Reviewer: Mathan “Mal†Erhardt
Story Title: Raven Rising
Written by: Geoff Johns
Penciled by: Mike McKone
Inked by: Marlo Alquiza
Colored by: Jeromy Cox
Lettered by: Comicraft
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Publisher: DC Comics.
Last issue ended with Brother Blood, his follower, and the Titans falling down a huge hole after an altercation. See, the Titans were trying to help their old buddy Raven, who was in the possession of Brother Blood. And Deathstroke and his daughter The Ravager were also looking for Raven, but not to save her.
This issue opens with Starfire and Robin facing off with Ravager and Deathstroke. They are in a stalemate, but eventually they reach a compromise; Deathstroke will show them where their teammates are and the Titans will allow Deathstroke to kill Raven. That sounds pretty fair right?
Meanwhile, the rest of the Titans (Cyborg, Wonder Girl, Superboy, Kid Flash and Beast Boy) are still fighting with Brother Blood’s followers. However, since the followers number so many, the team finds themselves overwhelmed. Beast Boy tries to get Raven to safety.
While searching for their teammates, Robin and Starfire make an interesting discover regarding the origin of the Church of Blood. Elsewhere Raven and Beast Boy share a tender moment.
When everyone joins up, Deathstroke tries to kill Raven, but he’s stopped by Starfire, who reneges on her word. Suddenly, the Starfire, Robin, Kid Flash, Beast Boy Deathstroke and The Ravager are transported inside Raven. But that isn’t the end. Once there they find Jericho (Deathstroke’s son, and former Titan) and he promises to punish everyone. The End.
I really like what John’s is doing on this book. The small touches are nice, like the tidbit on Cyborg’s body or the note about Beast Boy’s arms being sore from being a bird all last issue. I also liked how Starfire now has Robin’s respect for, of all things, lying. Johns does some great work with character on this book.
McKone has a great sense of action and movement. Everything looks so fluid. Ravager and Deathstroke look great together. They are the antithesis of the Dynamic Duo. Brother Blood looks kind of scary. But that last page is a very frightening image.
