Young Justice: Outsiders SDCC Trailer Breakdown

Though fans have to wait until 2019 for Young Justice: Outsiders to make its debut on the DC Universe subscription streaming service, the first official trailer for the fan-favorite series debuted Friday at Comic-Con International in San Diego, and judging by the response on social media, it didn't leave to many people disappointed, if anyone at all.

The beginning portion of the trailer catches fans up with the events of the first two seasons, including Kid Flash's heroic sacrifice, The Reach's plan to control the Earth population and the new villainous union between Vandal Savage and Darkseid. However, the real fun begins at the three-minute mark with all-new footage.

Now, we take a look at how all the crucial moments, reveals and introductions from the meta-human trafficking plot will factor into the highly-anticipated season.

No Teen Titans, But We Have A Terra

Princess Tara of Markovia, from Young Justice: Outsiders

Fans of the DC Universe should be familiar with the teenage group of sidekicks known as the Teen Titans, but in the world of Young Justice, that team never existed. Robin, Aqualad and Kid Flash would come together for the first time in the first season of Young Justice, quickly joined by Superboy after discovering him in a Cadmus lab.

Though Teen Titans history is missing from Young Justice: Outsiders, it hasn't stopped characters that played an important role in the team's comic book history from appearing on the show, with the latest example being the controversial Terra.

Terra (now known as Tara on the animated series) and her brother Prince Brion Markov factor into the opening moments of the trailer when a newscast takes us to Markovia, where Tara has been missing for the last two years. Of course, "missing" more than likely means "kidnapped," as an outbreak of metahuman trafficking has made its way to the shores of the fictional European country.

Young Justice Black Ops Team

At last year's Comic-Con International, the first character designs for Young Justice: Outsiders were released, and along with introducing new characters like Spoiler, Arrowette and Thirteen, original cast members Nightwing, Superboy and Artemis ditched their flashier costumes for black ops attire. At the time we weren't sure why the original lineup decided to go to the dark side, but the trailer offers additional information.

According to Nightwing, he's bringing the band back together to go deep undercover in Markovia to halt the metahuman trade syndicate. If they were to show up wearing their bright superhero costumes it would break their cover, which is where the black ops attire comes into play.

There is, however, one line from Nightwing that raises a few questions. "When its all over, we go our separate ways," Nightwing said. "No muss. No fuss." What's happened between the time of Season 2 ending and Season 3 beginning that's driven the team apart? Also, why are they working with Black Lightning, and where's Aqualad?

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Meet DC's Outsiders

The name "Outsiders" appears in the title of Young Justice's third season, but just like with the black ops team, it's not readily apparent why that's the case. However, a few new characters with ties to the Outsiders from the comics could potentially lead to the team's formation in the animated series.

DC's Outsiders made their debut in 1983's The Brave and the Bold #200 under Batman's leadership, with the original lineup of Black Lightning (who we mentioned above), Katana, Metamorpho, Geo-Force, Looker and Halo. Every member of the team makes at least a cameo in the trailer except for Looker, and her absence doesn't necessarily mean she's won't show up once the series debuts on the DC Universe. There is the possibility that a young girl with a darker skin complexion and purple hoodie could be Halo, but that change in the character will have to wait to be confirmed.

Geo-Force is Prince Brion of Markovia (and Tara's half-brother) who discovers he has the meta-gene from Dr. Helga Jace. Brion vows to put an end to the crimes being committed on his native soil, and chooses to activate his meta-gene to become Geo-Force. Katana and Metamorpho can be seen during various action sequences as well to round out the unit. Whether the Outsiders officially form in Young Justice remains to be seen.

The Villains Strike Back

A comic book superhero show wouldn't be worth watching if there weren't fascinating villains to battle the good guys, and Young Justice: Outsiders is no exception. Returning villains from Seasons 1 and 2 include Deathstroke (who may have something to do with Tara/Terra's disappearance), Lobo (if you consider him a villain -- at worst he's an antihero), Clayface, Bane, Cheshire, Count Vertigo, Lex Luthor, Queen Bee and Ra's al Ghul.

As for new faces, there is the Markovian villain Baron Bedlam, who has been a thorn for the Outsiders since his first appearance in Batman and the Outsiders #1. Of course, the two villains who will loom large over Season 3 are Vandal Savage and Darkseid. Fans saw their unholy union in the finale episode of Season 2, making the long hiatus for the series even more excruciating.

Just how the meta-trafficking angle plays into Vandal Savage and Darkseid's ultimate goals will be something to monitor as fans welcome the animated series back with open arms.

Executive produced by Sam Register, and produced by co-creators Vietti and Greg Weisman, Young Justice: Outsiders will find the teen heroes facing their greatest challenge as they fight meta-human trafficking “and the terrifying threat it creates for a society caught in the crossfire of a genetic arms race spanning the globe and the galaxy.”

Young Justice: Outsiders is planned for 26 episodes, debuting on DC Universe in 2019.