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Mild Mannered Reviews - "Young Justice" Comics

Young Justice #11

Young Justice #11

Scheduled to arrive in stores: December 21, 2011

Cover date: February 2012

"The Pit"

Writer: Greg Weisman
Penciller: Christopher Jones
Inker: Dan Davis
Cover: Christopher Jones

Reviewed by: Adam Dechanel

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The team arrive at The Mount eager for a mission only to be turned down by Red Tornado, missions after all are Batman's delegation.

Kid Flash takes note but points out both Batman AND Robin are doing their own mission. The dynamic duo are at Cape Canaveral and taking down Ra's Al Ghul's goons. The mission is to get to the rocket's nose and disable it or prevent the rocket from launching. Ubu, Talia and the henchmen are proving to be a difficult wall to penetrate. Robin is able to use a fuel tanker and its hose to catch out Ubu but before Batman can get to the rocket he is faced by on/off lover, Talia, who is aiding her father. Tormented by her love for her father and Bruce she allows Batman to continue and via grappling cable he's able to get to the rocket's nose where he finds a diamond lens.

Ra's is waiting for Batman and reveals the lens would enable control and focus of a satellite, converting it into a colossal laser scalpel. Batman's ability to get villains to talk at length works in his favor even when Ra's reveals he can bypass the countdown and use a remote to launch the rocket. Had Robin not been there it may have worked. Robin WAS there however and he nimbly removes the diamond lens hurling it to the ground. Ra's screams and launches after the lens only to die at his daughter's feet miles below. Batman looks down and catches the glare of Talia. Ra's death was Batman's fault and she allowed it to happen. Ubu retrieves Ra's body and urges them to return home where the Lazarus Pit could return life to their master's corpse.

An emergency alert interrupts the dark mood, Red Tornado emits an emergency beacon message, a member of the 'family' has died. While Batman and Robin were stopping Ra's, the team had been forced into action without them, a mission they FAILED. Kent Nelson, also known as Doctor Fate, was killed in action. As the League and the covert team mourn, Green Arrow arrives to place Artemis under arrest for her actions during the mission.

At Infinity Island, Ra's rises from his pit refreshed. He coldly instructs for 'The Serpent' to be prepared. Talia protests but Ra's is adamant. He admits their work with 'The Light' might not lead to The Serpent's activation but heads up into his castle.

As Talia turns to follow a wail comes from the pit. "TALIAAAAAA!"

Out climbs Ra's, then almost as suddenly he becomes Talia then a slimy puddle of mud, then a beast of clay - CLAYFACE!

To Be Continued...

2Story - 2: This is the first time I've had to heavy heartedly rate this book low. The reasons are obvious and yet I'm still torn. I hate that this was predominantly a Batman story with little to no Young Justice in it. Part of the book's previous strength is that the reader needn't have to have seen an episode of the series to enjoy the book and vice versa - they enhanced one another but could be separate. This issue was the opposite. I craved the team and really all we had was one panel addressing the arrest of Artemis (I won't reveal why to those that haven't seen the show). The climax too was one that seemed to jump the shark - Clayface was in the Lazarus Pit? What!? (Again - I won't reveal why to those that haven't seen the show). It does promise a 'To Be Continued', so perhaps there will be a redemption but this issue was a disappointment.

5Art - 5: The art is nothing short of brilliant this issue! Batman and Red Tornado look a little short and tubby in some panels but perhaps that's skewed perspective. I love that the look of the show is married to the look of the book. Love it.

5Cover Art - 5: Ra's looks spectacular, evil & powerful! Batman and Robin rightly look like they are in for trouble! Shame the team aren't there to make it look even better.


Mild Mannered Reviews

2012

Note: Month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

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