In a world watched over by some of the most iconic heroes in fiction, it's understandable that DC's younger teams don't get the respect they're owed. But even in that context, DC's Young Justice tend to draw the short straw, rarely being mentioned outside their own title and even being wiped from continuity for years at a time. Still, while the team may have gained some ground recently, choosing to change their name to the Young Justice League, it's understandable that other heroes wouldn't have much time for a team that originally took its name from a simple misunderstanding.
First coming together in Young Justice: The Secret - by Todd Dezago, Todd Nauck and Lary Stucker - Young Justice's roster has changed a lot since their inception, but the group's defining characteristic has always been the friendship between moody vigilante Tim Drake, cloned hero Kon-El, and time-displaced brat Bart Allen - aka Robin, Superboy, and Impulse. Though the group had a few scattered adventures before officially getting together, their name actually comes from 1998's Young Justice #1, and a misunderstanding that would have taken seconds to correct.
During a sleepover at the former headquarters of the Justice League of America, young heroes Robin, Superboy, and Impulse argue about whether or not to actually start a super-team. While Robin is in favor, Impulse is already bored with the lack of action, and Superboy is still weighing his options. Luckily, the building's monitors pick up a nearby disturbance, and the heroes head to an archaeological dig site. They're greeted by aggressive secret agents Donald Fite and Ishido Maad - aka Fite 'n' Maad - who take a shot at Impulse before Superboy helps cool them down. Speaking up from the crowd, local reporter Ace Atchinson incorrectly assures the agents that they're dealing with the Teen Titans.
Attempting to distance the group from existing teams, and refuting that they're the Young Justice League of America, Impulse says, "No... We're young, but just us." Ace mishears, reporting on the team as Young Justice. The misunderstanding suits the tone of the book perfectly, and the series would go on to take plenty of playful pot-shots at comic industry trends. In fact, in Young Justice #52, Impulse and Superboy pitch a team revamp and the name "Young Justice Strikeforce," only to be turned down by teammates who don't have the money for the gadgets and satellite base they're imagining. Undaunted, Impulse bounces back with his original suggestion for the team: Super Heroes In Training. The team don't love the acronym.
Young Justice have never taken themselves too seriously, and the origins of the team's name speaks to that. Thankfully, the boyish friendship between Robin, Superboy, and Impulse deepened with time, and the team's re-emergence in 2019 as part of DC's "Wonder Comics" imprint (as well as the popular animated show of the same name) was welcomed by fans who had missed the unrealistic adventures of incredibly realistic friends. As they leave their old name behind, it's worth remembering Young Justice's roots, and the fact that the team's playful nature was baked into them from the start.