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JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON TWO-EARTHS – the latest original DC animated film – takes on a legacy that is forty years in the making. The idea of parallel Earths has been a staple in DC continuity since the advent of the Silver Age of comics, when it was decided that the Golden Age and Silver Age Superheroes came from different Earths. Longtime DC writer Gardner Fox penned the first “Crisis” story involving the parallel worlds way back Justice League of America #29-30, in 1964. Since then,” Crisis” has become a regular plotline in DC comics…some may say it’s even an obsession.

 In this story, the Crime Syndicate is an evil version of the Justice League. They control their Earth like the mob, with each of the core members in charge of a territory with a “family” of under-villains to help enforce their rule. Here, Lex Luthor is one of the last superheroes alive, and he uses a dimensional transporter to travel to the Earth of the JLA and enlist their aid to save his world.

 While most of the League is in favor, Batman refuses, believing they have more important tasks on their own world. Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, and J’onn J’onzz travel with Luthor back to his world to confront the villains. Here they will not only fight their own evil counterparts, but also evil versions of heroes such as The Marvel Family, Green Arrow, The Elongated Man, and Vibe. But a more serious threat is soon uncovered…Owlman, the parallel to Batman is hatching a plot that could destroy the entire universe.

 One of the strengths of DC’s animated films over those of Marvel’s is their use of well-known actors to voice the characters. This works both for and against DC in this film, however. The familiar voices of Kevin Conroy and Rino Romano as Batman, and Tim Daly, and George Newbern as Superman, have been replaced by William Baldwin (Batman) and Mark Harmon (Superman). Baldwin is passable as Batman, but Harmon just doesn’t sound right. His voice doesn’t have the power and authoritative tone you expect from Superman. On the other hand, James Woods is brilliant as Owlman. He single-handedly raises the bar for the other actors with his deliver, which oozes sinister evil. Chris Noth is fine as Lex Luthor, but you definitely miss Clancy Brown’s deep resonations. Another notable actors include Bruce Davison as the alternate Earth President and Kari Wuhrer as Black Canary.

 Justice League: Crisis on Two-Earths is a solid story, although not quite on a par with Green Lantern: First Flight or Superman/Batman Public Enemies. It plays like an extended episode of the Justice League TV show with nothing making it truly momentous.

DVD Extras

The DVD  comes with a short animated feature starring The Spectre, and I’m tempted to say this is worth the price of the DVD alone. The Spectre is the most important DC character yet to appear in animation. The story, written by Steve Niles, largely influenced by the 1970s incarnation of the Specter in Adventure Comics, written by Michael Fleisher with art by Jim Aparo. This was a Spectre that dealt with criminals in the most gruesome fashion, and Niles has brought that style to this short. It’s even set in the 1970s with Jim Corrigan as the Spectre’s alter ego, trying to track down the murderers of a top Hollywood film producer. The animation is done in a misty, grainy style with traces of Anime influence. Just a fantastic addition to the DVD!

DCU: The New World (26:00): This featurette looks at the various “Crisis” storylines from DC’s history, from the Golden Age to the present. It also examines how the DCU has changed in a post-9/11 world. Includes interviews with Geoff Johns, Rags Morales, Mike Carlin, Paul Levitz, Brad Meltzer, Dan Didio, and more.

Bruce Timm Presents: Justice League a Better World. This is the two-part episode from the Justice League Animated series.

There are also short featurettes on several other of DCs recent animated features which have already been included on previous DVD releases. And there is a Digital Copy of the Film.

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010). Directed by Sam Liu.  Written by Dwayne McDuffie.  Cast: James Woods, William Baldwin, Mark Harmon.