ultimatum is very sad.

[@juliiju0484]

I really feel bad for the "stereotypical international gang" of the Super Friends. Yes, they started out as somewhat offensive characters, but so did many of the characters we love today, and it seems like every time DC tries to give them a shot, they don't follow through long enough for the characters to establish themselves in the popular consciousness as something else than walking stereotypes. It's a shame, there's so much potential behind them...

[@benwasserman8223]

Think the recent Wonder Twin comics were well-liked. Though I've always assumed Chief in the Wonder Woman movie was a nod to Apache Chief.

[@MMMaple]

Hey I know you

[@ash_sunday]

They were pretty good in Young Justice! Wish more of them had stuck around tho

[@mahatmarandy5977]

They weren’t intended as stereotypes. They were actually a ham-fisted 1970s attempt to be inclusive. But they never got beyond the surface because it was the superfriends, a not very good show, and these guys just divided focus rather than, y’no, seeming important. It didn’t help any that they were created for the show and had no existence in print outside of it as far as I can remember

[@RavenCloak13]

Hell, the real funny thing was they were still progressive for the time as well. It's like fighting games. You take stereotypes but make them fun characters. I bring up fighting games specifically because of the design ethos around those characters requires you to immediately identify what they are about or make you interested in playing them because they used to be takes 30 seconds or less to choose a character in the select screen for an arcade and each character had to visually look unique or seem fun to play so lot of fighting games used stereotypes in the old days with striking colors to get people to want to play em and used interesting mechanics for each character. Take the difference between say Shaun and Balrog. Ones a stereotypical B-baller Black kid into hiphop and such and the other was just Mike Tyson till they made him more angry Black guy dirty boxer. But both characters get a lot of love and are liked by people. Shaun was made the student of Ken whose extremely popular and his version of Ken's Shotokon/Ansatsu gives him big protagonist energy throwing his all behind attacks in his animation and he's just fun loving. Balrog meanwhile his in fighter style boxing has always been popular with people who want to just keep rushing down the opponent and not give an inch and he's even evolved as a character where he ends up picking up Ed who he trains and is basically an adopted son to him and their dynamic is rather interesting that someone as hard ass and angry as him can raise such a good kid who cares a lot about Balrog having a mix of boxing and his own powers. Then you have characters like Dee Jay. Jamaican capoiera dude who just loves to party. People liked how well he was to spam and play but love him even more now cause of a design update yet he's still the same character whose fun loving and literally teaches your custom character to fight like him by getting you to dance at a party he's throwing. This even informs the series as a whole. Street Fighter was the most Street with 3rd Strike. The most popular and well received in terms of visuals and staying power. With SF6 they returned back to that feel and gave you even more diverse roster and customization for your characters. Like, say what you will about stereotypes but the funny thing is the player base for fighting games are some of the most diverse in gaming. Got people around the world from Pakistan, Isreal, Japan, Korea, France, Mexico, US, Canada, Nigeria and the like all going to compete at big events along with just talking with people and trying to find new ways to communicate ideas to each other and this is literally games that were built on stereotypes yet at the time they were actually pretty new and groundbreaking. Chun Li was one of the fist female fighters you can play. Zangief has been gay since 2, people when they were young thought Dhalsim was evil cause of his looks but he's one of the chillest dudes, E. Honda was every kids go to if the couldn't play characters cause of his Hundred Hands Slaps and my aunt loved using him, Poison's been trans since Final Fight days, Luke is probably the best character they could have made for new generation of players with a voice actor that has really taken to the role and embodies the character online on Twitter doing memes voice work, playing the game and helping out with art stuff which fits the actual character. Even the custom character for story mode pretty much made everyone really have fun making their own OC's and play along with a fact someone pointed out that unlike a lot of games, the default create a character in SF6 is a Black kid people been using for fanart comics to represent players. Really shows that you can find value in a lot of things especially when you see those stereotyped characters were actually earnest attempts to make fun and interesting characters.

[@ToaArcan]

Honestly, one of the saddest things about the episode is that the real Longshadow never appears again. He got to join the League, but he probably died not long after the fact.

