Power Corrupts, Superpower Corrupts Absolutely

First, a word for Bruce Timm and the DC animated films division - make this story into a movie. Now. You heard me. Does it have a few story wrinkles? Sure, but nothing that can't be ironed out by good writers. Is it perhaps too long for a single movie? Make it a two-parter. I'll personally buy the extended version copies for myself and fellow fans.

Justice Lords Beyond is quite possibly the best DCAU or DC animated story ever committed to paper as either a comic or an animated feature. Better than Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. Better than Batman: Under the Red Hood. Maybe even better than Batman: Return of the Joker. I'm not exaggerating.

Brief Overview of the Story

The story itself is deceptively simple. The Justice Lords are back with a vengeance. Their goal is the same as before – to enforce their dictatorship on the main timeline universe. As one would expect, the Lords are every bit as smart, gifted and dangerous as their heroic counterparts.

But like I said, the story is only apparently simple. For underneath this ostensible battle royale is a complicated and fascinating backstory which will have your jaw dropping in places. Even more important than this is just how much we learn about the heroes of the main timeline, both through their backstories, and their struggle with their Lords timeline doubles. Two characters in particular deserve mention: Wonder Woman and Terry McGinnis.

Wonder Woman

I've already mentioned how the Beyond Universe gives us a fresh and engrossing take on familiar characters like Barbara Gordon or Superman. Now it's Wonder Woman's turn. Wonder Woman has not had good luck in this field for this reviewer, at least in the animated universe. Although certainly a dedicated and admirable hero, I always felt like she suffered similar problems with Superman – too powerful and not relatable enough.

The Wonder Woman animated movie struck out in this regard, placing excessive emphasis on gender issues and not enough on anything that might make Wondy interesting besides her being…well, a woman. This was a shame, because there was plenty to work with: she's a princess in a largely non-monarchical democratic world, a warrior in a world which increasingly tries to eliminate war, and an immigrant from a society with ideas often very different than our own, not just regarding gender but also virtue, glory and immortality.

Justice Lords Beyond is a huge step in the right direction. Her return after decades of exile in the Justice Lords world involves a story of love lost, sacrifice, revenge, and the leadership of hard choices and painful compromise. I won't say anything more so as not to spoil the details, but I felt for and admired her passion and even her choices. Painful compromise is the part of any great leader, especially in the monarchical age, and anyone who thinks her decision is "unbelievable" – I assure you there are many real historical cases of compromises like the one she made. This story made her more heroic – and human – than I've ever seen her in an animated context.

Terry McGinnis

Kyle Higgins understands Terry McGinnis. He just does. Every story I've read of him so far has fleshed out the character of the future Batman, adding layers and showing his potential. Sometimes I even wish Higgins had been a writer for the original show. He truly shines in this story.

Unlike Wonder Woman, whose story is informed by her past, Terry's path has always been about overcoming his past to ensure his present and most importantly his future. So too here. Terry's sojourn into the Lords universe forces him to come across himself – not quite a Justice Lord, but not quite a good guy, either. In a way, it's a brilliant way of bringing up Terry's own history as a "bad kid" and criminal without actually showing it.

Terry's own struggle to fight in a world that has given up is fascinating. You see how brave and increasingly adaptive he is – as well as the sacrifices he is willing to make, if necessary. There is a moment in his story that made my jaw drop to the floor. Without spoiling what happened, I'll say that any writer willing to take chances like that, even fleetingly, is made of stronger stuff than most.

An Ongoing Struggle

Superman points out what the story is all about – not inborn evil, but corruption. All the characters, big and small, are forced to see what they might become or be on their way to becoming if they don't watch their step. Lord Superman in particular is a malicious, egomaniacal and power-hungry lunatic who truly believes he is indispensable to the people he protects through imprisonment. He is the kind of "protector" humanity has seen too much of.

In the end, the story is resolved but is not resolved. The Terrys on both worlds have to grapple with new, very troubling questions and challenges, as do the Dick Graysons on each world. The Justice Lords are still in the game. Wonder Woman has a family to rebuild, in more ways than one. Lord Superman will forever lurk in the background. The struggle goes on.

Kyle Higgins and Christos Gage have done a phenomenal job on this story, handling characters in a compelling and always interesting manner. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the artwork, which is some of the best I've seen – beautiful yet wonderfully expressive as well. I look forward in particular to more stories by these two, and hope one day to see more collaboration by these two master storytellers.

"Batman Beyond: Justice League Beyond" is now available through digital outlets and comic shops.