In Review: Justice Society: World War II

Synopsis: Wonder Woman has assembled a team to fight in World War II. They are called the Justice Society and it is the golden age of heroes.

The Story

The story opens up with Steve Trevor addressing some officials. Among them is Franklin D. Roosevelt who is looking to help Europe in the war effort. Trevor suggests that he use the Justice Society. A new team of American Superheroes set up by Wonder Woman. Among them are Hawkman, Black Canary, Jay Garrick/The Flash, and Hour-Man.

Back in the present day. On another version of the Earth. Barry Allen/The Flash is on a date with Iris in Metropolis. But as ever Barry cannot relax. Iris asks him about his feelings. He says that he loves her. But can’t let it be known for fear of losing her. Iris is not happy with his answer and tells him that if he feels that way. He may as well end the relationship. Then they get interrupted by some noise. Superman is battling Brainiac and as always. He can’t do it quietly. Iris tells Barry to go help.

During the fight. Brainiac manages to get the drop on Superman and has a Kryptonite projectile aimed at him. As Superman braces himself for potential death. The Flash comes at Brainiac as he fires his weapon and catches up with the projectile. But as he makes contact with it. He is transported to a battlefield somewhere in France during World War II.

Future Boy

Barry is now in the middle of France and runs into Wonder Woman who is not too happy to see him. She initially suspects him to be a spy or something. I mean really, a spy dressed in spandex? Either way. He manages to earn her trust over time and is given the name of Future Boy by the other members of the society.

As the story develops. They find themselves going to Atlantis to hunt down an artifact and get to it before Hitler does. But in order to get there. They have to rescue Doctor Fate who has a fair bit of information for them. As well as another Superhero that has not appeared yet in this version of Earth. And he is actually very close to the Justice Society hiding in plain sight. He is totally unaware that he is super. And goes by the name of Shakespeare.

The Acting

Stana Katic does a great job voicing Wonder Woman and I really liked the fact that she uses an accent. It made it more believable for me that Wonder Woman is from another place and isn’t American-born.

Matt Bomer proves steady as the Barry Allens Flash and does a good job of portraying Barry’s ADHD traits. As in his tendency to flit from one thing to the next when he is nervous. The scenes he has with Jay Garrick’s Flash (Armen Taylor) as they find themself having to work together are a lot of fun. One of the plot points is that two Flashes in the same universe play havoc with their powers because of how the speed force works.

Finally, Chris Diamantopoulos proves reliable as Steve Trevor and his relationship with Wonder Woman proves to be a rather important plot point. In that, it ties in with Barry’s dilemma with Iris. And last but not least. Geoffrey Arend is fantastically villainous as The Advisor.

Overall

As DC Animations go. This isn’t a bad one. But it is not the best I have seen either. The story felt a little cobbled together in parts. And if honest. I just wasn’t that into it. In that, I was hoping for a bit more of a quest than what we got.

Perhaps it was because we had too many characters or maybe it just wasn’t that great of a story. I don’t really know. But beyond seeing Justice Society characters like Hour-Man and Hawkman. It felt more like a Wonder Woman and Flash Story. Then it did an actual Justice Society story.

I really wanted much more story input from Hour-Man and Hawkman than we actually got. And added to that. Dr. Fate was used as a mere plot device. The action was solid as were the acting performances and the animation was good. But the story was a bit hit and miss with me.