Young Justice #2: The Pantheon of the Gods

Young Justice #2 picks up right where we left off in their debut issue, following Wonder Girl as she rounds up the lost members on Gemworld!

To begin, this comic can easily be read as a three “act” story following Wonder Girl’s attempts to bring the team back together after being transported and lost on Gemworld. While it starts off particularly strong and ends with a bang, the middle act interrupts this pacing with a dialogue-filled explanation featuring Wonder Girl and her grandfather Zeus. While the answers provided in their conversation make it arguably necessary for the story, it ends up feeling just a little too convenient.

On the bright side, Teen Lantern and Jenny Hex make a great impression by proving to be truly original and interesting. The two paired up make for a stark contrast in both technology and personality, but it left me hoping to see more of them both in the future. Just after Wonder Girl manages to get them up and searching for the others, however, they are struck by Robin riding a battle unicorn with Amethyst not far behind.

This unlikely formation of the team actually works really well, and while I want everyone together immediately, I also know Superboy and Kid Flash are next on the roster at just the right time. These highly anticipated stories can fall prey to slowing down around the third issue as narrative devices begin to weigh on the pacing, but Young Justice seems to be positioning itself to remain consistently compelling.

The artistic direction is undoubtedly among the most impressive from DC’s current titles. Even as the story slows down, you can’t help but linger on each panel. As it turns spectacular towards the end, especially with the introduction of Lord Opal of Gemworld, the visuals leave a lasting impression with outstanding quality.

It is also worth noting that Young Justice #2 continues the unlikely formation of the team by focusing primarily on the women, and the many incredible talents they bring to the table. Robin, the only male member included, hilariously just crashes into Jenny’s truck. His contribution may have been a bit inconvenient, but it emphasizes the series’ willingness to show the women as both leaders and “the muscle”.