Well, now that DC’s announced it, I can talk about YOUNG JUSTICE going away. Which is obviously upsetting for me, considering it’s pretty much the best selling title I’m writing.
I know some creators can’t wait to announce a title of theirs being cancelled. I’m not one of them. I’m just not real big on spreading around bad news. And I’m actually somewhat surprised how depressed I am about this, considering originally I only committed to doing six issues. But I’ve grown very attached to the kids.
What caused YJ to go away, despite healthy sales? The “Teen Titans” animated series. Ironic, I know, considering I wrote an early verison of that series bible (although I’ve since learned that the version which got the series green lit didn’t feature any of the work I did on it. And since I don’t want to claim credit for stuff that other people did, I figured I should set that record straight.) The moment the “TT” series got the go-ahead, DC decided to scuttle YJ so they could produce a “Teen Titans” comic more evocative of the forthcoming cartoon…which I did my original work on because they wanted it to be in the spirit of YJ.
So why wasn’t I then asked to write the new TT comic? Well, come on: Who relaunches a new comic series with the same characters and the same writer? That trick never works.
I suppose what I regret the most was, when “Impulse” and “Superboy” were both canceled, I was going to have free rein with the characters. I could do anything I wanted with them since YJ had become their home book. And now I won’t have the chance to do them.
And I’m also going to regret not working with Todd Nauck anymore. In this day and age when artists ricochet from book to book and get “hot” that way, Todd stayed with the book from start to finish and only got better and better…and less and less heralded simply because he remained in one place. Just like Leonard Kirk. Many fans gripe about the transience of artists, but then take artists (and books) for granted when the creative team remains for year after year. Kind of a mixed message there.
YJ wraps with #55. Fortunately enough, I’ve known about this for a long enough time that I can pull everything together in a four part storyline that brings to a head several main subplots. In short: Secret goes off the deep end. Darkseid recruits her. The Wonder Girl/Superboy percolating romance is finally addressed. Red Tornado returns. Harm returns. Slo-Bo makes a shocking revelation. Lotsa neat stuff. My thanks to the longtime YJ fans who have supported the book…and my regrets that I couldn’t do more to keep the series around.
In the meantime, I’ve got several new projects in the hopper. I’ll announce them as soon as the contracts are signed.
PAD
• 
I couldn’t think of anything to say that hasn’t already been said here, so I’ll just quote Mr. Horse from Ren & Stimpy:
“No sir, I don’t like it!”
Well, I will join the chorus of the disappointed well-wishers, Peter.
Not only do I join in in your emotions regarding the cancellation of YJ (a sensation I am all too familiar with, considering I also felt this way when you were bumped off Aquaman), but I must also echo your comments about Todd. Todd Nauck is just flat out one of the best comic artists out there. His fun artistic style always *adds* to the story rather than distracts from it. Plus, having met him at Wizard World back in 2001, I can also say the fellow (and his wife) are a total class act; just geniune, nice folks.
It’s just a shame when bad news like this happens to creators I like.
On the other hand, I can’t wait to see everyone’s new projects. Chin up, guys.
— Michael Brown
As usual, DC’s logic escapes me.
Huntress is now the daughter of Batman and Catwoman on the WB’s “Birds of Prey.” I don’t see DC replacing the generic, half-wit mobster’s daughter Huntress with the original, smart, heroic one. Though Rao knows I’ve lobbied hard for that return since Helena Wayne was gratuitously exterminated in the Crisis.
The Clark Kent incarnation from “Smallville” is far superior to what’s currently in the Superman books, and although there was a “Smallville” one-shot, I don’t see DC cancelling the DC Universe titles in favor of a “Smallville” tie-in. This would however certainly make sense. It would get me buying a Superman again.
“Justice League Adventures” is far more enjoyable than what passes as storytelling in JLA, yet DC isn’t wiping out this book.
“Batman: Gotham Adventures” is also better than every Batman title on the racks, yet DC refuses to cancel the ridiculous “Gotham Knights,” “Detective Comics” or “Batman.” The renewal of “Detective Comics” I can understand since this title is from whence DC’s initials was derived.
So, why can’t Young Justice and the proposed “Teen Titan Adventures” co-exist?
YJ is far better than practically anything DC has in their so-called original universe. The team-members are different. I don’t recall Starfire or Cyborg being in YJ. There’s no Secret or Superboy on the Teen Titans. The only common member each team will have is Robin and there have been three of him. This cancellation makes no sense. This means I’ll be spending less money on DC comics: an account which already has considerably diminished.
