Teen Titans 50 - 63

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #50 Written by Sean McKeever, Geoff Johns, Marv Wolfman, and Todd DeZago Art by Randy, Mike McKone, George Perez, and Todd Nauck

This was a fantastic anniversary issue and a real treat to any fans of the Titans. We look back at different era of the titans history as well as reminisce on the life of Bart Allen, all along setting up the new arc and the return of the Titans of Tommorrow…John’s best arc on this book. So I am glad they are coming back. McKeever’s run has started off with a bang! Don’t you just love that cover!

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #51
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Ale Garza

Not sure what to think of this…it’s not bad and I like the hints to the future of the Teen Titans…and the idea that Bart and Connor will be alive in the future. But I think the art makes it less enjoyable….I really miss McKone and Tony Daniel’s work on this title.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #52
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Jamal Igle

Awesome ending spread there…it is fun to see these glimpses of possible future titans. This is actually the second time I have read this arc and I must say it reads much better this time around. Not to mention Igle’s art is fantastic this issue.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #53
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows

The Titans Army is pretty bad ass….I love that Cassandra Cain is the Batwoman of the future and that Misfit is Huntress (and still yelling Dark Vengeance!) but the coloring was quite off on her hair, along with Aquawoman’s. Anyways, there have been way too many artists on this one arc.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #54
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows, Joe Prado, and Greg Tocchini

Okay who else is really looking forward to a Miss Martian/Robin romance. Much better then Wonder Girl and Robin which seems kindve incestuous to me and it would parallel the relationship between Starfire and Nightwing. Anyways, this was a nice ending to this issue. I like that Blue Beetle, Supergirl, and the Ravager are the ones who will one day oppose the Titans Army. I have to say this arc was not as good as John’s Titans of Tomorrow arc….but it was still well-written and fun.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #55

Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Jamal Igle

I liked this in-between story. Robin and Wonder Girl end their romance….thank God. And Supergirl leaves the team, sad because I was actually liking her on the team. Poor Kid Devil is treated like crap throughout this issue…even by Robin. I wish Ingle was the regular artist on this title.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #56
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows

Okay I don’t know why Robin and everyone are being so mean to Kid Devil…it seems kinda out of character. I am intrigued by the Terror Titans and this issue had a lot of funny moments, especailly when Kid Devil throws the party at the tower. McKeever’s run on this title is seriously underrated.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #57
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows

I like that Ravager is worried about Kid Devil….but Wonder Girl really comes off as a bitch in this issue. I mean she has a right to not completely trust Rose but come on. The ending was pretty crazy….I am not sure what happened to the tower.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #58
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Carlos Rodriguez

I really liked the art this issue but why the hell can’t Eddy Barrows stay for more then a couple issues! This story was great because it features mostly Miss Martian who really deserves more attention as she is a great character. She has the battling her dark side aspect of Raven and the naivety of Starfire that makes her the perfect fit for the Titans. Good issue.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #59
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows

Clock King is pretty scary and the Dark Side Club is just as so. This issue was good but I feel this arc is a little long altogether. I think Barrows’s art reached an all-time high with this issue. Very nice stuff.
Teen Titans (Volume 3) #60
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows

Looks like Ravager is leaving the team…no thanks to Wonder Girl’s bitchiness….although the more I think about it the more I realize I would be hesitant about having a known killer on the team as well. This Terror Titans arc was good and it’s always fun to see new villains introduced for the Titans but it ran a little long.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #61
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Carlos Rodriguez

This was a sweet issue highlighting the relationship between Blue Beetle and welll….Red Devil. Kid Devil switches his name to Red Devil in this issue. I am not sure that I like the name…Kid Devil just flows better but I can deal with it. I like the bond formed between the two reluctant team mates. Good stuff.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #57
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows

Okay that was just fucking incredibly disturbing!!! I expected a sweet story about a cute god instead I got that before he transformed and slaughtered Wendy and Marvin. Not going to lie, I was pissed after reading this the first time. Miss Martian leaves the team and Wendy and Marvin who have been totally underused are now killed. What the hell right?! This seems like a Dan Didio idea to me. But on the second read-through, it’s actually pretty good and I am hoping McKeever has a good reason for killing off Wendy and Marvin, if they are in fact dead.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #63
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows and Allan Goldman

This issue was very decompressed…I don’t feel like much happened accept Bombshell fought the military and the Teen Titans and Wonder Girl has a headache. What the hell! I am glad to see that Wendy is alive, I wish I could say the same for Marvin though. I have the feeling they are setting Wendy up to become a metahuman/hero. I am not sure. Miss Martian is on the cover for some reason despite not being o nthe team anymore.

Donna’s Inexplicable Costume Change

Titans (Volume 2) #5
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Julian Lopez

Well I have to say that was…um….kinda odd. Raven’s turn to the dark side seemed kind of abrupt, there didn’t seem to be hint of it in previous issues like there was during the Wolfman/Perez days. I like that Winick is acknowledging the relationship between Beast Boy and Raven that Johns set up though. And I liked the scene between Starfire and Nightwing, I know exactly what Starfire means when she speaks of the two different kinds of love. Cyborg’s new legs are pretty cool looking and I think they are a refreshing change. Lopez is a good artist and I hope he stays with the title. I wonder why he changed Donna’s costume back? Why did Donna have a new costume for four issues and then change back and why did no one say anything to her about it? The first scene was a little confusing, why did they girl wake Raven up in the middle of sleeping? Does Raven go to a boarding school or something?

