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Young Justice: Phantoms
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Karren Toplik writes...
What criteria made you settle on Saturn Girl, Phantom Girl and Chameleon Boy as the three Legionnaires to follow Superboy and Miss Martian? Was it a coincidence that individually they had three of the Martians' stable powers (telepathy, intangibility, shape shifting)? Because I love that!
Greg responds...
We're a spy show, so we're always looking to reinforce that focus, and these seemed like three great spy-oriented Legionnaires. Plus, Phantom Girl got a free pass because of the subtitle of the show this season.
Anonymous writes...
Can you explain the naming system of the Martians? What is considers a proper “Green Martian's Name†and so forth? Please and Thank you!
Greg responds...
We literally just extrapolated from J'onn J'onzz and M'gann M'orzz's names, with the former being a G'arrunn name, and the latter being an A'ashenn name. So you can see there isn't much to distinguish them in our canon that we, as humans, would notice.
Beyond that, we're adapting other DC Martian (and Saturnian) characters to that naming system, i.e. with only a few exceptions. So that's first letter + apostrophe + the rest of the name, with the last letter repeated. For animals, I tried to double vowels with an apostrophe between them, such as Ma'alefa'ak.
Further intricacies, such as why Em'ree J'onzz is considered a G'arrunn name while M'ree M'orzz is considered an A'ashenn name, we're kinda taking on faith. Miss Martian tells us that's the case, and no one - including Em'ree denies it - so we're just going to buy it. M'arzz is a big planet. It's a very intricate system. There would be hundreds of subtleties in naming that we just didn't have the bandwidth to break down any further.
I do wish I had a better answer, but I don't.
Anderson writes...
Hi, Greg. I'm really loving Phantoms so far.
I had a question about the Team's B-designations.
Obviously, the Zeta-Tubes and designations are a very integral part of the show. Prior to Season 1, Dick, Will, Kaldur, and Wally all knew and have fought beside each other.
I find it difficult to imagine they didn't use Zeta-Tubes during that time period, since even Roy knew how to use one (which would seem odd otherwise, considering his brief time as Speedy).
But the B-series was clearly created following the founding of the Team, considering Will's designation is B06, despite him/Roy becoming a hero before Kaldur and Wally.
Since none of them have A-designations, how did the four proteges utilize the tubes during that time, if at all?
Greg responds...
They didn't.
Anonymous writes...
Young Justice Questions for Greg Weisman:
1. Are Superman and Lois Lane currently married, and if so, for how long?
2. When Orm's identity as Ocean-Master, how did Arthur Curry and Mera react to this revelation?
3. After Lady Shiva killed Ocean-Master, where was his body taken to after she quickly cleaned out the house?
4. As of Young Justice Season 4, who is the current leader of the Justice League?
5. Within The Light, what are the designation numbers for Ultra-Humanite and Zviad Baazovi?
Greg responds...
1. Yes.
1a. No spoilers.
2. How do you think?
3. No spoilers.
4. It's still Black Lightning. He offered to continue on to follow through on some initiatives he had started. And the membership of the League voted him a second term.
5. The Light doesn't really have in-universe designation numbers. But I guess their out of universe designations are L-11 and L-12, respectively.
Verdragon writes...
Is there a particular reason that Atlantean and Martian magic look more similar to one another than to most of the magic we've seen being used by humans?
Greg responds...
Do they? I hadn't noticed that.
Anonymous writes...
Hello Mr. Weisman,
I was shocked by the third episode of "Young Justice: Phantoms" because the Bio-Ship is retiring so that it can live out its final years on Mars, and that was truly heart-breaking. Just exactly how old is the Bio-Ship anyway and what will happen to it once it dies?
Greg responds...
Bio-Ship was "born" in Team Year Zero, so she's about ten years old. I think you can imagine what happens when she dies, and if you can't... no spoilers. But to be clear, no one said she was dying. Just retiring.
Anonymous writes...
Mr. Weisman,
In the third season of Young Justice, the first letters of each episode title ended up spelling out the message, "Prepare the Anti-Life Equation." For the current fourth season, is it safe to assume that you've come up with something similar and you expect us to figure out what the message is?