Just out of curiosity does this mean DC will be killing the Robin title? I don’t buy the book, but it seems to me that if DC is concerned about some kind of confusion between YJ and TTA, they should also be concerned with Robin being in the present while he’s in the future with TTA.
Ray Tate
This SUCKS. I just jumped on this book, and I’m loving it. Now it’s getting canceled? Bah. DC no baka.
Oh, well, I still have 47 back issues to scour the shops for.
One word: AAAAAAAARRRGGGHHH!!!!
(Of course, I have another word to say, but writing it here would get me banned)
This was just the most distressing news I could possibly have seen yesterday!
Young Justice was one of my favorite titles, and it’s cancellation to recast it for a friggin’ cartoon is beyond aggravating.
The cast of the Teen Titans revamp features simply 2 characters I give a dámņ about: Robin and Wonder Girl. The rest I wouldn’t care if they got eaten by Tribbles.
I don’t like the fact that we are apparently going to lose Secret and Arrowette, two of the more intriguing characters in comics.
I really hate the apparent disdain Marvel and DC continually show for PAD’s work, particularly since they seem to cast him off with nary a thought.
This is simply terrible.
When I first heard the news all I could think of was I hoped that DC at least treated PAD with some sense of honesty and did informed him before they informed the world. I was glad to see that they did that. I am sad to see another PAD book go (as is my wife, she has read many of PAD’s Star Trek books and I finally got her to read some comics when I told her it was the same Peter David) I hope that you find another project soon that you will dive into with as much enthusiasm and caring as you have this one.
Thank you for five great years of entertainment with Young Justice!
There’s not much that I can say that the multitude of people before me haven’t said sufficiently. This stinks on ice. I will not say that I’ll boycott the new titles because they do have some excellent teams writing them. However, there is a huge void that’s being left by the cancellation of YJ that will not be filled. PLEASE don’t let this happen to Supergirl. I’ll go nuts without a monthly dose of PAD.
Thanks for all the excellent work and I’ll continue seeking out your name in the credits of comics, novels, etc.
Best wishes to the whole creative team of YJ!
Well I must say that I’m sad to see this series go, it was just starting to pick up steam again. I was really excited about learning more about Zandia, since I think that’s a killer concept. And PAD’s reference in #50 of one of his early Aquaman issues made that issue an instant favorite for me, even though the issue as a whole was excellent.
Oh and while I’m at it, Captain Marvel #2 was fantastic.
Looking forward to hearing about your upcoming projects.
Man, that just fûçkìņg blows. Not that I was a reader, but the idea that in an age when the comic book industry seems so fragile, that a well-selling book would be cancelled because of a TV show. So there you have it. Produce a TV show, get a book cancelled. What fûçkìņg stupidity.
And how long does anyone figure this cartoon will last? Nowadays, American superhero cartoon shows last what, three years? Four? Young Justice went for five and a half, and if Peter’s stint and the book’s sales continued, it would’ve conceivably gone on for far longer. Talk about a bad investment. The TV industry gets a show, and the comic industry loses a good book.
And Peter, just so you know, I NEVER took a favorite artist for granted. When I was enjoying David Michelenie and Todd McFarlane’s run on Amazing Spider-Man, I never wanted Todd to leave. (This was back when we didn’t know what a lying scumbag he was.) And although I loved every artist on Hulk from McFarlane through Gary Frank, I never wanted Gary Frank to leave. Whenever I saw a “guest artist” on Captain Marvel I almost always wished Chris Wiliams wasn’t on vacation (with the exception of Chris Batista’s and Derec Aucoin’s issues).
Like Kimota42 said, “This stinks and I don’t like it.”
Young Justice was one of the few books I really looked forward to reading every month. It had a good story, you cared about the characters and it was just a fun book to read. I will really miss reading the adventure’s of Impulse, Robin, and most of all Secret. I hope the new books fail and DC crawls back to Peter and Todd to bring the book back. In the mean time I will just have to go back and reread all the YJ books all over again.
Well, what’s to say? YJ is going and I’ll miss it. It was great while it lasted.
