Fans of DC’s dimension-hopping teen hero, Sideways, got a major surprise in Cheetah & Cheshire Rob the Justice League #3. The character (also known as Derek James) popped up in a way that suggests he’s about to be a key player in a big heist, and readers are loving every second of this return.
In a twist of villainous fate, Sideways has been chosen as a means to an end. The villains (led by Cheetah and Cheshire) are planning to rob the Justice League’s Watchtower and its “Power Bank“. To do this, they need someone who has an official League membership card.
But rather than stealing a card from a seasoned hero, the group is looking for someone who “isn’t ready for the big leagues but thinks they are”. They find their answer in a livestream titled, “Steppin’ Out with Sideways”! The team decides on Sideways, noting that he’s a perfect target because his head is so far up in the clouds and he’s not truly ready for the big leagues.
Brief History on the Rift-Jumping Hero
The character of Sideways (high school student Derek James) made his debut in his own self-titled series, Sideways #1, back in February 2018. His solo series was part of the “New Age of DC Heroes,” branded initially as “Dark Matter.”
His origin is tied directly to the major DC crossover event, Dark Nights: Metal. During the events of Metal, Derek accidentally fell through a rift into the dark matter dimension. After this, he gained the power to create rifts in midair that allow him to travel between dimensions at will. The character was often compared to Marvel’s Spider-Man due to his teen-hero persona and costume design. Unfortunately, his initial solo series concluded after just 13 issues in February 2019, but the final issue teased that his story wasn’t completely over.
Why Fans Still Love Sideways and Want a Solo Return
Despite the short run of his original series, Sideways left a big impression. Many fans and critics praised the character’s fun, fresh take on the teenage superhero archetype. Instead of being burdened by the “great responsibility” trope, Derek started out as a reckless, naive teen eager for internet fame: creating a web-streaming show called “Steppin’ Out with Sideways” to show off his abilities. This “irresponsible” approach was seen as refreshing.
His potential has been highlighted in later appearances, where he proved instrumental in major crisis events like Dark Crisis. Fans believe his multiversal rift powers make him a critically important asset, especially in DC stories that focus on the multiverse. Many readers hold out hope that DC will eventually give the character another shot at a solo title.
The current appearance in Cheetah & Cheshire Rob the Justice League is the perfect kind of spotlight: it keeps him relevant, uses his unique personality, and firmly places him back in the center of the action. Fingers crossed this isn’t just a fun cameo but the first step for Derek James to step out of the shadows and back into his own ongoing series!
Check out our review of Cheetah & Cheshire Rob the Justice League #3, available now. Like this article? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
