This Friday on Cartoon Network is premiere of Young Justice, the new DC animated series that seems like a dream come true.  Why would it be a dream come true … well, take a look at that picture at right.  Not only is Young Justice in DC Continuity (kinda), but the biggest news is that there is no embargo on any DC character, a first for any DC animated series (including Justice League Unlimited, which could use Batman, but not all Batman villains)…which means that any character is fair game, including Batman, Superman, and all of the JLA and their respective villains.

Though the series doesn’t actually start until January 2011, the two-part premiere, “Independence Day,” comes on this Friday, November 26th, at 7pm.  What’s the episode about?

n Young Justice, being a teenager means proving yourself over and over — to peers, parents, teachers, mentors and, ultimately, to yourself. But what if you’re not just a normal teenager? What if you’re a teenage super hero? How much harder will it be to prove yourself in a world of super powers, super villains and super secrets? Are you ready to come of age in such a world? Are you ready for life or death rites of passage? Are you ready to join the ranks of the great heroes and prove you’re worthy of the Justice League? That’s exactly what the members of Young Justice — Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Superboy, Miss Martian and Artemis — will found out … whether they have what it takes to be a proven hero.

In the premiere episode, Robin, Speedy, Aqualad and Kid Flash are finally granted access to the headquarters of the Justice League. But when that access turns out to be little more than a glorified backstage pass, Speedy walks, and the other three sidekicks go on a mission of their own…to Project Cadmus, where they make a startling discovery…

Click to enlarge.

Looks like the pilot involves the discover of Superboy, and breaking him out of Cadmus labs, and looks pretty damn stellar.  Brandon Vietti (Batman: Under the Red Hood) and Greg Weisman (Gargoyles, Spectacular Spider-Man) are the producers, which makes for a pretty awesome pedigree.  Not only that, you get voice talent like Bruce Greenwood (reprising the Batman role from Under the Red Hood) and Phil LaMarr as Aquaman.

Not only that, like I mentioned before, the series takes place in actual DC continuity on Earth-16…which is an interesting choice, and one that I’m not entirely sure has anything to do with the series.  But the Robin in the show is Dick Grayson, even though he looks like Tim Drake.

Can’t wait for this series…between this and Marvel’s Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes cartoon, it’s a good time to be an animation fan!

Check out footage from the premiere at World’s Finest.  Expect more talk about the show on Funnybooks.