It's interesting to see the superhero genre steadily make its way from the silver screen to streaming services. While Amazon has The Boys and Invincible, and Netflix has already taken a dive into the territory of superhero families working through their problems with The Umbrella Academy, they're taking another crack at the dynamic with Jupiter's Legacy.
Jupiter's Legacy comes to audiences out of a deal that comic writer Mark Millar of Kick-Ass fame struck with the streaming service a few years back. This is the world's first time bearing witness to the fruits of this partnership, and the series does well overall at establishing an interesting opening episode as well as setting up plenty of pieces for the remaining 7 episodes of the first season to explore.
RELATED: Love Marvel? This Unexpected Superhero Will Warm Your Heart
Right off the bat, this show feels both unique and familiar at the same time. Part of this comes down to the character designs, which are clearly set to echo that of the original DC Justice League (both series even share the same initials). The story covers a very wide scope as well, making jumps between time periods and giving the viewer a better understanding of the events in this universe and how they've led to the formation of the current-day relationships between heroes. If there's anything to be taken from the first episode, it's that this is a show that is going to show the world a story that isn't trying to reinvent the wheel, but instead wishes to have viewers see these types of characters from lesser-explored angles.
To use another Netflix show as an example, The Umbrella Academy sees the growth of relationships between super-powered children and their callous, absentee father. Jupiter's Legacy also plants similar seeds here, introducing the two children of series Superman analog, The Utopian. The Utopian has been too busy protecting the planet and upholding the superhero code to have time to really raise his kids. His expectations and the pressure that comes from being the children of the world's most powerful hero have taken their toll. The opening of the first episode depicts a scene from their childhood in which the children are scolded for using their powers. The Utopian gives a fatherly speech, then offers to take the children to ice cream- only to have to rescind the offer to answer a cry for help. The dysfunctional family dynamic is seen in other ways as well.
His son, for example, is struggling to have his powers as well as his work as a hero live up to the moniker of his father. He's introduced toward the beginning of the episode alone at a diner and then rushing off to a vehicle robbery where he gets easily beaten before having to be saved by his father. The daughter isn't given as much screen time in this first episode. However, her angry and drunken exit from family dinner is a clear indication that there is still friction between her and her father.
Jupiter's Legacy does an admirable job of keeping an interesting pacing in its first episode. While some series have a difficult time with their pilot offering, this show introduces characters, their complicated relationships, and a genuinely interesting cliffhanger without feeling bloated or dragging. The show also has the added task of bouncing back and forth between the 1920s and the youth of The Utopian and the present-day team of heroes. It's a testament to some solid writing here that the show is able to successfully spin so many plates right out of the gate without ever feeling confusing.
It's also refreshing to see the way in which the show is handling the introduction of the other heroes on the team. In some superhero properties, the creators will make the mistake of thinking the audience needs to know everything about a character prior to introducing them or showing them in action. Take for example the original Suicide Squad, which dedicates a portion of its opening to giving what's essentially a slideshow of squad members and their powers. This approach begins to feel more like a lecture than a story.
Jupiter's Legacy introduces the majority of the current time period's heroes by showing them in the heat of battle. It almost feels like watching the lengthier team-up fight scenes in any Avengers movie except with a minimal amount of knowledge of who each character is and what they may do next. It has the reverse effect of making the viewer want to learn about the characters. In a way it could be compared to the way in which Marvel introduced Spider-Man into the MCU through Captain America: Civil War and had him almost immediately join the fight. There was no origin movie to give audiences yet another Peter Parker origin story. Audiences were curious to know what made this version of Peter Parker different because they weren't forced to endure more of the same.
Lastly, it will be most interesting to see where the show takes the ideas surrounding the "code" of rules that superheroes must follow within this world. It's clear from the events of this episode that The Utopian takes this code incredibly seriously. Already within this first episode we've seen him start to get into some deeper, philosophical conversations about the ethics and morality behind superheroes and their involvement within organizations like government. While nobody is outwardly opposing him on any of his points at this time, there are some hints that the other characters may at least have some more flexibility in their beliefs. It will be interesting to see where the show takes these ideas and how The Utopian is forced to reckon between the deeds of his family against the code he holds to be absolute.
Jupiter's Legacy has a strong debut episode that respects the audience's understanding of superhero lore. It takes familiar ideas and uses them as a springboard to introduce new ideas through lesser-explored aspects of superhero familial relationships. This is a promising start to superhero tale with plenty of potential.