Back Issue Box: Action Comics #546

You know it is a tough week when here we are on Wednesday and I still haven't been to the comic book store this week. I probably won't get there until tomorrow!

So while I promise I will get to reviews of the new releases soon, I figured I could dip into the back issue box again today. After reviewing the semi-trippy origin of the new Brainiac in Action Comics #544, I figured I'd cover the ending of that arc in Action Comics #546. 

I have only recently been reading this Marv Wolfman run on Action Comics in the immediate pre-Crisis wind-down of the character. I have to compliment him for his efforts to expand the scope and grandiosity of the book. He introduced Syrene and Lord Satanus. He brought Brainiac back and then amped up the danger of the villain. Heck, this story feels like a mini-event with the finale guest starring both the JLA and the Teen Titans. (The Titans were at the top of the heap at this point.) He even tried to shake up the supporting stories, splitting Lois and Superman and having Clark date Lana. Maybe the powers that be realized Superman and the universe needed to be updated and reinvigorated.

But he also seems to have increased the crankiness of Superman overall. As Clark, he is a little angry, a little put upon, a little twitchy. Part of it that this Clark wants to enjoy his life and the way he has lived up to then feels off. That wish to optimize the Clark life means his Superman often acts like he is tired, doesn't want to move on to the next threat, and almost wishes he could sit back and relax. There is just a tinge of emotional and physical fatigue here. Interesting in a way, but off-putting.

Gil Kane really breaks it all out in this issue given the guest stars, city street battles, and the one-on-one fight of Superman and Brainiac. This new Brainiac isn't the easiest design and at times Kane seems unsure of the proportions, the head/face plate being inconsistent in places. Still, my admiration of Kane as grown over the years. And I'm 99% sure he basically traced a Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez pic in this issue. Overall a good job here.

On to the details.

Review: Batman Superman World's Finest #7

 Batman Superman #7 came out this week, another fabulous issue in what has been a fabulous run so far.

With this book set in the unclear past, writer Mark Waid is able to write a book that is both classic and modern. Waid pulls from the past with homages and references that bring that patina of DC legacy. He has a Superman and Batman who are friends. Not begrudging partners. Not darkness and light. True friends. Waid's Robin is a Dick Grayson just starting to show some independence, just starting to sow some oats. It all works great. Throw in some of the other denizens of the DC world and you have the mix for a great book.

This new arc brings us a sort of Superman analog from a lost world. We have already seen that Supergirl in Waid's world is an established hero, no longer being mentored by Superman while still being inspired. So I like the idea of Superman perhaps getting a sidekick of his own. There is a lot of emotion in this issue, most notably from Superman who sees himself in this new kid. And I love it.

Dan Mora remains on art. I have said that the biggest compliment I can give Mora is every new character I see him draw makes me wish he drew that character's book. Put him on Supergirl. Put him on Doom Patrol. Now put him on a classic Teen Titans book. Donna hasn't looked this great in forever. But it is the emotional heft he brings to the issue that really shook me. DC better lock him up to an exclusive contract. His stuff is perfect. 

This is my favorite book on the rack these days. On to the specifics.

Bullet Review: Teen Titans # 46

Teen Titans #46 came out this last week and with Jon Kent prominently displayed on the cover, I thought this would be a good purchase and a chance to catch up on this book. I had been reading this book when Adam Glass and Bernard Chang were on the book. But somewhere around Teen Titans #41, the title dropped off my pull list. I honestly think it was a victim of the pandemic. I hadn't put the book on my official pull list, just buying it off the shelf when it came out. I suppose this is my folly.

I was surprised to see Glass off the book and instead see Robbie Thompson on as writer. As a huge fan of Marvel's Silk book, I was pretty excited to see what Thompson brought to the book. I wasn't disappointed.

What I don't know is if Superboy is here as a guest in hopes he'll punch up sales. I am pretty sure the book is already canceled given the DC purge of 2020. 

Jesus Merino is on art and I have always been a fan of his work. He recently did pretty stellar work on the Wonder Woman book. His figures are a bit thin in comparison the Bernard Chang's but no one looks sickly or stretched out like Ian Churchill figures. And I like the playfulness he brings to the more private scenes with the characters.

As for Jon ... well ... it is a moment. 

On to the book.

Teen Titans Go! Supergirl

 I have been watching  Teen Titans Go! the series since its inception.

It is bananas. It is a strange, addled, mind-boggling look at the DCU through a haze of sarcasm and lunacy. I have seen episodes which embrace criticism of the proper DCU, episodes where the characters die of old age, episodes based around farting, to ones where they get gritty in response to fan complaints, and just about everything in between.

