Titans #16 – John Layman, Writer; Pete Woods, Artist
Ray – 8.5/10
Ray: Tom Taylor did a lot of heavy lifting to give us the most successful Titans book in over a decade, reuniting the classic NTT roster under Nightwing’s leadership for a big cosmic adventure that included one a-list event. But now he’s headed off to Gotham, and a new creative team steps in – iconic DC artist Pete Woods, and acclaimed indie horror writer John Layman. It feels like an odd fit, but Layman actually has a pretty strong DC portfolio, primarily on the Bat-books. This new run kicks off with the Titans settling into the new status quo as an extension team of the League – only to immediately nearly destroy the satellite when Beast Boy angers an alien at the satellite zoo. That brings them into conflict with Question, who’s the League’s new security liaison, but it also reveals some unexpected fractures in the team. Namely, not everyone who shows up here is staying.
Arsenal is back with the team, after bowing out of the last run. But Tempest is taking some time off to rebuild Atlantis, while Dick and Wally reveal they’re taking a sabbatical to focus on their other responsibilities. Dick appoints Donna Troy to be leader in his place, which is an interesting choice – I kind of would have expected Cyborg, since he’s been a Leaguer. But before things can be sorted out – including the odd tension between exes Donna and Roy – the team starts being plagued by haunting memories of their darkest moments, dialed up to eleven. The reveal of the villain here is pretty intriguing, and it’s great to see Donna step up as a leader in the final moments. This first issue has a lot of promise, including strong characterization for almost the entire team (if Beast Boy maybe seems like he’s been set back a bit). But I’m most intrigued by the major level-up one rogue appears to be taking.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
