A Better World
Episode #37 & 38 - A Better World Part 1 & 2
Original Airdate - November 1st 2003
When Lex Luthor finally goes too far, Superman decides to take the law
into his own hands. Ruling with an iron fist, the Man of Steel and his
fellow heroes set out to eliminate all the crime from their world.
Media by Bird Boy
Review by Vortex Infinite |
Credits:
Written by Stan Berkowitz
Directed by Dan Riba
Music by Michael McCuistion
Animation by Dong Woo Animation C.O., LTD.
Voices:
Maria Canals as Hawkgirl
Kevin Conroy as Batman
Carl Lumby as J'onn J'onzz
George Newbern as Superman
Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman
Michael Rosenbaum as The Flash
Phil LaMarr as Green Lantern
Clancy Brown as Lex Luthor
Dana Delany as Lois Lane
Mark Hamill as The Joker
Michael Jai White as Doomsday
Diane Pershing as Poison Ivy
Jason Marsden as Snapper Carr
Brian George as President
David Markus as Student
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Screen Grabs, Part 1
Pans
Pans
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Review
I agree with everyone who said this is the best episode of the entire
series. Intricate plot, interesting moral dilemma, HUGE battles, smart
dialogue, excellent animation. The list goes on and on. Even better than
Twilight and the Savage Time in terms of epic-ness.
It's interesting how the Justice Lords actually make one question the
values of democracy. Seeing Gotham spotless and sunny is a huge contrast
from the dark city that we are used to. Of course, the writers provide
enough examples of the drawbacks to such a society to reinforce our
opinions (the protestors, the man in the restaurant, the lobotomies).
Each character was used excellently. Flash demonstrating intelligence is
a nice change from other episodes. It's clear that he is still
discovering his powers and that's good to know. As always, Batman
supplies excellent psychological drama. So TWO makes for a Freudian
field day.
AU Batman: A world where no eight-year-old boy has to see his
parents killed by some punk with a gun.
Batman: I'm sure they'd love it here...Mom and Dad. They'd be so
proud of you.
The exploration of Superman's temptations was well done. The revelation
that Supes has the same urges as his Justice Lord self explains his
recent attitude in episodes such as Twilight. However, he assures the
audience that he is still moral with the American flag scene.
The Doomsday battle was vicious. I thought for sure that AU Superman
would be killed. The heat vision lobotomy thing threw me off for a
second, but the implications of his actions were vital to the episode.
I'm sure Doomsday will return as a mindless killing machine, but I hope
it won't be this season.
Seeing the alternate Arkham was freaky. Joker's "calm" voice was
downright unnerving. I thought it was an excellent way to have cameos
from the Batman series. Two-Face, the Ventriloquist, and ESPECIALLY Ivy
were welcome, if disturbing sights. Seeing Ivy clip those roses...brings
shudders.
I wasn't too bothered by "super-villain" Luthor, but it will be very
interesting if he mirrors his comic self and becomes president. It's
kind of a stretch, considering he became a well-known criminal, but
still...I'll be sure to catch that episode.
Final note: This only thing that annoyed me in this episode was
something that applies to the whole season. The writers will NOT let
THE REAL Superman interact with THE REAL Lois Lane. In this episode,
Lois only spoke with AU Superman. We also don't get to see Clark Kent
interacting with the Metropolis from Superman. It's hardly fair for the
producers to "sort of" have Clark-Lois interaction. I hope eventually
there will be an episode with a REAL Lois role (or Perry White, or
Jimmy). Same with Batman, I thought for a second I'd see AU Batgirl or
Robin. I will be very disappointed if we don't see Dick, Babs, or Tim in
Justice League.
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