DC Comics has a history of producing some of the best animated superhero TV shows that audiences have ever seen, from 1992’s Batman: The Animated Series and other shows in the DC Animated Universe (DCAU) to more recent shows like Teen Titans and Green Lantern: The Animated Series.
One of the most popular DC Animated shows of recent memory, one that was pulled from the air far too soon, was Young Justice, which aired from 2010 until 2013 on Cartoon Network, before being cancelled after two excellent seasons. But after three years of fan petitions, pleas from both producers and voice actors, as well as fans binge watching the first two seasons on Netflix, Warner Brothers announced this past Monday that a third season of Young Justice is starting production.
Young Justice focuses on an ever-expanding team of young superheroes, with founding members Robin, Superboy, Miss Martian, Aqualad, and Kid Flash, as they work as part of a covert operations team in support of the Justice League, which is made up of older and more seasoned heroes like Batman, Superman, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman, and the Flash, among others. While dealing with some of the issues that come with being superhero teenagers and later young adults, the Team, as they are called, try to differentiate themselves from their mentors, to prove that they are more than just sidekicks, while also stopping nefarious villains from committing heinous crimes and taking over the world.
The show garnered critical acclaim for its animation style, voice acting, character development, and more mature storylines, while also receiving praise for its second season, which saw a five-year time jump between seasons one and two. However, poor merchandise sales resulted in Mattel, which made the toys for the show, to pull its funding of the program, resulting in the show’s cancellation after two seasons and 46 episodes. Fans immediately took to social media to petition for the show’s revival, but the show, as well as a tie-in comic book series, were left to collect dust.
At a time in entertainment history when comic book movies are all the rage, and DC Comics movies both live action and animated are divisive among audiences and critics, it is reassuring and intriguing that Warner Brothers Animation is returning to a show that has been off the air for three years. The pessimist in me wants to say they are mainly bringing Young Justice back to make up for the poor reception that DC movies have been getting this year, but I have to think that plans to bring Young Justice back have been in the works long before the announcement this Monday. I can only imagine how much work people like co-creators Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti, who have been among the most avid supporters of bringing back Young Justice, as well as voice actors like Nolan North and Khary Payton, who voice the characters of Superboy and Aqualad, respectively. All of these people have been vocal about their love of the show on social media, and it seems that their efforts have paid off in a big way, opening the door for the continuation of one of the most beloved DC Animated shows of the 21st Century.
Bottom line, this is excellent news for people who love the Young Justice series and for people who are avid fans of these iconic characters, many of whom saw their on-screen debuts on this show. Given how long it takes for high-quality animation to be done, I would assume we’re about a year or so away from seeing any actual footage, but definitely be on the lookout for any Young Justice season three news.