The next accommodates spoilers for Young Justice: Phantoms, Episode 19, “Encounter Upon the Razor’s Edge!,” now streaming on HBO Max.
Young Justice has so far taken a extra character-focused method to its arcs, with every batch of episodes turning its consideration to heroes who had been members of the eponymous group when it was simply getting began. The fifth arc within the line-up centered on Raquel Ervin/Rocket, now a Justice League member, who’s trying to entreat help from the New Gods of New Genesis in opposition to their counterparts from Apokolips. Whereas this is occurring, nonetheless, YJ’s newest episode, “Encounter Upon the Razer’s Edge!,” introduced in a personality from a completely separate DC animated collection — and in doing so, continued a narrative arc followers by no means thought they’d see transfer ahead.
Whereas Rocket prepares to barter, two members of the Inexperienced Lantern Corps are on their technique to New Genesis to function mediators: Tomar-Re and Kilowog, each longtime members of the corps. On their approach, the 2 decide up a misery beacon and discover a Blue Lantern, drifting by way of house and almost out of energy. Kilowog helps the stranger recharge his energy, whereupon he acknowledges who the Lantern is: an previous buddy of his named Razer.
The revelation got here as a shock to many followers, since Razer was a personality created for the short-lived Inexperienced Lantern: The Animated Sequence. Premiering in 2011, the present aired alongside the primary two seasons of Young Justice, in addition to Beware the Batman and Teen Titans Go! as a part of Cartoon Community’s DC Nation block. Sadly, on account of low merchandise gross sales and the unfavorable response to the live-action Inexperienced Lantern film, the animated collection was canceled after its inaugural season, leaving the collection on a cliffhanger.
In GL: TAS, Razer is launched as a member of the Red Lantern Corps, a rage-fueled terrorist cell that sought vengeance in opposition to the Inexperienced Lanterns and their leaders, the Guardians of the Universe. Nevertheless, after happening adventures with Hal Jordan, Kilowog and their synthetic intelligence Aya (who he fell in love with), Razer sees the folly of his actions and turns into a buddy to the Greens. The Animated Sequence ended with Aya showing to die, but additionally with Razer believing she was nonetheless out within the universe someplace and getting down to discover her — unaware {that a} Blue Lantern Ring, drawn to his hope, was following him.
By the point he returns in “Encounter!,” 4 years have handed, and Razer has accepted his new place as a Blue Lantern, having turned over his crimson ring to the New God Metron for safe-keeping. Nevertheless, his quest to search out Aya has ended up fruitless, with each potential clue resulting in a useless finish. Thus, together with his hopes dashed, Razer has come to New Genesis to get his crimson ring again and use its rage to gasoline his quest.
Razer meets with Metron and requests the return of the ring. Metron agrees, however solely in trade for the blue ring. They commerce, and when Razer places the crimson ring again on after so a few years… nothing occurs. The fad he must energy it’s now not inside him. That adjustments when Metron explains that his true function was solely ever to check the lantern rings — a plan that together with not solely manipulating Razer into handing over the crimson ring, but additionally feeding him false clues to Aya’s location, killing Razer’s hope and main him to return again to Metron for the crimson ring. Indignant at being manipulated, Razer re-becomes a Red Lantern and assaults Metron in a fury.
That is, naturally, a part of Metron’s plan, as he needs to check the powers of the crimson ring in individual. He is in a position to stand up to Razer’s assaults with ease, however that does not cease their struggle from endangering the civilians of Supertown. When Razer sees the injury he is prompted, he stops his assault and calls for Metron return the blue ring. Metron refuses, however then the ring returns to Razer of its personal accord, permitting him to wield the blue and the crimson rings concurrently. With these, Razer is ready to ship Metron packing and assist the folks he put in hurt’s approach.
By the tip of “Encounter!,” Razer involves the conclusion that he is worthy to wield each of the rings, since his rage and hope are each core components of who he’s. He bids a fond farewell to Kilowog, then departs New Genesis, persevering with his quest to search out Aya someplace within the galaxy.
When requested about “Encounter!” on Twitter, Young Justice co-creator Greg Weisman stated that incorporating Razer into Phantoms was the concept of his fellow creator Brandon Vietti, and that Inexperienced Lantern: The Animated Sequence was thus “adjoining” to YJ continuity (just like DC Showcase: Inexperienced Arrow and Catwoman: Hunted, each of which had been written by Weisman.) Greater than that, nonetheless, it was thrilling for followers of each exhibits to see Razer’s story arc proceed. The abrupt ending of GL: TAS was heartbreaking for followers of the present. Seeing certainly one of its hottest characters return offers some measure of closure, in addition to the potential of seeing Razer’s story preserve going sooner or later. Hope, in any case, springs everlasting.
Young Justice: Phantoms and Inexperienced Lantern: The Animated Sequence are each out there to stream on HBO Max.