Yes, I take my comics and comic characters very seriously. Maybe too seriously.

But Teen Titans Go! is a wickedly guilty pleasure, one I routinely laugh out loud at.

So when they announced Teen Titans Go! To The Movies, I was pretty stoked. After remaining on the landscape for five irreverent years, it deserves some big screen time.

One thing that has always stood out to me is that despite the wealth of DC characters who have appeared, we hadn't seen Supergirl before.

Before now that is.

Review: Super Sons #12

Super Sons #12 came out last week, the final part of the Super Sons of Tomorrow. To be honest, I am muddled in my thoughts about this storyline. I feel like I should like it. And maybe taking a big step back and thinking about the main themes of the story, I do. But a lot of the details that moved this story along seem off to me.

Writers Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason basically use this issue as an epilogue of sorts, looking at the fallout of the prior chapters, seeing how these events affected the characters involved. In that way, this issue is fascinating. It is an in-depth look at how fragile some of these heroic relationships can be. And I suppose this story gave us back Cassie, Conner, and Bart ... at least briefly.

But we also got another warped future version of a character I very much like. Tim Drake as the addled 'Savior' is not an idea I can easily get behind. Seeing him want to kill a future Superboy because Jon kills a bunch of people is not an idea I can get behind. The fact that Jon has a Solar Flare is not an idea I like at all. Seeing Tim Drake somehow absorb that energy, gaining access to Hypertime and not being incinerated is odd. So the devil sometimes is in the details. Those were the foundation blocks of the arc.

What I can get behind is Tyler Kirkham on art. Kirkham's work just crackles for me. He has been something of a pinch hitter on a number of books I read in the past and has worked on the Super-books more recently. I wish he would just get a monthly book because his stuff is gorgeous.

On to the book.

Review: Superman #38

Superman #38, the fourth part of the Super Sons of Tomorrow story line, came out last week and was fast moving, if somewhat inscrutable, chapter in this arc. This might be a Superman book but he is barely in the issue. Instead, this is a chapter in a multi-title arc. This will read normally inside a trade, less so for the fan who wants to read just the adventures of the Man of Steel.

Writers Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason have a great feel for Jon and Damian and much of this chapter revolves around those two characters. This would be a great issue of Super Sons. But there is a lot of this plot that I either simply have to accept. So much of this could be chalked up to 'because comic books'. And some of it is clear that reasons to get characters all in the same place at the same time means some weird events and motivations need to happen. And, of course, it all stems from the plot of a future Tim Drake wanting to rewrite history, a story which besmirches his character. 

The artist on the book is Sergio Davila who has a style akin to Jorge Jimenez. Despite running through several books, the stories look similar enough to make me feel it will be a smooth read in the trade.

On to the book.

Review: Teen Titans #15

Super Sons of Tomorrow Part Three took place in Teen Titans #15, giving me the opportunity to look at this book, albeit through the familiar creative names of Peter Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, and Jorge Jimenez. Ed Benes also does some heavy lifting on art, putting together a book which very much reads and feels like a Superman book.

The book does a good job of moving the plot forward. The fathers aren't around. The sons show they are truly friends and allies now. And the Titans are split over how to handle the potential threats of Tim Drake and Jon. This is what a middle chapter should do, move things forward as well as add new elements. As a result, from a story progression viewpoint I'm pretty happy.

From an actual story point of view, this book had its ups and downs. Starfire's strength, Damien's concern, and Jon's wisdom all stand out as high points. In the end the positives outweigh the problems.

The art on the book is very good. Benes is pretty restrained for what I am used to for his art. Jimenez is his usual solid stylized self. And this cover by Francis Manapul is a winner, showing the two teams. Love this cover.

And onto the book.

Back Issue Box: Teen Titans #48

With Miss Martian now on the Supergirl show and with a throw down almost inevitable I thought I would take a look back at comics and one of their less friendly interactions.

Teen Titans #48 came out in 2007 and was a tie-in to the much-maligned Amazons Attack crossover event. This also came out when the Supergirl title was in a bit of flux. Joe Kelly's blighted run of an angry, murdering, lost Supergirl was over. Tony Bedard was coming on for a handful of issues to cover the Amazons Attack and Countdown crossovers. And Kelley Puckett's run was around the corner. But the overwhelming feel of this Kara was that she was an angry, reactive, frankly immature young woman. I don't think I could honestly call her a hero back then.

Amazons Attack is not worth reviewing in depth. But the basic plot was the Amazons declare war on the US for having held Wonder Woman against her will. In the end, the Amazons are made mortal and scattered over the world. Themyscira becomes visible. And somehow Granny Goodness was involved.

