Young Justice: Targets #1
Scheduled to arrive in stores: July 26, 2022
Cover date: September 2022
“Cherry Gig”
Writer: Greg Weisman
Artist: Christopher Jones
Cover: Christopher Jones and Jason Wright
Variant Covers: Meghan Hetrick, Travis Mercer and Arif Prianto
Reviewed by: Tony Parker
At The Outsider’s base, the Premiere Building in Hollywood, California, Garth “Gar” Logan/Beast Boy is seen reminiscing over his past relationship with Perdita Vladeq, Queen of Vlatava. Courtney Whitmore/Stargirl thinks that maybe this isn’t the best mission for his comeback, but Gar is adamant on him and the rest of The Outsiders (Conner Kent/Superboy, Tara Markov/Terra, Cassandra “Cassie” Sandsmark/Wonder Girl, and Victor Stone/Cyborg) saving the Queen.
Two days earlier, we see the events that transpired: Queen Perdita arrived at Star City for an economic conference, an embassy dinner, and a tour of S.T.A.R Labs, and to ensure her protection, Bowhunter Security were hired. Roy Harper/Arsenal, Will Harper/Red Arrow, Jim Harper, and Harlan Matthews/Clayface are all present, and while Roy doesn’t seem to be taking it too seriously, Will takes it personally.
Meanwhile, at Markovburg’s prison, Werner Vertigo/Count Vertigo arranges an escape for him and his henchmen, and leaves with nary a problem.
Back at S.T.A.R Labs, Perdita reveals that the lab’s board of directors want to open a facility in Vlatavastok, and that she wants to see what they have to offer. After a pleasant introduction to Dr. Sterling Roquette (who reveals she too shops at Forever Sixteen), Oliver Queen/Green Arrow, and Dinah Lance/Black Canary, the place is suddenly attacked by Vertigo’s armored soldiers, who had saved him from the prison as stated before.
Despite valiant efforts, the heroes are taken out, and Perdita is kidnapped. Will swears to make it right.
In a flashback to ten years earlier, it is then revealed why Will is so heavily involved: He had failed to save Perdita’s father thanks to Lawrence “Crusher” Crock/Sportsmaster, and feels he cannot fail her again…
To Be Continued…
Story – 3: I will admit, I am not too familiar with the Young Justice series, and yet this is my second Young Justice run (of sorts). Well, that’s not true, I DO know quite a few details, and have seen many clips of Season 1, but I have yet to sit down and really watch it, though I am planning to!
So admittedly, this was a little different to review, as I didn’t know all the baggage (first I’m hearing of all the clone business!), but, the measure of a good book is if it grabs you despite unfamiliarity, as a man from the other publisher would say. And, to this book’s credit, I am quite intrigued! While technically not yet about the titular team, as we mostly followed Will Harper, and the only member of the team currently in the book is Arsenal, it felt a lot more, well, of a story than whatever Bendis was doing two years ago.
The plot is quite simple: Kidnapped queen, old hero with regrets on said kidnap victim, and the beginning of a rescue mission. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it IS interesting. Having no knowledge of this Red Arrow, I still want to see him succeed, and want to see what Count Vertigo wants. It helps that I have a soft spot for Green Arrow’s corner of the DC universe, so it’s fun to see this story not be overrun by, say, Batman characters.
Yes, it is a little odd to review this for the Superman Homepage when all but one Superman character appears, and he has no lines, but hey, it counts, and for my money, even with no knowledge of the show, you can enjoy this! Tie-ins are so rare these days too, and with the current WB… Controversy, so to speak, it might be worthwhile supporting this book to keep Young Justice afloat.
Art – 3: Nothing amazing, feels quite Cartoon Network tie in (fittingly). I liked the flashback art, though, quite different to the book’s main art!
Cover Art – 3: A little too busy, but there’s something to be said for the lack of such covers, as at least it has some actual words on it, something I feel is missing from many comics covers. I do REALLY like the target symbol on Perdita, and her angry expression, evocative!
Variant Textless Cover Art – 2: It’s just the same, but without the text I just praised, so…
Variant Cover Art – 4: My kind of cover if it is to have no text. A picture speaks a thousand words, and Sportsmaster’s face on the glass shards that Red Arrow just shattered speaks to how his actions will forever glance at Will, even if he lands his punches.
Variant Cover Art – 2: Ah yes, generic and misleading! Sure, Green Arrow, Black Canary and Clayface ARE in this story, but last I checked this is about Young Justice. Less of these unnecessary “collector’s items” please. Personally, I would have preferred referencing the other plot of the issue by showing Beast Boy and Perdita’s couple pictures, perhaps with a foreboding shadow or a teardrop coating the photos.
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