Superstar Writer In The Making

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #78
Written by J.T. Krul
Art by Joe Bennet

First of all, J.T. Krul is taking over Green Arrow permanently? I Certainly hopes so because his Titans works rocks! This was a fantastic issue even though it didn’t even star the current Teen Titans. Really this would have been better suited for Titans – as the formation of Deathstroke’s team begins here as in the end Jericho decides to join with his Dad. The fact that Jericho and Deathstroke could decide to work together at the end of this issue and it didn’t seem forced is pretty damn amazing and I think we owe that to Krul – he is a superstar writer in the making at DC.

Black Lantern Wilsons

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #77
Written by J.T. Krul
Art by Joe Bennett

Despite the cover, this isn’t really a Teen Titans Blackest Night crossover but a Ravager Blackest Night crossover. It focuses only on the Wilson family and their many deaths. It was nice to have Slade and Rose’s stories recapped. It refreshed my memory of their history – J.T. Krul certainly knows his Titans. After this and his work on Blackest Night: Titans how can he not be writing a Titans books soon? I’d argue he is the true successor to Johns in terms of great Titans writers. That being said it would have been nice to have at least one of the current Teen Titans involved in this issue at all.

Titans Tower Needs To Have Security For Pets

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #75
Written by Felicia D. Henderson
Art by Joe Bennett
Co-Feature by Sean McKeever
Art by Yildiray Cinar

The title of this post is definitely true …since this is the second time in this book a monster has infiltrated the tower by posing as a furry friend. Anyways, this begins Henderson’s run on Teen Titans and so far, it is decent. I mean it is nothing totally special but I am going to give Henderson the benefit of the doubt because she is coming in right before a big crossover (blackest night) and this is the first comic she has ever written. She seems to have a strong understanding of the characters. Although I don’t like how Cassie is always portrayed as incompetent in leadership (but that’s something they have done for a while so it’s not Henderson’s fault). Bennett draws some weird faces in this issue. This book needs a new artist. I am not sure what was going on in the scene at Titans Compound…why would they be happy Beast Boy left them? Whatever Ravager saw in the back-up, really upset her. So much so that she is tearing up. It must be pretty bad what these guys are doing to upset Rose Wilson like that. Child slavery? I wonder.

Miller Gets The Characters, Bennett Does Not

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #72
Written by Bryan Q. Miller
Art by Joe Bennett
Co-Feature by Sean McKeever
Art by Yildiray Cinar

 

Joe Bennett is not doing his best here at all. I mean Superboy and Wonder Girl never wore those outfits when they were together in that flashback and girls don’t wear belly shirts like that when they go out. I mean Miss Martian’s shirt was shorter every time he drew it. It was ridiculous. I am far from a prude, I don’t care that the characters are being sexualized, I care that they are realistic. And being 21 and so far off from my teen years, I can tell you that teenage girls don’t wear shirts like that. I have to say this though, Bennett does draw some amusing facial expressions in this issue. The story by fill-in writer Miller was actually pretty good. Miller definitely captures each Titan’s personality rather well and I liked the night on the town story’s Juxtaposition with Wonder Girl’s fight at Alcatraz. I just hope that funeral scene at the beginning doesn’t really mean one of these characters is going to die, cause we really DON’T need any more of that shit in this book. The Ravager back up was interesting and McKeever is always good with her character, but it hasn’t hooked me just yet.

Worst Titans Storyline Ever?

Vigilante (Volume 3) #6
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Tom Lyle

This is the conclusion of the Deathrap Titans crossover that began here, and continued here, here, here, and here. Wow, this entire story arc plus its preludes could have been done in one issue. We could have had a fight with Jericho and then have Vigilante tear out his eyeballs in the end but no DC dragged this out for months, this has got to be one of the worst storylines if not the worst storyline the Titans have ever had. I can’t believe Wolfman took part in all this. No wonder McKeever quit because of creative differences after this. Anyways, we get some clue to Vigilante’s identity in that he has a jerk father-in-law somehow and Jericho is left with his eyes cut out of his head going insane so that was cool otherwise what a mess.

End This Already

Titans (Volume 2) #13
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Angel Unzueta

This is part 4 of the Deathtrap crossover that began here, and continued here, and here.Okay why the hell are the Titans letting Red Devil tag along with no powers. That’s just stupid. He should at least bring his original fighting suit or something. That is the least of this book’s problems though. This storyline is real mess with seemingly the same thing happening issue after issue. I feel like I have been reading stories of Jericho threatening the Titans for months. End this already. What a waste of paper and ink.

A Ravaging Return

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #70
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Joe Bennett

This is part 3 of the Deathrap Titans crossover that began here and continued here. This part is much better then the last part, I am not sure if the story has actually improved or just because McKeever has a better handle on the Teen Titans then the adult Titans. There were a lot of great character moments here and I am going to miss McKeever writing Red Devil when he leaves. Ravager shows up and makes a good point about Bombshell being on the team. Bennett is actually pretty good at drawing facial expressions. I never really noticed this before. There is something creepy about his art though, it showed in Terror Titans and it shows here, especially at the beginning where the women is torturing that guy. While I am still looking forward to see where this story is going, it is still far from a success. The Jericho as villain thing just isn’t exciting.

