Finally, Warner listened to the fans! Though I’d prefer entire season sets, this release containing the last 14 episodes of the series’ first season dubbed as Season One, Part Two, is a step in the right direction. We no longer have to wait months between individual releases to see what’s going to happen. We can just sit down and watch the second half of the season in one go. Those new to the series won’t want to start here. While there are certainly some standalone story elements to be found, Young Justice: Dangerous Secrets has a carefully plotted narrative with a series long story arc, best appreciated if watched from the beginning.
Created by Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti, Young Justice focuses on the younger version of the older, more established Justice League. This DVD set picks up where the Season One, Volume Three disc left off. The Young Justice team—Aqualad, Kid Flash, Superboy, Miss Martian, Robin and Artemis—formed their own crime-fighting force when they decided they grew tired of the adults in the Justice League treating them like kids. However, it turns out their assigned mentor, Red Tornado, is a traitor. To make matters worse, Aqualad might have been aware of the deception. Just who can they trust?
The background of each character is well explored throughout the fourteen episodes. Superboy learns he’s not Superman’s only clone; telepath Miss Martian reveals who inspired her human appearance; and Artemis must confront her complicated family history. Along the way, the team is forced to keep secrets from each other, which puts their alliance to the test. In the finale, the teens find themselves pitted against their mentors. The battle sequences rock and are a real testament to why the series has become a favorite among kids as well as adults.
The episodes included in the set are as follows: “Alpha Male,” “Revelation,” “Humanity,” “Failsafe,” “Disordered,” “Misplaced,” “Coldhearted,” “Image,” “Agendas,” “Insecurity,” “Performance,” “Usual Suspects” and “Auld Acquaintance.”
The voice talent is top notch, with a number of well known names—Danica McKellar (Miss Martian), Jesse McCartney (Robin), Lacey Chabert (Zatana), and Alan Tudyk (Green Arrow)—at the forefront. The animation is stylish and thoroughly professional.
Young Justice: Season One, Part Two is served up with a widescreen presentation and a Dolby surround audio mix. Both are appropriate for the series and will illicit no complaints from me.
French, Portuguese, and Spanish dubs are also available in stereo, as are Spanish and Portuguese subtitles and English closed captioning. Note that even though the Portuguese mix isn’t listed on the box, it is available on the disc.
A Young Justice “Digital Comic” is included on the second disc.