The heroes of DC’s Justice League and Rooster Teeth Animation’s RWBY join forces in “Justice League x RWBY: Super heroes and Huntsmen Part One” an all new Anime-Action Packed adventure that sees our heroes transported to Remnant. It’s a visually vibrant story about teamwork, strength, and belonging. The all-new, feature-length DC Animated Movie finds Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg, Green Lantern and Vixen in new iterations – transformed into teenagers while in transport to RWBY’s world, and presented in Rooster Teeth’s anime-influenced animation – and partnering with the heroes of Remnant (Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang) to battle a mysterious, superpowered creature before it destroys everything they know.
“Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes and Huntsmen Part One” is an adaptation of the seven-issue comic crossover that came out in 2021 and was written by Marguerite Bennett with artists Aneke and Mirka Andolfo. The miniseries introduced fans of manga and superheroes to Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, and Diana Prince of Remant, fighting with team RWBY. The creative team have truly got the best of both worlds with DC and RWBY, crossovers can be risky business but I’m here to say that both these worlds truly blend together seamlessly creating such a fun colourful world of adventure.
Director Kerry Shawcross and his team do justice to both sets of characters by introducing DC characters to RWBY and vice versa. The film does function more like an instalment of RWBY than a standalone so if you are not familiar with this world you’ll miss out on the easter eggs and quirks, however, for me, it served as an introduction and has made me a fan of this world. I love how they’ve incorporated fandoms whilst also visually reimagining the Justice League to suit the world of Remnant, transforming the members into teenagers was truly an act of genius from writer Meghan Fitzmartin. Taking well-established, experienced characters who are in their prime have been taken back to their youth which provides teenaged angst, goofiness, awkwardness, and a new perspective for the League. Seeing each member get their Semblance was such fun as the two worlds collided Superman’s semblance is solar-powered and comes from the sun whilst Batman’s allows him to scan his surroundings akin to x-ray or infrared vision, and now as a bat Fanus, Bruce is able to use wings to fly. Here in Remnant, his crime-fighting detective knowledge is turned into a superpower but ultimately it’s Bruce who feels at home in this world gaining an understanding of what it’s like to be Superman.
Each member goes through a change whether it’s Wonder Woman who now has the ability to conjure and summon her weapons as the RWBY Dust enables her to use the Lasso of truth, The Flash who still retains his powers of speed from his original world, Cyborg has more electricity abilities and Vixen becomes a Fanus but ultimately the film is about overcoming and imposter syndrome as Jessica Cruz aka Green Lantern since her arrival on Remnant is unable to use the powers of the Green Lantern. Jessica’s arc is so vital to the story showcasing that in this world she doesn’t feel that she can stand with her peers without the ring, throughout with the help of Juane she must learn to have confidence in herself. It’s fun to put both teams in these situations as they have to all come together and in the process learn from each other.
The voice cast throughout is in top form. Chandler Riggs voices the teenaged version of Superman managing to carry the sense of authority that comes from the Man of Steel but tempered with the awkwardness of youth. Natalie Alyn Lind, treads a similar path to Riggs with her portrayal of Wonder Woman, as indeed, does Nat Wolff as Bruce Wayne/Batman and all the JL cast members. Alongside them are Team RWBY’s long-running cast Lindsay Jones (Camp Camp) as Ruby, Kara Eberle (RWBY: Ice Queendom) as Weiss, Arryn Zech (The Detective is Already Dead) as Blake, and Barbara Dunkelman (Blood Fest) as Yang.
Also featured in the cast is Ozioma Akagha (Teen Titans Go!) as Vixen, Jen Brown (Red vs. Blue) as Pyrrha, Tiana Camacho (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure) as Glynda, Aaron Dismuke (Fullmetal Alchemist) as Oscar, Jason Douglas (The Walking Dead) as Jacques, David Errigo Jr. (Ridley Jones) as The Flash/Barry Allen and Rolf, Samantha Ireland (Red vs. Blue) as Nora, Miles Luna (Camp Camp) as Jaune, Shannon McCormick (Get Backers, Day 5) as Professor Ozpin, Neath Oum (RWBY: Chibi) as Lie Ren, Tara Platt (Aggretsuko, Naruto: Shippuden) as Kali, Jeannie Tirado (Soul, Saints Row) as Green Lantern, and Tru Valentino (The Rookie, The Cuphead Show!) as Cyborg.
