Ever wondered how things would be in the future when there is no Superman? What would happen to the Justice League when the Superheroes of today grow old? Look no further as the story of DC’s Legion of Super-Heroes tackles just that, because in this futuristic action animated film, new superheroes take the centre stage in the future and try to save the world in their own way.
The story revolves around Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, who is sent to the future to enlist in the Legion of Super-Heroes training programme, somewhere in the 31st century. She becomes a classic case of ‘right person, wrong time’ when she finds herself in a futuristic crisis where some members of the ‘legion’ have gone missing. In order to locate them, the ‘not-yet-members’ Supergirl, Brainiac 5, Mon-El, Triplicate Girl, Bouncing Boy, Phantom Girl, Invisible Kid, and Arm-Fall-Off-Boy have to rise to the occasion.
The ‘novices’ are unaware of the trouble ahead, but they have to work out as a team if they want to save the universe. The only problem is that Supergirl, like the others, doesn’t trust Brainiac 5, the universe’s best brain since she blames him for the destruction of her home planet, Krypton, which makes the story very interesting.
With the passage of time, both Brainiac 5 and Supergirl come close and form a team. However, a nefarious plot lurks in the shadows, and the mysterious organisation ‘The Dark Circle’ is out for a powerful weapon in the 31st century. Portrayed as a ‘teenager’, who is not mature enough to handle things, Supergirl succeeds in coming of age and leads the battle in the future, a setting more suited to the Krypton she lost. The plot also links the past and the future as Supergirl, who was earlier frustrated with Earth’s backward technology, is seen defending the weapon.
The DC Animated Universe continues to build a new shared continuity, beginning with Superman: Man of Tomorrow. The action sequences are good, keeping in mind the futuristic setting and the size of the superhero team. This movie continues the “Tomorrow-verse” animation style, and the post-credits teaser links back once again to Batman and Superman, who are fighting to save the Earth.
Published in Dawn, Young World, March 4th, 2023
