The final arc of Young Justice: Phantoms will mark the return of fan-favorite character, Nightwing.
HBO Max confirmed Nightwing’s involvement in the DC animated series’ fourth season via a poster shared by the streamer’s Hero Mode account on Twitter. Batman’s one-time sidekick’s last major appearance was in the Young Justice Season 3 finale, “Nevermore,” although he showed up briefly in Season 4, Episode 5, “Tale of Two Sisters,” and Episode 14, “Nautical Twilight.” Otherwise, Nightwing’s presence in Young Justice: Phantoms has been limited to flashback sequences.
While Nightwing’s return is the big news surrounding Young Justice: Phantoms‘ final arc, he’s far from the only major arrival this season. Several new characters debuted in Season 4, including one culled from an entirely different series, the Blue Lantern Razer. Razer was first introduced in 2011’s Green Lantern: The Animated Series, which was canceled after only one season. The Blue Lantern’s inclusion in Young Justice: Phantoms gave fans the unexpected opportunity to see his story continue.
Young Justice: Phantoms also ushered in several new baddies, including Lor Zod — the son of Superman’s legendary adversary General Zod. Zod himself later appeared in Episode 18, “Beyond the Grip of the Gods!,” with his equally infamous partner Ursa debuting in the following episode, “Encounter Upon the Razor’s Edge!.” Outside of the comics, Zod is best known as the main villain in 1980’s Superman II (which also featured Ursa) and 2013’s Man of Steel, as well as the 2018 Krypton TV series.
Young Justice Season 4 also teased the introduction of several other DC superheroes in forthcoming episodes. Of these, the most notable is Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, who was hinted at in Episode 17, “Leviathan Wakes.” While Rayner wasn’t explicitly named in the episode, many fans believe that a cryptic comment by Aquaman was an indirect reference to the character’s impending arrival.
The very next episode of Young Justice: Phantoms, “Beyond the Grip of the Gods!,” also included a nod to another costumed vigilante, Peacemaker. During the episode’s post-credits sting, Superman and Black Lightning review potential candidates to join the Justice League’s reservist ranks, and the Man of Steel suggests Peacemaker as someone worth considering. If Peacemaker does indeed star in a future episode of the Young Justice Season 4, it would cap a banner year for the character, following the successful launch of his own HBO Max series in January 2022.
New episodes of Young Justice: Phantoms stream every Thursday on HBO Max.
Source: Twitter
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