This episode of Young Justice Phantoms continues with the mystic characters getting some shine, Including Zatanna, Zatara, and Dr.Fate, who we learned the last episode is Vandal Savage’s son! We’re also given more flashbacks on how Savage and Klarion the Witch Boy continued to cause chaos throughout history. In the present, Dr. Fate tells Zatanna and the others how they should leave the infighting to the two Lords of Chaos to themselves and then take out whoever wins. He also doubts Zatanna’s new apprentices, as he feels they're not ready. Zatanna disagrees, so Fate puts them to the test. Each of them, Thirteen, Mary Marvel, and Khaled, must face their inner demons to survive and prove their worth.
As the young students struggle to overcome their worst fears, Fate himself is confronted by his physical host, Zatarra (Zatanna’s father.), and begs Fate not to be so strict of his code, especially since Fate has always had allies to help him in times of need. As the mystic students learn to overcome their fear and prove their worth, Fate and Zatanna look on. When they complete their trial, we also witness Klarion and the Child do battle outside Fate’s tower. Klarion boasts that his avatar can handle Child’s, but Child’s avatar Flaw simply breaks the neck of Klarion’s demonic cat. This leaves Klarion without a tether into the physical world. Another subplot is how Beast Boy is still struggling with the death of Conner Kent (Superboy.) While his team, The Outsiders take on missions, Beast Boy is suffering from depression, staying at their base sleeping or attempting to, at least. His friends are worried about him but don’t want to confront him about the subject.
While I do like these types of stories where we see character development, one has to wonder, what is the real main plot of this season. This season of Young Justice appears to have separate storylines that they want to tell, without much connection to them. Hopefully, they tie all of this in, because while entertaining, it’s becoming a bit of a drag to get through these episodes. Post your comments below, and till next time fellow blerds!
This review of Young Justice Phantoms will be a three-piece, sorry in advance! But I can promise you this! This show is what DC and Warner Bros need to emulate in live-action! Not just with the fights and powers, but with the character development deep lore that comes with them! Everyone has their moment to shine, however brief it may be due to the sheer number of characters in the show! From Superman and Lois trying to explain to their son about Connor to Megan and Beast Boy still being depressed about it, to the aspects of a family with Artemis and Cheshire. But enough of me, being in awe of this cartoon. On to the reviews!
“I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”
This episode concludes (for now, anyway) the confrontations that were set up; Cassandra Cage vs Lady shive, who is the BEST hand to hand fighter in the DC Universe. Not even Batman himself can take her, one on one. It also deals with Artemis and Barbara trying to make sure that Cassie doesn’t end up being just another killer, but a hero. The two fight and Cassie is the victor. As the Team leaves, Cheshire goes back and tries to fight the Sensei. After stopping her Artemis pleads with
her sister to come home, that she’s been away too long from her daughter, Lian. Ras Al Ghul lets Artemis, Cheshire, Cassie, and Onyx leave in peace. Cheshire does try to come home to her family, but guilt sets in, and she disappears again. On the Kent farm, Clark and Lois try their best to explain to their son Jon why Connor is gone, and we later see Clark break down. His younger brother is dead, and Superman, the Man of Steel, is in pain that we rarely see him in. Some great writing on the production’s part.
“Teg Ydaer!”
This episode begins a new subplot, with Magic being at the forefront. Another Lord of Chaos has come to Earth, with instructions to end Klarion The Witch Boys tenure. We also learn that Klarion and Vandal have prior history since Vandal is immortal. Hundreds of years ago, Klarion laid waste to one of Vandal’s empires and tried to kill Vandal himself. When discovering Vandal’s immortality, Klarion would return in another 100 years and see how Vandal would fare. In the present time, Team member Zatanna is training some new recruits, but they’re dragged into a mystical battle with Klarion. As Klarion is about to kill them, he senses the other Lord of Chaos and teleports away to do battle. In the last moments, we see Savage talking to the Phantom Stanger, (who’s also been narrating this episode.)
“Nomed Esir!” Fun fact, this episode was written by actor and writer Kevin Greivioux, who created co-created the Underworld franchise! Zatanna is separated from her students, witnessing the battle between Klarion and Child (that’s the other Lord of Chaos, who is imbued with the powers of all the Lords of Chaos!) The Phantom Stranger sends the recruits to the house of Jason Blood, also known as one half of the demon Etrigan! As the recruits team up with Etrigan to save Zatanna and stop the Lords of Chaos, we’re also treated with another history lesson. Vandal Savage was the great, great forefather of the city of Atlantis (where Aquaman is from!) His great, great-grandson became ruler of the kingdom, and the people had gained mystical powers along with advanced science. Vandal wanted to cause a mass genocidal event that would “cleanse” the strong from the weak. Although his great, great-grandson was against it, Vandal asked Klarion for a favor. With his help, the entire city was sunken underwater! We also discover that the Helm of Dr. Fate (think Dr. Strange with a gold helmet and slight schizophrenic issues.) is Vandal’s grandson!
So, quite a lot of magic going on, this arc. I do enjoy the “history lessons” that Vandal is giving the audience. Some bombs are being dropped, involving Vandal Savage, this season. Post your comments below, and till next time fellow blerds!
The latest episode of Young Justice: Phantoms is on HBO Max, and it deals more with who is the mole sent from the League of Shadows and how Tigress and Oracle aka Barbara Gordon need to rescue Orphan! SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
As Tigress leads a small strike team of Onyx, Cassandra Savage (daughter of Light leader Vandal Savage), and Oracle providing tech support, then head to the League of Shadows’ HQ to rescue Orphan. Along the way, we’re treated to a flashback to where Injustice League member Joker wants revenge on The Light for being used as a pawn in their game against the Justice League and the Team. Joker plans to poison the United Nations, with fellow Light member Lex Luthor in attendance. While the Bat-Family is in a position to stop him, Lady Shiva sends her daughter Cassandra Cain to kill Joker. During the climax, the Bat-Family stops Joker, but after trying to kill the clown, Orphan accidentally slashes Batgirl’s back. The attack leaves her paralyzed, but surprisingly, Barbara isn’t holding a grudge. Instead, she tells Cassandra that she wasn’t saving the Joker from her but was saving Cain from making a mistake by becoming a killer. In the present, the ladies infiltrate the compound, and just when they rescue Cassandra Cain, it turns out that Cassandra Savage was the true mole after all. Outnumbered, Tigress, Orphan, and Onyx fend off The League of Shadows without any support!
I absolutely LOVE how much love that Cassandra Cain is actually getting! She's one of my favorite members of the Bat-Family and my favorite Batgirl. In the comics, Cassandra Cain is the best hand-to-hand fighter in the Bat-Family and one of the best fighters in the DC Universe. That’s right, even better than Bruce Wayne, himself! And although she’s mute in both versions, in Young Justice: Phantoms, Lady Shiva had Cass’s vocal cord sliced, so that the only language she would understand is violence. It looks like they’re gearing for an epic showdown between Cass and Shiva! That’s it for me, ya’ll! Till next time, fellow blerds!
