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Justice League: The New Frontier

by Chad Eglinton

Based on the epic Graphic Mini-Series series "New Frontier", this represents by far the biggest risk that DC and Warner have taken in regard to their properties. New Frontier is one artists love story to the 1950's and the sense of wonder that the Silver Age of comics gave millions.

Now, if like me you read the original Graphic Mini-Series and are somewhat hesitant about seeing a film adaptation, DO NOT FEAR. One of the joys of watching this is to see what they include and cut from the massive tale. Sadly,some of the threads that did go were the 'Challengers Of The Unknown' and 'War That Time Forgot'. But, while I absolutely love these veins of the story, the DVD has worked around these absences and managed to keep the core of the story without diluting any of it's effect. In fact, once I finished watching the film I immediately went back and re-read the Graphic Novel and thoroughly enjoyed the rich tapestry that both versions present.

From the opening sequence as an artist completes his children's book containing a Lovecraftian Monster called 'The Centre' through to the introduction of the vast cast. Superman. Wonder Woman. Batman. Martian Manhunter. Green Lantern (Hal Jordan). The Flash. And on until the climactic conclusion where it becomes a veritable Who's Who of the DC Comic Universe.

The first thing that people watching this will notice is the highly stylised animation. The style, which was chosen specifically to bring up a sense of nostalgia for the Silver Age of comics and animation, and with the animated productions of Batman: The Animated Series (1992-95), Batman: Gotham Knights (1997-99), Batman Beyond (1999-2001), Superman: The Animated Series (1996-2000), Justice League Unlimited (2001-06). Because Darwyn Cooke's artistic style on the Graphic Novel tried to evoke these same feelings the film mimics the hand crafted style. This style might at first be off putting to an audience more familiar with modern anime like 'Appleseed' or 'Death Note', but don't let that classic styling sway you away. This is a smooth and beautifully animated film that celebrates it's stylistic nuances and leaves the more recent animated comic adaptations, and live-action adaptions for that matter, in the dust. Justice League: New Frontier is so respectful of the source material that I was honestly surprised that it worked at all, and even more surprised by how well.

Beyond the story and the artistic styling, this film, like all animated films relies heavily on the voice actors to bring the whole thing to life. Once more, New Frontier delivers the goods. A lot of the recent comic adapted animated films have suffered on occasion from lack-luster voice talent. These failings are not so much the choice of voice but really the voice-direction. Not here, there is some stellar voices talent that are well directed: David Boreanaz as Hal Jordan / Green Lantern, Miguel Ferrer as J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter, Neil Patrick Harris as Barry Allen / The Flash, John Heard as Ace Morgan, Lucy Lawless as Wonder Woman, Kyle MacLachlan as Clark Kent / Superman, Kyra Sedgwick as Lois Lane, Brooke Shields as Carol Ferris, Jeremy Sisto as Bruce Wayne / Batman.

All in all, this is one of the most enjoyable and exciting animated super-hero films of the last ten years, easily, if not the best.

Justice League: The New Frontier is available in Single & Double Disk versions.

Both versions have their charm. The single disk contains these special features:

Comprehensive documentary Super Heroes United!: The Complete Justice League History

Exclusive sneak peek at DC Universe's: Batman Gotham Knight

Audio commentary 1: Featuring the talented filmmakers of New Frontier, including executive producer Bruce Timm, supervising producer Mike Goguen, voice director Andrea Romano, director David Bullock, screenwriter Stan Berkowitz and DC Comics senior vice president/creative affairs Gregory Noveck

Audio commentary 2: Featuring comic book writer and artist Darwyn Cooke

While the 2-disc version contains the above and:

Revealing documentary The Legion of Doom: The Pathology of the Super Villain

Featurette Comic Book Commentary: Homage to the New Frontier

3 bonus Justice League episodes: Dark Heart, To Another Shore and Task Force X

Justice League: New Frontier scores 9/10 on my Media Junkie scale.

Also available:

Justice League: New Frontier Special #1 - produced to coincide with the DVD release; 48 pages.

New Frontier Trade Paperback Vol 1; 208 pages, soft cover

New Frontier Trade Paperback Vol 2; 208 pages, soft cover

Absolute New Frontier; 464 pages, oversized slip-cased hard cover

Justice League: New Frontier Action Figures