TEEN TITANS #2 (DC COMICS)
Welcome to the next generation of heroes!
Fairplay, Cheshire Cat, Proxy, Eugene Choi and Wildcard have gone looking for a missing friend. Their journey has taken them into a path they didn’t expect. They’re not trained and not prepared for this mission. The group needs a mentor.
Nightwing and Mr. Terrific weighed in on the matter but the most unlikely candidate emerged: JASON TODD?!
TEEN TITANS #1 by Kyle Higgins,Daniele Di Nicuolo, Marcelo Costa & Becca Carey (DC COMICS) continues its’ openign arc.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the latest.
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Higgins spotlights the difference a mentor can make early in this series. Red Hood’s methods of getting information are bold and make an impression on the teens. Their banter reflects the changing personalities to what their actions did. Declining Nightwing and Upsetting Mr. Terrific leads to some second guessing while establishing them as a team learning as they go. One of the more deeper conversations is Red Hood and Cheshire. The writing allows for “tough love” as Todd gives his experience on playing hero and villain. It sets the bar high for what’s about to follow.
The action is impulsive as the group breaks orders to rush Ascend. Pacing speeds through as their inexperience shines in the panels. Readers watch as the event goes up in flames quickly. This allows for Todd’s experience to come into play. His dialogue is smooth in delivery to bail out the situation. With Higgins placing hi in this light, it gives the audience a fresh look at the polarizing hero. The aftermath is more tough in tone but necessary in Todd’s eyes. It sends the story into a strong ending as the mystery of Ascend is just getting started.
READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW!
Di Nicuolo & Costa’s opening segment stacks the panels to give Red Hood’s interrogation a steady climb. It caps off with an excellent full page image. The panels refocus to highlight the team and the personality friction. Choi and Wildcard’s face-off is prime example of the “bubbling” personalities. This extends to Red Hood imposing his will to get the group under control. The art slides in a quick smile on Todd’s face as he teases some danger. This can easily be taken as some secret enjoyment about being a mentor. It’s a rare sight but welcomed as he is on his own journey as well as the kids.
This extends further with his talk with Cheshire. Their panels show the tough lives they live walking both sides of the fence. It gives way to an impulsive start to the attack on Ascend. Pacing moves fast as the teens overact. It leads to a superb half panel reflecting the effects of going viral for the wrong reasons. This gives way to calmer scenes while ushering in the closing act. Todd’s anger can’t be denied as he scolds the team. Readers get a solid cameo page offering some unique insight into Todd’s struggles before going to the final pages. Panels conclude with a great cliffhanger point keep the suspense rolling. Solid work all around.
FINAL GRADE: 8.8
School is in session as the Teens learn the hard way about Red Hood Justice in an excellent read. Higgins dives into the stumbling blocks of conflicting personalities. Di Nicuolo & Costa bring the energetic scenes to life like few can. This is unlike any Teen Titans story you’ve ever seen!
Let me know your thoughts on TEEN TITANS #2 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