What interests me at the moment is hearing about your ‘several new projects’, PAD… 🙂
well color me three shades of pìššëd øff. this sucks, yj is one of the best titles out there. it was one of the few comics that was just “fun” and i am really hating dc right now. peter i am so sorry they did this to you and to us also. you and todd are a great team and dc is stupid for pulling the plug on this title. i hope the teen titans cartoon tanks and that yj is back with you and todd back at the helm.
i remain….
dave
I have to echo what everyone else has been saying. I’m sorry to see the book go. I’ve always liked Peter’s blend of action, drama and humor and I will miss the book and the characters. (The ones not appearing in TT, I mean.) And, while I never did come around to Todd Nauck’s art style, I stuck with it because of Peter’s writing.
Fazhoul
PAD & TAN…
…thanks for over 50 great issues of Young Justice.
We at least had that!
PAD,
My feelings about this have been echoed may times over by the other posters, so I just want to use this space to wish you and Todd the best of Luck in all future projects and let you both know that I’ll follow you two wherever you go. Actually, I have something to say: It just boggles the mind that DC would do this, you even managed to make the “Wonder Twins” interesting for crying out loud; I’m sure you’d have had no trouble handling the relaunch.
Best wishes,
Raphy
I totally agree that PAD doing a Shazam book for DC would be a dream come true. Let’s see it!
I am disappointed, but had to be honest. YJ used to be a read as soon as you get into the car from the comic book store. Now it is wait a while and read a few others before it. It was having problems with…
1.) Stalling. Issues where stalled, delaying, throw away issues for like #40, #41, #43 (a touching issue but not that much Young Justice itself) The Wendy the Werewolf Hunter. They were nice small stories, but they did thing big, but stalled for….
2.) Excess crossovers. Young Justice had it bad, with Our World at War, Last Laugh, World Without Justice, all those in under a year. The comic book was not a Young Justice which you could get into, but bouncing around for another need and then let go before grabbed again.
3.) Characters in the Book – Various characters were forced into the book and stayed around to long. Slow-bo felt like a running gag that went on to long, Ray was in there because……?, Empresses was nice, but things focused to much on her at times (including a big part of the 47-51 arc). These things happened because…
4.) Characters not in the book – Because of having to deal with Superboy in his own book (being depowered) Impuluse new powers, personal loss, and other things, Robin and problems with Batman, and Wonder Girl’s development caused all sorts of stalling, alterations in the Young Justice comic book I was reading. With them being unalterable and stuck in the mud, Young Justice was not something you focus on.
I love Peter David’s writing but there were many things by editors (or other comic books) that caused a lot of problems for Young Justice. It felt as if Young Justice was used to catch some overflow and just thrown away. I do hope Peter David can write more comic books written, and get freedom for his own story and tone.
*sigh* Another one of the “top of the reading stack” books bites the dust.
I don’t suppose you’ve ever considered writing the Legion of Super-Heroes? (Yes, I know there’s a current writing team, but — as we see here — all things are eventually subject to change.)
I think that Todd Nauck or Barry Kitson should try out for The Legion. Either of them would be great on that book and they don’t have a regular penciler any more.
Kyle: “Oh my gawd! They’ve killed Young Justice and the Titans!”
Stan: “You B@$—!”
Other than misquoting a cartoon show, what can I say that hasn’t already been written?
Good luck on whatever’s next, and here’s hoping for the best on Supergirl and Captain Mar-vell.
I’am very sad that YJ is being cancelled, but now i’am even more upset that Secret is with Darkseid. I hope that it does not last and she back to being good at the end of YJ.
There’s not a whole lot I can add to what’s been stated here before. But what the hey.
I, too, am depressed and outraged and infuriated by the cancellation of ‘Young Justice’!! I don’t suppose something along the lines of a letter-writing campaign or petition drive would be enough to turn DC’s decision, would it?? Even so, I’m looking forward to the upcoming projects from my favorite writer of stuff.
Say, I don’t suppose one of those projects in the pipeline would be a ‘Wendy The Werewolf Whomper’ spin-off, would it??
Hooper
Someone brought up a very good idea on the DC Young Justice Board (Rusty I hope you don’t mind my relaying your idea.) and I don’t know if it’s been mentioned here or not (74 comments is alot to read.) but is there any possibility of allowing this book to continue without the 4 members going to Teen Titans? Just do a recruitment drive and add them to the remaining roster and I think this book could stay alive. Supergirl, CM3, and Spoiler would be 3 perfect additions to replace Wonder Girl, Superboy, and Robin. And if XS isn’t being used in Legion she could replace Impulse easily. And if not her, then there are plenty of other teen heroes to choose from as YJ #50 clearly demonstrated. Inferno and Damage just to name two. And any of the members of Jurgens’ Teen Titans would work well here. Actually YJ is probably the perfect place for Risk! Of course there’s one important question that needs to be asked: Would PAD even be interested in doing the book without those 4 members?
