World’s Finest: Teen Titans #1: There’s Something Wrong With These Kids?

Mark Waid’s back with Emanuela Lupacchino with the newest addition to the World’s Finest franchise this week with World’s Finest: Teen Titans, where the fans are treated to these previous events that happen between the pages that both respect what’s come before, meanwhile not doing something that could cause conflict to what’s to come. 

Mark Waid’s work reads as a love letter to that bygone Silver Age era, but with a modern flair. He’s also added Bumblebee to the cast, giving it a better representation of the contemporary fanbase. Waid is a veteran writer whose encyclopedic knowledge of DC continuity is second to none, and suffice it to say, the man knows his stuff. It’s because of this fine-tuned eye that Waid has been the mastermind whose crafted award-winning tales that include Kingdom Come, JLA: Heaven’s Ladder, JLA: Year One, as well as what is arguably the gold standard for Wally West as the Flash in the post-Crisis era, upon which most other runs are judged by, so giving Waid a series like this should be a no-brainer, and he did not disappoint. 

The strongest point of this series is that it’s not hampered by continuity since we’re not exactly sure when this mini is taking place in this team’s decades-long history, as well as the characterization of the members in the story. Waid’s a master when it comes to characterization and development, and both of those traits are shining brightly here. Added to the team is Emanuela Lupacchino has become one of the most prolific artists over the last few years, having much-lauded runs on books like Wonder Woman and Supergirl, so seeing her here is a treat. They’ve tapped into this electric energy as the development of this book continues. 

There are a few Easter eggs in the book, like seeing Charlie Parker hanging out with Bumblebee or going up against the Separated Man, one of the oldest Silver Age villains that the Teen Titans ever faced back in the mid ’60s, and it just tickles me to catch these in the book as I flipped through the pages. Unfortunately, not everything was lightning in a bottle. One of the biggest problems with the issue is the lack of it being new reader friendly. Sure, someone like myself catches the in-jokes or the Easter eggs laid throughout the issue, but fans who don’t have that deep knowledge of the group might fall flat. Some other characters fell flat. Most noticeable were Garth and Donna, to a lesser extent. Not sure if it’s because Waid’s history with the characters isn’t as extensive as it was with Wally, Dick, or even Roy, but they didn’t pop like these three did. We’ve got five more issues to go, so hopefully, Waid can pull it out and give the rest of the characters their moments to shine.