I just found out that Justice League Unlimited has been canceled, ending the Dini-verse of cartoons. I know, you have no idea what I'm talking about, so here it is. Round about 14 years ago a man named Paul Dini got involved in writing (or maybe animating, I'm not sure) a Batman cartoon for TV. He used some adult-ish themes, at least more hardcore than the Smurfs ever got, storylines that continued from episode to episode, and much better characterization than most any other televised superhero show. He went on to do several other series set in the same continuity (as in a shared universe where what happens on one series will affect or reference another), including Superman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond, and, of course, Justice League Unlimited. With the cancelation of JLU and Teen Titans, Dini is out of the DC-cartoon business, and a new day will dawn. Unfortunately this day will probably involve less name-characters from comics, and be aimed solely at a younger crowd, instead of having the several levels of understanding Dini always included.

I will leave you with a funny gag from a recent episode, though I'm not sure my description will have the same effect.

Superman, Wonder Woman and the Martian Manhunter are hanging out on their space station and Superman is teling them about a wonderful milkshake he had earlier that day. At the same time a "ghost of vengeance" type character called Deadman had taken posession of someone in his quest for whatever, and had seen something bad. Being a basically good ghost, he decided to get help from the Justice League. The only way he can communicate is to possess someone, so he flys up to space and possesses Superman.

Superman: "I'm telling you, this milkshake was SO thick.... [Enter Deadman] ...I need help!"

Wonder Woman: "Wow, that's pretty thick!"