So Far So Bad

Vigilante (Volume 3) #5
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Tom Lyle and Scott Hana

This is Part 2 of the “Deathtrap” Crossover that began here. In this issue, the Titans and Vigilante fight and then Vigilante escapes way too easily and then Jericho takes over the Teen Titans Jet and starts using it to shoot at the Titans. Ya it isn’t really exciting. This whole crossover is a mess so far. Jericho as villain has been done so many times that I am still not convinced this story is bringing anything new to the table. He just isn’t a very scary villain, and it seems out of character. I had hoped there would be something more to this then Jericho fights the two teams and Vigilante but so far that is all this has amounted to. Wow. The Titans books are a mess right now. The coloring was off on people’s hair this issue as well.

Deathtrap Begins

Titans (Volume 2) #12
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Angel Unzueta

Deathtrap, the Titans crossover begins here. I don’t know what I was expecting. I guess I expected more then just more of Jericho hopping around stories but that’s all we really get here. It makes for a decent issue and it is certainly better then Winick’s stuff on this title. McKeever is pretty good at writing the older Titans. I wonder since he is leaving Teen Titans he will move to this book? I highly doubt it. It is pretty cool to see Static interact with Donna Troy and how the Milestone Universe is part of the DCU now. I thought that Jericho went into Cyborg when he was talking to Beast Boy but it doesn’t look like that is what happened after all. The ending was pretty shocking and shows just how ruthless and quick the Vigilante really is. Although I am sure Cybrog will be okay.

Treading Water

Vigilante (Volume 3) #4
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Rick Leonardi

Vigilante comes face-to-face with Jericho (who has taken over Cyborg) this issue and we learn a little bit more about him. Apparently he was a rich kid. It’s always good to see Wolfman write the Titans. Didn’t last issue say Wonder Girl was supposed to be in this issue? Did they mean Donna Troy? Why is DC make so many mistakes with their comics? Shouldn’t someone get fired for this? Whatever it doesn’t matter. I liked Leonardi’s art a lot this issue, otherwise I feel we are just treading water until the big crossover with the Titans books starts.

Indigo Omens

Titans (Volume 2) #10
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Howard Porter and Jesus Saiz

I’m sorry but why wouldn’t the Justice League and the Titans think of wearing more secure goggles. Those goggles fell off their head every chance they got. The main story was a typical Winick battle issue. I originally thought that Winick was leaving the title after this issue, but the Origins and Omens back up makes it look like he is staying after the McKeever crossover as it looks like he is bringing back Indigo! The one-time Outsider who I really loved is featured in the last splash page and I really hope that this means she’ll be back! Winick may not have done the best on this book, but if he brings back Indigo in it I am going to be singing his praises. Oh and Nightwing leaves the “team” in the back up as well. This issue was decent, the coloring was a bit off sometimes though. Red Arrow had blonde hair in a panel or two and one panel made it look Wonder Woman was wearing just a bra. But It wasn’t a bad issue by any means.

Possession

Titans (Volume 2) #9
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Howard Porter and J. Calafiore

We actually learn why Jericho has seeming gone evil this issue and it is actually plausible. Apparently every time Jericho possesses someone a part of their personality stays within him. Therefore, all the evil people he has possessed over the years are corrupting his mind. He is trying to fight it. This makes a lot more sense then before. I am so glad they just didn’t have him turn evil on his own because that would be completely out of character. Winick is one of the most inconsistent writers – he can write garbage or he can write a pretty good issue like this one. The art is the best it has ever been on this series. I wonder if anyone can name when he possessed each of those characters in the double page spread. The Justice League arrive at the end looking for Jericho, so next issue should be interesting. I just hope Winick doesn’t turn into a generic hero vs. hero fight.

Bring Tempest Back

Titans (Volume 2) #8
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Howard Porter

This was a decent issue of Titans. The group becomes paranoid about Jericho inhabiting one of their bodies (Apparently he has turned bad again) and there were some funny moments. I specifically liked the twist at the end with Nightwing as I wasn’t expecting that. The art is a let down. Porter can do a lot better then this crap, I don’t know what happened. With Tempest appearing in Final Crisis this week, one has to wonder why he isn’t in this series yet. I mean I thought he was in another dimension but I guess he is back. Does Winick just not like the character? I don’t know. If Red Arrow is in this, then Tempest should be in it too. I hope Jericho isn’t really a villain, cause that is rehash of what was a bad idea to begin with.

Jericho…Bad…Again

Titans (Volume 2) #7
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Julian Lopez

The art is soo much better then it was initially on this series, and the dialogue is a lot better this issue. I really don’t buy the Jericho as villain thing, didn’t Johns come up with a reason why he went bad before? Wasn’t it not his fault? I don’t remember but I don’t get why the nicest member of the team has to be a jerk just because his Dad is. I hope there is a good reason for this. As for him being bad, you could tell in Raven’s eyes what she saw in his mind, so I knew right away. That is the strength of Lopez’s art. I really don’t want to read the Titans just fighting each other next issue, but that is probably what is going to happen. Oh and are they in a new Titans Tower on Titans Island in New York? I am so confused since I thought they weren’t supposed to be a real team. Maybe I missed something.

Wallace

Titans (Volume 2) #6
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Julian Lopez

Eh…this issue was okay. I feel that we didn’t really need another Raven goes bad story. I like how she was defeated by her pure self though. The problem with Winick’s writing is that he writes everyone with the same voice and manner of speaking. For example, why did Raven call the Flash Wally when traditionally she has always called him Wallace. Why does everyone make pop-culture references? That may be good for one character like Beast Boy doesn’t work for someone like Starfire and Raven. At least the art is a lot better on this series. They haven’t really established it yet….where are they staying? Are they on Titans Island? I don’t even know. Anyways, I do look forward to seeing Jericho again next issue.

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.