Young Justice #1
Publisher: DC
Story: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Patrick Gleason
Inks: Patrick Gleason
Colors: Alejandro Sanchez
Letters: DC Lettering
More than almost any recent title unveiled by DC Comics, Young Justice carries a lot of nostalgia from readers who loved the original series from the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. I am not one of those readers, as I did not discover Young Justice until the Cartoon Network series that debuted in 2010. I bring this up to preface this review that my familiarity with the team comes from the animated series, which I know if different from the comics-continuity version.
With that out of the way, this first foray into writer Brian Michael Bendis’ Wonder Comics imprint of teen-oriented DC Comics is a fantastic premiere with elements of fun and whimsy that remind the reader of comics from an earlier age, before things were so grim and dark. DC’s Rebirth initiative was created in part to restore the sense of fun and wonder in comics, but after nearly three years, it’s beginning to swing back to the New 52 darker, grittier style. If this first issue of Young Justice is indicative of the Wonder Comics imprint, then we’ll be seeing a return to the slightly more light-hearted elements that make comics fun.
Even for readers who are unfamiliar with the previous print incarnation of the Young Justice team, one does get a sense that this is a reunion of sorts, thanks in no small part to the actions and dialogue of Impulse (Bart Allen), a character missing from the Rebirth era so far, and clearly the comedic relief of the team. Through a series of circumstances, Impulse comes to fight alongside old comrades Robin (Tim Drake, no longer going by “Red Robin” in this issue) and Cassie Sandsmark (aka “Wonder Girl”) as well as new-comers Jinny Hex and “Teen Lantern.” His excitement is infectious, nearl
y coming off the page as he races through panels with a huge smile on his face and shouting that the team is back. The others aren’t so sure, but the seeds are planted for future team-ups. Fans of the TV version of Young Justice, as well as 1990’s DC Comics, will also be happy to see the return of another long-missing character, the Conner Kent version of Superboy.
What makes Young Justice more than just a simple “teen” book, or a nostalgic throw-back for old-time readers, is the premise of the conflict of this issue, which involves the kingdoms of Gem World, including another fan-favorite character, Amethyst, and an invasion of the main DC universe. This part of the story does assume the reader has some knowledge of the Gem World (it’s possible, but extremely confusing, to read it without). Adding this to the storyline ups the stakes and also ties Young Justice into wider mainstream DC continuity; it will be interesting to see if this storyline intersects with any other books outside of the Wonder Comics imprint.
The art by Gleason and Sanchez is the perfect match for this book. Gleason’s panel designs show off the fun and energy of these characters, while Sanchez uses a brighter color palette that matches the fun tone of the book. Gleason’s action scenes are also energetic, especially when Impulse is the subject of the scenes. While there are dozens of characters introduced in this first issue, each has a unique style and appearance, and there’s no confusing them, even the Gem World character who has a similar aesthetic. Sanchez’s coloring gives everything an almost animation-like quality, which is perfect for this type of book.
Ultimately, this is a fun, easily approachable comic for a wide audience. Although the comic is rated “Teen Plus,” it is without a doubt, of all the mainstream DC books currently published, the one that most appropriate for younger audiences. If Young Justice, and the rest of the Wonder Comics imprint, can bring in younger readers and also infuse a sense of joy and wonder back into the main DC Universe (especially among the current crop of “teen” oriented titles, which are anything but fun), then Bendis and DC will have a hit on their hands.
Martin Thomas
martin@comicattack.net
