There is a new trailer for the remainder of Young Justice’s second season. Fair warning of significant spoilers if you haven’t seen the episode “Depths” yet…
The villains I could identify include Deathstroke, Despero, Mongul, the return of the Red Volcano, and that toy soldier could indicate the Toyman. I’m not entirely sure, but that thing Aquagirl destroys could be the Brother Eye satellite.
We see Doctor Fate and Captain Marvel having more to do.
Aquagirl makes an appearance so her death may be explained. There is also the new wave of teen heroes that have been hinted at in previous episodes. Those shown in this trailer are a variation on the Apace Chief, Static, and teleporting person. A new Guardian hints that Mal Duncan may be using one of his costumed identities from the comics.
There is even someone that looks like a possible Green Beetle (?).
American fans of Young Justice and the Green Lantern series were left perplexed, bewildered, and down right angry yesterday as Cartoon Network failed to show the advertised DC Nation block. Reasons haven’t been given yet — that may take until the execs return to work on Monday. The only response that CN have given via their Facebook and Twitter feeds is that the DC Nation block will return in 2013.
The irony, at least for Young Justice, was that the episode that was about to be shown, “Before the Dawn”, was actually written as a possible hiatus episode. Over on S8, YJ Co-Producer Greg Weisman had previously posted that:
Keep in mind, this tenth episode of Season Two was plotted before we knew if we’d get the second half of the season. Once we got that pick-up, we assumed this would be our hiatus episode. Instead, we took the break after 207 (which was a great and exciting stopping point, so no complaints). But nothing changed about our story in 210. This is a significant episode on every level: plot, character and LOTS of action. Don’t miss it!
He’s actually way from his message board for a few days, but Brendon Vietti, YJ’s other Co-Producer, tweeted that:
Neither he or Green Lantern Producer Giancarlo Volpe appeared to know about the bump before-hand.
One possible reason for the bump is to make way for Cartoon Network’s 20th Anniversary plans, but you really have to question why this had to happen at the last moment. 20th Anniversaries aren’t something that you’re not aware of, it’s not like they haven’t had 20-years to plan for it.
Young Justice co-producer Brandon Vietti has talked about the Justice League’s Watchtower on his blog. He describes the logic that went into the design and its in-universe origin.
On Earth 16 the Watchtower is a secret place so I couldn’t design it in a way that might imply the Justice League hauled up loads and loads of building materials from the planet and put the thing together. There are too many eyes on the League. They’re famous. There’s no way they could build a space station without someone finding out about it.
In order to acquire some orbital real estate that met some very specific requirements I figured the League would have to turn to their most trusted outer space connections, the Green Lanterns. This led to the idea of the Earth 16 Watchtower being a decommissioned Green Lantern base station. It was towed to Earth by Hal Jordan and John Stewart.
Cartoon Network have released the schedule for Young Justice episodes in November and a number of descriptions will be familiar to readers of the original comic book. Episodes 16-18 are titled “Failsafe”, “Disordered”, and “Secrets”. That third episode will be written by Peter David, the original writer of the YJ (first series) comic book. Possible spoiler details after the break:
The episode descriptions are:
“Failsafe” by Nicole Dubuc
Episode 16 — Airing November 4th — During an alien invasion, the team faces the ultimate challenge when they are forced to replace the fallen Justice League!
“Disordered” by Andrew Robinson
Episode 17 — Airing November 11th — Conner Kent’s pet Sphere has undergone a startling transformation, bringing it to the attention of the forever people of New Genesis. Turns out Sphere originally belonged to them… and they want it back!
“Secrets” by Peter David
Episode 18 — Airing November 18th — On Halloween, Artemis and Zatanna go to Manhattan for a night on the town, only to be hunted by Harm, a psycho-in-training, hiding a deadly secret…
The plot of “Disordered” – the Forever People’s Supercycle – was a subplot that ran from the very first issue of the team’s original comic book series. While “Secrets” features the introduction of a character (Harm) and teases the existence of another very popular character (The Secret) from YJ’s run.
The first trailer for Justice League: Doom, the next DC Universe animated-DVD after the just released Batman: Year One, has premièred online. The film featured the Legion of Doom, led by Vandal Savage, as they attempt to destroy the Justice League using plans stolen from the Batman. The film is written by the late Dwayne McDuffie and is based (loosely) on “Tower of Babel” by Mark Waid. The League’s voices are preformed by Kevin Conroy (Batman), Tim Daly (Superman), Susan Eisenberg (Wonder Woman), Carl Lumby (J’onn J’onzz), Michael Rosenbaum (Flash, Barry Allen this time) from the old DCAU days and they are joined by Nathan Fillion (Green Lantern Hal Jordan).
