Young Justice #3

Seven Crises Part 3

Brian Michael Bendis Script
Patrick Gleason & Viktor Bogdanovic Art
Jonathan Glapion Inks (pgs. 12, 14-15, 18)
Alejandro Sanchez (pgs. 1-5), Chris Sotomayor (pgs. 6-16) & Hi-Fi Colors
Carlos M. Mangual & Josh Reed Letters
Gleason & Sanchez Cover
Evan "Doc" Shaner Variant Cover
Jessica Chen Associate Editor
Mike Cotton Editor
Brian Cunningham Group Editor
Superboy created by Jerry Siegel.
By special arrangement with the Jerry Siegel family.

This cover was originally solicited as the cover of issue #1, back when they had Impulse in an orange-and-white uniform. Oddly enough, they changed the color back to red for the other covers and all the inside pages, but forgot to change this one. But I have to say, I really don't mind the orange. It reminds me of Impulse's scouts of old and the Impulse of DC One Million. Anyway, this is a really nice cover. I love the white background and the three boys look great. Their name labels are also fairly revealing. Robin's no longer the Boy Wonder, Superboy knows half his DNA comes from Lex Luthor, and Impulse remembers being the Flash. I also absolutely love how their names are stylized in the logos from their old solo series. That is showing respect for the past.

Our variant cover is a gorgeous portrait of the whole team, leaning heavily into the "main color" idea for each character. Once again, Impulse is orange, which works perfectly in something like this. The team is a rainbow, both literally and figuratively. And Shaner is one of my favorite artists. He just has a wholesome, pleasing style. He definitely needs to draw more Young Justice.

Our story picks up where issue #1 left off, with Bart and Conner's exciting and tender reunion. After excitedly repeating each other's names for a bit, and confirming that they really are who they think they are, Bart gives Conner the biggest, sweetest hug you'll ever see in comics. Conner tries to pull away to get a better look at Bart, but Impulse refuses, insisting he's busy.

Eventually, the hug does end and the questions begin. Conner wants to know how Bart got here, and Bart wants to know how Conner got here, plus where here is. Conner's a bit surprised Bart doesn't know where he is, but Bart points out that he's spent quite a while not knowing when he is. He teases Conner for his new jacket, but Superboy stays focused. He tells Bart they're on Gemworld, which he says is "pretty great" and that he loves it "top to bottom." Bart is then shocked to realize that Conner is living as a farmer on this planet, but Conner casually says that half of him has always been a farmer. The two boys are then interrupted, and Bart angrily says they weren't done with their "big moment."

The interrupters turn out to be three of the invaders from issue #1. Their leader identifies himself as Carnelian of the royal Court of Opal, and he addresses Bart as "child of Earth," ordering him to step away from the gem farmer (Superboy). Bart confidently tell Carnelian this isn't the boss level, even though he clearly thinks it is. He tells Conner that these guys are "like, Intergang easy." Superboy appreciates Bart's reference, but he doesn't seem too keen to jump into a fight. Bart, however, is too distracted with his trash talking to pick up on that.

Carnelian tells Impulse he's trespassing and is under arrest by command of the Great Dark Lord Opal. Bart points out that Carnelian literally just invaded Earth, so Bart proclaims himself King of Earth and places Carnelian under arrest. One of Carnelian's companions calls Bart "Sparkle Boy" and accuses him of sabotaging their Court's holy mission. Bart counters by saying they sabotaged him getting his "holy butt kicked by the O.G. Superman." Bart tells Conner that Superman's doing great, even though he hasn't had any direct contact with him (that we've seen) since escaping the Speed Force.

Carnelian angrily explains that they went to Earth to confront the planet's greatest warrior and make him pay for Earth causing so much pain and suffering to Gemworld. Bart gets really excited at this part, and, ignoring Conner's protests, he begins to talk up Superboy as a legitimate, Superman-level challenge. And he sure has a lot of fun with this, winking at Conner as he says, "Oh, anonymous farmer person, I see you're wearing a Superman T-shirt. You must be a big fan!" But instead of picking up on Bart's cue to start the fight, Conner kneels down and puts his hands behind his head.

Bart is so shocked by this, he leaves himself open to an attack, and Carnelian electrocutes him with his staff. As Bart falls to the ground, writhing in pain, Carnelian proudly says they have something to bring back to Lord Opal. His companion, Topaz, points out this isn't Superman, but Carnelian believes he can dress Impulse up.

We're then treated to a flashback of how Superboy got to Gemworld. Long story short, he just happened across a random monster in the desert. S.T.A.R. Labs was on the scene, acting super shady, so Conner busted open their lab and discovered a bunch of enormous gems seemingly creating a massive pillar of crackling energy. For some reason, Superboy got too close and was transported to Gemworld.

Back in the present time, Carnelian asks Conner why that "confused, sparkling Earth boy" thought he was about to be a concern. Conner says Bart was confused by his shirt, which he claims to have bought at Opal Pavilion. But Carnelian says he was originally from Earth, and he identifies the shirt as a polyester cotton blend, which means that Conner is lying. Carnelian continues to interrogate Conner, asking if he's an "Earthen" or a Kryptonian and what he's doing here. Suddenly, a young woman holding a baby boy steps forward, asking if everything is OK. Conner introduces everyone to his wife, and Bart wakes up just enough to say, "First the beard, now this!"

Our issue ends with us finding out the rest of our heroes have been captured and imprisoned by Lord Opal. Cassie blames herself for instigating the confrontation, but Tim tells her it's no one's fault. Amethyst, however, does blame Wonder Girl, saying reality is falling apart, and she's the only one who knows or can do anything about it.




Ah. This is what I've been waiting for. I couldn't think of a more touching, heart-warming or surprising reunion. Impulse and Superboy have been through a lot together, and they certainly deserved this big, glorious moment. However, that shocking ending almost completely eclipses this joyous display of friendship and playful banter. Superboy has a wife?! And she has a baby boy with black hair and a spit curl?! We'll just have to wait to get to the bottom of that mystery.

This story is still a lot of fun, but it's really hasn't gotten around to answering many questions yet — only raising more. But the characters are delightful and the art is solid — even with the frustratingly large and rotating cast of creators on this book. I know it's going to take quite a while for us to learn more about Impulse, but in the meantime, I'll be enjoying this wild ride. But first, the new ads:

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Next: Amethyst: Prisoner of Gemworld!