "Starcrossed", including a very unlikely hook-up. The series has long since ceased production, as WB & Cartoon Network have moved on.

Rating: A-.

 Edit: 4/11/14: Here's a sample clip:

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