How HBO Max Should Bring Back The DC Animated Universe

Supergirl And The Legion Of Super-Heroes Is The Perfect JLU Sequel

Justice League Unlimited Supergirl Brainiac 5
Warner Bros.

The third season of JLU has plenty of standout episodes, but one of the best is "Far From Home", which sees Supergirl, Green Lantern and Green Arrow temporarily beamed into the 31st century to assist the Legion of Super-Heroes. Supergirl (voiced by Nicholle Tom) had been instrumental to the series throughout its airtime, and this episode devoted itself to the idea of Kara stepping out of Superman's shadow, and how she could carve out her own legacy separate to that of the Man of Steel's.

Over the course of helping the Legion defeat the Fatal Five, Kara falls in love with one of the team's key members, Braniac 5, a descendant of the original evil Braniac (long story), and comes to realise that she belongs in the future. It's a clever inversion of the older Superman and Legion comics - which saw a young Kal-El beamed into the future instead of Kara - and also provides the perfect, emotional conclusion to Supergirl's arc.

What's more, though, is that it also provides the perfect platform for a new DCAU series, one set in the 31st Century and that focuses on Supergirl and the Legion.

Supergirl Legion of Super Heroes
DC Comics / Dennis Calero

There is one other thing that is interesting to note as well. Readers may recall that a Legion of Super-Heroes cartoon did air on Cartoon Network shortly after JLU's cancellation, and that it focused on Kal-El's Superboy rather than Supergirl. Fans had speculated that "Far From Home" was meant to serve as a backdoor pilot for that series, and while this has been shot down by writer James Tucker (who was involved in both of those shows), no one can argue that it wasn't a mistake that Legion didn't pick up where JLU left off.

Ultimately, there are all sorts of areas Warner Bros. could take the DCAU with a fully fledged animated revival. However, a BTAS sequel, while tempting, could end up being both the riskiest and most boring option. Supergirl, on the other hand, has benefitted massively from a recent TV series and is currently set to star in her own live action movie with Sasha Calle in the role.

Simply put, the time is now for the DCAU Kara to return to our screens. I think she's earned it more than Bats.

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Supergirl CBS
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Content Producer/Presenter
Content Producer/Presenter

Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.