Injustice (franchise)

Injustice
GenreFighting
DeveloperNetherRealm Studios
PublisherWarner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Producers
  • Andrew Stein
  • Adam Urbano
  • Hans P. Lo
ArtistSteve Beran
Writers
  • Brian Chard
  • Dominic Cianciolo
  • John Vogel
  • Jon Greenberg
  • Shawn Kittelsen
Composers
Platforms
First releaseInjustice: Gods Among Us
April 16, 2013
Latest releaseInjustice 2: Legendary Edition
March 27, 2018

Injustice is a series of crossover superhero fighting video games developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, featuring characters created by DC Comics. The games were directed by Mortal Kombat creator and industry veteran Ed Boon, whose team had previously developed Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe for Midway Games, and written by Brian Chard, Dominic Cianciolo, John Vogel and Jon Greenberg. The series features the voice talents of Kevin Conroy, George Newbern, Susan Eisenberg, Phil LaMarr, Alan Tudyk, Grey Griffin, Fred Tatasciore, Tara Strong, Khary Payton and Richard Epcar, reprising their roles from various DC Comics media.

The series' plot and premise take place within an alternate reality to the main DC Universe continuity, where Superman becomes a tyrant and establishes a new world order after the Joker tricks him into killing Lois Lane and destroying Metropolis with a nuclear bomb, causing Batman to form an insurgency in an effort to stop his regime. The first game, Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013), focuses on Batman receiving aid from alternate universe counterparts of the Justice League, who join his insurgency and help end Superman's regime. The second game, Injustice 2 (2017), is set five years later and follows Batman's insurgency rebuilding society after Superman's fall while dealing with the Society of Super Villains led by Gorilla Grodd and the alien invader Brainiac, which forces Batman to consider freeing Superman to help combat the threats.

Outside the video games, the Injustice franchise also comprises two comic book series and an animated film adaptation. The first comic series, Injustice: Gods Among Us, ran from January 2013 to September 2016 and serves as a prequel to the original game, exploring the events that led to the establishment of both the Insurgency and the One Earth Regime. The second series, Injustice 2, ran from April 2017 to October 2018 and bridges the gap between the two games, depicting the aftermath of the Regime's fall and the emergence of new villains who seek to fill the power vacuum. The animated film, titled Injustice, was released in October 2021 and features an original narrative that borrows elements from both the first game and its prequel comic.

Games

Title Year Platform(s)
PS3 PS4 PS Vita Wii U Win X360 XOne Android iOS
Injustice: Gods Among Us 2013 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Injustice 2 2017 No Yes No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes

Injustice: Gods Among Us

In the first game of the series, set in an alternate reality from the main DC Universe, Superman is driven over the edge after the Joker tricks him into killing Lois Lane and destroying Metropolis with a nuclear bomb. Joined by other heroes and villains, he establishes the One Earth Regime to bring about a new world order and enforce global peace. In an effort to overthrow the corrupted Superman, Batman forms an underground insurgency and summons counterparts of the Justice League from another universe to defeat the Regime.

Injustice 2

Injustice 2 is the sequel to Injustice: Gods Among Us, set five years after the events of the first game and featuring a larger cast of characters. In the aftermath of the One Earth Regime's fall, Batman and his Insurgency attempt to rebuild society while dealing with a Society of Super Villains led by Gorilla Grodd and a collector of worlds called Brainiac. Overwhelmed by the new threats, Batman is forced to consider freeing the imprisoned Superman to help combat the villains.

