What’s really setting this new
TEEN TITANS series apart from some of the other New 52 team books is that it often does take the time to focus on its characters enough so that you get a sense of who the character is and why they’re doing what they’re doing. That’s a pretty tough feat for any comic book, and it’s even tougher when you have seven main characters. This month’s issue gives us more insight into the “B-listers” than before and I’m happy to oblige because it makes the series much better as a whole.
We also get our first real taste of how Superboy will integrate into the team. For the past few issues, we’ve seen him under N.O.W.H.E.R.E.’s wing, waiting to strike. This issue opens with Wonder Girl and Superboy duking it out in Times Square during the big New Years’ event. Not exactly the best PR for superheroes, is it?
Meanwhile, we get some more insight into the lives of Miguel (Bunker) and Celine (Skitter). I’m particularly curious to see what Skitter’s function will be in future issues as it seems as if her backstory is the most flexible and she seems to be the most “unstable” member of the team so far. Then, Kid Flash and Solstice finally make their way into Tim Drake’s penthouse (by means of some as-yet unknown technology).
We learn just a bit about Bart Allen’s backstory before Tim gets into an argument with him about borrowing his sweatshirt. Wait, seriously? I figured that Red Robin would have his head on his shoulders a bit better than that. After the two settle their differences about said sweatshirt, the team (sans Skitter) makes their way to join Wonder Girl before Superboy can do any more damage.
On the art side of things, I’m really enjoying Brett Booth’s pencils. He’s able to get all of these Teen Titans members on one page and not make it feel too crowded. I also enjoyed seeing what he came up with for Kid Flash’s makeshift costume after his original got destroyed. And for more Batman-related shenanigans, he included a hilarious nod to the Dark Knight on one of the Times Square billboards early on in this issue.
It’s great to see that things are starting to come together for the Teen Titans. Most of the members are in place and now they just have to get Superboy on their side before it’s too late! I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how this plays out in next month’s issue
