I know this is a stupid question, but i'll ask it anyway. How exactly does someone get the ability to speak without having a mouth?

The Question's facelessness is the result of a very cool mask, not an actual lack of a face.

And wasn't that gas from his belt in the cab what he uses to, er, stick on his mask? It's been so long since I remember reading a Question comic...

Yeah, that's right. It also changes the color of his clothes and hair. Or at least it did in the O'Neill/Cowan version.

But we aren't talking about Comic Book world here, we're talking about the Dini/Timm-verse. In the past, there hasn't been much suggestion that there is all sorts of stuff going down all the time.


Yeah, that's probably why Nightwing, Robin, and Batgirl are still hanging around in Gotham rather than the space station. It is also the reason that I never had any problem with a JLer being absent in an episode. Supes isn't there? Maybe he's reporting on something for the DP. Flash isn't there? A guy with an Ice gun must be robbing banks in Central City.

The question is -- are we seeing any evidence of all this bad stuff going down all over the world? Are we actually seeing situations where, if not for these extra heroes, the villain would go unpunished? All I keep seeing is an overflowing space station with heroes sitting around doing nothing while small groups are dispatched to take care of everything and ignore the chance to call in backup when they're outmatched.

In the latest episode, wasn't there a shot of a bunch of monitors showing the activity down on Earth? I don't think I imagined that, but it's possible.

I saw that too. You can see the Flash somewhere running around some bad guy. I couldn't see who was on the other monitors. Maybe while this episode was going on, the events of last week's episode with Batman, Wonder Woman and Zatanna are happening simultaneously?

I had a question for all you comics readers--what was up with J'onn claiming he didn't have dreams? Is that JL comics canon? Because I know that when he appeared in Sandman it was made explicit that he DOES dream, as do all Martians. Was that something that was changed in the comics or did they just throw that line in there for this episode?

If they just threw it in for the show, that kinda bothers me, because while I can understand changing entire backstories for plotline purposes it seems weirder to me somehow to change a random detail that doesn't add or detract from the plot at all.

I stand corrected. Still, prior to this season there was no indication (AFAIK) that there was always bad stuff going down everywhere and the Justice League was too small to help. They managed to turn away a couple of alien invasions without any help, do they really need Hawk and Dove to deal with Ares?

Perhaps a whole bunch of new villains magically appeared to keep things balanced when most of these new heroes suddenly appeared. Oh, and I think the big question with the Ares business was WHY they needed Hawk and Dove. It's not like they knew in advance that their idealogical differences would have a role. It seems like in a situation like that you need somebody like Superman, the world's most respected superhero if you aren't part of the government conspiracy.

Why do they need Hawk and Dove at all? I'm sorry, I just think these guys are only one wrung up the superhero ladder above the Wonder Twins.

While I admit I wasn't thrilled with their episode, I think it's kind of nice to at least try and show that there are some lesser heroes around. Not everyone can be near the apex of superhuman potential (Supes) or human will (Bats). Oh, and their less than spectacular powers helps explain why they weren't brought in for the big catastrophes in seasons 1 and 2. Missing a big gun is inexplicable: these smaller guys are more easily explained away as handling smaller issues.

Since I live in Canada and have to obtain JLU epsiodes by (ahem) alternate means, I just caught This Little Piggy. I think my favourite line was when Wonder Pig is finally caught by the stockyard workers. The pig is running, and one of them says "Whoa! Loose meat!" But that's not the best line. No, it's after they've gang-tackled and hog-tied (sow-tied?) WP, and the one guy says:

"That'll do pig"

I just lost it.

I'm pleased to announce that JLU has just started airing in Canada. It's on YTV on Friday nights. I saw the first episode last night, and caught it on tape. My next task will be to slowly scan through the satellite crowd shots and figure out who all is in this group.

If you want to save time, the episode review at tvtome.com for this ep has a complete list. I think.

I don't know anything about Booster Gold from the comics, but I thought that episode was fantastic. Not only was the main plot neat, but I thought the glimpses of the main conflict that we got to see were cool too. Especially how we find out that the Elongated Man was the one to save the day, after being a sort of second stringer along with Booster.

"I thought you were Green Lantern."

This episode reminded me so much of the BTVS episode "The Zeppo" where Xander is the odd man out because he can't contribute anything against the main villain but he saved the day in his own way without anybody knowing.

"Thanks Green Lantern"

Booster Gold seems like an obnoxious jerk but one I think I can learn to like. And Skeets is just the cutest thing. Xander didn't get any girl in the end but at least Booster winded up with Dr. Simmons.

Basically, if you seen "The Zeppo," you've seen this episode. All we find out about the 25th century is two things: "Futurama" is a religion, and everybody's a douchebag.

