Cote, although ably written by the great Dwayne McDuffie, inevitably pales by comparison with "A Better World" a two part episode of JL series and one of the finest moments in superhero broadcast. Cote actually goes back to the roots of "A Better World", a 1960s comic-book classic called "Crisis on Earth Three" although Owlman's desire to destroy the multi-verse gives a very big nod to 1980s story "Crisis on Infinite Earths".(Sorry if all these crises are confusing) The story is largely very close to the comic book original. On a parallel dimension, a gang with powers very similar to the JL are using those powers for evil and so call themselves The Crime Syndicate of America (as in the original comic. This differs from " A Better World" since the CSA are NOT the JL whereas in ABW The Justice Lords ARE the JL who have taken a different path.
This is a good premise, and indeed in the original comic was an outstandingly novel and exciting idea. However, it must be said that after seeing AB, the idea has been somewhat blunted. ABW was actually going to be a literal reworking of the original CoET story before they hit upon the richer idea of the Justice Lords.
Having decided to belatedly adapt the original story, I must say they do a pretty good job, although Batman's keenness to sacrifice Johnny Quick leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
This is a good premise, and indeed in the original comic was an outstandingly novel and exciting idea. However, it must be said that after seeing AB, the idea has been somewhat blunted. ABW was actually going to be a literal reworking of the original CoET story before they hit upon the richer idea of the Justice Lords.
Having decided to belatedly adapt the original story, I must say they do a pretty good job, although Batman's keenness to sacrifice Johnny Quick leaves a bad taste in the mouth.