Justice League: Doom

Plot

The Justice League, with Cyborg's assistance, stop the Royal Flush Gang's attempted robbery of a diamond vault using complex technology that allows them to pass through solid objects. Vandal Savage plots to start a new civilization by exterminating part of the population; he gave the technology to the Gang for testing. Savage hires Mirror Master to hack into the Batcomputer and steal contingency plans devised by Batman to incapacitate his League teammates, in case they go rogue. Savage assembles Cheetah, Star Sapphire, Bane, Metallo, Mirror Master and Ma'alefa'ak, who all have personal vendettas against the heroes and pays them to simultaneously attack using the plans, altered to be lethal. When the supervillains agree, he welcomes them to the Legion of Doom.

Batman, as Bruce Wayne, is informed by Alfred Pennyworth that the bodies of Thomas and Martha Wayne have been exhumed and are missing. At their graves, Bruce is ambushed by Bane, who renders Bruce unconscious. Bruce is buried alive in his father's coffin. He is left a tape recorder with Bane's message to taunt him, which motivates him to break out. He realizes the League has been attacked using his contingency plans, which were constructed from studying physical and psychological weaknesses. Batman and Cyborg save them one by one.

Wonder Woman is attacked by Cheetah with a scratch that sends nanomachines into her bloodstream. The nanomachines cause her to believe everyone she sees is Cheetah's duplicate. Since she never stops fighting until her opponent is defeated, Wonder Woman will fight until she dies. Cyborg adjusts his sonic emitter to a frequency that neutralizes the nanites.

Martian Manhunter (as John Jones) celebrates his birthday with his colleagues. He receives a drink from Ma'alefa'ak in disguise, which is laced with magnesium carbonate; being disruptive to Martian biology, the Manhunter struggles to maintain form while sweating out the magnesium. The Manhunter is set on fire, which will constantly burn. Batman provides aluminum oxide to neutralize the magnesium.

Flash is lured into Mirror Master's trap, resulting in a bomb on his wrist. If he does nothing, tries to remove it or decreases in speed, the bomb will explode, killing everyone in a three-mile radius. Batman instructs him to run and vibrate through an entire iceberg in the Arctic—Flash just barely escapes the blast radius.

Green Lantern is targeted by Star Sapphire using Scarecrow's will-undermining fear gas; after failing to save hostages' lives, she exploits his fears, convincing him that he doesn't deserve the power. Jordan renounces his ring and resigns his fate in the collapsing mine. Batman shows him the hostages were just androids. Jordan reestablishes his willpower, removing the effects and summons his ring again.

On the Daily Planet's roof, a former employee named Henry Ackerman is aiming to commit suicide which is noticed by Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen. After leaving the press conference of the Mayor of Metropolis as Clark Kent, Superman believes to have talked him out of it. Ackerman is actually Metallo in disguise as he shoots Superman with a Kryptonite bullet. It is extracted by Cyborg using a Kryptonite scalpel laser made by S.T.A.R. Labs and is pulled out by Martian Manhunter. Superman regains consciousness.

The Justice League retreats to the Watchtower, where Batman reveals he was the real mastermind behind the plans. He also had one in place should the Batcomputer be hacked: a hidden tracing algorithm. The League track down the Legion of Doom and subdue them, but fail to prevent an apocalyptic cataclysm via solar flare. Using the Hall of Doom's technology, the League saves the Earth by phasing it so the flare can go through.

At the Justice League Watchtower, it is mentioned that Vandal Savage was found guilty for crimes against humanity and is sentenced to life without parole. The Justice League adds Cyborg to their roster and Superman calls for a vote on Batman's membership. Batman defends his plans and criticizes them for not understanding the potential danger of a rogue Justice League before quitting. Batman explains to Superman the original plans were meant to only immobilize. Superman asks if Batman had a plan to stop himself if he himself were to go rogue, and Batman tells him that the Justice League themselves is his plan. With his trust in Batman assured, Superman hands him the Kryptonite bullet and teleports him out of the Watchtower.

Voice cast

^a The actor/actress's voice role is reprised from the DC animated universe.

Production

The film was first announced at WonderCon 2011 that the JLA: Tower of Babel storyline will be adapted as a direct-to-video movie, which was written by Dwayne McDuffie right before his death. The character designs were done by Phil Bourassa, the lead character designer of Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths and Young Justice. Storyboards were overseen and animated by Telecom Animation Film. During the casting process of Justice League: Doom, voice director Andrea Romano expressed an interest for the cast from various media to reprise their roles as members of the Justice League.

Reception

IGN gave the film a 7 out of 10, calling it "An immensely enjoyable thrill ride, but also an occasionally frustrating and short adaptation."

It earned $6,543,809 from domestic home video sales.

Home media

The Blu-ray combo pack includes Featurettes only for Blu-ray called “Guarding the Balance: Batman and the JLA”, a mini-Featurette called “Their Time Has Come: Cyborg and the DC Universe’s New Diversity”, while both Blu-ray and the 2-Disc DVD edition has "A Legion of One: The Dwayne McDuffie Story", a Sneak Peek at Superman vs. The Elite, and two bonus episodes of Justice League: "Wild Cards" part 1 and 2.