Comic Books

Youngblood #3 review

‘Youngblood’ #3 shows off some new heroes but gets bogged down in exposition.

July 10, 2017

Make no mistake, this new series aims to reboot and refresh the original series. It’s also one of the most exciting series to come out in 2017–it’s added new heroes with the voice of younger people while integrating the old school Youngblood team too. It’s exciting stuff, and there’s a mystery to solve on top of all that.

So what’s it about?

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The official summary reads:

‘REBORN,’ Part Three Answers lead to even more questions as the search for Man-Up continues! But Vogue’s plan to infiltrate HELP! headquarters backfires when Youngblood’s sordid legacy threatens to tear the fledgling team apart.

Why does this book matter?

The series has looked good as well, and has a fun, bright look to it that’s very good at capturing the superpowers. It’s also worth noting many of the original heroes were plays on familiar powers of heroes so it’s fun to see how the Image take on some classic tropes pans out.

Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?

Clever set up.

This issue opens with Gomez meeting with Rachel Richards aka Doc Rocket for an interview–cleverly, as a means to attend a convention–that’s all about superhero drama. It’s a fun way to remind us of the different ages of these heroes, but also the young and old Youngblood concept. In fact, Chad Bowers even drops an “Oldblood” line that is a kick. While this story arc continues to develop how the old and young heroes are joining forces, a larger political storyline is starting to appear that will assuredly complicate things down the road. On top of that, this issue reveals a few more heroes who have disappeared and the overall story continues to get larger in a good way.

Fans of the original series are going to delight in the appearances from the classic Youngblood team. Shaft continues to be the beating heart of the old school team and it’s neat to see him fight against working in a team atmosphere at all. Clearly, a lot of shit went down with the classic team and Bowers is utilizing that to its fullest. Overall this series has balanced the old with the new well.

The art by Jim Towe continues to be a highlight, like a train scene to open the book and an excellent full page splash of a classic Lobo-like character. The use of cutaways to other heroes who have disappeared is probably the most visually striking aspect of the comic, with some cool designs and some splashy panels.

That dude is riding a gun.

It can’t be perfect can it?

This issue definitely gets bogged down with dialogue and exposition. There’s action thrown in–and it’s thrown in at opportune times–but it’s so short it’s barely there. There are a lot of details laid down and you know the writer is aware of that when he has characters–in this case Shaft–reiterate what we just learned to keep things clear. There’s clearly some kind of shadow organization pulling strings, but at this stage I can’t say I actually care. It’s the characters that are the strongest element and this issue steers away from that ever so slightly.

Is It Good?

Another good issue that balances the old with the new when it comes to Youngblood. If there ever was a series that showed how to bring back a canceled one, this is it.