Review: Young Justice #18

Young Justice #18 came out this week and was something of a rest issue for this book although taking a good look at the relationship of Spoiler and Tim Drake, a couple I like seeing together. For me, I have been a Stephanie Brown fan forever, loving her time as Batgirl written by Bryan Q. Miller. So seeing her close off part of her past and rekindle her romance with Tim is wonderful.

But this book was just announced to be canceled in the near future and with so much of 'how and why are the key members back in this universe' still unanswered, even a Drake/Spoiler issue feels like space that could have been devoted to the main storylines. Of course, this issue might have been read many months before the decision to cancel was made.

One of the bigger complaints I hear about this book is that it has seemed to meander a bit, always hinting at a bigger, universal story but never quite getting there. I am sad to see that it is being canceled before writer Brian Michael Bendis crosses the finish line. Because I have enjoyed this book. I like all these characters and how Bendis handles them. And I hope that the book ending doesn't mean this team is ending. Come on DC! Give us a special now and then.

The art is an interesting mix by Michael Avon Oeming and Scott Godlewski. Oeming pencils a fight scene at the beginning which is a flashback and brings a sort of 'Batman the Animated Series' energy to the fight with great panels showing the brawl. The remainder is drawn by series regular Scott Godlewski who grounds us more in the feel of this book and also gives us a great melee scene as well.

On to the book.

We get a nice splash page of our heroes re-igniting their romance. And the blurb which acknowledges that Steph was Robin for a hot second made me smile. 

And then we get the hint that Spoiler isn't peaceful. She has her own axe to grind.

Drake arrives in Central City in the aftermath of Spoiler having beaten up any number of criminals.

I did like how Drake is able to convince the henchman to say who he works for through a bit of threatened violence. It is especially funny given the henchman's initial blase attitude.

That's funny.

We see how Spoiler's investigation into Cluemaster's whereabouts led her to Central City. 

There she was involved in an odd fight where she wanted to fight Cluemaster's gang to get more information but ultimately has to save them from La Tombe, as assassin sent there by one of Cluemaster's enemy.

I loved this sequence as drawn by Michael Avon Oeming. We see how someone small like Spoiler has to flit in and out against a Bane-like bruiser like La Tombe as well as the gang which occasionally also step in to get a shot in.

Also love the sound effects - wack, smack, crack? The rhyme has to be intentional.

And remember, this was supposed to be Spoiler beating up these goons for info. She doesn't want them dead. But she doesn't want to be looked on as if she was helping her father.

So I liked how she knocked out this overly complimentary gang member. And calling her Baby Cluemaster?? Again, pretty funny.

With the flashback done, we switch back to Scott Godlewski on art and Spoiler and Drake heading to Cluemaster's new HQ.

It is clear that Steph really isn't in a good headspace as she and Drake head off. He reminds her that they can call in all of Young Justice but she says she needs to do this on her own. 

When she isn't looking, he puts out word to the team. 

I like how while these are going out we hear Cluemaster's rant against being a parent in an age where kids think they know all the answers.

At the headquarters, Drake is taken out quickly leading to the throwdown we have all wanted to see.

But surprisingly, Steph starts by saying she wants to go to family counseling. 

Awww ...

And Drake isn't really that out.

Here he uses the Cluemaster's own uniform against the villain, shattering a smoke grenade still on the villain's chest with a batarang.

Again, I had to smile at this. Maybe even chuckle.

There's nothing left but the wetworks as we see Spoiler dismantle Cluemaster in a physical brawl. Another beautiful beatdown shown artistically.

But just when it seems like Steph might cross a line and do something horrible, she is pulled back from the abyss by the arriving Young Justice team.

Let's face it. This team is her family now.

In fact, for most of the members, this team is family.

Nothing left but the wrap-up.

Drake is Robin again (something must have happened somewhere else). He and Steph are kissing. The team are having a nice lunch.

But then, Cassie shows up ... and she needs the team's help.

I suppose giving Drake and Steph some serious center stage time is a good thing to do given there isn't much time or another place to showcase them. And I liked this issue as it gave some closure to Steph while giving us some fun moments as well. (Seriously, that bomb going off on Cluemaster's chest made me guffaw.) Add to that the very slick art and this was a satisfying read.

It is shame we won't get a lot more of this. And I do hope that as readers we get some closure about the mystery of the team's return.

Overall grade: B

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