[@lordbiscuitthetossable5352]

Yeah. I always noticed that, he never appeared anywhere else. Though I guess that wonder of joining the league on principle was all he ever wanted. The fact that they counted him among him is fantastic.

[@KevinGarcia-gp8vz]

Yeaa. Makes me sad. Its like a MakeAWish situation. “Sure, buddy. We’ll make you an honorary member of the League.” 🥺😭

[@LordCornshoe]

If I remember correctly, Dwayne Mcduffie confirmed on his old site shortly after the episode originally aired that that is exactly what happened. The final scene is meant to be a metaphor of Longshadow entering heaven/Valhalla/whathaveyou.

[@MASTEROFEVIL]

He was basically one of those make a wish kids because he knew he wasn't going to live long

[@martinmcneal2778]

I think the reason why the Ultimen turned so quickly is a combination of the stress of their impending deaths and the cellular degeneration from their clone bodies is what made them act irrationally. It kinda reminds me of how someone with Dementia or Alzheimer's would lash out at someone they don't recognize

[@BatDad1984]

Every time an episode of JLU is brought up, I'm like "wow I love that episode." Then I try to think of one I don't love. Can't ever think of one.

[@MBOmnis]

Destroyer. Because it ends the series. :(

[@ericwhite1942]

And that's the correct answer to that question

[@ericwhite1942]

​@MBOmnis I don't know. Better to go out on top than to keep popping out crap long after you've ran out of stores to tell.

[@aguywithalotofopinions412]

I don't love the one where they all turn into kids

[@EspeonMistress00]

​@@aguywithalotofopinions412Same! It was annoying

[@KingOfMadCows]

The Ultimen are a great tribute and a reimagining of the Superfriends. I think the episode is very reminiscent of the episode Legends, which also had a parody/homage of old superheroes. The writers do such a great job of poking fun at these ideas from superhero history while also paying respect to them and having a compelling original story that still progresses the plot and characters of the main cast/show. Also, it should be noted that this episode was directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, who is one of the co-directors of Across the Spider-Verse, which also does an incredible balancing act of making fun of Spider-Man history, paying respect to it, and creating a great new story for the new generation of Spider-Man.

[@WolframHeart-xp2px]

I recall watching this episode and not understanding the more nuanced aspects of it but did find the Cadmus plans tô be utterly insano. Cadmus posits itself as being a defense line againste all threats including the Justice League should they ever decide to turn on maniind or be forced to, however every project they ever made was immediately used in attempting to kill the JL. If anything not only does it give reason for the JL to attack Cadmus, thereby causing the scenario they wanted to avoid, but also weakens Earth overall. If they fail Earth loses Cadmus, if they succeed Earth loses JL without the latter's provocation. Best bet for Cadmus would be to use their resources against the super criminals and bolster an planetary defense. It helps the Jl protect Earth while working out any issue with said plans. Worst case Cadmus can aid JL, best case Cadmus replaces JL as the defacto protector and maybe even defeat JL should they turn

[@1wayroad935]

It's also a representation of the writers and artists of comics who get replaced all the time

[@christopherauzenne5023]

This has always been one of the shows greatest strengths, they aren’t just gonna dismiss or mock lesser known heroes because their not big names or look as cool as others, they will pay them all great respect and show off why they’re cool (great example is patriot act and the seven soldiers of victory)

[@TheGraviox]

The one thing that I felt was a missed opportunity was during the Cadmus invasion of the watch tower, we didn't get to see Long Shadow helping fight the clones. I was really hoping we'd see him, sick and barely able to stand, but doing his best to help those who took him in.

[@arthurlam751]

I think the ultimen were at the end of their lifespan.

[@levievil9220]

That would have been cool like his last stand telling Cadmus I’m not your puppet anymore and he takes out a lot of “stronger” ultimen single handily to prove he’s better than the copy paste but ends with him dying with a smile on his face

[@MysteriousTomJenkins]

One thing I never thought about with this episode before watching this video is the fact that when Long Shadow helps out the League, its when they are fighting Bizzaro and Giganta, two villains that were genetically engineered (cloned and turned from an ape to a human). I wonder if this was coincidental or meant to be a bit of foreshadowing, showcasing that cloning and genetic modification is a thing, right before revealing that its what created the Ultimen.

