Titans #1
Aaron Kleinman
Recap
The Dark Crisis is over, and the Justice League is no more. Now, a new team must rise and protect the Earth…Titans, go! The Teen Titans are ready to grow up. Each member joined as a much younger hero, certain that one day they’d be invited to join the Justice League. But the time has come for them not to join the League…but to replace it! Are the no-longer-teen heroes ready for the big leagues? Danger lurks around every corner as heroes and villains alike challenge the new team before they’ve even begun. Will the DCU ever be the same?
Review
The Titans are again together in their title after four years! They’ve been a part of four years’ worth of events and storylines, just without their book. Now, it’s time for these heroes to make a home for themselves in Bludhaven, Nightwing’s turf. So, what’s the deal?
Tom Taylor, the current writer on Nightwing, takes the helm of this debut issue and gives readers some fun moments that were only elevated by the fantastic linework of Nicola Scott. A Beast Boy kaiju smackdown with Titano was an absolute highlight. Nightwing and Peacemaker had a lovely little standoff. But…
Sadly, fun moments weren’t enough to impress with this re-introduction of The Titans into the book lineup. While the issue did set up future storylines, the actual contents of the issue, as well as some of the stuff it set up, were just a little… lackluster. It all felt very safe. This isn’t necessarily bad, but when you’re propping the Titans up as the replacement for the Justice League, a murder mystery with such obviously low stakes (c’mon, who actually thinks [REDACTED] is actually dead?) isn’t the best way to go about it.
The biggest thing this initial arc will have to do is show that the Titans can do what the Justice League could—and more. Here’s hoping the payoff is more impressive than the setup, because out the gate, the book stumbles.
As mentioned prior, the art is a highlight. Scott’s work is bombastic and weighty. Annette Kwok’s colors add a warm feeling to it all during the moments when warmth needs to be felt, which works perfectly against the moments when the colors are cold and unfeeling. The colors done by Kwok are just as dynamic as the bodywork done by Scott.
What can be said about Wes Abbott’s lettering that hasn’t already been said? Frequent Nightwing readers will easily recognize his work, which feels very much at home with The Titans—following along with its leader from his solo book.
The book has a stellar creative team, so one can be optimistically excited to see where the story goes!
Final Thoughts
Overall, the issue looks fantastic, but the story didn’t capture like a debut issue should. Setting up a murder mystery with a character who’s died so many times they probably get a free sundae this time around doesn't instill a great sense of high stakes - but the character beats, along with the creators' track records, are enough to bolster hope that bigger things are in store.
Titans #1: TITANS TOGETHER For a New Era
- Writing - 7/107/10
- Storyline - 6/106/10
- Art - 8/108/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 10/1010/10
