After a brief hiatus, new episodes of Young Justice: Phantoms returned last week on HBO Max. While the animated series has still yet to be officially renewed for a fifth season, the ardent YJ fanbase can feel the proverbial “aster” as DC Comics is stepping up to the plate. Today the publisher announced Young Justice: Targets, a six-issue miniseries written by written by Young Justice: Phantoms showrunner Greg Weisman with art by storyboard artist Christopher Jones arriving not too long after the Young Justice: Phantoms finale is scheduled to air.
Here’s how DC Comics describes the Young Justice: Targets miniseries:
Queen Perdita has been kidnapped! Mysterious armored assailants have snatched the Vlatavan royal out from beneath Bowhunter Security, leaving Green Arrow and Black Canary poisoned and comatose in the process! Now a rallying cry echoes around the globe, and across super-teams, to band together and rescue Perdita! Continuing the story of Young Justice: Phantoms, now streaming on HBO MAX, is the six issue, digital first Young Justice: Targets.
Each issue will first be available on the DC UNIVERSE INFINITE platform for 30 days before making their way to comic book shelves. Moreover, each issue includes a bonus story detailing previously unseen adventures from past seasons of Young Justice!
Years before transitioning in the animation industry as a storyboard revisionist for the current season of Young Justice, artist Christopher Jones was perhaps best known for his work on the Young Justice tie-in comic series with writer Greg Weisman. Lasting 25 issues, the companion comics expanded on the show’s coverage of the continuity. Back in 2019, Weisman and Jones collaborated on a Young Justice: Outsiders DC Universe exclusive comic that served as a bridge between the second and third seasons of Young Justice: Invasion and Outsiders.
In a statement announcing the series, Weisman and Jones both expressed their excitement at reteaming for an all-new in-continuity Young Justice comic story:
“It’s been terrific working with Christopher Jones again on another Young Justice comic, and I’m really excited for the fans to read Young Justice: Targets,” said Writer Greg Weisman. “It’s a fully canon six-issue mini-series, picking up right where Young Justice: Phantoms left off, with plenty of action, nearly our entire cast, and multiple new revelations.”
“It’s been an amazing journey years after working with Greg Weisman on Young Justice comics, getting the opportunity to help create storyboards for the most recent season of the TV show, and now returning to produce more comics,” said Artist Christopher Jones. “Between my growth as an artist and the fabulous color by Jason Wright I think these are the best-looking comics I’ve ever had a hand in creating. I love getting to help tell the stories of these characters, and I can’t wait for fans to see where things go after Young Justice: Phantoms.”
Those unfamiliar with Young Justice may be perplexed as to the sudden heroic turn for known Batman villain Clayface. As those who tuned in for “The Prize,” the Young Justice audio play that premiered during the inaugural DC FanDome event, will recall, Clayface expressed a desire to leave his old criminal past behind. To that end, Clayface was given the opportunity for a new life under the alias “Harlan Matthews” and was hired by Will Harper to work for Bowhunter Security. Dubbed “Season 3.9,” the events of the audio play took place between the events of the Season 3 finale and the start of Season 4.
Check out an interior preview of the first issue, as well as variant covers by Meghan Hetrick (open-to-order), Travis Mercer (1:25 ratio) below. Young Justice: Targets #1 (of 6) will be available on the DC UNIVERSE INFINITE platform on Tuesday, June 14th and in stores on Tuesday, July 26th.
