Review: Young Justice #14
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writers: Brian Michael Bendis and David Walker
Artists: John Timms and Michael Avon Oeming
Colorist: Gabe Eltabe
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Reviewer: Tony Farina
Summary
Now that Young Justice has figured out who the bad guys are, it’s time to bring the fight to S.T.A.R. Labs’ front door! But the combined forces of Dial H for Hero, the Wonder Twins, Naomi, and the entire Young Justice roster may not be enough to defeat these evil scientists. It’s time to call in some super-powered backup…the new Young Justice! Plus, how will Superman revealing his secret identity affect Conner Kent?
Positives
Young Justice #14 has an appearance from Stephanie Brown. I have always been a huge fan of the Spoiler. I think her chemistry with Tim has always been great. Any chance to have them together is a good thing. Tim Drake is my favorite Robin…er Drake. Wait. It is just good to have Tim around. Impulse is fun and the way some of his speed force shenanigans are drawn in this issue is really, really good.
Negatives
Group comics always struggle with finding a focus. This group, this super duper mega group is really all over the place. You know how you say, “there were too many villains in that movie” where there are simply too many villains in the movie? Well, this book has too many heroes. Who should I follow? About whom should I care? I think I am supposed to care about Conner, but am I?
The dialogue is a bit over the top. There is already too much happening in this book. Don’t fill in every single panel with exposition. We can see what is happening.
Also, I am sure there is a reason for having multiple artists in the same book, but that also doesn’t work. We shouldn’t need the costume to identify a character from page to page. The art is good in both instances, but I just like consistency.
Verdict
This is overly ambitious and it doesn’t land. Team comics don’t mean a whole marching band. Titans always worked best with fewer Titans. Justice League works best when we follow a handful of characters who, in theory are in on this adventure for now will be off doing something else later. This is just an unmanageable cast of really great characters who never have a time to shine. Add in the rest of Wonder comics and you have a mess. Tim Drake deserves better.
