10 Characters that could appear in Young Justice: Phantoms

Young Justice is a show that proves the power of a fandom. When the show premiered back in 2010, the protege superhero team was well received by fans. The fans could not get enough of the complex narrative and in-depth character development given to the roster of heroes. But, the show was abruptly cancelled in 2013 due to poor toy sales, not due to poor series ratings. However, the fans raised up like being called by the Justice League to save the young heroes. This outpour for the show's revival was officially won in 2016 when a third season, Young Justice: Outsiders, went into production.

The massive fan campaign to bring the show back worked, resulting in continuation of the story and now a fourth series is set to premier at the end of 2021, Young Justice: Phantoms. Much like every other series, the next instalment will see another time-jump and how much time will have passed has not been specified. Between the first and second seasons five years had passed and between the second series and third series a further three years had passed. This has made a total of 8 years over the course of three seasons.

This enables the writers to quickly introduce new characters and changes to the current heroes between the series. In this article we will look at 10 characters that could appear in the fourth series. This article will only look at characters that have yet to appear and not any character that could return, so sorry Kid Flash fans, but no Wally West on this list. We will also not examine any characters from the Legion of Superheroes, as their introduction was confirmed in the closing scene of Young Justice: Outsiders.

10. S.T.R.I.P.E

Now this first entry could happen, simply as Stargirl has already appeared in Young Justice, well sort of. Courtney Witmore appeared as a presenter in Young Justice: Outsiders, often reporting on Beast Boy's hit television show. So the door is wide open to allow Pat Dugan to appear as S.T.R.I.P.E. as all that would need to happen during the time-jump is for this duo to have suited up and caught the attention of the Justice League.

The added bonus with this addition is how both he and Stargirl could appear in the series, with S.T.R.I.P.E joining the Justice League, while Courtney joins the Team. If Pat were to join the Justice League it would allow for some more tech-based League members. The show has been brilliant at introducing a wide variety of heroes and villains, but the gadget wielding heroes are easily outnumbered by those with the meta-gene.

9. Hawk & Dove

This entry could allow for endless options. Hawk & Dove have been hero identities used by many characters, both male and female. The age of the pair could also be left up to the writers of the show. They could write the duo either be older and member of the Justice League or younger and members of the Team. Personally I would vote for the latter, with them being younger heroes and learning to harness and hone their skills.

Much like the League, the Team has become overran with meta-based heroes. The addition of Hawk and Dove would allow for the show to feature more street-based dealing for some of the heroes, which could lead them directly to the Light. With so many options for whom takes the titles of Hawk & Dove, if a fifth series is green-lit after Young Justice: Phantom, the writers could even change things up with this pair much like they did with Robin changing from Dick Grayson to Tim Drake between series one and two.

8. Question

During Young Justice: Outsiders, huge strives were made for LGBTQ representation, most notable being Aqualad (now as Aquaman) having a boyfriend and Halo identify as non-binary uncertain if they are male or female. One of the first openly LGBTQ characters from comics, Batwoman, appeared in the last series and this opens the door for her partner Question to join the show.

Aside from the LGBTQ factor of adding Question, she would actually make a lot of sense being added to the show. The Light have been pulling the strings of both the League and the Team since series one. With Question being a conspiracy theory cracking genius, it would only be logical for the Question to join the roster. The only question is, will her constant theories begin to grate of the other heroes aiming to stop the Light?

7. Jade

Over the course of three seasons, the League now holds a total of three Green Lanterns. So, it seems only right the Team final get a Green Lantern of their own. While Jade is set to appear in the live-action Stargirl series, there is no reason she could not also appear in Young Justice: Phantoms. Being perhaps the most famous female Green Lantern in recent year, it would be a great chance for DC to finally introduce her to a wider audience.

Another good thing to remember, Darkseid's influence is ever increasing in Young Justice, so perhaps having an intergalactic travelling superhero on the Team is now needed. Jade could essentially be the Team's port for intergalactic intelligence. With the Team aiming to be more covert than the League, a newbie to her Green Lantern powers acting as their space-based reconnoissance for the Team simply makes sense.

6. Shazam Family

Shazam has been present in Young Justice since the first season, so you would have thought another member of the Shazam family would have debuted by now. We have seen Black Adam in the show, but now it the time for Billy to be joined by the rest of his super-powered family. Especially now Billy is an adult given all the time jumps, being 18 during the events of Young Justice: Outsiders.

