Someone or something is trying to kill everyone who has ever been
considered a Teen Titan. In a continuation from the events of a special
Teen Titans East one shot (released November 2007), former members of
the group are forced to put aside their differences and band together
once again. Years have past since
Nightwing, Flash, Donna Troy, Beast Boy, Raven, Red Arrow and
Starfire
stood together against a common foe. Now it seems they may all have to
face one of the most dangerous enemies from their shared past.
The concept of this title had me very excited early on. I'm a bit of a newbie to the
DCU. My only knowledge of the Teen Titans previous to this comes from the (awesome)
WB
cartoon series. I was very interested to see how the characters from
the original group interacted in normal DC continuity. Most of these
characters have slipped in and out of obscurity for the last 10 years
to the degree that a little reintroduction couldn't hurt. There's also
potential for one or more of the D list characters in the book to be
killed right off to create a little drama. Gotta admit, Donna Troy's
lameness sticks out like a sore thumb.
Unfortunately
this book deals with very little outside of the logistics behind
getting this group together again. Unless you come into this with
preexisting knowledge about Titan history most of what happens here
won't mean a great deal.
I can't help to
think that this whole thing might have been structured more creatively.
Everyone knew that the old Titans had to come together for this book.
Why couldn't we have started there? The first book in a new series
should make an argument for it's place in the world rather then simple
explain the premise that it's being built on.
Beyond
the lack of drive in this issue I do have a couple other problems with
it. Why is the story line a continuation from a book that came out 6
months ago that I never heard of? I'm assuming entire timeline of the
book is set out by a few months because of the configuration of the
current Teen Titans and the location of Donna Troy.
The art work in the book is pretty solid.
Starfire, Raven and Beast Boy look pretty cool. I'm looking forward to seeing an update of the
Cybrog
Character. To me he's never really stepped out of the 80's and he's
always reminded me of that creepy computer lady from the end of the
Superman 3 movie.
Personally I'm wondering if
Winick
has the skills to launch a new super team book. My experiences with his
writing has been kind of flat to date. Of his older work I'd have to
put his run on Green Arrow with the reintroduction of Speedy as his
best. More recently I found the "Trials of
Shazam"
mini series dry despite the appeal of the concept. I've been struggling
with the current Green Arrow/Black Canary series for the same reason.
It's seems that's he's able to balance greatness with absurdity within
the same plot line. Stories that work as "High Concepts" seem to miss
the mark more times than not.
I'm willing to stick this one out for another couple issues even if I'm not willing to recommend it. The idea of seeing
Nightwing, Raven and
Starfire together seems to be able to outweigh my better judgement for now.
Action Comics #883
Nighwing and Flamebird make their public debut and start the hunt for Zod’s most dangerous sleeper.
Blood and Water
Vampire stories are all the rage these days. Most are silly teenage romances, but every once in a while a vampire tale comes along that doesn’t, um…suck.
Secret Six # 15
Deadshot tries to come to terms with his homicidal impulses.
Blackest Night #4 (of 8)
Barry Allen does his best to rally the heroes, but will they be able to stand against the arrival of Nekron?
Superman: World of New Krypton #9
Jemm storms New Krypton’s High Council Chamber demanding an audience, Kal-El and Zod meet, and the first murder on New Krypton is committed.
Madame Xanadu #16
The return of series artist Amy Reeder Hadley also marks the start of a new, creepy, and great Matt Wagner story.
Superman #693
General Lane makes Mon-El an offer he has to refuse, but an unlikely ally might just save Mon-El’s life.
The Brave and the Bold # 28
The Flash travels back in time to World War II where he joins forces with the fabled Blackhawks.
Northlanders #21
A settlement along The Volga River in Russia deals with the onslaught of a plague in the start of a new story arc.
Superman: Secret Origin #2 (of 6)
Young Clark Kent experiences a bit of a super identity crisis, but manages to get by with some help from his parents and some new friends…Long Live The Legion!
Superman/Batman #65
The Scarecrow takes Superman, The Batman, The Joker, and Lex Luthor on a fear gas induced Halloween nightmare ride.
Azrael #1
The new Azrael’s ongoing series debuts with the death of a major character…
Supergirl #46
The Metropolis Three finally capture Reactron, Thara and Kara make up, and some more light is shed on Lana’s mysterious condition…
