...And the Penalty

Young Justice #13: "...and the Penalty" is the 14th issue of the official Young Justice spin-off comic series. It was released on February 15, 2012.

Solicitation
In Star City, Artemis is under arrest – and in Gotham City, it's Clayface vs. the rest of the team in a battle they cannot win! Aqualad’s leadership is on the line, and a fateful choice must be made.

Tagline: Aqualad, you're done as Team leader!

Synopsis
Aqualad is pinned against the sewer wall by Clayface. He manages to free himself from the creature, but the others are still struggling. Aqualad helps Superboy; the rest is able to free themselves. Kid Flash remarks how easy it was, but Clayface is not defeated. He strikes them from behind and trudges off. Batman contacts Aqualad, requesting an update.

Artemis is escorted by police at a local station. She is somewhat crudely put on a bench next to Icicle Jr. After a while, Icicle recognizes Artemis, as their fathers are acquainted. She coaxes him to spill his plans.

Characters

 * colspan="3"| Alfred Pennyworth
 * colspan="3"| Aqualad
 * colspan="3"| Artemis
 * colspan="3"| Batman
 * colspan="3"| Clayface
 * colspan="3"| Green Arrow
 * colspan="3"| Icicle Jr.
 * colspan="3"| Kid Flash
 * colspan="3"| Miss Martian
 * colspan="3"| Robin
 * colspan="3"| Superboy
 * colspan="3"| Green Arrow
 * colspan="3"| Icicle Jr.
 * colspan="3"| Kid Flash
 * colspan="3"| Miss Martian
 * colspan="3"| Robin
 * colspan="3"| Superboy
 * colspan="3"| Miss Martian
 * colspan="3"| Robin
 * colspan="3"| Superboy
 * colspan="3"| Superboy
 * colspan="3"| Superboy

Continuity

 * Artemis's investigations leads to the plot of "Terrors".
 * The final pages of the issue coincide with the beginning of "Downtime".

Trivia

 * Number 16:
 * Aqualad is ambushed by Clayface on August 27, 06:16 EDT.
 * Aqualad mentions the Team is "under the aegis" of the Justice League. aegis was a shield associated with Zeus and Athena, and has the added meaning of "protection, tutelage". It also showcases his homesickness.


 * Robin asks for Kid Flash's middle name to tell who the real Kid Flash is. In the comics, his middle name is Rudolph.

Goofs

 * Artemis's eyes are miscolored blue instead of dark gray.

Cultural references

 * The warehouse of "Bichel Co." is likely named after Hal Bichel, a friend of Christopher Jones.

Unanswered questions

 * How can Clayface know of the relationships within the team to go after each of them?