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Mild Mannered Reviews - "Young Justice" Comics

Young Justice #5

Young Justice #5

Scheduled to arrive in stores: June 22, 2011

Cover date: August 2011

"What's The Story?"

Writer: Art Baltazar & Franco
Penciller: Christopher Jones
Inker: Christopher Jones
Cover: Mike Norton & Alex Sinclair

Reviewed by: Adam Dechanel

Click to enlarge



Wally is bored out of his mind. Without a mission, the Mount can be a boring place so when he spots Megan pouring over a book he swiftly interrupts and convinces her to join him for a night by a fire, roasting marshmallows.

At super speed he returns with all the shopping for what he is thinking will be a romantic night, however Megan mistook his flirtations and has invited Dick, Superboy and Kaldur along for a camping trip!

Now obviously with a gang of fourteen year olds out in the dead of night, eating excessive amounts of sugar, sitting by a roaring fire... stories have to be told and they can't resist.

First is Kaldur.

At the age of twelve, young Kaldur began studying at the conservatory of sorcery in the Atlantean capital of Poseidonis where Queen Mera was the headmistress. After two years a horrible day came when Ocean Master and his cohorts attacked and almost killed King Orin.

Kaldur and his best friend, Garth intervened, using their manipulation of magic to distract Ocean Master long enough for Orin to fight back and save the day. That day Orin realized he could no longer fight the never ending battle alone. He couldn't be King Orin in Atlantis AND Aquaman on land. His land bound friends, Batman and Green Arrow had also taken on apprentices so looking to Mera's students he offered the possibility of a protege of his own.

The promise of adventure was too much to resist, leaving his love Tula and friend, Garth. Kaldur became Aqualad.

Next was Wally.

He told how years ago, Jay Garrick was in a freak accident that made him the first Flash, a hero for the 40s and 50s. Years later, a young fan emulates his hero and recreates the accident that Jay was in so he could be just like his hero and one night, it does and The Flash of the Justice League is born.

One day Wally stumbled upon his uncle's private journals and realized he was The Flash. Unlike Green Arrow, Batman and Aquaman, Flash was adamant he would never have a partner. 'No' was not in Wally's dictionary and he too set up an identical explosion to give him the abilities of a speedster.

Though it was a delayed reaction Wally did become a speedster and much to his uncle's reluctance (though he doesn't tell his friends this!) he became Kid Flash.

Robin, who cheekily mocks each and every origin is torn down a strip or two by Wally. They have been willing to reveal at least some of their history but his mentor wont even allow him to share his own name. Some prospective leader of the team, if he can't even trust his friends with his secrets.

Last but not least is Superboy.

As the boys were there they already know about Cadmus and the G. Gnomes, but Megan has to keep on probing, asking about memories. Superboy looks up from the fire and tells them he didn't start thinking for himself until he was rescued.

Now all that he thinks about is destroying... SUPERMAN.

To Be Continued...

4Story - 4: So here we get something that many fans had been asking for since Young Justice was announced. A secret origins issue looking at the story behind the team. Not a lot is really offered to be honest but the retooling works tremendously well. Wally is careful not to reveal his uncle's identity and completely revamped Aqualad offers his animated origin for the first time ever. The best parts for me however were the character scenes. Megan's naivety, Wally's lust, Dick's crankiness, Kaldur's sense of adventure and Superboy's rage all offer fantastic insights. This title continues to deliver fantastic standalone/accompanying stories to the show.

4Art - 4: The art, as ever is atmospheric and very in tune with the series. Sometimes the inking can seem a little heavy but possibly that's due to the contrast between the scene in the Mount and the exterior at the campsite.

3Cover Art - 3: A great cover that illustrates the themes of the story very well, though maybe making it out to be spookier than it really is.


Mild Mannered Reviews

2011

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

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