Young Justice

Young Justice #20

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young-justice-20-coverFollowing the lead of the television show, the latest issue of Young Justice jumps out teen heroes five years into the future. Well, sort of. Issue #20 is an odd mix of storylines taking place five years apart.

Although the structure provides some fun comparision moments (such as Dick Grayson‘s birthday kiss from Zatanna on five years apart), it’s also a little confusing. The small character moments work well, and I really like the introductions of new characters such as Wonder Girl, Blue Beetle, and Batgirl.

Where the comic struggles is explaining how the bigger picture is connected between a young woman speaking out against the dictatorship of Qurac today and Superboy and Miss Martian‘s mission with Superman in the same country years before. Oh, and then there’s the sudden appearance of Braniac.

For the introduction of the new team, and particularily Nightwing’s interactions with them, the issue is worth a read. However, as a jumping point into a brand-new arc it’s a little messier than I’d like. For fans.

[DC, $2.99]

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Young Justice #19

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Young Justice #19The latest issue of Young Justice concludes the Gorilla City arc including giving us an origin of the city unique to the title. The issue also stands out as the final issue with the original team as Robin‘s case notes transition to a final panel revealing Nightwing thinking back on the adventure. This means starting next month the comic, like the show, will move forward with the “Invasion” storyline set five-years in the future.

Although I’m not thrilled by the rewriting of the origin of Gorrilla City to be nothing more than the effects of the Ultra-Humanite and the Brain experimenting on gorillas in Africa, the story centainly plays out well within that design as the team works alongside Gorilla Grodd to stop the super-villains which leads to the creation of Gorilla City.

We get Grodd, the final adventure with the original core team, and even cameos by Congrilla and Nightwing. That should be enough to warrant fans picking this one up. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Young Justice #18

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young-justice-18-coverThe Young Justice team heads to Africa to take down another Kobra-Venom operation run by the Brain in the Bwundan Jungle. But shortly after arriving Robin, Miss Martina, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Artemis, and Superboy find themselves attacked by gorillas suped-up on Kobra-Venom and led by Grodd.

The team, with the exception of Wolf, is captured and taken to Gorilla City, but Miss Martian is separated from her teammates and gets an unexpected visit from Grodd. There’s plenty of hero-on-gorilla action here along with a few lingering concerns between teammates, particularly Miss Martian’s concern for Aqualad’s state of mind following Tula‘s betrayal.

We also get a short cameo by Captain Marvel who is disappointed when he learns he won’t be traveling with the team on their latest mission. I’m glad to see the goofier version of the Big Red Cheese show up in a DC Comic (and still using his appropriate moniker), but, you would think of all people, Batman be able to figure out the Captain’s secret, right? Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Young Justice #16

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young-justice-16-cover“Heroes and Mentors” gives us three stories featuring members of the Young Justice team each working alongside their mentor. Although each involves a different pair fighting crime together, what makes the story work is how each mini-story is given it’s own feel.

Green Arrow and Artemis open the comic by trying to prevent a museum robbery. Their communication is very much Oliver teaching Artemis the ropes. When we get the Flash and Kid Flash stopping an animal outbreak at the zoo we get more lighthearted banter between Barry and his nephew. And Batman and Robin‘s story at the Gotham Planetarium is heavy on action and light on dialogue as the Dynamic Duo is able to get the job done with a minimum of discussion.

The three stories connect in the comic’s last few pages as all the crimes are connected and will pit all six heroes against Kobra in next month’s issue. This series is very hit-or-miss for me depending on the characters and story chosen from issue to issue. If next month’s conclusion is as good as this one, I’ll definitely pick it up. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Young Justice #13

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young-justice-13-coverIn the sewers below Gotham City the Young Justice team tracks and fights the new character of Clayface (who was introduced in last month’s issue). The team soon discovers the difficulty in fighting a villain who can assume the shape and mannerisms of anyone he comes into contact with.

With Aqualad distracted with thought of Atlantis and the team divided Clayface takes them down one-by-one. It’s only the arrival of Batman that saves complete disaster.

Although it’s a bit of a letdown after a terrific Batman and Robin issue and well-done Talia al Ghul issue that introduced the character of Clayface, Young Justice #13 continues to define this new version of Clayface and bring Aqualad’s indecision to the forefront as the team is bested far too easily by this new enemy. It will be interesting to see if Aqualad’s story plays out in similar fashion to the similar arc on the television show or if the comic takes a different path beginning next month. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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