Greg responds...
It's not UN-safe to assume that.
Jesse writes...
I know YJ is available in the US via hbo max. I would like to know how on earth are we going to watch it in the gloomy UK? I’ll really appreciate an answer because you guys have fans worldwide who are missing out.
Greg responds...
Again, I simply don't know. I truly, sincerely wish I had that information. But TPTB do not keep us folks in the trenches informed on international viewing options. I'm really sorry. It's just way above my pay grade.
Anonymous writes...
1. How old is S'yraa S'mitt?
2. How old is Bio-Ship?
3. How old is Fury?
4. How old is Everyman?
5. How old is Chameleon Boy?
Greg responds...
1. S'yraa was born in 1972.
2. Bio-Ship was, um, "born" in 2010.
3. Fury was born in 2003.
4. Everyman was born in 2000.
5. Chameleon Boy is fifteen by the end of Team Year Nine.
Anonymous writes...
1. Green Martian are the majority and Whites are the minority. How many Red Martian exist among the population?
2. What makes the Red Martian the ruling class exactly? Or is it one of those “that’s how it always been†type of situation?
Greg responds...
1. There are fewer B'lahdenns than A'ashenns.
2. Historically, the B'lahdenn conquered to rule. (Centuries ago.)
B writes...
Em'ree's last name being spelled J'onnz instead of J'onzz in the credits is a typo, right? In the captions, it's spelled correctly as J'onzz, like her uncle.
Greg responds...
Yes. I'm embarrassed that got by me. It's J'onzz. Definitely J'onzz.
Hana writes...
Hello, Mr. Greg! So happy that Young Justice Season finally is airing! So exciting to see what’s in store! I love the YJ’s take on Martian society! I have some questions as well.
1. Is there any real distinction that set Red Martian apart from the Green and Whites? Like being stronger or having certain powers?
2. Will we see M’gann’s other siblings in upcoming episodes?
3. Although he only appeared in a few scenes so far, I deeply intrigued by Red Martian Prince J’emm! I think he’s beautiful and his blue eyes piercing! He’s seems like good soul too and displays having a good wit! I have few questions concerning him!
3A. How many siblings does J’emm has?
3B. How old is J’emm, in Martian years and the human equivalent of it? R’ess called him a “boy†and belittles him his youth, so he must be young.
3C. Martian Manhunter is well-trusted by Mars, including J’emm? Does J’emm look up to him?
3E. R’ess mentioned in “Needful†that J’emm was almost married at one point. Will we learn more about that?
Thank you for your time!
Greg responds...
1. Nope. Just pigmentation.
2. No spoilers.
3A. No spoilers.
3B. See my recent answer, and then divide by three to get his human equivalent age.
3C. It seems so.
3D. There was no question 3D.
3E. By now, I would think you have.
Anonymous writes...
1. How old is M'aatt M'orzz?
2. How old is M'comm M'orzz?
3. How old is R'ess E'dda?
4. How old is R'ohh K'arr?
5. How old is S'turnn J'axx?
Greg responds...
1. M'aatt M'orzz was born in 1885.
2. M'comm M'orzz was born in 1968.
3. R'ess E'dda was born in 1935.
4. R'ohh K'arr was born in 1896.
5. S'turnn J'axx was born in 1858.
Anonymous writes...
1. How old is Em'ree J'onnz?
2. How old is J'ann M'orzz?
3. How old is J'arlia J'axx?
4. How old is J'emm J'axx?
5. How old is K'omm B'lanxx?
Greg responds...
1. M'ree M'orzz was born in 1956.
2. J'ann J'onzz was born in 1885.
3. J'arlia was born in 1885.
4. J'emm J'axx was born in 1972.
5. K'omm B'lanxx was born in 1963.
Anonymous writes...
This is a question about the writer's room and your relationship with the writers.
Do you and Brandon develop all of the premises for the episodes yourselves? What if a writer comes to you and says: "I have my own really cool idea for an episode. Can I pitch it to you?" or "I don't know if you guys are planning to bring back Wally or not, but, if you are, I have a really cool scene in mind for Wally's return."
