The DC Justice League Experience: An event that no devoted comic book fanatic can miss
There was a time when, despite the millions grossed, the current incarnation of DC movies were falling flat. Then Wonder Woman arrived to a favourable reception as the highest-grossing origin movie of all time and rated 92% on Rotten Tomatoes (on equal pegging with The Avengers). Now, the excitement has re-awakened. And there’s no better way for a comic-book fan to whet their appetite for the upcoming Justice League movie than the DC Justice League Experience, held in London on Southampton Row.
Through the antiquarian doors of The College are five rooms to explore and analyse, each devoted to a member of the Justice League. The sets of their various hideouts are recreated in absurdly precise detail. There are also opportunities to insert yourself into the Justice League poster as well as view the merchandise specially released for the film.
Pub Aquaman
In Arthur Curry’s introduction in the first Justice League trailer, we see him enter this compact seaside bar, dropping a limp (maybe dead) man upon a table before grabbing a drink. The full pub has been built here with tables, chairs and an obligatory dartboard. The walls appear to be eroding and there are little details indicating a local seclusion worthy of The League of Gentleman. Most importantly, there is bartender and the drinks behind the counter are real. A perfect spot for pre-drinks!
Cyborg
The lab of Victor Stone (a part-human, part-robot crime-fighter known as Cyborg) is bathed in a blood-red crimson colour with microscopes and test tubes dotted everywhere. There are plant-like specimens contained in glass beakers on his desk, as well as intricate lab reports and a collection of computer monitors looming over them all. There’s even a group of metallic tanks containing Argon Refrigerated Liquid, detailed with Health and Safety instructions on the front. But most appealing of all is the large, futuristic monitor that you don’t even have to touch to manipulate. Visitors only need to wave their fingers and the screen picks them up from sensors hanging from the ceiling. Movies enjoy predicting the future, but Justice League has created one.
A Flashy Teenage Lair
The influence of teenage computer whizz-kids is undeniably vast and enviable, and is captured perfectly in one of the larger rooms of the Experience. In the man cave of Barry Allan (otherwise known as the iconic, super-fast Flash), there is so much to look at. Our eyes flit from graffitied walls to costume sketches to pizza boxes to Casio calculators to hundreds of books on computing, law and American politics. And, of course, there’s no shortage of computer monitors. Oh, and there’s a small car hung on the wall. Just because.
An Office of Wonders
Despite being the smallest character-room of the Experience, this office is certainly not the emptiest. This is the workspace belonging to Diana, our godly Wonder Woman from the Amazons, based in the Louvre museum in Paris. On one desk are samples and archaeological tools, with many conservation pictures and reports pinned to the wall. On the other desk is a giant marble arm, below another wall pregnant with paintings and colour distinctions. There are also books on Engels and shamanistic psychiatry littered everywhere, arranged on shelves and piled inside barely-noticed boxes. These objects clearly wield some clues for the Justice League plot, but you’ll have to wait for the answers.
A Minimalist Batcave
If one were to judge Bruce Wayne on this room, taking centre-stage at the exhibition, they’d think the well-regarded billionaire/superhero doesn’t like to waste his space. It’s safe to assume this is a small part of a monumental Batcave, but it’s still been lovingly crafted. The walls are painted in a deep black (obviously) with a blue light from above floating around the room. Whereas the others liked to flourish their rooms with monitors, Batman only wants two at the back. These display the details of his vehicles, breaking down turbine power and navigation capabilities – including a Batmobile that looks like it’s able to fly.
Whatever one’s allegiance, this is an event that no devoted comic book fanatic can miss. Even a superhero-sceptic has to admit: the level of effort and detail in these movies is incredible.
Euan Franklin
The DC Justice League Experience is at The College on Southampton Row from 9th until 10th November 2017. For further information or to book visit here.
Justice League is released nationwide on 17th November 2017.
Watch the trailer for Justice League here:
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