Justice was served today at New York Comic Con as the cast of the animated Justice League series took part in a long-awaited reunion panel titled ‘The Adventure Continues: A Justice League Reunion Event’.
L-R: Kevin Conroy, Susan Eisenberg George Newberg, Maria Canals-Barrera, Phil LaMarr, Carl Lumbly, Andrea Romano
The panel opened up with the iconic theme song from the hit animated series, to which the crown erupted with applause. Then the cast made their way out. First out was Andrea Romano, the casting and voice director for Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. She was followed by Carl Lumbly (Martian Manhunter), Phil LaMarr (Green Lantern), Maria Canals-Barrera (Hawkgirl), George Newbern (Superman), Susan Eisenberg (Wonder Woman), and the Dark Knight himself…Kevin Conroy. Notably missing from the panel was Michael Rosenbaum, voice of Wally West, aka The Flash (he, unfortunately, had a scheduling conflict and could make it for the panel).
The DC animated Trinity
Almost a decade in the making, this reunion panel was a wonderful treat for fans of the series. The cast reminisced about the series, did script reads, and Kevin Conroy even did a little singing.
Andrea started things off, talking about how they started casting the series back in 1999, and that due to Tim Daly being unavailable at the time, they had to hold a big casting for the role of Superman, and eventually found George Newbern.
Hearing everyone do their characters voices was amazing. It took me right back to the early 2000’s and reminded me why I loved this series so much.
An interested fact I learned about the series was that the final episode of season 2 was meant as an end to the show, but due to the immense popularity, the showrunners decided to keep it going and expand with Justice League Unlimited.
It was then revealed that Justice League Unlimited would be released on Blu-ray this Fall.
Andrea and Phil then talked about how it was Bruce Timm’s original intention to have John Stewart be THE Green Lantern of Earth, not Hal Jordan, and that he receive his ring from Abin Sur in the crash.
Phil LaMarr
The cast went on to do three separate script readings, the first from the pilot episode when they all come together in battle. The second was from the episode “This Little Piggy,” in which Kevin Conroy’s Batman sings the jazz tune “Am I Blue?,” which he does several times throughout the panel. The cast was having a great time during this one.
Phil and Maria laughing it up
Then the final reading was of the very last scene of the JLU series finale. This reading was set up by showing the scene that proceeds it with Darkseid and Lex Luthor.
After the amazing script readings, they opened it up to the audience for questions, one of which was a request for Phil LaMarr to recite the Green Lantern oath, which he did in all of its glory. Kevin Conroy talked a bit about how he chose to use two separate and distinct voices for his roles as Bruce Wayne and Batman, because that it was necessary and logical for someone as well known as Bruce Wayne to do more than just wear a mask while out fighting crime.
Kevin Conroy…the one, true Batman
They then ended the panel in the most amazing way possible…by having the Justice League attend NYCC! They all got into character and proceeded to talk and answer questions from the moderator in the voices and personalities of their characters.
This was definitely an amazing panel and it’s one I will never forget.
