Sins of Youth Reading Guide

Overview:

Sins of Youth is a 2000 DC Comics crossover event where Klarion the Witch-Boy and the villainous Agenda, led by Contessa Erica Alexandra Del Portenza, use magic to alter the ages of several heroes. The heroes from Young Justice are aged into adults, while adult heroes from the Justice League and Justice Society of America are de-aged into teenagers. This creates chaos as the young heroes struggle with the responsibility of adulthood, and the adults try to adapt to their sudden youth.

The story takes place between Young Justice #19 and #20, with the core event spanning several one-shot issues. The event explores the differences in maturity, responsibility, and the concept of heroism across generations.

The storyline was written by Peter David and contains art by several artists. It was generally well-received by fans for its fun premise and character dynamics, though some found the sheer number of tie-ins overwhelming. The event leads to major character developments, such as Superboy’s loss of powers and Wonder Girl beginning to embrace her role as a hero.

Best Way To Read:

Main Collection

• Young Justice: Sins of Youth
  • Collects: Young Justice: Sins of Youth #1–2, Young Justice: Sins of Youth Secret Files #1, Superboy Vol. 4 #74, Sins of Youth: Batboy & Robin #1, Sins of Youth: Lagoon Man & Aqualad #1, Sins of Youth: JLA, Jr. #1, Sins of Youth: Kid Flash & Impulse #1, Sins of Youth: Starwoman & JSA, Jr. #1, Sins of Youth: Superman Jr./Superboy, Sr. #1, Sins of Youth: Wonder Girls #1, Sins of Youth: Secret & Deadboy #1

Alternative Collections

• Young Justice Book Three
  • Collects: Young Justice #18-19, Young Justice: Sins of Youth #1-2, Young Justice: Sins of Youth Secret Files #1, Superboy Vol. 4 #74, Sins of Youth: JLA Jr. #1, Sins of Youth: Aquaboy/Lagoon Man #1, Sins of Youth: Batboy and Robin #1, Sins of Youth: Kid Flash/Impulse #1, Sins of Youth: Starwoman and the JSA Jr. #1, Sins of Youth: Superman Jr./Superboy Sr. #1, Sins of Youth: Wonder Girls #1, Sins of Youth: The Secret/Deadboy #1.

For crossover and significant events, I typically only read the main story the first time I encounter it. Trying to read all of the tie-ins with the story tends to make them increasingly convoluted and are not crucial to the main narrative. However, I think they are important to read, as many series-shifting plotlines can happen.

For the tie-in issues, I only read them as they come up in the reading guide that I am working through. This can become problematic because the tie-in issues are not always included in collected editions of the event. So you may need to hunt for them.

Reading Order:

References:

• Wikipedia
• League of Comic Geeks

Feature Image from Young Justice: Sins of Youth Secret Files #1 cover art by Todd Nauck and Lary Stucker