Just...so...damn...tired...of all the heroes. Tired, tired, tired. Alright...the bits with Booster being called "Green Lantern" were cute, as is Skeets. But I bet Legion fans are pissed that one of the biggest canon villians was background fodder...fodder whose ass got kicked by Elongated Man.

Plastic Man? So WB/Turner has the license? I'm confused. Me am 21st century caveman who no care about no money.

IIRC back in the early 80's on one of the old Superfriends incarnations, there was a mouse stuck in some supercomputer and had messed up the circuitry. Superman spotted the mouse with his x ray vision but wasn't able to reach it without tearing apart the computer. They placed a call to Plastic Man and he came and stuck his arm through the computer to reach the mouse and pull him out. The use and name of Plastic Man in this episode may be kosher.

We also find out that many of the citizens of Metropolis are color blind or stupid. Even if you have no idea who BG is, the yellow costume should have tipped them off to his not being GL. Along with the fact that he's white and has blond hair instead of a black guy going for the Sisko look. GL needs to get out more if he's so unrecognizable to the public.

Oh, and where was Dr. Fate? He's the one guy best equipped to be down there: he didn't have to beat Mordru, but he should have at least been shown getting his ass kicked.

Really good portrayal of Booster Gold, although I don’t remember him being such a reluctant hero in the comics. I always took him as a bigger glory hound and opportunist, but this I think works better because the famewhore routine would get tired awful fast. I was getting tired too of the Green Lantern confusion (wouldn’t the adults, at least, recognize that BG’s motif does not feature the color green or a lantern?) but the payoff was nice. And I got a good chuckle at Skeets pacing outside the ambulance while Booster Gold helped deliver a baby.

I was really glad to see all the heroes who got called out to battle Mordru, and it figures that without another Leaguer to corroborate, Batman would conclude that BG was AWOL without hearing him out. But it’s my understanding — which may be based on fuzzy memories if not outright delusions — that everyone would file a debriefing; I would hope that Booster gets a little respect from the League in general (if not from Batman in particular) after he files his.

Exactly, I'm just surprised they were so blatant about it. I was expecting a "This episode inspired by ..." credit at the end. And if you're going to rip off an episode from BtVS season 3, you should at least pick a better one.

Oh yeah, and the scene at the beginning where Batman swoops in, grabs WW, and swings off? She can fly, she doesn't need Batman to save her. But I guess you don't need logic like that getting in your way when you're constantly trying to prove how cool and bad ass Batman is.

The only good bits in this episode were the amalgam Supes/Bats/WW and the fact that everyone kept calling Booster Green Lantern.


Why wouldn't they? Plas is a DC character who's (unfortunately) been a regular in the JLA.

I felt that little bit was just continuing the theme that Bats is a little bit more protective of her than he would be of another hero. Like it or not, the two are pretty close. Besides, the scenes with BG were intended to show off how cool and bad ass Batman is.

This is actually one of the weaknesses of the show: Batman and the Flash can show up for small bits and still come across as they should, but the rest need more airtime. Otherwise they are just background fighters.

Where is Flash? I'm getting seriously pissed off. Fine, fine. New characters, etc. But there's a Booster Gold episode, and the Flash hasn't had screentime all season. That's not right.

Has anyone heard mention of when Flash might make an appearance?

I thought that it was a pretty good episode. I liked seeing things from another POV, even if it was just like The Zeppo. And Booster Gold is a fun character. He did make me miss the Flash though. When's ol' Wally gonna come back. Next week maybe?

I loved the fact that Billy West was Skeets. Made me smile every time he talked.

Do those communicators that the league use have video technology or something? Or can the satellites zoom really really far? Where was J'onn getting the video when he was talking to WW, GL, and Capt. Atom?



I agree with cambridgeguy. He probably is a little more protective. Plus, she was a little distracted, talking to MM, and didn't notice she was gonna get blasted by Mordru.



Maybe he'll show up next week. Apparently, it's another episode involving the entire league and their reserves. I wish that he'd come back. I miss him more than Hawkgirl.

Dissing Plastic Man?

Jack Cole is going to kick all your asses in the afterlife.

I could've sworn that The Zeppo was also based on a pre-existing storyline from a book, but can't remember (and buffyguide is failing me now) what it was now... damn. But I know that BtVS did not create the idea of the "loser character has something even cooler happen while everyone else is being heroic" storyline.

Booster was the most annoying character of all season, but my heart tugged a bit when Skeets got sucked into the blackhole. But, seriously, where is Flash?

ETA: It was so cool to see a tiny glimpse of how the larger league size could be utilized.