Updated: 2011/10/20 with higher-quality trailer from IGN’s Youtube channel.
It’s been a while in the coming, but new episodes of Young Justice are returning to Cartoon Network’s schedules as of Friday, September 16th. World’s Finest report that the first new episode will be “Targets” which features Red Arrow’s continued encounters with the League of Shadows. The first new YJ episode is being shown back-to-back with a new episode of Batman The Brave and the Bold. The block starts at 6pm and Young Justice starts at 6.30pm (check your local guide for confirmed listings). Additionally, TV Shows on DVD are reporting that the second volume of the Young Justice DVD series will be available a month later on October 25th. The DVD will feature “Schooled”, “Infiltrator”, “Denial” and “Downtime”.
Congratulations are in order for Young Justice character designer Phil Bourassa who according to YJ co-producers Brandon Vietti and Greg Weisman has won an Emmy for his work on the series. Vietti, in complementing Bourassa, said:
Maybe I’m a little partial, but I think Phil has raised the bar for design in action/adventure animation in the US.
In tangentially related news, DC have released a series of trailers and TV commercials to spotlight the new 52. This makes me wonder (warning: unproven conspiracy theory) if YJ and BBATB were held back to synchronise them with the launch of the publicity for the New 52. This is the 30-second ad:
Not too bad visually, but I’m not a fan of the music.
The Young Justice panel at SDCC was on Sundayz but there has been very little online buzz about it as far as I can tell. This may be because YJ isn’t currently airing and Cartoon Network haven’t yet begun their promotional push for its return in the Fall. There was a poster shown around at the Con promoting the return, but I haven’t been able to find a high-resolution copy of it yet.
In attendance at Comic-Con were the producers Brandon Vietti and Greg Weisman, Miss Martian voice talent Danica McKellar, and lead character designer Phil Bourassa.
About the only write up of the actual YJ panel I’ve found is by YJ Blogger of the Young Justice blog. Her write up is great and shows that a lot of enthusiastic fans were there for the panel. However, she also confirms that the producers didn’t reveal any spoilers and really just talked about their vision for the show.
When I asked her if she record her lines for the movie by herself or with her fellow cast members she said in person, especially with Nolan North. “He and I almost always record together,” McKellar said. “And it’s good too because we’ve (our characters) got this romance going on and I can tell you that there’s going to be a kiss. In fact, the kiss is real. They had us kiss in the booth, which is very rare. In voiceover, they always have usually asked to kiss (the top of) our hand [demonstrates].
But they said, ‘it doesn’t quite sound right.’ At the time I was eight months pregnant so I was like, [drawing with her hand how big her stomach was] “Well, sure!” but Nolan felt all weird about it. “Are you okay with this? This feels wrong.” Yes I’m okay, I’m an actress, I’ve done this before.’ It’s a sweet kiss but still a very real kiss in the booth.
You can find photographs of their signing at Seat24F and on the @danicamckellar’s twitter stream (below):
DC Women Kick Ass posted that Velro-Chick had found a set of playing cards that were being distributed at the con showing character designs of upcoming characters including the Joker, Queen Bee, Zatanna, and a range of villains. Perhaps most intriguing is the inclusion of the Milestone character Rocket on the cards.
The panel included a showing of “Targets”, the next episode which was briefly leaked online by Cartoon Network’s own website. World’s Finest has a couple of clips from Targets as does Toon Zone.
One thing he does stress is that the show is a co-production between himself and Brandon Vietti. It seems Vietti’s name often gets left off of articles. I think I may be guilty of this myself at times (Sorry Mr Vietti), it’s probably because Weisman makes more noise via his Ask Greg column and the comic book.
There is also an update on the episodes:
Season One
In brief: episode 10-15 are finished and episode 16 is undergoing its final review. As to when they’ll return to air:
So why aren’t we airing new episodes now? That’s a fair question that I don’t have an answer for. After all, we have six unaired episodes in the can, with four more on the verge of completion. It’s a Cartoon Network decision. [...] My best guess – and that’s all it is – is that CN will air new episodes – starting with 110 (“Targets”) – in September.
Season Two
Season Two of Young Justice was commission a little while ago and is subtitled “Invasion”. We’ve had few details of its plot, but it would seem that work is progression apace. The progress on the scripts is
Episodes 201-202 (i.e. Season Two, Episodes one and two) – Are fully recorded and are in storyboard. (201 was written by me. 202 by Nicole Dubuc.)
Episode 203, written by Kevin Hopps, is almost fully recorded. We have one actor left to pick up, who has been out of town. It is also in storyboard.
