20 Years Ago Today, DC Aired the Last Episode of the Greatest Superhero Cartoon Ever
While it's clear that Marvel is winning the box office war when it comes to live-action movies (sans Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy), the DC Universe has proven to be victorious when it comes to their animated offerings. From the 90's Batman: The Animated Series to Young Justice to Batman Beyond, DC has cranked out some hits for superhero fanatics that prove to be must-watch TV (or streaming).
That being said, it was a sad day 20 years ago when the powers that be at DC pulled the plug on what I truly think is their greatest superhero animation ever. It's fitting that the series literally brings out all the heavy-hitters.
The Last Episode of ‘Justice League Unlimited' Aired in May 2006
Justice League Unlimited debuted on July 31, 2004, and it was the direct sequel to the Justice League series. Both shows were spectacular during their run. The predecessor followed Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl, and Green Lantern (John Stewart) as they came together to be the heroes the world desperately needed against foes, earthly and beyond.
The sequel series starts where the Justice League left off, with this league of heroes picking up the pieces after Hawkgirl's betrayal. What makes Justice League Unlimited even better than the original is the fact that the show highlights many of the unknown heroes of the DC comic book world. I'm talking characters like Vixen, Knight, Elongated Man, Question, and more. For fans of the superhero genre, it's always good to see the rest of the DC Universe beyond just the Big Three (Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman), and equally "good" to see villains beyond just Lex Luthor and Joker.
What also made Justice League Unlimited so special was the fact that it made for the perfect Saturday morning pairing with a big bowl of cereal. It wasn't the gory adult animation that DC is becoming known for (which is still enjoyable), but it also wasn't too kitsch and childish, so the kids at heart could watch for hours.
Sadly, Justice League Unlimited ended after three seasons. The final episode, "The Destroyer," aired on May 13, 2006. It saw the Justice League team up with earthly villains as they took on the infamous Darkseid.
Is "Justice League Unlimited' Better than ‘X-Men '97' and ‘Invincible'?
This is a valid question. X-Men ‘97 is a top-notch show in my book. If the new iteration of the X-Men cartoon franchise had more than one released season under its belt, I'd wholeheartedly say it was better than Justice League Unlimited. There's a reason the Marvel series has almost a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes.
As far as Invincible, that too is a critic's darling for a good reason. However, the drawback with the series lies in its lack of mass appeal. Due to the heavy adult content and language, it's not really a cartoon suitable for audiences of all ages. But again, I'm grown and find it fantastic.
For those interested in rewatching Justice League Unlimited, it's available to stream on HBO Max. It's also on Tubi for free.
Related: Man Tanked His Job Interview, and Oreo May Oddly Be to Blame
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
2026 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 3:15 AM.