Young Justice Pilot Review
By Sasquatch at November 28, 2010 | 2:03 am | Print
During San Diego Comic-Con the DC panel showed some early footage and design pieces for an upcoming TV project that was set to debut in the fall. That project is called “Young Justice”, which is partially based on a DC Comics title of the same name. Young Justice is centered around all of the main heroes “sidekick” as they embark on missions on their own without their “masters” watching over them. The main story for all of the sidekicks is to eventually step out of the shadows of their teacher/master.
Young Justice debuted with two introductory episodes on Friday, November 26th. Here we got to see appearances from ice themed villains Mr. Freeze, Killer Frost, Icicle, and Captain Cold. They were used to set up an opening shot of the main characters in action. Here we saw Batman & Robin, Aquaman & Aqualad, Flash & Kid Flash, and Green Arrow & Speedy. What’s interesting is that instead of the well known Aqualad from the comics that would later go on to become Tempest, they instead use the new Aqualad character that just debuted in the current DC Comics story Brightest Day. We also see a number of first appearances in these episodes such as The Justice League and The Hall of Justice. Among the members that I already announced we also see Superman, Hawkman & Hawkgirl, Wonder Woman, Black Canary, Red Tornado, Zatara, Martian Manhunter, Captain Marvel and Green Lanterns: Hal Jordan & Jon Stewart.
The main story line for these episodes show the young sidekicks feeling like they don’t feel as if they are needed in the big missions with the League, and sort of feel rejected. This causes Speedy to initially leave the team, although I’m sure that he’ll pop back up in the later part of the season. Anyways while the League go off on another mission, the young heroes decide to investigate a fire at a research lab, in hopes that they will find something that will please their teachers. Of course in typical comic fashion this lab is a front for some diabolical experiments that is being operated by an unknown group of people who call themselves “The Light”. Here we see Robin, Kid Flash, and Aqualad face off against some creatures known as “Geomorphs” and also stumble upon a top-secret project called “Project Kr”. Here we get introduced to Superboy, who is known to be the clone of Superman. After our young heroes rescue Superboy and have what I call the final boss fight, we see the whole Justice League confront them for their “misbehaving” and realize that instead of punishing them, they will instead form a small task force being guided by Batman to run whatever missions he feels fit for them. In the end we are introduced to a new member of the Young Justice team, Miss Martian.
All in all I loved the two episodes that I had watched. The writing is top notch, it made me feel that I was watching the very comics that I read when I was a kid and still read today in animated form. The animation is amazing as well, following the traditional animation that has been used in the DC Universe original movies that have been previously been released like Batman: Under The Red Hood and Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths. Now most people who have watched past DC animated projects like fellow Shockblast collaborator Rich, might miss the old Bruce Timm style of animation from the classic Batman, Superman and Justice League animated shows from the 90′s and early 2000′s but should be at ease with the great animation on this new show. I for one cannot wait until January of 2011 when the series will resume it’s regular schedule, and I cannot wait too see who else pops up in this show. The material that they have to work with is immense and I hope that this show will go on with great success like previous DC shows have. Also to note that in the cover picture on the top of this article, there is another female character on the bottom left corner. That character’s name is Artemis and has yet made an appearance in the show, but looks like she’ll be a great addition to the team.
Below are a few trailers and behind the scenes on this new show that I hope you will check out and enjoy. You can catch this starting back up in January 2011 on The Cartoon Network.