Review: Young Justice #18
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writers: Brian Michael Bendis and David Walker
Artists:Â Scott Godlewski
Colorist:Â Gabe Eltabe
Letterer:Â Wes Abbott
Reviewer:Â Tony Farina
Summary
At last, the coolest couple in the DCU gets the spotlight! Tim Drake and Stephanie Brown have sacrificed so much. For each other. For their families. For Young Justice. Now, Tim and Stephanie must take control of their destinies as Young Justice gathers together to help overcome their criminal pasts!
Positives
Young Justice #18 does something that I have been needing for a long time. It puts Stephanie Brown and Tim Drake front and center. Honestly, it is amazing. I hope this is a backdoor pilot for a future book. Also, Young Justice #18 finally ends the Drake persona and there was much rejoicing. I did love the meta commentary about the name that took hold in this whole series. That was funny. In fact, this book was really funny. For the first time in a while, I felt this book had jokes that landed. Cluemaster could easily be named douchemaster, so that plays really well here.
This book just flies by the art is frenetic and captures Spoiler’s mania. There are a few splash pages that are well placed and they hold the perfect amount of both action and story. That is aces. The colors pop off the page. Steph’s costume begs to be be colored boldly and Eltabe goes bold. Let us take a peek together shall we?
Negatives
Young Justice #18 suffers from what a lot of this entire series has suffered. You have to read a bunch of other books to know what is going on. Here’s the thing. This book, could and should be a stand alone, amazing work. It has always been too bloated with characters and plots that connect to other books. I am not sure if that is part of why this series is ending soon, but it didn’t help.
Verdict
Young Justice #18 should remind readers why Spoiler and Robin need to have their own book (again). There is nothing better than Tim and Steph on a case. They are the DC power couple we all want and deserve. I know I already mentioned it, but the Drake name is finally done. The suit was amazing, no doubt, but seriously, the smartest person in the DCU would not name himself after himself. OK. I am done talking about it forever now.
