Even as Young Justice, the newest animated series based in DC’s Justice League lore, continues to improve with each episode, it becomes clear that it will likely never reach the same level as Batman: The Animated Series or Justice League. However, it makes sense. The relationships in Young Justice lack the same maturity and depth that Justice League pulled from, and like the enemies, the heroes feel like knock-offs of the originals more than characters unto themselves. It helps that the adults are no longer looming over the youngin’s as much as before, because it now gives the stories a sense of danger, but it also stops constantly reminding us that these aren’t the A-Listers. This is the seventh string whose problems include blending in at high school and fighting off the bad guys without leading them to their safe haven. There’s still more character development here than in most cartoons, and for that we should be grateful, but Young Justice still has a ways to go – both as a show and a fighting force.
But most importantly, these volume releases of the series are a bad value. Wait until the entire season is released. Don’t let them milk you for a few episodes at a time.
The episodes in this set include:
“Bereft” – A Memento-esque episode sees the team awakening in a desert and separated from one another with a gap in their memory as to how they got there and what they were doing.
“Targets” – The Red Arrow pulls bodyguard duty, but in a sort of spy vs. spy scenario – only with two dastardly political figures publicly attempting to have peace talks for nations at war, while privately trying to kill one another.
“Terrors” – In order to prevent an escape plot at the supervillain prison Belle Reve, Superboy and Miss Martian disguise themselves as evil twins and infiltrate the ranks. With no back-up they have to play one side against the next.
“Home Front” – Seemingly all powerful creations with an odd resemblance to the Red Tornado break into the cave and use their powers to subdue the team. Only Robin and Artemis remain free, and they get a renewed appreciation for just how incredible Batman is to keep up with the superpowered Justice League.
DVD Bonus Features
There are none.
"Young Justice: Season 1, Volume 3" is on sale February 21, 2012 and is not rated. Action, Adventure, Animation. Directed by Jay Oliva, Michael Chang. Written by Greg Weisman, Nicole Dubuc, Kevin Hopps. Starring Bruce Greenwood, Danica Mckellar, Jason Spisak, Jesse McCartney, Khary Payton, Nolan North, Stephanie Lemelin.
