Injustice (franchise)
Alternate reality where Superman becomes a tyrant.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Injustice is a fighting game series where DC Comics superheroes and villains clash, created by NetherRealm Studios and released by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The games were directed by Ed Boon, the creator of Mortal Kombat, whose team had previously worked on *Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe* for Midway Games. The stories were written by Brian Chard, Dominic Cianciolo, and Jon Greenberg. Voice actors like Kevin Conroy, George Newbern, Susan Eisenberg, Phil LaMarr, Alan Tudyk, Grey Griffin, Fred Tatasciore, Tara Strong, Khary Payton, and Richard Epcar returned to voice characters they had played in other DC media.
The series takes place in an alternate universe separate from the main DC continuity. In this world, the Joker tricks Superman into killing Lois Lane and destroying Metropolis with a nuclear bomb, which drives Superman to become a tyrant and create a new global order. Batman responds by forming a resistance group to stop him. The first game, *Injustice: Gods Among Us* (2013), follows Batman as he gets help from alternate-universe versions of the Justice League to join his insurgency and bring down Superman’s regime. The sequel, *Injustice 2* (2017), is set five years later. Batman’s insurgency is trying to rebuild society after Superman’s defeat, but they face threats from the Society of Super Villains, led by Gorilla Grodd, and the alien collector Brainiac. This forces Batman to consider freeing Superman to help fight these new dangers.
Beyond the games, the franchise includes two comic series and an animated film. The first comic, *Injustice: Gods Among Us*, ran from January 2013 to May 2016 and serves as a prequel, showing how both the Insurgency and the One Earth Regime came to be. The second series, *Injustice 2*, ran from April 2017 to October 2018 and bridges the gap between the games, covering the period after the Regime’s fall and the rise of new villains. The animated film *Injustice*, released in October 2021, tells an original story that takes elements from the first game and its prequel comic.
The first game is set in an alternate reality where Superman, after being tricked by the Joker, becomes a tyrant and forms the One Earth Regime with other heroes and villains to enforce global peace.
- Writers
- Brian Chard, Dominic Cianciolo, Jon Greenberg
Lore & Background
The series' plot takes place in an alternate reality to the main DC Universe continuity. In the first game, Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013), Superman is driven over the edge after the Joker tricks him into killing Lois Lane and destroying Metropolis with a nuclear bomb. Joined by other heroes and villains, he establishes the One Earth Regime to enforce global peace. Batman forms an underground insurgency and summons counterparts of the Justice League from another universe to defeat the Regime.
Reader's Guide
The Injustice franchise has been a critical and commercial success, praised for its story, gameplay mechanics, presentation, abundance of in-game content, character customization options, and use of the DC Comics license. Outside the video games, the franchise includes two comic book series: Injustice: Gods Among Us (January 2013 to September 2016), which serves as a prequel to the first game, and Injustice 2 (April 2017 to October 2018), which bridges the gap between the two games. An animated film titled Injustice was released in October 2021, featuring an original narrative borrowing elements from the first game and its prequel comic. The film received mixed reviews, with criticism leveled at the plot, character deaths, pacing, and unfaithfulness to the source material, though some praised the voice acting, action sequences, and animation. The series also inspired a crossover miniseries, Injustice vs. Masters of the Universe, and its universe returned in the Dawn of DC miniseries Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent.
Did You Know?
- The series was directed by Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon.
- The first comic series, Injustice: Gods Among Us, ran from January 2013 to September 2016.
- The animated film Injustice was released in October 2021 and features a different voice cast from the video games.
- A miniseries titled Injustice vs. Masters of the Universe was published in July 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Injustice (franchise)?
Injustice is a 2.5D fighting game series built around an alternate DC Comics universe in which Superman seizes power and rules as a tyrant. It was developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, with Ed Boon serving as director.
What kind of characters and moves does the Injustice roster feature?
The playable cast spans both DC heroes and villains, each given a unique move set, special attacks, and finishers inspired by their comic-book abilities. The lineup draws from a wide range of characters, from Superman and Batman to Joker and Harley Quinn.
Who wrote the Injustice storylines?
The narrative scripts across the series were penned by Brian Chard, Dominic Cianciolo, and Jon Greenberg. Their writing shaped the alternate-reality plot that distinguishes the franchise from a standard versus-fighting setup.
Why is Injustice important in the fighting-game scene?
It brought the full DC universe into the competitive 2.5D fighting format with a deep, branching storyline, following NetherRealm's earlier work on Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Its success helped establish DC as a staple franchise in the modern fighting-game landscape.
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