Young Justice returns with new episodes tonight (Friday, January 21) at 7PM on the Cartoon Network. The opening episodes of the series were previewed late last year and recently repeated on the network. The series focuses on the younger heroes of the DC Universe world of characters as they escape the shadows of their mentors and divvy out their own brand of [young] justice.
If you didn’t see the opening episodes, you still might be able to hop on and not feel like you missed too much. But before I get into anything at all let me point out what is probably my favorite thing about the series – I think this show is as exciting to someone who is 33 as it would be to someone who is 13. The characters are written well and the story isn’t the least bit dumb. It’s great entertainment for all ages.
This first new installment, “Welcome To Happy Harbor,” also is transcendent in that it should appeal to young girls as well as the guys who may be watching. A major part of this story revolves around the Miss Martian character and her attempts to fit in within this boys’ club. She can do cool things, but is it enough to impress the guys… aside from Kid Flash, who seems quite smitten with her? She’s not the only one trying to find a way to fit in. Superboy, who was released from Cadmus in the first episode, is still having flashbacks and occasional fits of anger.
“Welcome To Happy Harbor” is also unique in that, for most of the episode, the heroes are seen without costumes. Makes me think, again, that a Young Justice live-action series would be so cool. While the costumes themselves are iconic, each character has such a distinctive look that you can follow who is who without that extra feature. Superboy, of course, still sports the black shirt and “S” symbol routine, but that’s one of the best non-costume costumes there is, so it’ll pass. (How cool would a live-action Conner Kent be, by the way?)
There’s a battle with the foe “Mister Twister” that takes place at their new home of Happy Harbor, and there’s a resolution that might surprise you. Also interesting is that “Happy Harbor” looks a lot like Avila Beach, California, making me wonder if it’s intentional or if a lot of harbor towns just all look the same. We explore the heroes’ new headquarters, see more character interactions, and just generally have fun.
If there’s anything I don’t like about Young Justice, and I pointed this out in my review of the premiere, it is that, although I know this is an “alternate reality,” I really wish that the Robin and Kid Flash in this story were Tim Drake and Bart Allen. Tim and Bart are the ones that hung out with Kon-El/Superboy in the comics; but then again, I’m sure a show like this is aimed at people who aren’t familiar with the comics. Incidentally, issue #0 of DC’s Young Justice comic book tie-in hit stores on Wednesday… and it’s quite good… but I’m still not sure what the goal or reasons were for insisting on the “iconic” versions of these characters… especially since Wally West was the Flash known to a generation as The Flash in Justice League. I know it’s fan nitpicking, but it bugs me. Maybe if it was Tim and Bart I’d be hopeful we’d see more characters like The Secret, Wonder Girl, or Spoiler eventually.
Still, especially since there’s no Smallville this week, it’s great to have gotten a DCU fix. You can’t get much better than Young Justice…. so if you’re home and free around 7PM tonight, pop on the Cartoon Network. You might like it!
Take a look at some preview clips and images from the episode!
5 Comments
Why is everyone complaining about nthe changes? justice league changed things so did static shock
If you check on “Ask Greg” on the Station 8 website Greg Weisman explains that the entire concept of the show is that it’s a young D.C. Universe. Superman’s only been around for ten years. etc. So it only makes sense to start with the first generation of sidekicks.
I guess when I think of “who does Dick Grayson hang out with,” I think of Starfire, Raven, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Donna Troy, Speedy, and the first Aqualad – and of those people, only Speedy is present in YJ. It’s just a little nitpick but it still kinda bugs me.
Conner Kent was never around in a “young DC universe,” but it’s okay to have him here.
Better than a pre-robin Dick Grayson, any way you slice it.
I don’t like Dick Grayson as Robin or Nightwing or Batman… I prefer Tim Drake as Robin, but Damien is ok with me too. I like the new Aqualad and Kid Flash is ok, but the ones that I miss are Raven and Beast Boy from the Titans comics. I understand this is an original team independent from the rest of the DC universe but I would love some continuity. However, I do get that this team has nothing to do with the Titans…
The X-Men series of the 90s was the best translation of the medium to date even though they belong to Marvel. But if a company is going to introduce a character or team to the general public, they should stick to the source material and not diverge from it, so there would be no clash between comic book fans and non comic book fans [such as the every now and again conversations I have with my friends every time a new Smallville character appears that they’ve got no idea about]