Reviewer: John “Deathstroke” Babos
Story Title: Teen Titans
Written by: Geoff “Robin” Johns
Penciled by: Mike “Superboy” McKone
Inked by: Marlo “Kid Flash” Alquiza
Colored by: Jeromy “Beast Boy” Cox
Lettered by: Comicraft “Cyborg”
Associate Editor: Tom “Trigon the Terrible” Palmer Jr.
Editor: Eddie “Brother Blood” Breganza
Publisher: DC Comics
This Teen Titans series is the second of two new ongoing titles that carry forward the story of DC‘s super-youths after the much-maligned, but status-quo shattering Graduation Day. That mini-series chronicled the dissolution of The Titans and Young Justice teams — issues #1, #2, and #3 were reviewed here at 411.
The current Titans series’ launch was timed, to the week, with this month’s United States premiere of the new Teen Titans Animated TV Series. Its interesting that 2003 finds a Teen Titans animated series hitting the airwaves, as the classic animation studio, Hanna Barbera, was mulling over a Titans cartoon twenty years ago, in 1983. That animated series, sadly, never saw the light of day. However, long-time Titan Cyborg did appear on the The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians season of the Superfriends cartoon franchise from the 1985.
Anyhow, the other ongoing series, spawned from the events of Graduation Day, is the Outsiders, whose title debuted last month. The Outsiders and Teen Titans will share space in a corner of the DC Universe (DCU) since DC’s super-youths theoretically travel in similar circles. It appears that there won’t be any immediate forced crossovers, as both series’ creative teams alluded to at their recent discussion during the San Diego Comic-Con International.
For the uninitiated, the Teen Titans is part of a franchise that debuted in “1964’s Brave and the Bold #54, and starred in their first self-titled series in 1966… (However,) Marv Wolfman and George Peréz 1980’s New Teen Titans is fondly remembered and recognized as the ‘definitive’ run for the Titans franchise. DC actually reinforced this notion by featuring issues from the 1980’s Wolfman / Peréz run as the first Titans-related Archive Edition. DC is only now planning an Archive Edition of the “Silver Age” 1960’s Teen Titans, to be released this summer (August)..”.
Now to the issue at hand. Teen Titans #1 is a great jumping on point for new readers. Writer Geoff Johns’ does a good job of introducing DC’s super-youths to readers as well as giving them as sense of the Titans’ legacy. Don’t worry if you’ve never picked up a DC title – you’ll get up to speed quickly.
The issue opens with former Young Justice members Superboy, Robin, and Impulse being recruited to a new incarnation of the Teen Titans by their respective mentors, Superman, Batman, and a reluctant Flash. However, as a result of the events of Graduation Day, Wonder Woman, understandably, will not support Wonder Girl joining the team, so Starfire is tasked with pitching membership to her. This new Teen Titans group is being put together by an unlikely benefactor, Cyborg, who will have the team essentially congregate on weekends (after their homework is done :-) ). The current team also includes his good friend Beast Boy, who welcomes Starfire and the Young Justice alumni to the new Titans Tower in San Francisco – Titans West anyone? The issue ends in typical Geoff Johns’ fashion with a last page cliffhanger that will have readers salivating for next month’s installment.
In addition to writing DC super-teens in a very realistic and human fashion, Johns’ also delivers some interesting twists to the established back-story of Impulse and Superboy, that respect continuity, as well as foreshadow an interesting “Olympian” confrontation for Wonder Girl. With only Raven left to officially join the team, and Impulse to evolve into Kid Flash, the Titans roster seems to be firming up nicely.
Although, since Beast Boy is probably in his early twenties, I find it hard to believe that he prefers to be called a “boy”. In addition, I’m not sure if teens in 2003 would want to be called “boy” or “kid” or “girl”, so it’ll be interesting to see if Johns addresses this minor semantic nitpick.. Well, a nom de guerre like “Robin” isn’t that intimidating or “cool” either, so…. lets just enjoy these “funnybooks”. You can only make comic books realistic to a point. We’re still talking about kids running around in long underwear here Having said all that, I’m still a long-standing Titans fans that was very satisfied after reading Teen Titans #1. This is the way the series should be written. Johns delivers again.
Artist Mike McKone has been one of my favorites since I first laid eyes on his breathtaking pencils many years back when he did Magnus: The Robot Fighter for Valiant Comics. I always thought he was under appreciated. I think that Teen Titans could be his breakout series. His characters look great – they’re very dynamic and energetic. In addition, his sense of realism and perspective really enhance the overall look of the book. His splash page aerial view of San Francisco, on pages 18 to 19, while beautiful, will have readers afraid of heights. It looks quite real. He also has been able to give Smallville, Gotham City, and Keystone City distinct “feels” within their already established “looks”. Mike McKone is putting out his best work to date and readers can see that he is inspired creatively. Wow.
Also, inker Marlo Alquiza really complements McKone’s pencils. His shading of Superman, for example, really makes the Man of Tomorrow look like a Man of Steel. He also helps give Gotham City the distinctiveness it needs in order to distinguish it from the other cities we see in this issue. Alquiza’s inks really bring out the best of McKone’s already solid pencils.
Jeromy Cox’s coloring also adds to the story. The colors just leap off the page. They’re rich and help establish the distinctive “feel” of the worlds around the respective Teen Titan members that McKone’s pencil and Alquiza’s inks strive to do as well. This really is a team effort delivering and producing on all cylinders artistically.
This book’s editorial team really scored quite a coup by bringing an art team together that so effectively build on each others strengths. Teen Titans #1 is a visual treat. Eye candy of the highest order with a solid story by Johns to boot.
My one “real” issue with the book is more about its marketing. I am not a big fan of multiple covers. While both the Mike McKone and Michael Turner covers are penciled and produced beautifully, they really are unnecessary and leave a very stale “1990s” gimmicky taste in my mouth. One cover is enough. Does the industry learn from its past? Clearly not. In addition, the second printing of the sold-out Teen Titans #1 will sport yet another original cover that will fuel the collector mentality out there. Cash grab or quality “gift” for readers who missed out on the first print? Well, I’m sure that will be debated for some time.
Gimmick covers aside, I really enjoyed the story within – which my score for this book reflects. Can’t wait until next month. I feel like a kid again anticipating my comic books. That’s a great feeling to have. Thank-you DC!
If you can get your hands on this issue, do so. However, don’t worry. A, no doubt collectible, second printing is on its way.