Episode 204, written by me, will record this week. It is also in storyboard.
Episode 205 – Brandon Vietti, has turned in his draft of the script. I have to read and edit it.
Episode 206 – The outline, written by Peter David and edited by me, went out Monday for notes, which are due tomorrow.
Episode 207 – Kevin Hopps turned in his outline, which I need to read and edit.
Episode 208 – I’m writing this one. I’ll start the outline, after I’ve edited the outline to 207.
Episode 209 – Jon Weisman turned in his outline, which I need to read and edit.
Episode 210 – Kevin Hopps is working on his outline.
Great to see that Peter David’s association carries over to the second season. They haven’t officially been given the word on episodes past 210, but his bosses have nevertheless told him to prepare work for episodes 211-220 of Season 2. It will begin airing in 2012 as part of the new DC Nation cartoon block.
Warner Brothers TV have released their panel schedule for next months San Diego Comic Con. Included is a Young Justice panel on the Sunday (July 24th) with both producers and lead character designer in attendance.
SUNDAY, JULY 24, 2011 10:00–11:00 a.m. Young Justice Screening and Q&A – Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Miss Martian, Red Arrow and Superboy — these aren’t your average sidekicks and this isn’t your average cartoon. In a short amount of time, and with just a small number of episodes, fans have embraced this new action-adventure series as Warner Bros. Animation has brought some of their favorite DC heroes to life. Following a special screening, producers Brandon Vietti (Batman: Under the Red Hood)and Greg Weisman (Gargoyles), lead character designer Phil Bourassa (Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths) and additional members of the creative team will be on hand to answer your burning questions on what the future holds for “the team.” Young Justice Season 1, Part 1 is available on DVD now. Room 7AB
There is also a Green Lantern: The Animated Series panel. I wouldn’t normally mentioned it, but the still from the press kit is fantastic:
Now that’s what Hal Jordan should look like!
The panel description:
FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2011 – 2:00–3:00 p.m. Green Lantern: The Animated Series Video Presentation and Q&A – Warner Bros. Animation brings the Green Lantern to television in an all-new CG animated action series for Cartoon Network from world-renowned producer, artist and animator Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series). Based upon the DC Comics super hero, Green Lantern: The Animated Series centers on Hal Jordan and his partner Kilowog who find themselves alone on the edge of the Guardian Frontier fighting off an invasion by the deadly Red Lantern Corps. Timm will headline a panel — moderated by Warner Bros. Animation’s Sam Register (Teen Titans) — which will also feature producer Giancarlo Volpe (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) and producer/story editor Jim Krieg (Ben 10: Alien Swarm). In addition to the Q&A, fans in attendance will be treated to footage of this highly anticipated new series prepared exclusively for Comic-Con. Don’t miss out, or you’ll be waiting ’til 2012. Room 6BCF
Things have been pretty quiet on the Young Justice cartoon front for a little while now, but there are a couple of releases and developments I haven’t blogged about yet – a brief appearance of a new episode, a DVD, and those action figures.
The entire first wave should be out at the same time. Review units have been sent out to the big action figure sites. Amazon lists July 1st as the ship data, Toywiz lists June 2011. AFI had an update on the packing for the single figures and they list summer as the ship date – either way they should be appearing in stores soon. (That’s if you believe the notoriously unreliable Toy Company schedules. Kudos to anybody who first spots these in the wild).
There is also a special Superboy variant which will be available at this year’s San Diego Comic Con:
This volume contains the first four episodes – “Independence Day”, “Fireworks”, “Welcome to Happy Harbor”, and “Drop-Zone”. This has drawn a few negative pre-release comments on places like Amazon as it isn’t a season boxed set. But, to be fair to WB the season isn’t over yet and this is standard practise in marketing kids DVDs.
New Episodes (MIA)
This posting was actually prompted by a question from a reader. Rick asked:
Is Young Justice coming back with a new story line?
The short answer is yes, but we don’t known when. Back in May Greg Weisman (YJ co-producer) gave a production update on the status of the of the show. It listed episodes 10 & 11 as ready to air and episodes 12 & 13 as in post-production (the last episode broadcast was episode 9). However, the current status of the TV schedule is that both DC’s Young Justice and Batman: The Brave and the Bold are in repeats through to at least July 1st.
Cartoon Network had earlier said that they were going to show the new material, but then changed their minds. (If I had to speculate on why Cartoon Network were holding back new material I’d guess that it’s probably to build up a run of material which they could then show as a block without having to fall back to repeats.)
For some reason episode 10 “Targets” was briefly available on Cartoon Network’s website, although I can’t see it on there at the moment or on Amazon’s download service.
