A Be-Drugging Issue
By Delphic 7 Comments
When it comes to the Young Justice television series I've been a little behind on the times. I've missed every single episode since the series started back earlier this year, but since the new episodes are still considered to be part of season one my itunes season pass was still in effect, so luckily I was able to catch up on everything I had missed. One of the most interesting things I've noticed is that once again drug use has made it's presence known in the lives of the young heroes, but this time is just so happens to be a little different.
Long time fans of Roy Harper remember the dark times that Roy struggled with an addiction to heroin. It all started during the "Snowbirds Don't Fly" Story arc that occurred during issues 85 and 86 of Green Lantern vol 2, which was later reprinted under Green Lantern/Green Arrow series. Prior to this Roy had went through the disbanding of the first Teen Titans, a break up with Donna Troy, and his mentor Oliver Queen loosing his entire fortune. It was a really tough time for Roy, and during that time Oliver was not around that often due to being off on missions leaving Roy without a mentor to help guide him during this tough time. At one point Roy explains to Hal Jordan that people turn to drugs because there is a lack of something somewhere else in their lives. In Roy's case, it seemed to be the absence of his mentor.
In the Young Justice TV series, Superboy is relatively the youngest among the young heroes. He came into the world without anyone to call his family, and desired nothing more than to become Superman. Though he is taken in by the others (Robin, Miss Martian, Aqualad, etc) and considered part of their "family" Superboy still lacks what the others have, and that is a mentor. Superman is reluctant to have anything to do Conner and it seems to be having a negative effect, especially now that Conner has come into contact with Lex Luthor and received the "Shields" from him which are a chemical substance in the form of a patch that Connor indulges in. For those who don't know what the shields are here is a quick bit about them, and for those who don't wish to be spoiled I will cover it up.
Conner is only a partial clone of Superman. His genetic structure is made up of both Human and Kryptonian DNA, because cadmus proved that a perfect Kryptonian clone was too unstable to be controlled. Though Conner is more capable of intelligent thought than a perfect clone (Project Match) his human DNA creates complications. His strength is nowhere near Superman's and he lacks certain powers such as flight and heat vision. The Shields are a patch that supresses the human DNA in Connor's system, giving him the full abilities of a Kryptonian. The Shield's appear to be having an extra side effect in the form of increased aggression, as hinted in the most recent episode "Performance".
More interestingly is DC still supporting what Roy Harper initially said about why people turn to drugs:
"Say a young cat has someone he respects...looks up to...an older man! And say the older man leaves...chases around the country...gets involved with others and ignores his young friend! Then..the guy might need a substitute for friendship. He might see it in junk! ~Roy Harper
What Roy is saying is that the absence of an adult role model can cause a young person to make bad choices. Personally I believe that an adult role model can often help a young person in making life choices, but no matter what an adult does that young person is still going to make mistakes, and sometimes choose not to heed advice -- like how Jason Todd's death was the result of Jason's own mistakes during a mission. If a young man or woman though does not have a mentor, or is in some sense abandoned by their mentor it can and more often than not will make things more difficult for that young person because they now have to learn on their own, and abusing drugs is only one of a plethora of bad decisions a young person can make. In the case of DC Animation using "Shields" as a reference for drugs, I think it's a clever move on their part, and more than likely, since it is a kids show, may finally bridge the gap between Superman and Superboy.
