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Leaving Rob Liefeld out of Liefeld books might just be a good idea…

When I picked up my random purchase for the week, panic began to set in.  The comic chosen for Random Purchase?  Youngblood #4.  The last time I read a Rob Liefeld comic, 2006’s Onslaught Reborn published by Marvel, I woke up naked in the forest, bleeding from the nose, my ass hurt and I could not remember the previous three days of my life.  I apparently also suffered serious brain damage and lost several IQ points.  Therefore, you understand why I might hesitate to open up a Liefeld book again.  Luckily, for me, this Youngblood series does not sport Liefeld anywhere except as ‘creator’ and on the variant cover. Joe Casey actually helms this version of Youngblood, so I figured it would at least be safe to open the cover and read through once.

This version of Youngblood comes to us as a superhero team that lives in front of the camera.  They are, apparently, a government/corporate sponsored TV show. The ‘previously in’ on the inside cover are actually panels from previous issues that I think supposedly tell me what has happened in previous issues, but it lacks any real indication other than the existence of a counter Youngblood group called Mayhem, inc.  Luckily, the first two pages of the comic have Shaft (I will ignore the enormous potential for the myriad of jokes that this Hawkeye knockoff’s unfortunate name brings to mind. I am sure that after 15 years we know them all by now) waking from the ‘dead’ and we get exposition a plenty.  The book continues as Youngblood and Mayhem, Inc. end up pitted against each other in a no holds barred showdown for more ratings.  Meanwhile, Shaft sets out on his own agenda: to reclaim Youngblood.

Joe Casey’s fans tend to either revile his work or revere it.  I think he does the best he can with what he has here, but honestly, if someone gives you a cart of crap and tells you to sell it as ice cream, what can you do but throw some whipped cream on it, add a cherry on top and smile a lot? For the most part, it seems that Casey rebooted Youngblood into his own idea, leaving him with the stoic, arch-type characters to try to infuse with some personality.  The lively story executes a fast pace and takes an idea seen a few times now (New Warriors, Todd Nuack’s WildGuard) and expands into the mega-corporation/government arena.  One thing I do have to bring up, however.  Televillain.  Seriously, Joe Casey?  I totally applaud your input of an even more absurd arch-type super villain in a book that could practically be the encyclopedia Britannica of arch-types. 

Derec Donovan’s art and Bill Crabtree’s colors are standard Image quality art.  Clean, bright, nice detailing without going over board and most of the characters have actual facial expressions.  I must point out though, I was not aware members of Youngblood had feet and I think this is the first time I have seen them drawn with torsos that actually could support their shoulders!  While the art might not leap out at you, at least it keeps you in the story and flows well with Casey’s pace. 

Overall, Joe Casey’s version of Youngblood definitely is a step up from previous incarnations.  The added benefit of not causing random paralysis or seizures gives it a huge leg up to start with.  It seems like an interesting story with a lot going on and given time could shape up nicely, as long as he can grow the characters past the arch-types that Liefeld patterned them after and make the reader see it.  A good read, though you might want to go find back issues and start with #1 if you want to be less confused about some of the plot points.

YoungBlood #4
Story: Joe Casey
Art & Cover: Derec DonoVan
Colors: Bill Crabtree
Letters: Rus Wooton

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