Not your father’s Super Friends — or is it? A bold new take on the classic Silver Age superheroes.

CRITIQUE

The New Frontier graphic novel (by writer/artist Darwyn Cooke) proved to be a high point in recent comic book history. The trick he managed to pull off is not “revisionist” in its commonly understood meaning. Cooke changed nothing, and yet changed everything! The DC continuity remains precisely the same — not an event or character remains undisturbed. Cooke infused each adventure with a deeper meaning; relevant to its place in history and inner personalities of the individuals.

For example: Up until the late 60s, DC publishers ignored politics (or world events of any kind). Except for super-villains and alien invasions, Earth was happy a place to live as your typical Leave it to Beaver episode. The heroes did their stuff with smiles on their faces. The Justice League was more like a celestial version of The Boy Scouts. If there was any difference between the members, it was denoted more by costume design than anything resembling a personality.

The Last Frontier (both comic and cartoon) posits real-life events affecting the world and its super-guardians, who also have markedly different traits. Superman is a naïve Midwesterner who rationalizes truth/justice/American way — at any cost. When aiding earthlings, Wonder Woman’s Amazonian roots affect her choices … thus, disenfranchised Korean War widows are her prime concern. J’on Jonzz (Martian Manhunter) is a refugee from outer space; using his powers of transformation to live undisturbed among humans. (At least for a while.)

Furthermore, Senator Joseph McCarthy is distrustful of super beings as he is Communists. At first, they’re not that trustful of each other, either. Human nature! Into this mix comes a deadly threat to the planet (okay, some things never change). It’s the way our heroes deal with the situation, and each other, that makes The New Frontier so special.

The main problem with the animated version is that a 75-minute film is scarcely enough time to develop all the interwoven subplots that Darwyn Cooked up in the graphic novel. Big chunks of exposition are lost as characters evolve, leaving the casual viewer to wonder why uniforms are changing (as they did over time in the “real” DC universe.) Some might wonder why the Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) subplot dominates the story; especially when it portrays him as a test pilot for the majority of the time. He doesn’t even receive his alien-inspired super powers until half way through.

Well, the comic explains all this (and much more!) in detail. Though Cooke co-wrote the script it still seems oddly truncated — even to a fan like myself. I read the book twice when it came out several years ago yet I had to go back and refer to the collection to refresh my memory regarding many details. I can only imagine how the typical adolescent Cartoon Network geek will respond to The New Frontier.

In its favor, the film looks and sounds great! Rarely have any of the animation companies tried to emulate the actual style of specific artists when rendering their cartoon adaptations. Even industry giants like Jack Kirby and Alex Toth, who actually migrated to animation in their later years, found their styles radically diluted on the tube. (Reason: it’s easier/quicker for outsourced, underpaid animators to draw generically.)

The New Frontier is an animation first in that it gains its creator not only as the adapting screenwriter but also the production designer!  The ‘toon looks remarkably like the book, which can be roughly described as superhero art run through a stylized 1950s “clip art” filter. In terms of actual animation, The Last Frontier hardly bests the fluid  efforts of Bruce Timm’s early Batman series but it’s a solid effort laboring under (what appears to be) a modest budget.

Fans of the animated Superman/Batman/Justice League will be in for a minor shock when they hear how the voices have been recast. Kyle MacLachlan’s Superman fares pretty well — there’s a nuance in his delivery that just feels right. For many (including myself) Kevin Conroy's Batman will remain definitive, but Jeremy Sisto does an admirable job under his shadow. Lucy Lawless brings a truly Amazonian lilt to Zena (ahem) Wonder Woman. Supporting players are all quite decent.

THE VIDEO

The New Frontier is presented in anamorphic widescreen. Surprisingly faithful production design, and offers adequate to good animation.

THE AUDIO

The New Frontier is presented in English 5.1 Surround Sound, as well as in a Portuguese dub track. Great score, but thin on background ambiance. English subtitles and closed captions are available.

THE EXTRAS

Audio Commentaries: One featuring the producers, directors and others, a second featuring Cooke, who explains the differences between his comic and the cartoon. Nobody actually comes out and directly apologizes for the film’s shortcomings (do they ever?) but all the inside information is pretty cool.

Super Heroes United! The Complete Justice League History: A 40-minute documentary of the JL’s history, from way back in the 40s. Lots of industry insiders make this one a delight for collectors.

Batman Gotham Knight: To capitalize on the upcoming live action Batman film (The Dark Knight) Warner is releasing a series of short stories, drawn animé style. Frankly I can’t stand animé, but it’s definitely popular.

Legion of Doom: Sort of a flip side to Super Heroes United. Pros speak about the JLA’s rogues gallery.

Commentary: A reprise by Cooke, more details on the differences. They should’ve been combined.

Justice League Bonus Episodes: Three episodes are offered. Oddly enough, Dark Heart and Task Force X are outside the continuity of The New Frontier.

FINAL THOUGHT

If supported, we may see more faithful adaptations in the future. Warning to parents: like Superman: Doomsday, this is a PG-13 level film in terms of violence.