Originally Broadcast: 09-Nov-2002 Writer: Stan Berkowitz
Directors: Dan Riba, Butch Lukic
Blackhawk voiced by: Robert Picardo
Cartoon Network on The Savage Time: "The Justice League returns from a mission deep in space to find a world that has drastically changed — for the worse. A ruthless, repressive dictator named Vandal Savage has seized control. To restore life as they know it, the world’s greatest collection of superheroes must travel back in time and team up to with some heroes of the past to re-fight a world war in order to stop Savage from taking power."
Justice League is the work of Bruce Timm, one of the creators of the highly acclaimed Batman animated series. JL is, perhaps, not quite up to that standard but is a very well done translation of a comic book to a television series. Several episodes have featured other characters from the DC universe, such as Aquaman and Metamorpho. The season finale was a three part story in which most of the Justice League must travel back in time to prevent Vandal Savage from altering the outcome of World War II. The logical guest stars for a story set in WW II are SGT Rock and Easy Company and the Blackhawks. Happily, both groups are featured prominently in the story. A not quite so obvious guest star is Colonel Steve Trevor, Wonder Woman's boy friend in the early days of her career. He also plays a significant role.
So, the question for a Blackhawk fan is — how are the Black Knights treated? In my opinion, they are treated very well. Fortunately, there is none of the Chaykin revisionist Blackhawk here (except for the unequivocal statement by Blackhawk that he is from Poland). These Blackhawks are clearly heroic characters in the mold of the original comics. And like the early days of the Blackhawk comics, these Blackhawks are ruthless as well as fearless in their battle against the Nazis. The animated Blackhawks seem to be modeled on Reed Crandall's work in the comics. Obviously, the appearances of the Blackhawks are brief and they are not on screen long enough for any real character development, but what we do see of them is true to the spirit of the original comics.
Along with the Blackhawks themselves, familiar and important elements from the comics are seen in the show. The Blackhawks fly their Grumman F5F-1 Skyrockets (which are drawn fairly well) and some of the story action takes place on Blackhawk Island. The War Wheel is featured prominently as Vandal Savage creates a fleet of them to use against the Allies. Although the Blackhawks don't sing their song but there is special theme music for the Blackhawks that plays whenever they are in action.
In a story already crowded with characters (the Justice League, COL Steve Trevor, SGT Rock and Easy Company, an alternate Batman, and Vandal Savage) it is understandable that not all of the Blackhawks are included. The writers chose the four team members who emphasized the international nature of the Blackhawk Squadron and even have Superman observe that they are each from one of the Nazi-occupied countries. Chuck, the American, confuses that point and Stanislaus is the redundant Pole (since Blackhawk identifies himself as Polish). It is also easy to understand why Chop Chop was omitted. They could hardly use him as his original, racially-offensive characture and any other interpretation would take too much time to explain in a story that was trying to squeeze a lot of action and character development into 66 minutes.
A review of The Savage Time on the Toonzone website had some interesting comments on the Blackhawks' place in the comic book universe and their relationship to the Justice League:
Unlike Easy Company, who are the most human of the comic book heroes featured on Justice League, The Blackhawks—a DC Comics staple since the Golden Age of Comics—maintain an aura of "superheroism" through their use of superhero trappings. Things such as Blackhawk Island (a secret base), their souped-up Grumman F5F-1 Skyrockets (special vehicles), and leather uniforms (special costumes) places them in the same hero category as Batman—a non-powered champion who compensates through cunning, skill, and specialized artillery.
Finally, it is worth noting that, in a way, The Blackhawks are portrayed as a spiritual precursor to the Justice League. Independent of any nation, both teams operate on the basis of shared goals, proving that international (and, in some cases, intergalactic) borders don't matter in the fight for a better world.
Justice League: The Savage Time is highly recommended to all Blackhawk fans. Warner has released two Justice League DVDs already, so their is a fair chance this story arc will appear on DVD some time in the future. Until then, if you'd like to see it in SVCD format, contact me.
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All characters, pictures, and related indicia on these pages are the property of DC Comics. All text is ©2003 Dan Thompson, except where otherwise noted. This homepage is not intended to infringe on the copyright of DC Comics to its characters, but was created out of gratitude to all the wonderful writers, artists, and editors who created the Blackhawks.