High school is hard for everyone. Your body is changing, you don’t fit in even with the people you fit in with, you’re not a child anymore but you’re not an adult either. Now imagine how hard it can be for two aliens from another planet.

This is the setup for the new Wonder Twins series from Brian Michael Bendis’ Wonder Comics imprint at DC. The famous Superfriends characters, Zan and Jayna, have been brought to Earth from their home on the planet Exxor and thrust into a new culture, complete with an internship at the Hall of Justice. Their first week on Earth includes climactic run-ins with both Mr. Mxyzptlk and gym class.

These characters in the original cartoon show were ciphers, unmemorable other than their “Form Of/Shape Of” abilities, but writer Mark Russell (The Flintstones, Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles, and The Lone Ranger) here gives them distinct personalities. Russell maintains an excellent balance of humor and pathos, making it easy to empathize with the twins while still peppering the script with the sharp wit he’s become known for.

Artist Stephen Byrne also walks a difficult line, matching Russell’s quirky tone but also rendering classic Justice League members like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Hawkman in a style very close to DC’s house style. Letterer Dave Sharpe helps build atmosphere; keep an eye out for his sound effects in the thunderstorm sequence.

Wonder Twins #1 is another success for DC’s Wonder Comics line, and a terrific start of what promises to be a rollicking superhero adventure. The only thing missing is Gleek, but he’s promised in March’s solicitations for issue #2...

Grade: A