Where Justice League (JL) began with the “Secret Origins” of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern and Hawkgirl twenty years ago, Justice League Unlimited (JLU) continued with the “Initiation” of Green Arrow.
Premiered on July 31, 2004 on Cartoon Network, JLU followed the founding team members as they decided to expand their membership with the Emerald Archer, Supergirl, Captain Atom, Black Canary, Steel, Vixen, The Question and many more superheroes in the never-ending mission to keep the world safe from the forces of evil. Like Wonder Woman, Green Arrow debuted in DC in 1941. The masked Robin Hood alter-ego of billionaire Oliver Queen, Green Arrow is a streetwise, social crusader for the little guy. Initially, he believes he doesn’t belong in the League, but this lefty is what they need: someone to keep them honest – especially where Cadmus is concerned.
JLU finds the team dealing with Amanda Waller, Task Force X (aka the Suicide Squad), the returns of Lex Luthor, Gorilla Grodd and the Secret Society, and so on. Up, up, up there with other fan favorites DC shows like The Adventures of Superman, JLU serves as one of the precursors to Arrow, as well as paving the way for 2017’s Wonder Woman with Gal Gadot. The series lasted three successful seasons.
You can watch episodes of both JL and JLU on HBO Max.