Some of the recent DC Animated movie releases have been critized for being less than appropriate for our younger audience. Both language and graphic violence at the forefront of that criticism. It has even spilled over into the cinematic universe with Man of Steel.
Now comes a rebirth of sorts of the 70’s Superfriends with this Target Stores exclusive animated film release of JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time. This film is targeted (no pun intended) at a younger audience. The film opens with Lex Luthor and his Legion of Doom trying to, surprise, surprise… take over the world. Enter the Justice League. After a battle that takes place both on the Arctic circle and in space, Luthor is presumed dead.
Fast forward a thousand years and it’s discovered that Luthor is now a frozen relic in the Legion of Superheroes museum. This is where we meet Karate Kid and Dawnstar, couple of superhero wannabes. When Karate Kid accidently sets Luthor free it sets a chain of events that would alter the past as well as the future.
When a revived Lex Luthor inadvertently discovers Superman’s true identity while exploring the museum he also discovers a time machine called time trapper. The opportunity to once and for all wipe Superman from existence was finally his. As you can see, the plot is pretty simple and straightforward. 
Both the animation and fight sequences are pretty cool. None of that Magna-inspired art that plagues the Teen Titans series. The look of the characters teeter between the look of the 70’s in which this incarnation is based on and the look of today’s new 52, still no red trunks for Superman. My curiosity is certainly piqued. And I look forward to seeing more. The shame of it all is that this came in with very little fanfare. I know more about the upcoming Justice League: War that arrives on Blu-ray and DVD in February than I did about this. Do I think there needs to be a balance between producing material aimed at a mature audience as well as a younger one? I do. I think the animated violence can be tamed a bit and I don’t see the need at all for the language. If DC and Marvel for that matter want to broaden their audience, than it’s imperative that they remember for most lifelong fans, it starts young.
Being a child of the 70’s and early 80’s, I hold a special place in my heart for the classic animated series. Sure in hindsight The Superfriends was certainly corny with its dialogue and less than sophisticated with its animation but hey these were still my heroes. Whether or not JLA Adventures will be to this generation of fans as Superfriends was to me, remains to be seen. I hope there is life for this series.
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
