Young Justice hasn’t gotten a lot of love since the original series was canceled in 2003. It was best known as Dan DiDio’s ‘hit list’ of young heroes to kill off. Now Young Justice is back with a new animated series and a comic based on the cartoon. Although I wish both success and I do see the logic behind having the cartoon and comic sync I would rather have had a comic that is in continuity. The DC universe needs a super-hero team for those that are not old enough for the Teen Titans (whose roster seems older than teen, more like the Young Adult Titans). Young readers also need a group of super-heroes that match their age group. This new Young Justice comic seems to fit the bill but what readers will find is that the comic and the version of the characters in it don’t jive with the other current DC books. For instance: a reader who likes the Young Justice version of Robin will find that Tim Drake is no longer ‘Robin’. Sure, some might pick up back issues but I’d guess most would want current stuff.
Enough nitpicking, after the break you’ll see my choices for the Young Justice roster. The criteria I used was:
- Correct age (more or less, especially if the person is slightly older but is immature).
- Is being ignored by DC.
- Is not currently in a super-team (or doesn’t get much spotlight time).
- Black Alice (info) :: Currently co-starring in a back-up feature in Teen Titans. She did recently join the Secret Six (and then quit) but that team is too adult for her. She needs to work with a group her own age.
- Cyclone (info) :: Currently a member of the Justice Society of America (her grandmother was the original Red Tornado) but doesn’t get enough airtime.
- Klarion the Witch Boy (info) :: Another grossly underused super-fun character. Recently appeared in Justice League of America under the spell of the Starheart.
- Misfit (info) :: Great supporting character in Birds of Prey until it was canceled. Instead of Barbara Gordon mentoring her she got shuffled off to a foster family. If a character is fun they are not used (like Klarion)! C’mon, comics need humorous and (age-appropriate) immature characters!
- Miss Martian (info) :: Miss Martian has a lot of potential which is being squandered on Teen Titans.
- Terra/Atlee (info) :: She was introduced in Supergirl, got her own mini-series, then ended up in Power Girl. Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray had Power Girl mentoring Atlee, hopefully Judd Winick will continue using her. Atlee, who was born in a subterranean civilization, could use more acclimation to the surface world.
Last but certainly not least is the current Robin (info). Although not as abrasive as he originally was Damian Wayne is still a royal pain-in-the-butt. He needs to be around peers that will not take his crap but at the same time see him as a friend. He needs a group of equals, not just Batman and Alfred.
So that’s my list. It’s missing a few more boys which I’d love your opinion on. I was thinking maybe Jakeem Thunder and King Chimera but I hate to take more members of the JSA. There just doesn’t seem to be many males that fit the age requirement.
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