Would this be inappropriate? Is he or she crossing some kind of line? Is he in danger of being fired? Is a writer's job strictly to develop the premises you give her? Or, is there some flexibility to parameters of his job description?
Greg responds...
For the last two seasons, Brandon and I skipped the premise stage entirely, and we broke every episode together on index cards, and I took those cards to outline. Then Brandon, myself and the freelance writers are handed a completed outline. (We have no staff writers on the show, and haven't after season one, for budgetary reasons.) So, no, a writer can't come in and say "I have my own really cool idea for an episode." Freelancers are not in danger of being fired; they simply don't have that opportunity on this series. It's too intricately plotted. They do come on at the outline stage, and we talk through everything and try to stay very open to their ideas for the episode they've been assigned and to the other episodes in the writers room that day. But the story is the story. If they decide to bring Wally back in an episode where we didn't previously plan to bring Wally back, it's simply not going to happen.
But no one ever suggests going that far off book, anyway. That's just not this gig, and that's made clear up front.
Marvelman writes...
Young Justice: Phantoms didn't seem prominent to me at Fandome. In fact, I haven't seen much marketing for the show. I get the impression that the show isn't that important for the folks at DC or HBO. Am I wrong? Am I jumping to conclusions?
Greg responds...
They'd say otherwise.
Will writes...
1. Is Dreamer the New God a more powerful psychic that can get information that normal telepaths can't at least without harming them like she did in her first appearance?
2. What were the Light’s traditions that Ultra Humanite was referring too?
3. Why didn’t the Light dispose of Speedy when they were okay with it for the other sidekicks when they were captured in Cadmus?
4. What was the official reason/cover story that Lex Luthor had held Speedy captive for so long?
5. Could martians have children with humans or atlanteans or
even other aliens?
Greg responds...
1. "More powerful" than whom? I'm not too big on power comparisons. Her powers are different but overlap with other psychics we have in the series.
2. I think he states it fairly clearly in the episode.
3. They thought he might be useful, and by that time there was no fear that his existence would out their clone.
4. I don't understand this question. Cover story for whom?
5. It's a good question... that I'm not going to answer, as any answer could constitute a potential spoiler.
Impetuous_77 writes...
1. How old is Saturn girl?
2. How old is Phantom Girl?
Greg responds...
Assuming they survive to the end of Team Year Ten, they will be...
1. 18
2. 15
Verdragon writes...
What is your favorite episode of each (complete) season of Young Justice so far? Which ones do you think are objectively the best of each season?
Greg responds...
I don't have conclusive or definitive feelings about them in the way you seem to be implying.
I am very fond of Independence Day, Misplaced, Summit, Endgame, Evolution and Overwhelmed. But I honestly love every episode (like a proud papa).
Nick writes...
Hi Greg, I'm glad that Phantoms has premiered now. Almost flipped when hearing we can watch them on HBO Max after the DC Fandome was done. I like how the heroes are not given a big issue to deal with like in the last two seasons. Feels like going back to the first season roots.
Anyway I enjoyed the first two episodes and I have a few questions from them and I can promise that none of them involve spoilers.
1. What's with the iris-change in the Martian eyes? How come J'onn didn't have them when he was on Earth? They look better.
2. Are Harper Row and her brother adopted by Snapper and Beth?
3. One scene I didn't get in "Schooled" was when M'gann formed multiple arms to fight the Monqis and then freaks out after Wally freaks out seeing her with the arms. I don't get it?
4. Is Phil Bourassa not working on the show anymore? I noticed someone else is in charge of character design. Did Dou Hong work under him?
Thank you and till next time.
Greg responds...
1. The iris change allowed them to take in more light on Mars, I believe.
2. Fostered.
3. His reaction startled her.
4. Dou worked as a character designer on Season Three under Phil. Phil moved on after Season Three, and Dou was promoted to Model Supervisor. We also brought back Jerome Moore, who did characters for us during Seasons One and Two, and brought in Austin Reinkins to design with Dou and Rome.
Big Fan writes...
Hi Greg, I love Young Justice so much and I’m so glad that you guys are back for Season 4 and hopefully more. Thank you and your team for all the hard work you have done.
