The first series of Brian Michael Bendis’s new DC imprint, Wonder Comics, has arrived. “Young Justice” #1 brings Brian Michael Bendis and Patrick Gleason together again, after working together on “Action Comics.” This issue promises to be both an exciting return of old character and a perfect place for new readers to jump on. Luckily, it succeeds at being both of those things, while still being a ton of fun. Check out the rest of our review for more thoughts!
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by Patrick Gleason
Colored by Alejandro Sanchez
Lettered by DC Lettering
Superboy! Wonder Girl! Robin! Impulse! Amethyst! They’re all united in YOUNG JUSTICE #1, the debut issue of a brand-new series that also introduces new heroes Teen Lantern and Jinny Hex!When the nightmare dimension known as Gemworld invades Metropolis, these teen heroes reunite to deal with the situation—but they’re shocked to discover the battle may be the key to the return of Conner Kent, a.k.a. Superboy! This mix of fan favorites and new legacy heroes will be the center point for some of the biggest goings-on at DC! As if that weren’t enough, Bendis reunites with all-star artist Patrick Gleason (SUPERMAN, ACTION COMICS, GREEN LANTERN CORPS) to bring the new heroes of DC’s Wonder Comics to life!
“Young Justice” #1 is a breath of fresh air. With many of DC’s comics recently having returned to a more dour, dark world view, this is an issue that goes in the entirely opposite direction. I don’t know if there is a better word to describe “Young Justice” #1 than joyful. This first issue presents a return of old characters who have been missing from DC’s lineup, and a introduces new characters, all at a breakneck pace, while never once feeling like it’s rushed. This first issue is just an absolute blast.
In large part, that is thanks to Brian Michael Bendis’s writing. Over the last half-year, it’s been fun watching Bendis’s work on the Superman titles, trying to look for if there were any changes to his writing from the move between publishers. He is an author that is known for a number of stylistic ticks, and it has been interesting seeing which of those he has brought with him from marvel, and which he has left behind.
One of those he has most certainly brought with him, is how much dialogue he includes in every issue. “Young Justice” #1 is no exception to this. There are parts of this issue where the characters talk a lot. But the issue somehow never feels like it is too wordy. This isn’t Bendis filling the issue with walls of text. It’s him doing what he is able to do like no ne else, making characters talk and feel like real people.
This issue does, though, avoid one of his more annoying stylistic ticks, where all of his characters end up sounding the same. This is something Bendis has also been doing on his Superman books to great effect. In those books, Superman doesn’t sound like any character Bendis’s has written before. And in this issue, he has tapped into some of that same energy. These are not just carbon copies of Bendis’s generic teen voice. Every one of the characters in “Young Justice” #1 feels distinct, which is a big part of why Bendis’s banter in this issue works so well.
Another part is that Bendis is willing to step aside and let Patrick Gleason be the star of the show when it is his time to. Gleason’s work in this issue is so charming, and a main reason why this issue feels so joyful. He gives every character an energy, both when they’re fighting and why they’re just existing in the world, that makes them feel real. And, almost more importantly, makes them feel like young adults. The body language of Gleason’s characters is, like Bendis’s voices, individualized for each of the characters. Each of them moves in distinct, yet youthful ways. It makes the whole issue a joy to just look at.
Alejandro Sanchez colors Gleason’s work perfectly. The joy and energy of Gleason’s lines are heightened by the Sanchez’s bright, beautiful colors. The main antagonists of this issue are from Gemworld, and Sanchez brings the proper amount of vibrant pinks and purples to the enemies, that even the villains in this issue are bright and beautiful.
Continued belowLuckily, the plot of this issue is just as fun as the art for it. This is a first issue for a team book, which is always a bit of a daunting task. Especially when the team needs to be reassembled. So much time is usually spent in these first issue figuring how to maneuver all of pieces of the puzzle into the right place, that on books like this it can often take the entire first arc for a team to come together. By the end of “Young Justice” #1, though, the entire team is in order. What’s more, while many comics pitch themselves as being both good for new and old readers, this is one that actually achieves that. For long time fans of these characters and this team, this is a welcome return. But for people who know nothing about these characters, it will still work just as well.
“Young Justice” #1 is a first issue that is firing on all cylinders. It’s a team book that wastes no time putting its team together, that goes out of its way to be fun and joyful, while exuding a fantastic energy. If this is a sign of things to come for the Wonder Comics imprint, then the other books under this imprint are something to watch. But, even if not, “Young Justice” #1 is a book that anyone looking for superhero comics to be a bit more fun should be reading.
Final Verdict: 8.0 – “Young Justice” #1 sees Bendis and Gleason at their best, making a joyful, exciting first issue.