[@Anna-yy9so]

Such a good point! I really need to watch this episode again

[@jadenbryant9283]

and they were also recurring villains in the superfriends animated show

[@jamilfrost6217]

Another thing that I love and noticed in this episode is how the main cast of superheroes in this episode is the the original roster of heroes in the Super Friends show, Batman, Superman, Wonder woman, and Aquaman. Without robin of course.

[@JaelinBezel]

Poor Tim

[@Master-Works]

Too bad this version of Aquaman sucked, though

[@DarrenLeslieJr]

Reads title: Yes Marvel's Ultimatum is very sad Looks at thumbnail: Oh that Ultimatum

[@javontetreault6713]

Watches video:but I liked marvels ultimatum😢

[@DarrenLeslieJr]

@Javon Tetreault What did you like about it? This isn't a debate trojin horse I sincerely want to know.

[@tylerbertram7065]

I know the Ultamen are meant to be a parody of the goofy characters from the Superfriends, but they bother to actually make them very sympathetic and kinda relelatible, and I like that.

[@PlaguedByEarth]

No, they weren't a parody of offensive characters because people weren't clinically offended over nothing like they are today. Things were better back then.

[@First-to-last]

​@@PlaguedByEarthyes they are..?

[@user-kr9cg5vc84]

Offensive? Your just a baby

[@tylerbertram7065]

@user-kr9cg5vc84 I guess offensive was a poor choice of words I should've said goofy instead. I'll take that in chin if you want.

[@user-kr9cg5vc84]

@@tylerbertram7065 it’s like saying speedy Gonzales and Apu are offensive. They just represent a culture

[@Alivair]

I have always absolutely LOVED Longshadow. The concept, appearance, the whole theme is just on point

[@spider59er35]

Rest in peace to one of the people who pioneered the comic book industry, You shall be missed Romita Sr.

[@powerbadpowerbad]

RIP: Mr Romita Sr. My condolences to Romita Jr and his family,friends.

[@TevyaSmolka]

Ultimatum justice league is such a great episode but also sad and depressing

[@benwasserman8223]

On one hand, everything about the Cadmus arc is JLU at its best. But on the other, the Ultimen feel like clear jabs at the Super-Friends' costumes and abilities, and funny ones too.

[@benjohnson9224]

This is one of those classic DCAU episodes that sticks with you long after you watch it, and it had so many great things about it. The tribute to the Super Friends, the subtle commentary on consumerism, and the examination of what a "hero" is. Definitely one of my favorites of JLU, but it is incredibly sad.

[@powerbadpowerbad]

AGREED. Well said.

[@dannywanny1412]

Loved that Alex Lennen cameo, you guys make some of the best DC/Marvel essays on youtube

[@dushanbrown4844]

bruh they competing over me like DC and Marvel

[@shawnamiller191]

He called him corny, and I can't stop seeing Christopher Reeves throwing that S at the guy in Superman 2

[@t-god2439]

Wait it looks as cooperations as super heros?!!?? You telling me it did the boys before the the boys?!?!? I really have to ask why is it that so many “cartoons” that I watched growing up had so many adult under tones? They don’t make kid shoes like this anymore

[@Darth_Bateman]

They really do NOT….😂

[@juliiju0484]

To be fair, there are some other comics that did "The Boys before the boys", but not many cartoons though.

[@peaceweapon1933]

This is really nothing like the boys 😂

[@zetjet9901]

There have been many “kid shows” in recent years that deal with similar topics. A lot of people just don’t give them a chance, either because they don’t watch those shows, being an adult, or they do, but judge too harshly due to their biases + only look at the shows on a surface level.

