The Golden Age

***The Golden Age*** was an American television series that ran for three seasons from 2027 to 2029. It is based around the DC Comics team, the Justice Society, as well as the many heroes that appeared in the Golden Age of Comic Books. It is the tenth television series of the DCEU and the first television series of Phase 4. It premiered on September 3, 2027.

## Plot Summary

### Season 1

Before the Justice League, there was the Golden Age of Heroes. During the Great Depression and World War II, many heroes decided to take up arms against corruption. This season focuses on the members and missions of the Justice Society, and how they became a team in the first place.

### Season 2

Instead of following the adventures of the now formed Justice Society, it follows many individual heroes not associated with them, and how they try to fight crime in a country that is at its darkest.

### Season 3

The final season shows both the adventures of the Justice Society, and the small individual heroes and how both made an impact on the world, and their legacy.

## Cast

### Justice Society (Seasons 1 and 3)

* Kevin McKidd as Doctor Fate/Kent Nelson
* Paul Wesley as Hourman/Rex Tyler
* David Morrissey as The Spectre/Jim Corrigan
* Sam Claflin as Hawkman/Carter Hall
* David Tennant as Sandman/Wesley Dodds
* Daniel Gillies as Doctor Mid-Nite/Charles McNider
* Alex O'Loughlin as Starman/Ted Knight
* Matthew Lewis as Mister Terrific/Terry Sloane
* Tom Hopper as Wildcat/Ted Grant
* Rebecca Ferguson as Black Canary/Dinah Drake
* Ana de Armas as Hawkgirl/Shiera Hall
* Emjay Anthony as Johnny Thunder
* Drew Roy as Star Spangled Kid/Sylvester Pemberton

### Street Level Heroes (Seasons 2-3)

* Luke Mitchell as Air Wave/Harold Jordon
* Derek Luke as Amazing Man/Will Everett
* David Henrie as Blue Beetle/Dan Garret
* Jack Huston as Crimson Avenger/Lee Travis
* Simon Baker as Sargon the Sorcerer/John Sargent
* Taylor Kitsch as Crime Smasher/Alan Armstrong
* Sterling Knight as Tarantula/John Law
* Ethan Peck as Vigilante/Greg Saunders
* Hugh Dancy as Quick Silver/Maxwell Crandell
* Steven R. McQueen as Captain X/Richard "Buck' Hare
* David Wenham as Guardian/Jim Harper
* Rick Cosnett as Johnny Quick/Johnny Chambers
* Amanda Righetti as Liberty Belle/Libby Lawrence
* Lee Pace as Midnight/Dave Clark
* Michel Huisman as Shining Knight/Sir Justin
* Luke Benward as Mr. America/Tex Thompson
* Aidan Turner as Congo Bill/William Glenmorgan
* Tom Holland as Hop Harrigan
* Jerry Trainor as Master Man
* Christopher Abbott as Merlin the Magician/Jock Kellog
* Jared Padalecki as Captain Triumph/Lance Gallant

## Reception

When it first premiered, *The Golden Age* received positive reviews. "While not as good as Goddard's work with *Green Arrow* and *Daredevil*, it is a very well executed series, that shows an important but under utilized part of DC's history." Many praised the performances, writing, production design, effects, and dialogue. As well as shining a light on the effects of PTSD and war on more comic book exaggerated characters.

When season 2 premiered, it received mixed reviews. "While there are many glimmers to the sophomore season of *The Golden Age*, it still doesn't reach the caliber of season 1." While many praised the various adventures of the more popular heroes, the lesser known heroes didn't get as much praise. However, various performances, and the effects of war were showcased very well here. As well as a more realistic tone for many of the heroes.

When season 3 premiered, it received mixed to positive reviews. "It seems as though people are favoring more the JSA adventures rather than street level heroes, as that is where the talent is stemming from." While not just the JSA adventures were praised, but some of the street level heroes' adventures were better executed and utilized. However, there were still some weaknesses in pacing and being a bit too overstuffed for one season.

## Trivia

* Drew Goddard and Steven S. DeKnight's second Netflix series to feature a blind superhero (Doctor Mid-Nite).
* Originally started out as a Justice Society film, but Goddard feared that the Justice Society would not only cause confusion with the *Justice League* films, but wouldn't be as heavily showcased or as popular, and saw too many great movie ideas. So, he ultimately decided on a television series instead. When doing research for the series, Goddard came across even more Golden Age heroes that were relatively unknown, so he then decided to make a show showcasing many Golden Age heroes, and not just the Justice Society.
* There were certain talks that Gal Gadot would cameo as Wonder Woman in the series, but Goddard ultimately decided against it, wanting the series to stand on its own two feet, despite having heroes that would spawn famous legacies.