Characters

List indicator
  • A light grey cell indicates the character was not in the video game or the animated film.
Characters Video games Animated film
Injustice: Gods Among Us Injustice 2 Injustice
2013 2017 2021
Batman
Bruce Thomas Wayne		 Kevin Conroy[1][2] Anson Mount[3]
Superman
Kal-El / Clark Joseph Kent		 George Newbern[1][2] Justin Hartley[3]
Cyborg
Victor "Vic" Stone		 Khary Payton[1][2] Brandon Micheal Hall[3]
The Joker Richard Epcar[1][2] Kevin Pollak[3]
Wonder Woman
Princess Diana of Themyscira / Diana Prince		 Susan Eisenberg[1][2] Janet Varney[3]
Green Arrow
Oliver Queen		 Alan Tudyk[1][2] Reid Scott[3]
Catwoman
Selina Kyle		 Grey Griffin[1][2] Anika Noni Rose[3]
Harley Quinn
Harleen Quinzel		 Tara Strong[1][2] Gillian Jacobs[3]
Bane Fred Tatasciore[1][2] N/A
Black Adam
Teth-Adam		 Joey Naber[1][2]  
Aquaman
King Orin / Arthur Joseph Curry		 Phil LaMarr[1][2] Derek Phillips[3]
Green Lantern
Hal Jordan		 Adam Baldwin[1] Steve Blum[2] Brian T. Delaney[3]
The Flash
Barry Allen		 Neal McDonough[1] Taliesin Jaffe[2] Yuri Lowenthal[3]
Robin/Nightwing II
Damian Wayne		 Scott Porter[2] Zach Callison[3]
Nightwing/Deadwing
Dick Grayson		 Troy Baker[1]   Derek Phillips[3]
Thaal Sinestro  
Hawkgirl
Shayera Hol (née Thal) / Shiera Sanders-Hall		 Jennifer Hale[1]  
Killer Frost
Louise Lincoln		   Cameo
Deathstroke
Slade Wilson		 J. G. Hertzler[1]  
Ares  
Doomsday Khary Payton[1]   Hallucination
Lex Luthor Mark Rolston[1]  
Raven
Rachel Roth		 Tara Strong[1]   N/A
Shazam
Billy Batson		 Joey Naber[1]   Yuri Lowenthal[3]
Solomon Grundy
Cyrus Gold		 Fred Tatasciore[1]   N/A
Brainiac
Vril Dox		   Jeffrey Combs[2]  
Gorilla Grodd   Charles Halford[2]  
Atrocitus   Ike Amadi[2]  
Firestorm
Jason Rusch		   Ogie Banks[2]  
Black Canary
Dinah Lance		   Vanessa Marshall[2]  
Scarecrow
Jonathan Crane		   Robert Englund[2] Cameo
Captain Cold
Leonard Snart		   C. Thomas Howell[2]
Cheetah
Barbara Ann Minerva		   Erica Luttrell[2]
Deadshot
Floyd Lawton		   Matthew Mercer[2]
Doctor Fate
Kent Nelson		   David Sobolov[2]  
Blue Beetle
Jaime Reyes		   Antony Del Rio[2]  
Poison Ivy
Pamela Isley		   Tasia Valenza[2] N/A
Supergirl
Kara Zor-El / Kara Danvers		   Laura Bailey[2]  
Swamp Thing
Alec Holland		   Fred Tatasciore[2]  
Batgirl
Barbara Gordon		 Kimberly Brooks[1]  
Martian Manhunter
J'onn J'onzz		 Carl Lumbly[1]  
Lobo David Sobolov[1]  
Zod Nolan North[1]  
Zatanna
Zatanna Zatara		 Lacey Chabert[1]  
Darkseid
Uxas		   Michael-Leon Wooley[2]  
Red Hood
Jason Todd		   Cameron Bowen[2]  
Starfire
Koriand'r		   Kari Wahlgren[2]  
Black Manta
David Hyde		   Kane Jungbluth-Murry[2]  
Atom
Ryan Choi		   Matthew Yang King[2] N/A
Enchantress
June Moone		   Brandy Kopp[4] Cameo
Scorpion
Hanzo Hasashi		 Patrick Seitz[1]  
Sub-Zero
Kuai Liang		   Steve Blum[2]  
Raiden   Richard Epcar[2]  
Hellboy
Anung Un Rama		   Bruce Barker[2]  
Leonardo   Corey Krueger[2]  
Raphael   Ben Rausch[2]  
Donatello   Joe Brogie[2]  
Michelangelo   Ryan Cooper[2]  
Arrow
Oliver Queen		 Stephen Amell[1]  
Green Lantern
John Stewart		 Phil LaMarr[1][2]  
Grid   Khary Payton[2]  
Reverse-Flash
Eobard Thawne		   Liam O'Brien[2] Cameo
Power Girl
Karen Starr		   Sara Cravens[2]  
Mr. Freeze
Victor Fries		   Jim Pirri[2]  
Vixen
Mari McCabe		   Megalyn Echikunwoke[2]  
Flash
Jay Garrick		   Travis Willingham[2]  
Black Lightning
Jefferson Pierce		   Kane Jungbluth-Murry[2]  
Bizarro
El-Kal / Kent Clark		   Patrick Seitz[5]  
Brother Eye   David Loefell[2]  
Lucius Fox   Phil LaMarr[2]  
Doctor Randall   Tara Strong[2]  
Alura In-Ze   Grey Griffin[2]  
Victor Zsasz   Steve Blum[2] Reid Scott[3]
Martin Stein   Fred Tatasciore[2]  
Brainiac 5
Querl Dox		   Liam O'Brien[2]  
Lois Lane   Laura Bailey[3]
Rama Kushna  
Jimmy Olsen   Zach Calison[3]
Captain Atom
Nathaniel Adams		   Fred Tatasciore[3]
Mirror Master
Evan McCulloch		   Yuri Lowenthal[3]
Ra's al Ghul   Faran Tahir[3]
Jonathan Kent   Kevin Pollak[3]
President of the United States  
Killer Croc
Waylon Jones		   Edwin Hodge[3]
Mister Terrific
Michael Holt		  
Plastic Man
Patrick "Eel" O'Brian		   Oliver Hudson[3]
Mirror Master Soldier   Andrew Morgado[3]
Huntress
Helena Bertinelli		   N/A
Hawkman
Katar Hol / Carter Hall		  
Clayface
Basil Karlo		  
Amazo  
Calendar Man
Julian Day
Perry White   Cameo
Weather Wizard
Mark Mardon		  
Trickster
Axel Walker		  
Plastique
Bette Sans Souci		  
Riddler
Edward Nigma		  
Two-Face
Harvey Dent		  
Mad Hatter
Jervis Tetch		  
Mantis  
Captain Boomerang
George "Digger" Harkness		  
Giganta
Doris Zeul		  
Catman
Thomas Blake		  
Pied Piper
Harley Rathaway		  
Turtle  
Man-Bat
Kirk Langstrom		  
Ron Troupe  