[@Darth_Bateman]

@@zetjet9901 Well dude, a lot of these kids shows that tackled Adult Themes like Adventure Time have a sense of dialogue that WAS charming at first. . .Then every millennial writer tried to copy it and it got annoying. Also, I wanna say? I don't really watch these shows anymore. I don't have time between coding and martial arts and having a social life. I do have 30 minutes a day to have KZbinrs recant them, however.

[@joefernandez8008]

“King of the Seas, remember?” - Savage Aquaman

[@ericjohnson9623]

Before The Boys, Mark Millar did "superheroes are half government puppets and half celebrities" in The Ultimates, which DID come out before this episode. Other people did it before Millar too, but I always thought that certain things in this episode: the name of the team, working for the government, etc. felt more like The Ultimates than Suepr Friends.

[@LavenderJack540]

Your perspective of this episode, the themes within, is bang on. You are so damned great at these look-ins. I must say, I sink into each retrospective, forget the passage of time on the watch, &, upon reaching the end, immediately begin to look forward to the next chunk of awesome. You really are something else. Keep up the magnificent work. Also, one of these days, I'm going to work out how to make your intro & outro into ring tones. Lavender Jack...Swooping On Down.

[@kaleb2342]

Never thought id see Superman calling someone corny

[@rotwilk1]

The king of corny

[@KevinGarcia-gp8vz]

This episode made the Wonder Twins pretty cool.

[@elementmanexe8389]

Though its safe to assume that longshadow more than likely died sometime later, I was kinda hoping he'd appear again in at least one more episode, or even mention outside the clone war

[@sir.mannington]

I like this video, honestly I like a lot of your videos, and the only thing I’d like to see different, is you being more confident in yourself. You make really good video essays and you don’t need to hide behind any half hearted self deprecating jokes, you can just say your peace and be confident in it.

[@lordskeletor4558]

Thats part of the channels charm

[@----x-----]

I was a fan of the characters they're based on from the super friends, this was a very sad episode. Poor kids just wanted to be heroes but could have no future.

[@KertaDrake]

I feel like the craziest thing is that the whole situation could have been easily resolved by someone shouting to the public "Hey! The government is literally making superpowered slaves and trying to kill and replace them because they started wanting to do their own thing!"

[@davidogundipe808]

I.P you're doing a great job with these video essays, hopefully, you get a million subs soon.

[@gabriellespaziano7949]

the camdus arc is so well written and the fact that shayera’s return on screen is so epic with amazona and it all connects

[@BlackWingedSeraphX]

Justice League cartoon is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than people give credit!

[@MrOrcshaman]

I very much enjoyed Arthur being in this episode, and it's obvious why. As it's been stated, the Ultermen are meant to be like a mock up of the old dc cartoon the superfriends, which has superman, batman, wonder woman and Aquaman in its rouster, explaining why he was featured so prominent in this episode and even hits quote about Maxwell Lord making "cheap shots at us" implying he's part of the main rouster. I only wish this series did more with him, this is my most favorite take on Aquaman from any adaptation

[@mjohnson5030]

Excellent video essay. This was indeed a tear-jerker.

[@all9472]

The more i think about it the sadder these characters r there easily one of the top saddest there existence is fake there lives mean nothing to the company there death painful just confused and sad at least others have real lives real memories these r ppl who r so confused they become villains for a second and even after redemption it doesnt matter because there dead (a painful death of nothingness )replaced with clones that r basically robots in flesh

[@doujinloverXD]

one question where did Cadmus get the base genetic codes for the Ultimen like was it donated genetics or were they a team of enhanced clones of people that at one time did exist? Like you can't just create DNA from nothing?

[@henrymcbark7337]

Perhaps they were children with super powers. Stress of awakening them killed them so the government took the dna and tried to make new copies .

[@doujinloverXD]

@@henrymcbark7337 that seems like as valid an explanation as any.

[@strikermodel]

"Is there anything worth remembering?" I'd argue yes. While not every piece of super hero media has a lesson or tale that has you question things, many do. Even if it's just entertainment, that doesn’t inherently mean it is of no value. Being entertained is of high value all on it's own, and is something the modern work environments look down on you for in order to try and maxamize profit margains.