With him having grown up since 10 being a member of the Justice League, perhaps it is time for him to now become a mentor to one or two from the Shazam family. Rather than adding all the members, Young Justice: Phantom, could introduce Lady Shazam as a member of the Justice League with Shazam, while Shazam Jr. as a member of the Team having only just discovered the power of shouting SHAZAM!

5. Batwing

To say a few members of Batman Inc. have appeared in Young Justice would be an understatement. But let's face it, there is always room for one more. At the end of the third season the third Robin was clearly at a crossroads and his continuation as Robin may have shifted to him being Red Wing come Young Justice: Phantoms. This will leave room on the Team for a Batman protege. With Damien being seen as still a baby in the third series, it is safe to say we won't be getting the fourth Robin any time soon.

So, why not change things up and have Batman mentoring a new hero that emulates him more in look than other proteges. With so many former proteges for Batwing to look to, they could truly play-up the factors and risks of following in the shadows behind Batman. This could truly come to a head forcing Batwing to make tough choices when Red Hood makes his full debut, as he was hinted at being nearly ready in Young Justice: Outsiders.

4. Starfire

Starfire is a hugely loved DC character, who has been a proven heroine and leader of the Teen Titans. Up until the end of series three, Starfire did not make as much sense to come to Young Justice as other heroes. But now is the time. During the events of the previous series, Beast Boy formed his own team of heroes called the Outsiders, and their primary aim was to be a team out in the open like the Justice League. The team consisted of just over half a dozen heroes, but many of those heroes have been members of the Teen Titans.

With another time-jump set to occur, the team could have changed and now be going by the new name, the Teen Titans. This would allow Kory to join their team and make her debut in the show. But this is not completely needed, as the Outsiders is a team in the comics and Starfire has been a member. The big question is, if she were to enter Young Justice, could we see a love-triangle form between Nightwing, Barbara & Starfire?

3. Booster Gold

Booster Gold is one of those characters fans love, just simply due to his confidence which is rarely met up with by his actions. Having come from the future, they could have a lot of fun with temporal dialogue by bringing Booster Gold into Young Justice, especially if they bounce his personality off against the last time traveller to join the show, Kid Flash II.

Booster Gold could also aggravate Batman, mainly due to their polar-opposite approaches when in their superhero ensamble. With how Batman was forced to see the error of his actions and step back from leading from the shadows at the end of the third season. He could do with someone new to trigger his suspicions. We also need to consider how the Legion of Superheroes are set to appear, and Boosters ambitions to be such an iconic hero could lead to jealousy from such a famous team entering the fray.

2. Harley Quinn

Harley is one of those characters you would think had already debuted in Young Justice, especially as the Joker appeared in the first season. However, everyone favourite pixie tail wearing hammer wielding nut job has yet to show her face. With 8 years having passed since the first series, if she were to appear in season four, it is likely her Joker past will be behind her and the more anti-hero Harley will be what fans see.

With Young Justice: Outsiders introducing the Suicide Squad, it is most likely this will be where Harley appears within the show. Harley could easily bring some light-hearted sass to Young Justice, which would be a refreshing change to how the majority of villain based characters have been handled. She could bring some great lines to the show and make wise-cracks about how morality can be viewed to the younger heroes.

1. Supergirl

With the title for the next series being, Young Justice: Phantoms, many fans have hoped the ghoulish link to the name would mean that the original Kid Flash will be resurrected in the coming season. This may still happen. However, given the rising threat of Darkseid and how the galactic aspects of DC have become stronger in Young Justice throughout the years. Phantoms could actual be linking to the famous Phantom Zone from DC comics and Supergirl is one hero strongly linked to the Phantom Zone.

Supergirl is perhaps the most famous younger hero still yet to debut in the show. If the Phantom Zone is set to be explored, the girl-of-steel could be set to make her debut. Her introduction could also lead to hostilities between her and Superboy, especially if Superman quickly embraces his long-lost family member. Finally, if the team are also set to go against Darkseid, it is safe to say they could use the additional Kryptonian muscle in the battles they are set to face.

Those are 10 characters I feel we could see in the upcoming Young Justice: Phantoms. Which characters would you like to see?