Facelift: YOUNG JUSTICE
By Robert Smith and Robert Nunez

It's a book about the youngest heroes in the DC Universe.

Robin. Superboy. Impulse. WonderGirl. Arrowette. The Secret.

Some are almost household names. Some are far less recognizable. It's a classic team which many might call the JLA Jr. These are kids that deserve some amount of respect, despite their youth. Some classic teen angst thrown in with some great lessons they would need to learn in order to eventually take the place of their mentors as the cornerstones of the fictional world they call home.

So why are they being played for cheap laughs?

Unfortunately, what we have with Young Justice thus far is a bunch of poorly planned sight-gags and dated 90's in-jokes, with an endless amount of bad puns and even worse storylines. I can understand the need for a slightly humorous tone to the book, but writer Peter David's taste on what is funny is exactly what it should be -that of a middle-aged man. Not exactly in tune with the characters he's supposed to be writing.

All in all, it's disappointing. I expected a lot from this book when I heard it was coming out... and was even feeling my disappointment after the third issue. I usually give new books at least 5 to convince me. 3. That's all it took. I had enough of Todd Nauck's blocky stiff art style (particularly on a character as allegedly at hyperkinetic as Impulse). I had enough of Peter David's obvious (and failed) attempts to be young and hip. I had enough of the mistreatment and mismanagement of some of my favorite characters.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those oversensitive types on Usenet or posting boards bitching about the Legion of Super-Heroes reboot, or sighing wistfully for pre-crisis days, or anal-retentively recalling the first time Mister Terrific fought Senor Poopypants and what issue. That's just not me. I just could tell I didn't like the way things are going... so I had to leave.

Which brings me to where I am today. Yes. I have bought a few issues, and things seem to be going slightly better in the poor writing/art department. I admit to having been intrigued by a few ideas Mr. David presented... but why did it take so long? 19 issues? Shoot, most series that have started off much better (Case in point, Hourman or Aztek) have been cancelled or at least rumored with cancellation much earlier before the point where YJ is. And still it goes on.

The Cheese: Fite-n-Madd (a team of government agents who antagonize YJ), Mighty Endowed (another antagonist, who seems only to exist to serve up copious heaps of Boob jokes), the Hugga-Tuga-Thuggees cult (a seriously bad combination of Tellatubbies, and the Indian Thugee cult)... the list goes on... and on...

Which is why Young Justice would be at the top of my list, given any DC book to revamp and revitalize.

Step one: New Writer- Peter David is a well-repected author, a big name with years and years of writing under his belt and long runs on books like The Hulk, which went well beyond expectations and saved the book from dismal sales. The tone on just about any book he writes is slightly zany, with a heavy influence on characterization, and interpersonal relationships, with a large supporting cast. All in all, a good choice for any book right?

Wrong.

Enter someone like Joe Casey (Mr. Majestic), or Geoff Johns (JSA, Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.) who seem to have a more... hip (for lack of a better word) vernacular, and more cutting edge ideas about what the young people our hero's age are really like. Also a great example of the style I'd look for is John Arcudi's run on Gen13. I know it sounds age-ist, and I've been accused of worse, but I believe that David's cornball humor really leaves me groaning. Is this what DC really thinks it's teen heroes are all about? No. They shouldn't. YJ's members all get more respect in their respective titles (those that have them) and should be at least consistent in how they act in them. Mr. Johns in particular seems to have a great idea of what heroes their age are like. Just check out Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. if you don't believe me.

Step two: New Artist- As stated before, I've seen huge improvements in Todd Nauck's artistry since he started on YJ. Either that... or I've grown used to his style, but I still don't think the characters are best served by his style. I'd say that someone's needed with a little more fluid art style, someone who can show more action, more expression... these are teens we're talking about. Easily, Lee Moder (Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.) or Tom Grummett (Superboy) would fit into the role nicely. Gary Frank (Gen13) would be another nice choice. Any of them have that sort of pizzazz that might add a little more excitement to the art department, something this book deserves to have.

Step three: New direction. Okay, enough silliness. Fun is fun, and there's nothing wrong with it every once in a while, but when it really comes down to it... these guys are supposed to be an example for teens everywhere. They should know that. They all take themselves much more seriously when solo. Now, I think a light-toned book is perfectly fine, but these kids have some serious responsibilities to deal with. They're not goofballs. Lighten tension with some humor, but don't have the villains or situations themselves be absurd... at least not if you want to retain any kind of modicum of respect this characters might have in the future.

Relationships. Juggling the life of being a teen with being a hero. Clothes. Cliques. Dating. Sex. Saving the world and trying to be home before bedtime. Schoolwork. Homework. Parents. Respect. Living up to your expectations. Trying to have a little fun in the process. Growing up. These are the things I want to see from Young Justice. Things it's sorely lacking in it's current run.

C'mon DC! Give 'em a chance! After all, these children are your future.

Robert Smith and Robert Nunez are first time contributors to PopImage.

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