Justice League The Animated Series: My World's Finest
As a 6-year-old kid, every evening at 6.30pm I’d plant myself in front of the TV and tune in to what has been, and always will be, my favourite TV series of all time, Justice League.
I’d happily allow myself to be sucked into this fantastical world brimming with awesome, wonderful and individually distinct superheroes, ranging from the stalwart trinity of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman to household names like Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl and Martian Manhunter, and dozens more incredible heroes.
From their revelry, banter and relationship dynamics to epic, city-shattering battles against an iconic roster of villains, my eyes were practically glued to the TV screen as I watched episodes unfold in such memorable storylines that not only instilled in me that good can triumph over evil amidst adversity, but at the same time also presented admirably mature themes and interesting trains of thought.
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I love the world of DC itself, because to me it was the ideal world to live in, to strive for.
What other so-called “kids show” from 2001 touched on both Norse and Greek mythologies, based an entire episode on Coleridge’s classic Rime of the Ancient Mariner poem, had characters deal with loss, self-sacrifice, mental struggles, torture, cowardice and yes, even asking – and answering – the age-old question of what is the purpose of life?
The show never got lost in these heavier themes, however, and knew to also be joyful, triumphant, emotionally cathartic and hopeful. No matter what tangent the show took, it always stayed true to the nature of these characters and what it truly meant for them be a hero, and therefore their actions, decisions, victories, struggles and characterisations always left a lasting imprint on me.
And that’s probably Justice League’s biggest impact – that my moral compass was partly formed by these inspiring characters. It’s probably why I don’t really have an ultimate favourite DC Comics character – I love the world of DC itself, because to me it was the ideal world to live in, to strive for.
And in our real world that grows darker and pessimistic each day, I’m even more grateful for the little light of morality, hope and perseverance that this show planted in me years ago – a little light that I hope never dims out.