Friday, December 11, 2009


This is a promotional image for Justice League, an animated TV series set in the long-running DC Animated Universe (often abbreviated DCAU).

The conception of the DCAU is often attributed to Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, and Paul Dini, among others. Timm is generally credited with conceiving the animation style of the franchise, which is known for its minimalist, angular style. Another interesting thing I found out about Timm is that he is completely self-taught and had no formal training in drawing or animation.

The good news is that if I didn't know that last bit, I never would have guessed it because the visuals on hand are excellent. Timm expresses his love for art deco with simple yet pleasing animation complemented by complex writing. Backgrounds are rendered nicely, and characters maintain a somewhat cartoony warmth to them while still being taken seriously.

If the art style of the DCAU has any particular failings, it's that some episodes have better coloring than others. Sometimes, the colors can come across as pale, and nothing really "pops", making the otherwise excellent animation appear bland and unsatisfying. Thankfully, these instances are few and far between. For the most part, the colors complement the animation well.

Overall, the DCAU has some very pleasing animation to offer. It presents detailed backgrounds, simple yet endearing character designs, and solid (if occasionally mediocre) coloring.

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