Well, hëll.
I’ve really enjoyed this series and I’ll miss it–as opposed to [i]The Titans,[/i] which I pick up each month and ask myself, “Why am I still buying this?”
This truely does suck canal water. I’ve been a fan of YJ since Girl Frenzy: The Secret. Todd Nauk’s artistry drew me to the series, and your stellar writing kept me in.
If the series was failing, I could understand its being cancelled. As it stands, all I can do is shake my head in confusion.
I would’ve loved to see what you had in store for the characters, especially Impulse and Superboy (since they were YOUR characters to control finally). Confound it all.
Another one gone. Another one down. Another one bites the dust.
Oh well. At least there’s Captain Marvel (*he says, crossing his fingers and knocking on wood until his knuckles bleed*).
The Chosen One has spoken. Heed and obey.
I really didn’t care about the male characters in the book, but I really loved how you depicted the girls on the team. I’m going to hate to see how what you have done will be twisted.
We all voted and Wondergirl won. And I just know Robin will automatically be leading the Teen Titans
I’m at a point in my life right now where I can afford one comic book per month. For the more than two years that I’ve been on this limit, that book has been Young Justice. It’s been worth every rice-and-seasoning meal to collect the pocket change for YJ; just like so many other folks here, I’ve followed it since the beginning, and I’ll be there right through the end.
Thank you, Mr. David, for one glorious trip.
“SOULSEARCHERS AND COMPANY”, they say? I’ll be searching my comic store next month, to see if we carry it.
DC has every right to make their business decisions as they see fit. I just wonder if this is an early sign of descent into the “lowest common denominator” madness that Ron Perlman brought to Marvel.
So, um…now that Winick is writing one of the spin-off books of yet another BIG EVENT, does this mean Nightwing is suddenly going to learn he’s a very, VERY white Latino?
Sorry, PAD, and everyone involved with YJ. Can’t say I agreed with every issue, but the overall effect of the series was rather enjoyable. Thanks.
Well, I’m just like most everyone else. I love the HÊLL out of the YJ series since the first ‘Girl Frenzy’ issue introducing Secret (written by Dezago) all the way to now. I have never seen a monthly ongoing series as consistent or as fun or as totally bìŧçhìņ’ as the Young Justice title.
Having turned into a HUGE Superboy fan over the past year or so, I was saddened hearing that his title was being canceled with #100. But then I came to the realisation that Peter David would then gain creative control over the character. That was a definite upside. And to hear after as far as YJ went with Peter, Todd Nauck, and Lary Stucker as the creative team, even making it as far as issue #50, that it is all coming to a close.
Pete, Todd, Lary: I can’t tell you how awesome it was seeing both Superboy AND Damage together on the same pages and on the same panels in issue #51. Where will Nauck go now? He is such a fantastic artist! As far as we know now Supergirl isn’t going to be swept from underneath Peter David’s feet like YJ was from the whole team. This is just such sad news. I LOVED YOUR GUYSES’ RUN ON YOUNG JUSTICE. DC really screwed us all over, creative-team and fans included.
If YJ is cancelled, who will listen to They Might Be Giants?
I can’t help but to feel responsible for this tragedy, I started reading Quantum and Woody – cancelled. I picked up Impulse a year ago – cancelled. Now, I recently fell hard for YJ. Now cancelled. I think I may be cursed, but I won’t jump to any conclusions. That would be bad.
I will follow the YJ crew whereever fate sends them.
Well, I know that it’s been said by everyone on the board already, but hey, I had to put in my two cents. First off, YJ is, by far, my favorite book on the racks. I literally have to count down the weeks to the next issue, which is always worth the wait. Between your masterful command of the characters (you turned me into a lifelong Impulse fan) and Todd and Lary’s perfect artwork, YJ became my favorite team, containing my favorite characters.
At first, I was furious about the cancellation of my favorite book. However, the more I think about it, the characters that you helped to define will survive no matter where they go. With Geoff Johns at the helm, I’m sure that Teen Titans will become one of my favorite books, although it will never take the place of Young Justice.
Can’t wait to see what you guys pull out of the hat for the finale! Has Todd got any other projects he’s working on? Whatever you guys do, I’ll follow. You keep writing ’em, I’ll keep reading ’em.