Teen Titans #22
Recap
***WARNING: This review contains major spoilers!***
Kid Flash is still grieving Roundhouse and though his loss is felt by the other team members, the fight must continue. Red Arrow takes the team to task (minus Damian), chiding them for acting as individuals in combat, which makes them vulnerable. She subsequently proves her point by drubbing them all single-handedly in a training exercise.
Meanwhile, Robin visits the cell he’s given Black Mask in his deplorable rogue’s dungeon. Damian threatens to adversely affect Sionis' son’s life if he doesn’t cooperate and give him information about The Other. Black Mask relents and tells Robin of a robbery that’s to occur at a hospital.
Staking out the hospital reveals a chameleon-type metahuman intruder, and though Wally was told only to do reconnaissance, he decides to handle the threat himself. He is ambushed and neutralized by the chameleon’s accomplice, the phasing Golden Glider. However, the heroes appear on the scene quickly and Golden Glider retreats while Swerve takes a nurse hostage to the roof. Swerve asks for mercy, claiming her new powers have ruined her life, and she needs the money from the heist just to pay the rent. The resulting standoff ends with an unimpressed Red Arrow shooting the gun out of Swerve’s hands, causing her to lose balance and plummet off the edge. Crush reflexively jumps after her, using her momentum to grab Swerve as Djinn creates a flowerbed to cushion their fall.
Later, Robin is seen conspiring with Red Hood. It appears Damian’s plans are also Jason’s and they are both on the hunt for The Other. Todd has purchased information that possible criminal activity linked to The Other has revealed that their next target is Commissioner Gordon.
Wally finally gathers the courage to meet with Roundhouse’s parents, but when he knocks on the door, a fried chicken-chewing Roundhouse answers.
Review
Art: The artwork continues to be top notch, pretty much can’t ask anything more from a monthly book. It’s dramatic with an easy flow, keeping the reader engaged instead of distracting from the material. Though I’m not really fond of the cover art, the alternate cover by Garner is killer (I had to have it).
Writing: The intrigue behind Damian’s designs for this iteration of the Teen Titans is what primarily drives my interest in this arc; and now that Todd is involved, I’m doubly hooked. Damian’s friendship with Djinn is sweet and all the other characters are well defined and interesting. Wally’s continued lack of discipline is excellently frustrating and Red Arrow’s place as Damian’s second is well deserved; as for Crush, I just continue to love everything about Crush. The only disappointment I have right now is the return of Roundhouse; it just kills the momentum of the drama of the EXCELLENT previous issue, leaving me feeling cheated. Otherwise, I’m still very entertained!
Final Thoughts
Damian and Todd have taken the kid gloves off and I couldn’t be happier! But I worry what will happen when the team (their speedster in particular) finds out they’ve been lied t!?
Teen Titans #22: TEEN TITAN’S GO!…Find The Other at any Cost!
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 8/108/10
- Art - 8/108/10
- Color - 8/108/10
- Cover Art - 6/106/10