And I've been meaing to say this for weeks: Although the theme song is cheese, does anyone else sing along with it? "Justice League... Un-limited, Justice League... Unlimited... Unlimited, Unlimited, Justice League Unlimited! Unlimited, Unlimited, Just-ice Leeeegue UN-LIMIT-ED!!!!"

...I should not have admitted that.

They can be close, as much as I dislike the storyline, but she's Wonder Woman. She shouldn't be the damsel in distress for Batman to rescue. If you want to show that they're 'close' have her save his weak, non-powered ass.

There's a guy up on the Watchtower who's just runs the Transporter? Did they run an ad in the classified "Wanted: one person to operate molecular disintigration machine. Must be able to work with superheroes and not fear heights. High school diploma required, previous experience not necessary."

I cannot remember Elongated Man's origin story at all. How did he get his powers? It's especially ironic they used him now, as I've just found out what's going on in the comics. They had Sue raped and murdered, they couldn't just kill her off. Obviously no women were involved in the creation of this story.

I was away for a while and finally got around to watching previous episodes. So I ended up watching 4 episodes tonight. They've definitely ramped up the pop culture references. I agree that this season has gotten sillier in many ways. And I'd rather find out what happened to Shayera than get a few throw away jokes.

Exactly. Bunch of male chauvinists.

As much as I didn't care for Booster Gold's attitude during the episode, he did seem to be humbler at the end. Sucked though to be in for a lecture from Batman.

I forgot to say this, but the special CG effects from last week's episode weren't very special. This isn't 1990.

I have my objections to the format of Justice League Unlimited, but keep in mind that this is the kind of shit we used to be handed.

I was out when this was on, so I'll catch it tomorrow in re-runs. Can't say I have much interest in Booster Gold, but it's a shame they couldn't get the rights to pair him with Blue Beetle.



To be fair, she was raped in flashback. Her murder took place years later in the present. But the Atom's ex-wife was then hanged in a later issue, so I still wouldn't call it extraordinarily progressive.

Loved everything with Booster Gold, but the GL joke got way old to fast. Hell, if anyone could of mistaked BG for someone else it would of been Starman. Personally, I was thinking that Booster was going to use Dr. Brown on Mordru and then put the collar on him and save the day. And another thing that got me in the episode was MM. J'onn would of heard BG out on the walking black hole problem. Not to mention you would think the other heroes would of been like: "Wait, Mordru isn't doing that, what else is going on here?" Skeets just ruled and Billy West doing his voice was great. Especially how he described child birth.

I just wanted to add that when Skeets said "Ive got nothing" after Bg's woe as me stick i busted out laughing. Best line of the night.

As this was one of the lighter episode I didn't try to think too much about it and let some stuff slide (like the GL joke for instance).

Overall it was a pretty good episode, but I'm biased since I love characters like Booster and Elongated Man. One thing that bugged me was that I never thought Ralph was that opprtunistic as they portrayed him here.

I think the biggest comic geek guffaw moment for me was the fact that Booster ranked lower than Vibe in J'onn's estimation.

I think Lantern7 was talking about TV rights. Just because DC owns the Comic Book rights to a character, doesn't necessarily mean they own the Television rights.

That's why we didn't get to see Thor, Captain America and Iron Man in the Avengers animated series as regulars because Marvel licensed out the TV and Movie rights with different studios. And Marvel, (which was financially strapped at the time) didn't have the dough to buy the rights back for the animated series.

I'm not sure of Plastic Man's current status. But I'm fairly sure that since Time/Warner isn't hard up for money, they probably have the TV and Movie rights for Plas sewn up.



So it would have been better for Batman seeing that Wonder Woman is about to get hit from behind for him to say: "Ah, she's Wonder Woman, she can take care of her own ass."...? Wow, that's teamwork.



Don't know if we can say this ripped off Buffy, since I recall seeing an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation with a plot similar to this one before the Buffy show was on.

Cool seeing Booster Gold and Elongated Man together! Reminded me of the old Keith Giffen years of the JLA. (Which is fondly remembered by some, and deeply hated by others)

The scene that totally freaked me out is the half Bat, Half Supes, with Wonder Woman's voice!! Mordru really fucked them over! lol

The one scene I thought was dumb was when one of Mordru's stray beams made the building come to life and attacked the lady scientist, Booster had plenty of time to put the collar on the dude with the black hole in the chest, and fly back and save her. Now THAT would have made him look baddass!

All and all, I thought it was a good episode.

Maybe it was Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. It's mentioned at tvtome.com and it's another story where the reader gets to see a different story apart from the main one.

What's wrong with "Diana! Look out!"? Then she can save herself. Heck, if the writers cared about making J'onn useful he could've been the one to warn her.