[@milkiassamuel780]

Really cool to see Alex Lennen make a cameo

[@cyananubis4304]

Big fan of your vids. From the way you speak, to the subject matter, & the music choices, you got me hook, line & sinker. Keep up the amazing vids dude 🎉

[@diegodreossi1458]

It is incredible that JL (cartoon) is so well writen and deep.

[@kidchiko9435]

Great job on this one. You will find that it's the projects that challenge us the most that we will get more professional growth out of in the long run. You will look back on the making of this one and realize that it informed your future projects more than the average one.

[@legotimefuntime5438]

I wish the Justice League were able save Long Shadow. He deserved so much better.

[@reesearterberry7380]

Jeez I’ve known you for a bit, but I literally just found Lennen- and boom instant collab. Awesome

[@skyrogue1977]

If there was a two parter in the first Justice League series, this episode then one episode where the Ultimen die, it would go a long way to make us care about them considering their next appearance arr just a mindless army.

[@Double_D__]

This video reminds me of something a friend of mine once said about comic book superheroes: they are effectively our modern mythologies, as their characters can be symbolic as well as literal, and their different incarnations and stories mean different characters can have different meanings to different people. In otherwords, Superheroes, even the obscure ones no one will remember or the ones people choose to forget, can never truly die so long as people search for meaning through storytelling.

[@INTERNALSERVERERROR500]

"You can blast it with your tornado hands" A yes, friday nights. The weekley ritual.

[@Rixec2]

Between the Ultimen and Galatea, it really goes to show how the government tries to create and control heroics, ensure they're the ones with the power even though the very being they're creating are still living beings that should have free will. They place their trust in them to be who they are and when something puts a chink in their armor, they do whatever they must to hold onto that purpose. The Ultimen wanted to be remembered. Galatea wanted to be better than Supergirl. Long Shadow got out all right, but the rest suffered for trying to live up to a purpose under the government's control until they could no longer be so.

[@mr.awesomem16thebest11]

I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR ALEX LMAO THAT WAS GREAT

[@all9472]

This was a good ep its sad too those heroe were gaslighted and lived short lives confused at the end

[@1wayroad935]

When your Superheroes in both film and animation can be recast at the drop of a hat, yeah, they're all expendable.

[@cactus_king4818]

ngl alex lennen jump scared me when he showed up

[@ericwhite1942]

Real talk i watched this episode when it first aired and i didnt realize it was the Hanna Barbara Justice league remodeled until they were fighting Giaganta and Bizarro and i jokingly yelled ENUPCHUCK when they both used their growpowers at once and i was like " oh, yeah and hes Native American, too.....wait"😊.

[@kuno3336]

I think they deserved a 2-parter, tbh. The only flaw of the episode was there not being enough episode IMO

[@BenHowe901]

And then longshaddow was literally never seen again. I really wish they gave him a bit of closure...

[@anthonyguba2316]

im absolutely living for the text blurbs thrown throughout the video

[@powerbadpowerbad]

A very-GOOD-and well written episode,made you feel for the Ultimen,you didn't want them to perish.

[@devinurbina6868]

Mr implicitly pretentious sir, will you go over the new Superman show when it comes out? ALSO, DID YOU JUST REFERENCE TRANSFORMERS REVENGE OF THE FALLEN AS A HIGH IN HUMANITY 😭😂

[@youknowwhoiam6179]

Love the little cameo from Alex Lennen lmao Made me laugh

[@njames69]

These videos are therapeutic for me

[@lizzly25]

Dude just has Sir Mix Alot's "Baby got back"s lyrics in the description, and no-one is talking about it. I see you Mr. Pretentious.

[@Mephiestopholes]

Very good, my guy. Thank you

[@shadowhog777]

I agree, the fireplace was a nice vibe.

[@WhatWouldVillainsDo]

I'm familiar with a lot of the stuff you cite, it's like it just gets stuck I side my head. Your ability articulate yourself is a real gift. I'm guessing your a Brit have you read any CS Lewis? While a chunk of his work is theological in nature I still thought it was very good like Abolition of Man and Problem with Pain I've read both.