A few questions,
1. I’m a little confused on how the Outsiders work with the Team. I know in season 3 it was said that they are the public squad of the team and report to Miss Martian but it seems like Beast Boy does most of the leading. So are Outsiders members of the Team or are the Outsiders a separate entity?
2. Can members of the Outsiders return to the team and do covert missions or are the not allowed to since they have become public heroes?
3. In Season 4 does the public know the Outsiders are affiliated with the League or is that still a secret?
Thanks so much for taking the time read and answer my question
Greg responds...
1. Well, both, I guess. The Outsiders are autonomous, reporting in Season Three - and until the first few minutes of Season Four - to Beast Boy. But Beast Boy initially reported to Team Leader Miss Martian (and later Tigress), who in turn reported to League Chairperson Aquaman (and later Black Lightning).
2. The two groups tend to stay separate, but overlap can happen situationally, as when Geo-Force joined the Team for their mission to the Orphanage.
3. Secret. Though they know the two groups are friendly.
LoboGuara5bruxaria writes...
Hey Greg, on more than one occassion someone have asked you how strong an average Martian is when compared to a average Atlantean, but you had responded that it is hard to give an straight answer since martians can augment their strength with their shape/denseshifting abilities and telekinesis. So allow me to ask you this:
1) How strong to you think an average Martian is in their... "Biologically Natural*" form without any telekinesis involved when compared to the average Atlantean? I am NOT asking exact numbers of "Y Character is X times stronger/weaker than Z character", but more on a "I think X is a bit stronger/weaker than Z" kind of way.
2) How strong to you think an Average Gargoyle from Gargoyles is when compared to Young Justice's Average Atlantean and "Biologically natural" Martian?
*I say "Biologically Natural" form of Martians (That one of large bipedals with narrow waists and exposed gums) than True Form, since for a species of shapeshifters "true form" would likely be the one they are personally most confortable to stay in. Am I right or wrong on that regard?
Greg responds...
1. These kinds of questions are not really of much interest to me. You're trying to remove all situational criteria, but life is entirely situational. I guess by the terms you're using that Atlanteans are stronger than Martians. But the terms only exist in a vacuum of circumstance, which can never occur - not even in a vacuum.
2. Now, you're crossing shows? No. I'm not going there. Watch the two series. See what you see. Make your own evaluations.
3. Every Martian is different.
emmy the vampire slayer writes...
seeing "his, her or their" on the first episode of Phantoms made me happy. i even hugged my dog and told him: THEY SUPPORT ME! THEY SUPPORT ME! (simon's such a good friend :D)
this may sound a little cringe, but that's what i felt about the scene.
i'm a fan of YJ for 10 years now (i'm 15 - almost 16) and i found out that i'm a trans girl a couple of years ago. it wasn't easy, of course. i spent years rejecting myself, so seeing you guys saying trans rights(!!!!) is super special to me.
ps: i know halo is non-binary, but she's a mother box, she's not really a person. as much as i love halo (LOVE!!!), she isn't a good representation. but, hey, you're trying :)
and sorry for any mistake. i'm from brazil.
Greg responds...
Hi emmy,
I'm glad you liked the scene. But I take issue with you saying that Halo is not a real person. She's as real as Miss Martian or Tigress or any of the others. What difference does her origin make? Now, she's a living, breathing person - with super-powers, sure - but in every other way, she's currently a human being.
Aziraphale writes...
After watching the season premiere of YJ, I have an additional question:
In your reinterpretation of the White Martians, I was confused by their new portrayal as an oppressed underclass compared to the Green Martians, in contrast to their depiction in the comics and other media as hatemongering conquerors. And that led to a confusing racial allegory that I already didn't think worked well, but then I noticed Ma’alefa’ak's birth name is "M'Comm", something original to this show and not the comics, and he was imprisoned in a jail with a giant X on the building. M'Comm X? If this was an intentional reference to real life civil rights leaders, what was the thought process in turning a character who had murdered innocent teenagers the previous season into a Malcolm X analogy?
Greg responds...
I see where you're coming from, but that's not where we were coming from.
