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Superman MegaSite Media Reviews
Story by Dwayne McDuffie & Bruce Timm, teleplay by
Dwayne McDuffie.
After struggling a while to have decent stories with so many characters Justice League Unlimited has finally found itself with “Fearful Symetry”, “Ultimatum”, “Darkheart” and now “Wake the Dead”.
This week’s episode again dealt with over 5 characters all of which got screen time as well as some development. A new character, Vixen, was introduced in the context of the story, and an old villain returned as well as Shayera Hol a.k.a. Hawkgirl.
The episode opens with a group of nerds performing a spell to gain strength against bullies that have been bothering them at school. Instead of getting strength the resurrect Solomon Grundy from his grave. Next we see Shayera playing chess with Aquaman-who is taunting her to get some sort of reaction from her. The Android, Amazo, is sitting by watching them all at Dr. Fate’s tower. Fate senses something has happened and goes to Grundy’s gave and learns that Grundy has come back.
John Stewart is at fashion show where he talks to a model and tells her they’re being called in by the League, they both suit up and we learn her name is Vixen. I’ve never heard of Vixen before but it appears she has the powers of jungle animals. She touches her necklace and a spirit form of an animal comes out and she gains the abilities of that animal; she can be lithe as a cat or strong as an elephant depending on her needs.
Grundy is now in the middle of town tearing the place apart, throwing cars and busses, breaking buildings, etc. Fate reveals he’s been brought back using Chaos Magic, which is why he’s so unstable.
As Vixen and John try to fight Grundy, John is injured and Vixen rescues him. Grundy attacks and Superman flies in and body slams Grundy through a semi. Superman, though he gets knocked around, fights back like he means it. Punching and swooping through the air, it’s nice to see him again. The whole set of them (Lantern. Amazo, Aquaman, Vixen, Superman, and Shayera) take him on and Grundy gets knocked down into the sewers, which Superman says must have lead pipes because he can’t x-ray them.
Shayera feels they should at least try to save Grundy; he gave his last life to save them so they owe him the chance. Fate however uses his magic to sense that what they new as Grundy is gone, all that’s left is empty rage. Vixen then cracks a joke about how maybe they should stand around for a couple more hours discussing this while Grundy escapes.
Shayera realizes that in order to stop Grundy, she must do it permanently with her mace. Fate explains that the mace is made from Nth metal which was created to fight magic. She feels its her destiny to betray all of her friends, but Fate explains the only way for Grundy to have peace is to be stopped. Shayera goes down into the tunnel and tells Grundy to close his eyes it will soon be over.
Shayera re-emerges from the sewers saying it’s over. Journalists in the crowd begin shouting questions asking if this makes up for her part of the Thanagarian invasion, someone calls her a traitor and John yells that she doesn’t have to take that. Shayera says she does because it is true, as a woman comes up and thanks her for saving her and her child John says that is also true. Shayera is invited back to join the JLU by Superman who says he believes in second chances and he believes in his friends.
A well rounded episode full of action as well as character oriented drama.