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.

Atom 15 - 25

All-New Atom #15
Written by Gail Simone
Art By Mike Norton

OMG! I forgot how much fun this series was! This is a countdown tie-in that ties in for about five seconds and then Simone takes it in a hilarious direction where we end up seeing the mating of two Japanese movie monsters…..crazy but hilarious stuff. It’s sad that this series got canceled.

All-New Atom #16
Written by Roger Stern
Art By Mike Norton

Roger Stern guest writes this issue which sees Ivy Town turned into sixties flower children community. It is a lot of fun, and actually include robots who mimic popular singing groups of choice!

All-New Atom #17
Written by Gail Simone
Art By Mike Norton

Another fun issue where The Atom and Giganta go out on a date - she is a real psychopath. I question why Wonder Woman would reveal her identity to Ryan so quickly but - er - well it’s not like she’s Batman.

All-New Atom #18
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Mike Norton and Andy Smith

Haha I love the dialogue between Wonder Woman and the Atom in this issue….and I especially love the idea that the DCU has its own Ted Grant version of the George Foreman grill. But I get the feeling Ryan will not accept the Justice League invitation.

All-New Atom #19
Written by Keith Champaigne
Art by Jerry Ordway

This fill-in issue didn’t seem like filler at all and was really well-done. It was like The Atom meets the Descent meets Seven Soldiers. How many underground villages are there in the DCU?

All-New Atom #20
Written By Gail Simone
Art By Mike Norton

Simone’s final issue on this series wraps up a lot of plot elements from the last 20 issues including the discovery that Chronos being behind why Ivy Town is so weird. Simone did great work on this series, if only more people read it. I look forward to seeing what the new creative team is like.

All-New Atom #21
Written by Rick Remender

Art by Pat Olliffe

Remender begins his run with this issue, and so far, so good. At first I was kinda bored with just the Atom solo act but it got better in the second half when Panda and Head came in. This made me happy cause I hate when new writers just throw away the old supporting cast.

All-New Atom #22
Written by Rick Remender

Art by Pat Olliffe

This was an action-packed creepy but awesome issue with The Atom fighting the monster that he found in his bloodstream. I find it hard to believe that Panda is actually dead (apparently I missed that last issue) but if he is, I am not too upset. It is sad though. At least we still have Head.

All-New Atom #23
Written by Rick Remender
Art by Pat Olliffe

I was right and Panda is still alive! Despite this fluke, the series is still completely unpredictable and awesome. I love the idea that they are now inside the monster where there is a whole another world where time moves faster. I wonder if Panda will somehow go back to looking like he used to though.

All-New Atom #24
Written by Rick Remender

Art by Pat Olliffe

Shit is hitting the Fan and Ray Palmer is back. I like the idea that the relationship between Ryan Choi and Ray Palmer was all a set up by Chronos, but do you think that was the original intent of Simone and Morrison? I doubt it but I like it a lot.

All-New Atom #25
Written by Rick Remender

Art by Pat Olliffe

Well, Panda sadly dies after all. At least he died a hero. I really liked that Ryan is going to continue on as the Atom and I look forward to seeing him around the DCU. This was a great series and I really encourage people to check out the back issues and trades.

Atom 13 and 14

All-New Atom #13
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Mike Norton

I never read Sword of the Atom, but not I am interested to check it out. In this issue, Ryan journeys to see the tiny people of South America that Ray Palmer lived with in that series. Pretty crazy people. In fact, they were a bit comedic and played for laughs here. They all believed Ray Palmer to be a God or an Enemy. But It was all in good fun. The ending was cool and I am looking forward to seeing Ryan team up with Donna, Jason, and Bob.

All-New Atom #14
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Mike Norton

This was another spectacularly fun issue. We go to the City By the Atom’s Dog’s Ass as Ryan so eloquently put it with Bob, Donna, and Jason looking for Ray Palmer of course. And in that city they enter a place that seems like Heaven. It even has dead heroes and villains including some favorites of mine! But it isn’t real at all. But for a moment there, it was really cool to see all those characters in one place. I liked it. Although I never thought it was actually real. It looks like Ray Palmer doesn’t want to be found. I have a feeling he isn’t even on New Earth anymore.

Jason Todd Gets Kicked In The Balls!

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #47
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Chris Batista

Adam Beechen begins what will be a very short-run on Teen Titans with this issue. Initially, I didn’t like it. I am not sure why now, maybe it was because of the art change. I am not sure. But on the second read, I did enjoy it and felt that it was good for what it was. We get a fight with Match and the investigation of the Joker’s Daughter’s murder from Countdown. I don’t think you have to read Countdown to understand this but it would be good if you did. I liked the ending, it got me excited for the next issue. I even liked that Wonder Girl chose to go to Supergirl to talk her problems out as we have seen them become friends over in Supergirl’s own book. My favorite moment must be Robin kicking Jason Todd in the balls. That was hilarious and a great moment. I laughed out loud. We all know Jason deserves it more than anybody.

