Youngblood #1 Review
New Kids on The Block
Celebrating over 30 years of Youngblood, Youngblood #1 returns in a deluxe edition with over-the-top action and style. Resembling the early 90s action comics, this comic book is jam-packed with fierce and bold excitement. The Youngblood Initiative brings together a plethora of powerful heroes on a payroll basis by the government. Under the flag of Nationalism, this ragtag group of talent and gifted individuals takes on the toughest and grittiest tasks no other operative could handle. Granted, not all the group’s members are considered human, but they get the job done no matter what obstacles block their way. Under the leadership of an ex-F.B.I. agent codenamed Shaft, he leads a team of specially trained operatives tasked with bringing down two superpowered villains planning to release their comrades on military transport. Intercepting them, the team prepares for a showdown against the villains who reunite with their imprisoned teammates.
Created by Rob Liefeld (Brigade, Deadpool, Prophet) and written by Joe Casey (WildCats, Velocity, Pirate Tales), Youngblood #1 reintroduces the popular ’90s star-studded protagonists in all their glory in a brand-new look and feel with 42 pages of content. Designed to celebrate the years the comic book has been in circulation, Liefeld and Casey awaken fantastic memories of the past for veteran fans of the series and spark interest for the newer fans to hop on. The comic book is filled with awe-inspiring characters that vastly differ from one another. Whether that’s through conversation or actions, these characters within the story, at times, don’t play by the rules. Thankfully, with squad leaders, they can stay focused, but only if they can avoid getting on each other’s nerves during a mission. The banter in the comic book adds its flair of fun to the experience due to how overwhelmingly extreme it can be. As for those who have read the original Youngblood issue 1, it’s important to note that the comic book has been updated with new dialogue crafted by Casey. These updates come with improved demeanors and character traits that enhance the quality of the comic book itself. In addition, new pages have been added to apply more depth and understanding of the world they live in. For new readers, it works as a perfect starting point for those who have never read the series before.
The artwork by Leifeld in Youngblood #1 is incredibly detailed. The way he draws his characters with either the biggest or most vascular frames to some characters sporting a twelve-pack of washboard abs, is always fun to realize. Even many years after the original, Leifeld is still having fun doing what he loves to do. His artwork for this celebration shows that he’s dedicated to providing refinement and exploring new avenues to expand the world he created. Furthermore, Liefeld took the liberty to add some pages that give the comic book a fresher identity. There were key changes in the deluxe edition that suit today’s societal normality than in the previous era of the comic book itself. As for the images depicted in the panels and pages, those rearrangements, removed details, and polished finish add a new presentation to the story. With those additional pages, readers can explore more angles of what the story is about and the many factors involved.
The color work by Matt Yackey (Empyre, Dandy, Cyberforce) is insanely good. The color scheme within each panel of the page is riddled with a surmount of work that complements Liefeld’s illustrations. The range of work Yackey accomplishes adds significant value and interest to the comic book.
Speaking of significant value, Rus Wooton (Ghost Cage, Guarding the Globe, Fire Power) is, without a doubt, a versatile letterer. The amount of dialogue and positioning where the word bubbles would go in Youngblood #1 cannot be forgotten. The sheer work of placing and figuring out how to convey a scene with sounds and dialogue, and at the same time, does not seem an easy task to pull off. For fans of Liefeld and Image Comics, it’s important to appreciate a letterer like Wooton who can work all of that dialogue, sounds, and captions in a single panel so that the story isn’t obstructed or taken away from. Thanks to Wooton, the comic book was a joy to read from front to end.
Final Thoughts?
In conclusion, Youngblood #1 is an excellent comic book to read anytime. It’s a bit violent, but that’s because it’s supposed to be outlandishly good. It’s meant to be a comic book that you can read no matter how many times, and it’ll just be as good as the first read-through. Readers can pick this issue up at their local comic book store, online markets, and digital apps, where they are sold for entertainment. Not much like a Youngblood comic book, that’s for sure.
Comic Details
Story: Rob Liefeld
Writer: Joe Casey
Artist: Rob Liefeld
Colorist: Matt Yackey
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Cover Artist: Rob Liefeld
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: April 23, 2025
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Howard Smith Howard is a passionate collector and avid reader of comics who resides in the city of Washington, D.C. His love for all things pop culture extends beyond the pages of comics, as he attends popular culture conventions both locally and out of state. Whether he’s searching for rare comic finds or engaging in video games, or reading manga he manifests an opportunity to celebrate his fandom. Follow along as he explores the worlds of superheroes, sci-fi, and beyond, always with a keen eye for adventure and a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling.
Related Posts
Lost Fantasy #1 Review →
Medieval Spawn #1 Review →
Hellboy in Mexico Celebrates 15th Anniversary with New Screenprints from Dark Horse Direct →
