Today's Justice League. Justice League and all related characters are trademarks of DC Comics © 2001. TM & © Warner Bros. and TM & © 2001 Cartoon Network. An AOL Time Warner Co.

Judging from the first three-part story arc of Justice League, this isn't your father's Superfriends.

Cartoon Network's new super-hero adventure series is a natural follow-up to the previous Kids WB! Bruce Timm-Paul Dini-Alan Burnett produced series Batman: The Animated Adventures, Batman Beyond and Superman. This time out, creator/producer Bruce Timm takes the reins himself, with a select group of Batman/Superman colleagues, and has expanded the DC superhero universe by bringing together a great set of diverse characters, establishing their strong personalities and character back story, and placing them into various apocalyptic adventures.

The stories emphasize teamwork -- but only as the last recourse against an unstoppable enemy. These super-heroes are outsiders who would clearly prefer to work alone. Cool.

"Secret Origins" is the first adventure (3 half-hours, presented as a 90-minute movie in its premiere) and introduces Wonder Woman and J'Onn J'Onzz, The Martian Manhunter, as "new" characters. The heroes come together slowly as they face a War Of The Worlds-like alien invasion. By the third act, they split into teams to fight their foe on different fronts. All contribute their unique abilities to combat the menace.

One thing I've loved about the previous Batman/Superman Adventures, and this series as well, is the correct choices Timm and crew make when deciding which parts of the DC mythos to include, exclude or embellish. I find all their decisions to be well thought out.