Teen Titans 44 - 46

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #44
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Tony S. Daniel

I am psyched! Seeing one of my all-time favorite characters, Batgirl, redeemed like she is in this issue was sooo damn awesome! The final page was great and I have to give kudos to Tony Daniel for it. Everything else this issue is perfect and spot on. I loved every moment of it.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #45
Written by Geoff Johns and Adam Beechen
Art by Al Barrionuevo

If anyone want to see a kickass cliffhanger ending, then look to this issue. Seeing the older Titans tell the Titans East and Deathstroke to “GET THE HELL OFF OUR ISLAND” gave me goosebumps and I actually screamed a hell ya out loud while reading. If this is what Adam Beechen’s run is going to be like, I am down for the ride.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #46
Written by Geoff Johns and Adam Beechen
Art by Al Barrionuevo

While I liked the conclusion to this arc. I liked Donna saying that they are going to make Titans Island theirs again and Deathstroke giving his children a “real family” but I am disappointed to see that there really isn’t any closure to the Batgirl thing. She seems still willing to kill and then just disappears? What the hell! Oh well, you can’t have your cake and eat it too I guess. Sadly, this is Johns’s last issue with the title. I am going to miss you, Geoff, you made this title one of my favorites for forty-six issues.

Wonder Woman 4 and 5

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #4
Written by Allan Heinberg
Art and Cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

Okay so yes this was a good issue. It just was definitely not worth the long ass wait. Heinberg has proven with this book that he is just not up to the task of being a monthly comic book writer. This was just too long of a delay and this story isn’t going to be finished for a while because of him. Anyways, the art was gorgeous and the story is still compelling. Circe has one badass Wonder Woman costume but by the end of this issue you really get the feeling that Diana deserves to be the one true Wonder Woman.

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #5
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by Jean Diaz, Geraldo Borges and Wellington Diaz

Pfeifer writes a spectacular little fill-in this issue. It is a heartwarming story showing how Wonder Woman inspires Women all over the DCU to stand up for their rights and not let themselves get abused. Pfeifer would make a great regualar writer of this title if he was given the chance. This was a real good issue. Reminds me of Rucka’s run sort of.

Wonder Woman 2 and 3

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #2
Written by Allan Heinberg
Art and Cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

Heinberg continues this series’ debut arc this issue, a little, but it does not matter because he certainly deliver this issue. This was more fun super-hero action. This issue we find out that Bruce Wayne set Wonder Woman up with the Diana Prince ID. It is hard to accept the idea that no one recognizes Wonder Woman because she has glasses on and her hair is up, but I suppose if it works for Superman, it can work for Wonder Woman. Great issue.

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #3
Written by Allan Heinberg
Art and Cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

This issue was fun, just like the last two, but I have to say that the lateness of this book is getting rudiculous. I know Allan has other things to do but if you sign on to write a comic book, in my opinion, you should be ready to have it on time. End of rant. Besides that, the art in this is wonderful and the story is fun. I am not that familiar with Circe as a character but she seems like a cool villain, it interesting to find out she is the reason why Wonder Woman’s villains are getting upgrades. Wasn’t Cheetah a regular woman last issue. Why does she look all Cheetah-like again? Is that Circe’s doing, I am not sure.

She’s Back!

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #1
Written by Allan Heinberg
Art and cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson
Variant cover by Adam Kubert

It is one year later and Wonder Woman has been relaunched. This time around Diana has passed on the mantle of Wonder Woman to Donna Troy. This is going to cause a great amount of debate among Wonder Woman fans but for me, I could care less. If Diana returns at the end of this story as Wonder Woman, that would be great! If Donna stays as Wonder Woman, that would be great too! It does not matter to me. Anyways, I expected more out of this issue. Sure it was fun and all but I think I was expecting it to be as good as Greg Rucka’s run on the last volume of this series and so far it just doesn’t measure up. But as viewed on its own, people will definitely get a kick out of it. It is pure superhero action with a hostage story and team up of villains. Speaking of villains, this furthers my theory that DC is using one year later to revitalize characters’ rogues galleries in the same way Geoff John revitalized them on his run on the Flash. This issue focuses on Doctor Psycho, Cheetah, and Giganta as the villains and if I am correct we will be seeing more Wonder Woman villains in the next few issues. The introduction of a younger Steve Trevor and Diana Prince as Diana’s secret identity does not surprise me and I am not as pissed about it as some people seem to be. I think Diana gaining a secret identity was totally in character at this point, especially after Infinite Crisis. I also loved Donna Troy’s new back story, which is a lot simpler and easier to explain now. We still do not know if Donna is the real sister of Diana, or if she is the adopted sister saved from the burning building pre-crisis Donna. I hope it is the later so it does not negate the classic “Who is Donna Troy” story from the Marv Wolfman Teen Titans days. While this debut issue didn’t quite leave me as excited as I hoped, it was still an issue that I would reccomend to anyone who likes Wonder Woman.