Teen Titans #88 Review

Writer: JT Krul 

Artist: Nicola Scott 

BBxRae Shippiness Level: Low. There’s a single page in the middle of the issue where we see Ravens thoughts. In the midst of it, she mentions that recently Gar had been flooded with love for her – Felicia Hendersons last arc – but his feelings had changed and we see him filled with the aura of hope. She says that her love for him continues, but she can’t indulge in her emotions. Nothing beyond that; the two don’t interact this issue. 

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The Teen Titans comic has been through the gutter lately. There were two full runs between Geoff Johns and now that ranged from serviceable to abominable, with the previous by Felicia Henderson easily being one of the worst in a long time. But now a new creative team finally debuts with this issue. Does it stack up? 

The story doesn’t really manage to pick up in this issue. There’s a bit of setup for the arc in general, but after the opening fight with the Feral Boys, most of what’s left shifts to checking up on each member of the team. There’s a fair bit of exposition here – mostly as Krul quickly explains the backstories of characters like Raven and Ravager – which can get a bit clunky. It’s to be expected – after all, it’s there to get any folks jumping on up to speed – but it’s still noticeable for someone who’s kept up with the team prior. 

For the most part, JT Krul seems to have a good handle on everyone. Beast Boy, for example, hasn’t been quite as well written since Geoff Johns.  Hell, even Wonder Girl – a character I personally have a long standing disdain for – comes off better than she has in ages. Where JT seems to go right with this is that he seems to treat the team as actual friends. The kind that like to hang around each other. There’s been a lot of tension, distrust and disdain in the Titans for a while now, to the point where it was difficult to see why they even stuck together as a team. So far, there’s no such problem here for the first time since Geoff Johns wrote the book. 

Not everything about the issue is a slam dunk, however. We do get a look at the man behind the Feral Boys, who is apparently supposed to be a new rogue. I really don’t know what to make of him. On the one hand, he looks absolutely hilarious to the point where I wonder if we’re supposed to take him seriously. If Krul tries to play him a hundred percent straight, however, it could be iffy. Time will tell. 

Another part that didn’t sit too well with me is where Krul seems to be going with Raven. We seem to be going back to her trying to keep her emotions in check. It feels like a regression; I genuinely hope it’s solved in the course of the run, because an extended repeat of “I cannot emote or I will bring ruin” Raven isn’t something I care to see long term. 

As for the art… man, it’s pretty. Seriously. Aside from the fact that Beast Boy seems to be played by Eddie Munster, this is a good looking book. Best since Tony Daniel, easy. I just hope she can keep up with the monthly schedule; the last decent artist the Teen Titans book had couldn’t manage more than two issues in a row. Assuming she can, we could be in for some good times. 

On the whole, it’s a decent first issue for this new creative team. Little really happens in the issue as it’s mostly concerned with catching some folks up, but it’s at least enjoyable. I hesitate to dip into hyperbole – this is only one issue and we don’t know how things will go into the future – but it’s pretty safe to say that this is the best Titans related comic in a long time. Hopefully things will only get better from here. 

   

What our Members said;

GhettoMac: “As far as Cassie bringin back Rose deal goes, the only thing that urks me is the reason. Don’t get me wrong, I’m psyched Rose is back, but only because Cassie claims that everyone in the past kept dying outta bein inexperience, and Rose being the only exception. Ain’t that one of the goals for TT? taken in tenderfoots and morphin them into DC’s greatest?
Plus, inexperience isn’t really a good excuse if your the leader and failed to teach experience to the newbies. I mean, practically half if not all of the previous deaths happen on Cassie’s watch.”