Teen Titans 7 and 8

Teen Titans (Volume 6) #7
Written by Benjamin Percy
Art by Khoi Pham and Phil Hester

Jackson Hyde makes it to Titans Tower and is immediately rejected by Robin until he saves Robin from King Shark. Damian then gives him a suit that he had been creating for himself for underwater missions. I wonder if this will be Jackson’s final Aqualad costume – it is unclear because he never puts it on in this comic. I am hoping Jackson is given the name Aqualad by Garth as a passing of the torch in the upcoming crossover.

Teen Titans (Volume 6) #8
Written by Priest, Benjamin Percy, and Dan Abnett
Art by Khoi Pham and Phil Hester

This is Part 2 of the Lazarus Contract crossover that began here. I want to dislike this crossover because I know that Deathstroke trying to ressurect Grant Wilson has been done SO MANY TIMES in the past. In fact, I think it was done right before Flashpoint. But the writing and characterization is top notch I can’t really hate it. Tempest and the new Aqualad meet for the first time, Donna and Starfire saying how they should really be the ones in charge – the writers clearly know these characters. Kid Flash actually finds out that Wally has the same name as him in this issue which I figured the would have left for the Flash books to resolve.

 

Aquaman Rebirth 1-18

Aquaman (Volume 8) #1
Written by Dan Abnett
Art by Brad Walker

This is the first issue of Aquaman post-Rebirth. Aquaman of course only recently came back to life Pre-Flashpoint so I wonder how much of Aquaman’s history has now been restored. Black Manta attacks Aquaman and his new embassy in this comic, and there is no mention that Black Manta once killed Aquaman’s baby son, so maybe that is no longer in continuity? Or perhaps the memory of it has been erased by Dr. Manhattan since Mera and Aquaman think they were never married. Anyways, continuity matters aside, this was a great first issue with great art and a great introduction to the politics between Atlantis and the Surface World.

Aquaman (Volume 8) #2
Written by Dan Abnett
Art by Scot Eaton

In this issue, Aquaman manages to use his words rather than his fists to defeat Black Manta as he convinces the villain that killing him will ultimately be disappointing for him. It shows that this character is about both brains and brawns. He is a monarch and a diplomat after all.