"Young Justice" is its own animal by virtue of playing mix and match with the various teen sidekicks from different eras of DC superhero comics and inventing a few more.

For example, the show features the original Robin at 13, even though in the comics he hasn't been that age since the 1950s. By contrast, "Young Justice" features the contemporary comic-book version of Superboy, a teen cloned from Superman in 1993.

One new character is a black Aqualad, although the original in the comics was white (and is dead). Evidently, the folks at DC liked what they saw, because the new guy was introduced recently as Aquaman's partner in the comics, too.

Another new character might be confusing if you know too much. She's a girl archer named Artemis who is not the Amazon warrior of that name in the "Wonder Woman" comics or the girl archer in the 1998-2003 "Young Justice" series named Arrowette.

But you don't need to know all of that to enjoy the cartoon.

The ensemble cast is fine without prior knowledge. The show entertains by depicting the interactions of an immature Robin, a reckless Kid Flash, a brooding Superboy, a flighty Miss Martian and so forth. The flirting, fighting and search for identity and acceptance all ring true.

The sole complaint is how the show portrays the Justice League. The premise is that the sidekicks had demanded to join the league and be treated as adults. But that wouldn't create a show starring that all-important demographic, the teenager.

So story considerations required heroes such as Superman to refuse to associate with the kids, and force them instead to become a covert superhero team. That's not only more dangerous; it's cruel.

Thankfully, these jerks masquerading as superfriends don't show up much, except for Batman (to give assignments), Black Canary (as the combat trainer) and Red Tornado (as the supervisor).

It seems to be working. "Young Justice" has been renewed for a second season, starting early next year.

If you can't wait, Warner Home Video recently released the first four episodes on DVD as "Young Justice: Season One, Vol. 1" ($15,) and DC Kids has launched a companion comic book.