Phoenician writes...

So . . . earlier this week (1/19/2011) I picked up and read Young Justice #0. (sigh) I'm still waiting to hear the release dates for Mecha-Nation #2 or #3, so I was happy to pick a comic written by (well you, lol) Greg Weisman & (Spec Spidey's) Kevin Hopps :) Anyways, without further delay,

*** Young Justice #0 SPOILERS BELOW!***

My continuing caveat with these Young Justice reviews is that I barely know a lick of DC lore. Frankly, it was Spectacular Spider-Man that most effectively introduced me to the Marvel Universe, despite me watching/reading other Marvel properties years earlier.

So if there's any inside jokes/easter eggs/homages here, I'm not likely to notice them.

Nevertheless, from the moment I read the first page, I was immediately pulled into the story. Maybe it was because I saw the two-part premiere, but even if that's the case, I don't think accessibility will be an issue for this DC newbie.

Anyways, this comic takes place between the last two scenes of "Independence Day" Part II . . . July 5th to July 8th. It really is perfect timing this issue came out this week, just days after Part II re-aired, and a couple of days before the new episode goes on the air.

The first couple and last few pages transition between television-to-comic and comic-to-television with such ease, I'm kinda wondering if both were written at the same time. ;)

Anyways, onto the story . . . this one mostly focuses on Kid Flash and him taking in the stray . . . you know, Superboy.

I am definitely reminded of the awkward moments Superman realized he has a clone, and that abandonment feeling lurks everywhere Supey goes, starting at Kid Flas-, er, Wally's home in Central City.

After a day of vegging in front of television (I'm gonna guess that Wally was giving Superboy a crash-course on pop culture), Kid Flash gets a letter from Batman (without crushing Superman's hope that it might have been Superman looking out for him) with a cash card dedicated to Superboy's "expenses." They make their way to the mall and 'Forever Sixteen' to get Superboy something to wear that isn't a solar suit . . . I smiled when Superboy only bought black shirts, justifying the classic cartoon trope of wearing the same thing every episode.

Unlike Aqualad or Robin (who are either patrolling in the ocean or stuck at the Wayne Mansion), it doesn't take long for Kid Flash and Superboy to find trouble, aka the Terror Twins, Tommy & Tuppence Terror. They seem the particularly physical sort for simply robbing a jewelery store, but it doesn't take long for Kid Flash and Superboy to get them away from their appointed hostages and well, the mall.

But before things really heat up, the Terror Twins get timid and make tracks (tee hee) . . . and not to Kid Flash and Supey's credit. We're treated to the Flash and Superman, who treat the duo with news that Batman has made his decision as well as another moment of silence (though not as awkward) from Superman.

Todd Jensen revealed to me that the names Tommy & Tuppence were also used for a husband & wife detective duo in a few Agatha Christie novels. As previously mentioned, I wouldn't know the level of coincidence/homage in this factoid, but I find it interesting enough to worth sharing :)

All in all, a fun issue, and I gotta say, I'm liking the friendship that's developing between Kid Flash and Superboy, which was short of getting hostile when the two originally met in the two-parter -- now, Kid Flash is giving Superboy a 'bro' punch on the shoulder . . . and immediately regretting it. d:

Can't wait for the -- (check issue number) -- um, first issue (as well as you and Kevin's return as writers later in the series)!

***Young Justice #0 SPOILERS ABOVE ***

Todd Jensen writes...

This is an oddball little notion that I've had for some time. I think it's more likely to remain a daydream than a serious project to be contemplated (except maybe for Gargoyles fans in the UK), but I thought I'd share it with you, just for the fun of it.

A "GARGOYLES" TOUR OF SCOTLAND.

This hypothetical tour would visit various places in Scotland connected with "Gargoyles". Among these:

EDINBURGH: Duncan's home in "City of Stone", and also the present site of the Stone of Destiny (or at least, *a* Stone of Destiny). Edinburgh Castle would definitely be on the sights list there, including the Stone.

LOCH NESS: The stop would include a visit to the ruins of Urquart Castle (since it's most likely the real-world original of the ruined castle over Sevarius's base in "Monsters").

SCONE: The original home of the Stone of Destiny while it was in Scotland, of course - and we know from "Once Upon a Time There Were Three Brothers" that there was once a gargoyle clan here as well.

GLAMIS CASTLE: Castle Moray's probably fictional, but Glamis Castle, often linked to Macbeth and Duncan in the popular imagination, would make a good equivalent for it. While the castle itself post-dates Macbeth's reign, of course, Maol Chalvim (or Malcolm II) is said to have died here (it was a hunting lodge in his day), and - even better - there's a hill nearby called Hunter's Hill! (Glamis Castle also has a number of colorful tales associated with it, such as the rumors of a monster - actually a deformed member of the family that owned the castle - hidden in a secret chamber.)

ARBROATH ABBEY: On the list, because of its role in "Rock of Ages" (and being the site of the Declaration of Arbroath adds to its attractiveness).

STIRLING: I added Stirling to my list after I found out that "Sruighlea", after which the gargoyle cell slaughtered by Gillecomgain and Constantine was named, is Gaelic for "Stirling". Also, Bannockburn (whose battle in 1314 also featured in "Rock of Ages") was fought nearby, making it a good base from which to visit the battlefield. And Stirling has a few good sights, such as a couple of castles.

While I don't see this as being more than just a pleasant imagining for most American fans at present, I found the notion appealing, and thought you might enjoy reading about it as well.

Todd Jensen writes...

I recently bought a copy of Dan Rosa's "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck". The first chapter had the young Scrooge, as a boy in Scotland, learn about many of the deeds of his McDuck ancestors in Scottish history; one of them, Sir Quackly McDuck, fought for Macbeth in the "civil war of 1057" and was rewarded for his services with a large treasure chest (unfortunately, while walling it up in his castle to keep it safe, he accidentally walled himself in with it).

I thought you'd like to know that someone else at Disney's been working on early Scottish history (other MacDucks were connected to Hadrian's Wall, Kenneth mac Alpin, Malcolm II, and the Battle of Hastings).

Todd Jensen writes...

In the first two parts of "City of Stone", Duncan, while not yet King, often acts as though he already had royal authority. He appoints Gillecomgain to the post of High Steward of Moray, with no sign of having consulted his grandfather Maol Chalvim first. He also has the power to force a marriage between Gruoch and Gillecomgain, with Bodhe saying that it would be high treason to deny Duncan's wishes on the matter. In fact, he appears in the first two parts of "City of Stone" to be king in all but name, despite the fact that he doesn't become King of Scotland until two years after the events in "City of Stone Part Two". Do you have any thoughts on this?

Todd Jensen writes...

In "Avalon Part One", Maol Chalvim displays strong suspicions towards Constantine in his conversation with Kenneth. While Constantine's subsequent actions (murdering Kenneth and seizing the throne) show Maol Chalvim's suspicions to be justified, I can't help also remembering what you said about how Maol Chalvim would himself usurp the throne from Kenneth III ten years later. Was Maol Chalvim's attitude towards Constantine intended, in part, to be one based on "I suspect him of plotting treachery, because that's what I'd do in his place?" (a la Elisa's remark in "Protection" about how the corrupt are always readiest to believe that others can be corrupted)?