Rest In Peace Damage

JSA All-Stars #7
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Freddie Williams II
Co-Feature by Jen Van Meter
Art by Travis Moore

 

The main story focuses on Judomaster – a character who really hasn’t had a lot of focus. She is dealing with the death of Damage during Blackest Night – I liked it although it didn’t seem to be that different from the letter sent from beyond the grave stories told in comics past. It was great to see former Titans at Damage’s funeral – because DC seems to have forgotten that Damage was also a Titans at one point. I loved seeing Argent too! The Liberty Belle and Hourman back-up goes along with its Indiana Jones like themes – pretty good stuff.

New Roster

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #69
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Allan Goldman and Yildiray Cinar

Miss Martian returns from the Dark Side Club with a bunch of teen heroes this issue. And in the end, the new line up consists of Wonder Girl, Aquagirl, Bombshell, Static, Kid Eternity, Miss Martian, Blue Beetle and the powerless Red Devil. I am excited for this new line up. McKeever is leaving this book (He is only credited with the original story of this issue) and I hope they put a new writer on for long term who can really develop this team and keep them together for a while. No more roster changes for now! Aquagirl is drawn strange in this. She is looking less and less latino. I like the budding frienship between her and Static though.

Titans 1 – 4

Titans (Volume 2) #1
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Ian Churchill

The classic Teen Titans from the eighties regroup after they are each attacked by a mysterious foe who turns out to be trigon. This series has gotten a lot of negative publicity around the blogosphere and I really can’t understand why. This issue was awesome and made me so happy to see this group together again. The art was beautiful, everything about it was perfect. I also like the idea of the Titans not being an actual team, but just a group of friends.

Titans (Volume 2) #2
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Joe Benitez

The art changes this issue due to Churchill getting a hand injury, and this is not a good thing. I really dug Churchill’s, I really don’t dig Benitez’s. All of the people are drawn like sticks and they have the weirdest faces. The story is still good though, and I am surprised no one thought of Trigon having other children before. It is still a lot of fun to see these guys back together.

Titans (Volume 2) #3
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Joe Benitez

This issue explored some of the psyches of each of the Titans by having Trigon’s sons effecting their emotions. Starfire and Nightwing feel desire, Donna Troy and the Flash feel envy, and Red Arrow, Beast Boy, and Raven get rage. It was a good read. The art wasn’t as bad as last issue, I suppose because it wasn’t as rushed.

Titans (Volume 2) #4
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Joe Benitez

Aw…the last scene of them yelling Titans Forever and talking about growing up together really made me smile. This was the best issue yet….Winick comes up with a clever way for the defeat of Trigon and I loved the moments between Beast Boy and Raven. This is Winick at his best….if only he would always write this way.