[@kharijordan6426]

Oh..the justice league.. don't save them....dang.

[@elocfreidon]

Thank you for turning the music down.

[@MrShamooga]

This video was really great!

[@lukaveli8311]

You’re videos are great

[@GiulianaBruna]

I'm thinking of the iron giant saying "superman" in his last moments

[@jasonbryant1552]

Loved Long Shadow. The 2000's Apache Chief

[@ericwhite1942]

Great video, love your content. You ever gonna do some stuff on the Young Justice cartoon?

[@TheLithp]

"He has a chance to last." Never even mentioned again.

[@kazemizu]

Long shadow's clone is also the only one missing when the clones attack the watch tower

[@Sayajin3321]

Thought it was gonna be about that marvel event where 1/2 of the ultimate universe died in horrific ways.

[@xblade149]

I wouldnt call justice league a children cartoon considering the fact the creators stated they were targeting to an older audience

[@smiley3047]

That Alex Lennen appearance took me so off guard

[@jacobbutler6838]

DCAU IS THE BEST! Thanks bro

[@gibbs615]

Those Ultimen were mentally unstable except for Longshadow who had a lot more sense than the rest of them. I really wish he had appeared more in JL Unlimited afterwards.

[@jasonpratt5126]

And then Longshadowed died painfully yet peacefully while curled up next to Diana, so.... pros, cons. Headcanon anyway.

[@bbbnnnlll]

This is one of the only episodes where Wonder Woman is properly written.

[@711desmond]

Who else was paying more attention to the Monty python text in the high culture part than what he was actually saying

[@eskreskao]

Oh shit, Romita Senior died? Still though, 93 is quite a number.

[@hugoalvarez8307]

Alex: Apears Complains about music Leaves everyone with an open mouth Leaves

[@MSSBy]

Its astounding how the Ultimen fit even today's standards of conveniently representing minority groups. Really the ultimate superhero PR goldmine. If ever, I feel our world wouldn't have a Justice League-- we're gonna get these Ultimen.

[@tobyrightenger9748]

I love how none of the Ultimen don’t have any logos or iconography to represent their morals. And then Long Shadow stands up for more than them. And then gets to join the League ❤

[@VooshSpokesman]

Love from a Johnny2Cellos and Vaush fan!

[@gabriellespaziano7949]

auqman and the league have come so far 🥺

[@TKWNNGGT]

Honestly if IP randomly decided to troll us and edit the 'Something'(dunno what its actualy called) intro song to something else, half of the viewers wouldent suspect anything

[@ZelphTheWebmancer]

Another great video

[@gamesmash9859]

I really hope you are going to cover "My adventures with Superman", I look forward to your thoughts on it.

[@kingosportyt2638]

Alex lennen cameo goes crazy

[@hasanasghar22]

good visuals for this video

[@MortarGuyX]

I too am super sad of what could of been EP9 Duel of Fates...

[@Mourningwood95]

Crazy how a children’s show was explaining to us as kids that capitalism, and corporate consumption is so anti-human.

[@barrybalasingham8512]

Really like the video dude but i cant read and think about culture at the same time. Also can you do an episode on swtcw it was one of my favorite shows growing up

[@captain_malaysia6855]

Ultimen is the DC's version of the New Warriors

[@trevorfoley4930]

When you place text over video, while narration is playing, I can only pay attention to one at a time, and your text wins, because it requires my involvement.

[@Hiphiphooray463]

Just letting everyone know JL is now on Netflix 🤩🤩

[@OKOK-sr2xg]

AAARRGH ALEX JUMPSCARE

[@bozoforce]

There's now a chance that he might last... (in Morgan freeman voice) but he didn't last. He aged and died just like the rest of the ultimen and we never saw him again. The end.

[@SudrianTales]

Everytime i see Cadmus i think of the Titans from Zeta Gundam and am sad they didnt suffer a similar fate

[@Sue_Me_Too]

The quote from "Culture and Anarchy" is absurd; culture is what people do, not what they wish they did.

[@donuttheturtle2.070]

subtitles were funny af