Other media

Comics

The Injustice: Gods Among Us comic book series[6] serves as a prequel detailing the events leading up to the game, as well as those that happen in the interregnum between Superman's murder of the Joker and the discovery of the primary universe.[7] The series was first written by Tom Taylor and illustrated by a number of artists, including Jheremy Raapack, Mike S. Miller, Bruno Redondo, Tom Derenick, and others.[8] The comic was released digitally beginning on January 15, 2013.[9] The series was later issued in regular comic book form, and eventually a collected edition.[10] Tom Taylor left the series after writing Injustice: Year Three #14, with Brian Buccellato replacing him by continuing the story into Year Four and Five.[11] The final chapter of the series was released in September 2016, leaving the story incomplete;[12] another comic book series, titled Injustice: Ground Zero, followed afterwards, which picked up the story and concluded the retelling of the game's events from Harley Quinn's perspective.[13]

The Injustice 2 comic book series serves as a prequel to the events of the game.[7] The series was written by Tom Taylor, who had previously worked on the tie-in comic books for Injustice: Gods Among Us.[7] Bruno Redondo served as lead artist, with contributing artwork from Juan Albarran, Daniel Sempere, and Mike S. Miller.[14] Beginning on April 11, 2017, the series was released in weekly chapters through various digital retailers, including ComiXology, Google Play Books, the Kindle Store, and DC Comics' own mobile app.[7][14][15] Print versions became available for purchase the following month on May 3, each containing multiple digital chapters.[15][16]

A miniseries known as Injustice vs. Masters of the Universe, featuring a crossover with Mattel's Masters of the Universe franchise, was first published on July 18, 2018, by DC Comics. It is written by Tim Seeley with art by Freddie Williams II,[17] and follows the second game's alternate ending, where Superman wins out over Batman. After killing Brainiac and combining himself with his ship, Superman has used Brainiac's technology to turn Batman into the Black Oracle, who can predict crimes before they happen. Damian Wayne, now an adult, teams up with Cyborg and seeks the help of the Masters of the Universe to stop Superman for good. Damian manages to free Batman from Superman's control but is killed by Wonder Woman for his betrayal, which triggers Batman's release from Superman's programming. After Darkseid and Skeletor's forces invade both Earth and Eternia, the two groups of heroes need to cooperate to save their respective worlds.