Regarding Identity Crisis, I wonder how much the the comic writers and the DCAU writers talk to each other. Both plotlines (this ep and IC) have probably been in the works for months, unrelated to each other.

I thought Skeets sounded familiar....a bit of Fry in there. I have a minor quibble about this 'sode. During the end credits they now have a small screen on top with action scenes from the show...but now the credits are so small I can't read who was guest voicing.

Favorite bit:
Booster: Energize!
Transport dude: Doofus

If there is a type of episode they should ripoff it should be the episode like Star Trek's "Lower Decks". Babylon 5 I recall had done something similar and I really enjoy these type of episodes that feature the workers we see that surround the "stars" and who normally act as much of a prop as the Javelin and computer monitors.

It would be a good opportunity to explain how the League hired or subcontracted all of these humans, what are their impressions of the senior partners and the lesser heros and throw out fun little snippits like how situations on earth affects their employment benefits.

What would be even better is if they pick on humans we see constantly in the show like Mile's Obriens replacement so we can have more fun knowing what they maybe thinking in future episodes.

[edit]
They could even one up on this format. If this show lasts for more than three seasons it would be cool if they did a followup episode which revealed which of the workers were sent by the cabal "The Question" discussed about and which of the workers were sent to work for the league for similar reasons but working under a different leadership eventually having a test of wills over who would be the dominating faction that infiltrated the Watchtower.

This type of episode revealing a Shadow War the Leaguers may not be fully aware of could come off as pretty damn scary and creepy or could be an enjoyable one time event.

Vermicious Knid, the origin of Elongated Man goes a little like this:

Ralph Dibny attended a circus one day. He noticed that a group of yoga masters were able to stretch and twist their bodies to impossible degrees. He
asked them what was their secret, but the wouldn't tell him. Ralph then noticed all of them drinking a soda called Gingold. He deduced that a fruit in
the soda gave them stretching powers. Drinking the soda himself transformed
into EL.

Sorry for the long-windedness. That is about as much I could think of.

You got that right.



He drank some funky sodapop. No, really. Happened to Bouncing Boy, too. Moral? Stay away from off-brand beverages in the DCU.

Dammit, rayray, you beat me to it. Guess I shouldn't take so long to compose my drivel.



There were a lot of shoutouts to that JL era. I also saw Fire, Ice, and Rocket Red among others. Throw in BG and J'onn and it's like old home days! We just needed Beetle to really make it complete. That would have been awesome.

I loved this episode. I always thought Booster had such a cool costume, simple yet distinctive. And Skeets rocks!

One thing that struck me as odd was when Booster said that J'onn wasn't more famous because he has a hard to pronounce name. Hard to pronounce? "John Johns"; how hard is that?

And I was so bummed for Booster when Vibe got picked over him. Vibe?!? Come on, J'onn, no matter how big a goofball and screwup Booster might be, he's better than Vibe! Hell, B'wana Beast is better than Vibe! Sheesh...

And just what the Hell can Vigilante (not even the cool Adrian Chase version, but the "Wild West" version) do against someone like Mordru? That was a little ridiculous and seemed thrown in just to make Booster look like an even bigger loser. Which is kinda funny, I guess.

I'm wondering what all the ancillary satellites around the Watchtower are for.

Yup, that's it. Thanks MrX, I would have never remembered that title.

I don't think J'onn would've been able to see it until it was on top of her.

But the common man knows him as Martian Manhunter. It's still not a very hard name but whatever...

Actually, so far J'onn's never been referred to as "The Martian Manhunter" on the show. That’s his name in the comics (and on the toy boxes), not on Justice League.

*Looks at name in above post...*

Holy Crap!! We got a bonafide celebrity on the board!!!!!! If you don't know who Dwayne McDuffie is, then go here...

Dwayne McDuffie Homepage

Wow, never knew one of the 'Big Kohuna's' was reading our posts. Awesome! :D

I think the real problem is that the name doesn't sound particularly heroic. If he were interested in publicity, he would invent a more heroic title.

I'm not familiar with Booster Gold, but wouldn't a guy with his attitude and knowledge of the future be the type to give away some key future events?

Hi Mr. McDuffie.

Mystic soda? Mystic soda?! That has got to be one of the lamest origins, ever. Does he have to keep drinking it or does it permanently rewrite your DNA sequences? At least Plastic Man got dumped in a vat of chemicals and Reed Richards can blame cosmic radiation.

"We don't need two stretchy guys."

I liked this episode, regardless of the Rosencrantz and "The Zeppo" storyline. The best part of the whole thing? Jeremy Piven as Elongated Man. The Piven! On JLU! That alone made the episode. Squeaky wheel, indeed.