Justice League: Doom

Justice League: Doom

Home video release cover art
Directed by Lauren Montgomery
Produced by Lauren Montgomery
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Based on DC Comics characters
Starring
Music by Christopher Drake
Edited by Christoper D. Lozinski
Production
companies
Distributed by Warner Home Video
Release dates
  • February 28, 2012 (2012-02-28)
Running time
 77 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Justice League: Doom is a 2012 direct-to-video animated superhero film, loosely based on "JLA: Tower of Babel", a 2000 comic book storyline by writer Mark Waid that ran in the DC Comics series JLA. The film's script was adapted by writer Dwayne McDuffie, and it is directed by Lauren Montgomery. A sequel to Crisis on Two Earths, the film uses the same character designs by the lead character designer, Phil Bourassa as well as footage from the film in the opening. It was released on February 28, 2012.[1] The film also features various actors reprising their roles from the DC animated universe and Green Lantern: Emerald Knights respectively.[2][3] It is the 13th film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies line.

The film is dedicated to the memory of McDuffie, who died from complications following open heart surgery shortly after writing the film.

Plot

The Justice League, with Cyborg's assistance, stop the Royal Flush Gang's attempted robbery of a diamond vault using complex technology that allows them to pass through solid objects. Vandal Savage plots to start a new civilization by exterminating part of the population; he gave the technology to the Gang for testing. Savage hires Mirror Master to hack into the Batcomputer and steal contingency plans devised by Batman to incapacitate his League teammates, in case they go rogue. Savage assembles Mirror Master, Bane, Cheetah, Ma'alefa'ak, Star Sapphire, and Metallo, who all have personal vendettas against the heroes and pays them to simultaneously attack using the plans, altered to be lethal. When the supervillains agree, he welcomes them to the Legion of Doom.

Batman, as Bruce Wayne, is informed by Alfred Pennyworth that the bodies of Thomas and Martha Wayne have been exhumed and are missing. At their graves, Bruce is ambushed by Bane, who renders Bruce unconscious. Bruce is buried alive in his father's coffin; he is left a tape recorder with Bane's message to taunt him, which motivates him to break out. He realizes the League has been attacked using his contingency plans, which were constructed from studying physical and psychological weaknesses. Batman and Cyborg save them one by one.

Wonder Woman is attacked by Cheetah with a scratch that sends nanomachines into her bloodstream. The nanomachines cause her to believe everyone she sees is Cheetah's duplicate. Since she never stops fighting until her opponent is defeated, Wonder Woman will fight until she dies. Cyborg adjusts his sonic emitter to a frequency that neutralizes the nanites. Martian Manhunter (as John Jones) celebrates his birthday with his colleagues. He receives a drink from Ma'alefa'ak in disguise, which is laced with magnesium carbonate; being disruptive to Martian biology, the Manhunter struggles to maintain form while sweating out the magnesium. The Manhunter is set on fire, which will constantly burn. Batman provides aluminum oxide to neutralize the magnesium.

The Flash is lured into Mirror Master's trap, resulting in a bomb on his wrist. If he does nothing, tries to remove it or decreases in speed, the bomb will explode, killing everyone in a three mile radius. Batman instructs him to run and vibrate through an entire iceberg in the Arctic—Flash just barely escapes the blast radius. Green Lantern is targeted by Star Sapphire using Scarecrow's will-undermining fear gas; after failing to save hostages' lives, she exploits his fears, convincing him that he doesn't deserve the power. Jordan renounces his ring and resigns his fate in the collapsing mine. Batman shows him the hostages were just androids. Jordan reestablishes his willpower, removing the effects and summons his ring again. Superman, as Clark Kent, is lured to the Daily Planet's roof by a former employee aiming to commit suicide. Superman believes to have talked him out of it, when he is shot with a Kryptonite bullet by Metallo in disguise. It is extracted by Cyborg, using a Kryptonite scalpel laser, and Manhunter, who pulls it out; Superman regains consciousness.

The League retreats to the Watchtower, where Batman reveals he was the real mastermind behind the plans; he also had one in place should the Batcomputer be hacked: a hidden tracing algorithm. The League track down the Legion of Doom and subdue them, but fail to prevent an apocalyptic cataclysm via solar flare. Using the Hall of Doom's technology, the League saves the Earth by phasing it so the flare can go through. The League adds Cyborg to their roster and Superman calls for a vote on Batman's membership. Batman defends his plans and criticizes them for not understanding the potential danger of a rogue Justice League before quitting. Batman explains to Superman the original plans were meant to only immobilize. Superman asks if Batman had a plan to stop himself, and Batman tells him the Justice League is his plan. With his trust in Batman assured, Superman hands him the Kryptonite bullet and teleports him out the Watchtower.

Voice cast

^a The actor/actress's voice role is reprised from the DC animated universe.

Production

The film was first announced at WonderCon 2011 that the JLA: Tower of Babel storyline will be adapted as a direct-to-video movie, which was written by Dwayne McDuffie right before his death.[4] The character designs were done by Phil Bourassa, the lead character designer of Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths and Young Justice. Storyboards were overseen and animated by Telecom Animation Film.[5] During the casting process of Justice League: Doom, voice director Andrea Romano expressed an interest for the cast from various media to reprise their roles as members of the Justice League.

Reception

IGN gave the film a 7 out of 10, calling it "An immensely enjoyable thrill ride, but also an occasionally frustrating and short adaptation."[6]

Home media

The Blu-ray combo pack includes Featurettes only for Blu-ray called “Guarding the Balance: Batman and the JLA”, a mini-Featurette called “Their Time Has Come: Cyborg and the DC Universe’s New Diversity”, while both Blu-ray and the 2-Disc DVD edition has "A Legion of One: The Dwayne McDuffie Story", a Sneak Peek at Superman vs. The Elite, and two bonus episodes of Justice League: "Wild Cards" part 1 and 2.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Goellner, Caleb (December 12, 2011). "'Justice League: Doom' Gets February 28 Release Date and New Box Art". Comics Alliance. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  2. ↑ Katzoff, Tami (September 29, 2011). "'Justice League: Doom' Cast Includes Nathan Fillion, Kevin Conroy". MTV. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  3. ↑ Tudor, Brian. "West Coast Premiere Of 'Justice League: Doom'". Science Fiction.com. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  4. ↑ Harvey, James (April 2, 2011). ""Justice League: Doom" Named First 2012 DC Universe Animated Original Movie". Worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
  5. ↑ 秘密のご報告！！！ [Report on secret! ! !] (in Japanese). Telecom Animation Film. November 16, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  6. ↑ Shaffer, R.L. (February 28, 2012). "Justice League: Doom Blu-ray Review". IGN. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
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