The universe of Injustice returned in the Dawn of DC miniseries Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent, written by the original Injustice writer Tom Taylor.[18]

Film

An animated Injustice film was released on October 19, 2021, as part of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies line.[19] It is a loose adaptation of the Year One comic series, featuring a different voice cast from the video games.[3] The film was released in both digital and physical formats.[20]

Reception

Aggregate review scores
As of July 12, 2017.
Game Metacritic
Injustice: Gods Among Us (WIIU) 82/100[21]
(X360) 81/100[22]
(PS4) 80/100[23]
(PC) 79/100[24]
(PS3) 78/100[25]
(iOS) 69/100[26]
Injustice 2 87/100 (PS4)[27]
88/100 (XONE)[28]

The series has been a critical and commercial success, with praise going to its story, gameplay mechanics, presentation, abundance of in-game content, character customization options, and use of the DC Comics license.

The animated Injustice film received mixed reviews. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 50% of 6 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.60/10. Criticism was leveled at the plot, unceremonious character deaths, poor character development, pacing, and unfaithfulness to the source material. Some reviewers, however, praised the voice acting, action sequences, and animation.[29]

See also

  • Kingdom Come: A 1996 comic book featuring a similar premise to the Injustice series, such as the Joker killing Lois Lane, and Superman and Batman forming opposing factions of superheroes.
  • Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe: A 2008 video game developed by Midway Games, with similar gameplay, aesthetics, and many of the same characters as the Injustice games, which it helped inspire.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 "Characters and Voice Actors - Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition". YouTube. December 8, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 "Injustice 2". Behind the Voice Actors. August 24, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 "DC's 'Injustice' Sets Cast for Animated Movie (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. July 21, 2021.
  4. ↑ @brandykopp (January 30, 2018). "It was an absolute honor to voice June Moone & Enchantress for Injustice 2!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ↑ @Seitz_Unseen (August 9, 2017). "I'm honored to have voiced everyone's favorite super-powered contrarian, Bizarro! He ready to make Muhtropolis gre..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ↑ Lien, Tracey (October 5, 2012). "Injustice: Gods Among Us to spawn its own comic". Polygon. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 4 McMillan, Graeme (July 22, 2016). "Comic-Con: DC Entertainment to Launch 'Injustice 2' Comic With Videogame Debut". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  8. ↑ Taylor, Tom (October 16, 2012). "Announcing 'Injustice – Gods Among Us' The Comic Series". Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  9. ↑ "'Injustice: Gods Among Us' Battle Edition and Release Date Revealed; Digital Comic Based on Game Available Today". DC Comics. January 15, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  10. ↑ Semel, Paul (January 15, 2013). "EGM Interview: Tom Taylor, Writer Of DC's Injustice: Gods Among Us Comic". Archived from the original on February 23, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  11. ↑ Yehl, Joshua (December 11, 2014). "Injustice: Gods Among Us Comic Writer Tom Taylor Departs, Brian Buccellato Takes Over". IGN. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  12. ↑ Guerrero, Tony. "Injustice: Year Five Comic Concludes With Superman Versus Batman". IGN. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  13. ↑ Elfring, Mat (December 6, 2016). "Harley Quinn Stars in Comic Series Which Connects to Injustice 2". GameSpot. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  14. 1 2 Fahey, Mike (January 20, 2017). "The Injustice 2 Prequel Comic Launches April 11, And It's Gonna Be Great". Kotaku. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  15. 1 2 Schedeen, Jesse (July 22, 2016). "Comic-Con 2016: DC Announces Injustice 2 Prequel Comic". IGN. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  16. ↑ Guerrero, Tony (March 2, 2017). "Injustice 2 Comic Explores Events In Between The Games". GameSpot. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  17. ↑ Hoffer, Christian (July 18, 2018). "Review: 'Injustice vs. Masters of the Universe' #1 Sets Up an Action-Packed Showdown". ComicBook.com. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  18. ↑ Brooke, David (February 6, 2023). "'Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent' to crossover into the 'Injustice' universe • AIPT". aiptcomics.com. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  19. ↑ "DC is Making an Animated 'Injustice' Movie, So You Can Finally Watch an Evil Superman Movie". Collider. May 19, 2021.
  20. ↑ Plant, Logan (September 2021). "DC's Injustice Animated Movie Arrives This October". IGN. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Injustice: Gods Among Us for Wii U Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Injustice: Gods Among Us for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Injustice: Gods Among Us - Ultimate Edition". Metacritic.
  24. ↑ "Injustice: Gods Among Us for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Injustice: Gods Among Us for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Injustice: Gods Among Us for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Injustice 2 for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. May 16, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Injustice 2 for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. May 18, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Injustice: Gods Among Us". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
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