The X on the building comes from the X on Martian Manhunter's chest. In our mind, that was the symbol of the M'huntrrs, i.e the Martian police, that J'onn J'onzz was a member of before coming to Earth. I totally see how you got there, but I promise you it literally never occurred to us to associate that X with M'comm to create any kind of Malcolm X reference or analogy.
The name M'comm was, for us, just following in the tradition of most Martian naming, i.e. you take a relatively average human name and Martian it up a bit. Hence John becomes J'onn, Megan becomes M'gann, etc. M'ree, M'aatt, J'ann and M'comm follow along those lines. So, yes, M'comm is a Martianing up of Malcolm, but I never specifically thought of associating him with Malcolm X, any more than I think of J'onn being associated with some specific Jon or John.
Way back when we were developing Season One, Brandon and I rejected the idea of there being an evil race on M'arzz. I find that notion from the comics very troubling. But we did think that the MYTH of an evil race would be useful for the ruling castes to justify their caste system. Scapegoating, in essence, creates a self-justifying belief: "Oh, so the A'ashenn are angry about the way we treat them? They don't like how we keep them in their place? Well, that's because they're hate-mongering would-be conquerors! Thank C'eridyall we DO keep them in their place!"
I've said before that I regret having used White Martians at all. We were following in the footsteps of the comics, but I do wish we had thought to use Grays instead of Whites. For one thing, the idea of Martians being either "little green men" or "Grays" feels right to me, in terms of alien-mythology. But mostly, it's because here in the real world, the word "white" is obviously associated with people of European descent (such as myself) - i.e. so-called Caucasian - and not with the actual color white, i.e. the snow white or chalk white of our A'ashenn. In essence, we were distracted by the visual look of the White Martians and didn't have the sensitivity to focus on the actual and very real connotation of the WORD "white".
That's one of the main reasons why, this season, we made a conscious choice to largely stop referring to the Martians as White, Green, Red and Yellow, in favor of A'ashenn, G'arrunn, B'lahdenn and Y'ellonn. We actively wanted to create some mental distance between the A'ashenn and Caucasians by avoiding the common word "white". We don't want the oppressed A'ashenn associated with the decidedly NOT oppressed Caucasians in any way, shape or form. It's not a perfect solution, but after consulting with our multiple sensitivity readers, it felt like the best we could do, given our failure of imagination and sensitivity way back in Season One.
Caleb writes...
I've been sitting on this question for a while, so it's not strictly related to the season 4 premiere (which I really enjoyed), but here we go:
Agendas is one of my favorite episodes of Young Justice. I love seeing superheroes interact in decidedly not-super ways. Anyway, I was looking at the membership timeline of the Justice League on the YJ Wiki and noticed that (as a rule) there seem to be no new members for years, and then a huge jump in membership around the same time. What was really odd was the (at least) 10 season 3 additions (from Aquaman II to Steel) all joining around 6 months before the season began. This is contrasted with the Team, where members come and go much more frequently. So…
1. Is the meeting/discussion/vote format depicted in Agendas the primary way that new members are added to the Justice League?
2. Are there any outliers besides Doctor Fate (who was then legitimized by the vote in Agendas)?
3. When multiple members are added in a single day (like Atom, Plastic Man, Icon, and Red Arrow in Usual Suspects or the aforementioned season 3 batch), how are their Zeta-designations assigned? When they debuted as heroes? How many votes they got? Whatever order Batman dictates?
4. Whose arm do I have to twist at DC to get a comic miniseries of Earth-16 Justice League Election Specials?
Greg responds...
1. Yes.
2. On occasion, a hero may be drafted into the League on a probationary basis, during an emergency or for other reasons. But then he, she or they would have to be confirmed in a League vote, as with - as you noted - Doctor Fate.
3. Batman has nothing to do with it. He doesn't run the League. He was chairman during Season One. But since then, we've had multiple chairpersons, including Captain Atom, Black Canary, Wonder Woman & Aquaman (II), and Black Lightning. Generally speaking, if members join at the same time - without having first joined on a probationary basis (as Doctor Fate did) - they are in essence inducted in the order they debuted publicly as heroes.
4. I wish I knew...
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