The animation this time around was handled by Rooster Teeth which employs a different visual style than most WB DC releases. It preserves the 2D/3D hybrid world of RWBY much similar to the previous 3D CGI feature Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons Review Here. the visuals are energetic with anime influences and references. the action is enough to keep the film exciting as the Grimm are imposing creatures that feel very Kaiju inspired. One thing that truly ignited the film was its score, David Levy has created such a heavy metal operatic symphony that felt energetic and electrifying.
Final Thoughts
“Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes and Huntsmen Part One” was a lot of fun and worked even for someone like me who was completely unfamiliar with the RWBY franchise, it serves as the perfect introduction to Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang whilst also being a great anime-inspired action adventure for the Justice League as we’ve never seen them before. It’s a visually vibrant story that focuses on teamwork, and building strength in yourself and others, whilst also showcasing a tale of belonging, self-discovery and adorable teenage angst. the appetite is well and truly ready for Part 2!
Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One is produced and directed by Kerry Shawcross (RWBY franchise) and written by screenwriter Meghan Fitzmartin (Supernatural, Justice Society: World War II). Producers are Ethan Spaulding (Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge), Jim Krieg (Batman: Gotham by Gaslight) and Kimberly S. Moreau (Legion of Super-Heroes). Laura Yates (Boyhood, RWBY, Red vs. Blue) is Supervising Producer. Executive Producer is Michael Uslan. Sam Register is Executive Producer.
Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One is now available to purchase on Blu-ray and on Digital Download.
Arthur must enlist the help of his half-brother Orm in order to protect Atlantis against Black Manta, who has unleashed a devastating weapon in his obsessive quest to avenge his father’s death.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom [credit: Warner Bros. / DC]
Genre:
Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Release Date:
December 20, 2023
Director:
James Wan
Cast:
Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Plot Summary:
Arthur must enlist the help of his half-brother Orm in order to protect Atlantis against Black Manta, who has unleashed a devastating weapon in his obsessive quest to avenge his father’s death.
I know that it’s been a little while since “The Flash” came out in theaters, but I got to say that after seeing the movie again on Max, I think that it’s clear to say that Michael Keatonis the best actor that has played the Caped Crusader.
Keaton played the hero in the Tim Burton-directed superhero flick way back in 1989. Many fans were skeptical of the controversial casting but were happy to have him in the film after it was released and welcomed him back for the sequel in 1992.
Here is why Keaton reigns supreme as the comic-book hero.
HE LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR “DARK” BATMAN
Batman 1989 [credit: Warner Bros.]
Before Michael Keaton, the only thing that fans had for Batman was Adam West on the 1960s tv series and while the series had its moments, they seemed more campy than actually dark. West had a more comical take on the character which might have been fine for the 1960s but it doesn’t really honor the source material.
Keaton brought the character into darker territory and allowed Batmen after him to run, but only after he had to walk in the batsuit and it was a breath of fresh air to see it.
HIS ORIGIN STORY IS MORE TRAGIC
Batman 1989 [credit: Warner Bros.]
In the original comics, Bruce Wayne’s parents are killed by the criminal Joe Chill. And the tragic event is what made him the caped crusader. That is a great origin story, however, the 1989 film changes a few things.
In the Tim Burton movie, Jack Napier a.k.a., the Joker kills Wayne’s parents. Albeit, this is before Napier becomes the Joker but it makes for a great connection as to why Batman has such a true and deep disdain for the Joker, thus making their hero-villain dynamic more palpable to watch.
HE TOOK ON A KRYPTONIAN WITHOUT KRYPTONITE
The Flash 2023 [credit: Warner Bros.]
If you haven’t seen The Flash, spoiler alert because Keaton’s Batman takes down the kryptonian Nam-ek in the coolest and briefest showdown in the DCEU, where Batman grapples the Kryptonian by the neck attaching bombs to him and finally knocking the alien to the ground with a final explosion.
Keaton can rest easy knowing that he was the only Batman to knock down a Kryptonian without Kryptonite. Not even Affleck could attest to that.