Young Justice Finally Returns for a Third Season

Young Justice, cancelled after only two seasons in 2013, is coming back for a third season. The animated DC superhero show, which focused on the young partners (“Don’t call us sidekicks!”) of Justice League members, aired on Cartoon Network from 2011-2013.

Members of the original team’s lineup included Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad, Superboy, Miss Martian, and Artemis, with Zatanna making a cameo or two. With Season Two, there were some alterations to the team roster, with Dick Grayson stepping up from Robin to his adult hero persona (Nightwing) and taking over the team, while Tim Drake — the third person to hold the title of Robin — joined the team along with Batgirl, Bumblebee, Wonder Girl, Beast Boy, Blue Beetle, and numerous other comic book favorites.

Despite a strong and passionate fanbase, the show was cancelled due to disappointing merchandise sales. This seems to have been more because of the type of merchandise being sold rather than a lack of interest. As the show was geared toward an older audience, the line of action figures and other such toys aimed at younger children probably wasn’t the best choice.

And who can forget Young Justice: Legacy, the tie-in video game which was pulled from two of the consoles (Wii and Wii U) it was originally supposed to be released for due to everything from “quality issues” to lack of retailer interest. That ill-fated game quickly found its way into Wal-Mart bargin bins everywhere, which certainly didn’t help the fate of the show and its merch sales. Maybe this time around the merchandising will be more appropriate to their audience. Or at least a better video game tie-in.

Producer Greg Weisman has remained active in the Young Justice fandom, answering questions here and there, but ultimately keeping a lot of further information about “what happens next” top secret, as the dream has always been to produce a third season of the show. Now, it seems, that dream has become reality — and aren’t we glad he didn’t spoil it all before it could begin?

Weisman, along with fellow original producer Brandon Vietti, will return to helm Season Three. It has not been announced whether Young Justice will air on Cartoon Network as it did previously or if it will find a new home elsewhere. Seasons one and two are both currently available for streaming on Netflix.