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Justice
League Unlimited
Patriot Act
Original U.S. Airdate - 02/25/06
Like
an evil Captain America, the Germans had their own super
soldier serum during World War 2, but thanks to brave American
heroes like Spy Smasher they never got a chance to use it.
Spy Smasher was able to destroy the lab and scientists that
created it and bring the only known sample back to the good
old USA where it had been kept safe for 60+ years. Until
now…
Since
the dismantling of the Cadmus Project, General Eiling has
sat around marinating in his anger, growing more and more
paranoid of metahumans like Superman. After unsuccessfully
trying to get Amanda Waller to join him against the JLU,
Eiling takes matters into his own hands by stealing and
using the German super soldier serum on himself.
But
General Eiling doesn't turn into the hunky Steve Rogers,
but rather a hulky beast known in comics as The General
(see Continuity Corner).
Meanwhile at the JLU watchtower, Mr. Terrific
monitors the leagues most powerful members as they help
a distant planet with a solar emergency. With all of the
big guns occupied, Mr. Terrific asks Green Arrow, Vigilante,
Stargirl, Shining Knight, and S.T.R.I.P.E to cover for Superman
in Metropolis. Little do they know they just signed up for
parade duty.
As parade goers are disappointed that none
of the big name Justice Leaguers showed up, The General
arrives looking to fight Superman and prove to the world
that metahumans are the real terrorists. It's up to the
superheroes without superpowers to stop him.
The
moral of this one isn't hard to miss as everyone from The
General to the citizens on the street drive it home: you
don't need superpowers to be a hero. After-school Special
aside, the real fun in this episode comes from the spotlight
that is given to the more obscure JLU members and appearances
by characters you never thought would be on TV to begin
with.
Shining
Knight and Vigilante both have nice character moments that
they haven't had the chance to highlight in past appearances.
While Stargirl has had some chances to shine, her oft forgot
mentor S.T.R.I.P.E gets more screen time in this episode
than he's had during the entire run of the show.
Green
Arrow's former sidekick (or partner depending on who you
ask) Speedy makes his debut in the Bruce Timm universe after
several good cameos over in Teen Titans, with a similar
look and the same voice.
Even
Spy Smasher, an obscure 1940s Fawcett comics character,
joins in on the fun. Sure you could fault the episode for
not including Batman in the mix, but we all know that Batman
would have wrapped The General up in 5 minutes.
Where is the fun in that?
Chalk
this episode up as one for the diehard fans. While there
wasn't much to the plot, the action was fast, heavy and
enjoyable if you caught even half of the references that
were made and obscure characters that were highlighted.
If you didn't, well than this may have been a lackluster
episode. Imagine tuning in to see Batman and Superman and
instead seeing Shining Knight and the Crimson Avenger open
a can of whoop ass.
Derek's Continuity Corner
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