Teen Titans #28 – Adam Glass, Priest, Writers; Bernard Chang, Artist; Marcelo Maiolo, Colorist
Ratings:
Ray – 6/10
Corrina: Still Haven’t Gotten Over Jason Seriously Injuring Damian
Ray: The launch of the crossover “The Terminus Agenda” in Teen Titans #28 is an odd fit because this mini-event is bringing together one of DC’s best books – and arguably its worst. While Deathstroke has been a fascinating, psychologically driven supervillain thriller since its kickoff, Teen Titans has been mired in a bizarre series of plots that made its main characters look incredibly unlikable. Combining them is kind of like a filet mignon with Spam garnish. While Priest’s influence on this title does improve it from the previous issues, he can only do so much with what he’s given from the franchise he’s crossing over with. Damian is not in a good place, still injured from his battle with Red Hood and increasingly obsessed with Deathstroke from their last battle. So he brings his plan to the team – take down Deathstroke. Although Kid Flash tries to warn him away from this, the two still don’t entirely trust each other. Emiko, the only one who knows about Damian’s secret prison, is worried that he’s slowly unraveling.
Deathstroke, meanwhile, is coming off his own traumas and is ill-equipped to take on a group of hopped-up teenagers looking to target him. They almost get the drop on him using an elaborate ruse at his barber shop, but he quickly turns the tables. This issue once again emphasizes just how little we know about the new kids, especially Roundhouse. A simple suit malfunction and he suddenly starts deflating as if he was a beach ball. Just what the character needed – a little body horror. By the end of the issue, Damian has Deathstroke locked up in his secret prison, but Slade is hinting that he’s not the one trapped. A battle of wills between Damian and Deathstroke could be a lot of fun, but this team just doesn’t quite work. I keep wondering where these kids’ parents are? I know Bruce has basically given up on wrangling Damian, but Iris and Ollie seem like they’d have something to say about their fourteen-year-olds going rogue. A crossover like this needs two books on the same level, and this doesn’t have it.
Corrina: To be fair, Wally seems to just do whatever he wants, even in Flash. As does Emiko, who basically arrived in Green Arrow doing whatever she does. Also, to give this issue a little praise, Deathstroke seems in character.
But the rest of it remains a mess. Roundhouse hasn’t been on-screen enough to provide a good impression of his personality and now he’s a literal mess. Emiko’s main characterization is “ruthless,” while Wally’s powers are rarely used to their full extent. Djinn’s powers are also potentially high-level but there remains that weird vibe between her and Damian, while Our Lobo girl just hits things. This does not an interesting team make.
Worse of all remains Damian, who seems to have gone over to villain mode. We’ve had many issues of TT with Damian learning about being a teammate and a hero, plus over in Super-Sons, and yet the kid seems to be devolving. I’ve no idea what the heck DC is thinking on this.
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Disclaimer: GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