As for me, I was collecting Titans only because Supergirl was in the book. This doesn't seem to be a memorable time for the team. The roster is pretty interesting - Tim Drake, Wonder Girl, Miss Martian, Kid Devil, and Ravager. But I don't remember too much of this book and that's always a bad sign.

But this issue is immersed in Amazons Attack and some of the fallout from that event. Writer Adam Beechen shows just how impulsive Wonder Girl and Supergirl are in time. Each of them has a bit of a personal stake in this war and decide that fists will work faster than talk. Neither of them shine here.

The art is done by Al Barrinueva and seems a bit inky and rough. The cover is done by Tony Daniel. You can see how Daniel's art has grown over time, comparing this  work to his current stuff. And, of course, appropriate for the times, Kara's dress is more like a napkin.

On to the book.

Alex Ross Adult Titans

I am always amazed when I hear about comics that were pitched and for some reason weren't made. So many sound like good reasons for companies to take my money.

So imagine when I read this story on Comic Book Resources about a series Alec Ross pitched for a series starring Batman's son which included a JLA composed of the older wiser Titans. Here is the link:
http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2015/03/06/comic-book-legends-revealed-513/

That image above is just incredible. Batgirl as Batwoman. Donna Troy as a Wonder Woman sporting her unitard look. An older Robin. And in the background, Supergirl!

Who wouldn't buy this book??

Of course, Batman's son was part of zany Bob Haney's insanity so maybe DC didn't want something like that out there in any form.

What about the concept? Well the article covers this bombshell ...

But here’s the craziest twist…the whole series would be revealed to be a tie-in with none other than ZERO HOUR!
Remember how Hal Jordan wanted to create a new, nicer world in Zero Hour?

Oh my god! A 'nicer' universe? With an adult Titans/League??

Incredible!

For this Donna Troy alone I would buy the book.

But I gotta give some love to this Supergirl with her faux-hawk, point sleeves, and bathing suit look. Just beautiful!

We seen precious little of Alex Ross' Supergirl - a panel in Kingdom Come and the Silver Age Kara in Justice.

This world should have been part of Multiversity!!

Review: Superboy #14

Superboy #14 came out earlier this week and was the opening chapter to the super-crossover H'El On Earth. As such, it had a big task. I mean, this is supposed to be the story that brings Superman, Supergirl, and Superboy together for the first time. It is going to probably define how they interact with each other moving forward. The job of the first chapter is to get the ball rolling.

Now part of this was accomplished in Superman #13, with the appearance of a Kryptonian dragon, the argument between Superman and Supergirl, and the hovering and invisible H'El. But this was the first chapter where H'El does more than float and gloat. So I was hoping that I would just be grabbed by the throat and eager for the next chapter.

I don't know if it did that.

Now part of the problem is that Superboy has been so involved in other titles, popping up in Teen Titans, Ravagers, and Legion Lost. We have to wrap up those things a bit before H'El even shows up. I have said before, I don't want to read Ravagers or Teen Titans. This Superboy book, I think, has suffered because it seems to depend on me buying those books rather than be a true stand alone solo title.

RB Silva and Rob Lean provide the art for the book. There is a kinetic feel to the action sequences in the book augmented by odd panel shapes and slashes of color behind the panel. But the art themselves seemed a little rougher than I am used to seeing in the team. It's as if more lines, as detailing, has been added here.

That reliance on other books is never more evident than with this opening splash page. Last issue ended with asking me to follow Superboy to Ravagers #5. This issues starts with Superboy running out of the pages of Legion Lost. How can I follow this book if it's stories aren't resolved here? In fact, looking back, many Superboy issues end with a cliffhanger resolved in another book. That just shouldn't happen.

Now luckily, I read Legion Lost so I know that Superboy is running from a major battle and that Harvest at some point used a key phrase to send Superboy beserk. Of course, he is leaving the end of the battle which happens 2 months from now in Lost. So this aligning of things is a bit tricky.

Still, this book seems to hop around other titles too much.

One good part about this is the slow rebuilding and rehabilitation of Kon. Since his bank-robbing bling-laden issue, Supeboy has been slowly realizing the kind of guy he wants to be. He has helped out his friends, he keeps promising to return the money he stole.

Here, back at his apartment, talking to Bunker, he laments the fact that he can't trust himself any more. If Harvest could turn him into an automaton, can't anybody? It makes him feel more like a thing than a person. It is good to see more emotions from Kon than just anger and sarcasm.

I like the silhouette feeling to the last panel. Adds to the emotion.

Bunker tries to help, reassuring Superboy. Superboy has friends, has people he can count on.

At last, Superboy says 'call me Kon'. So at least he has another name besides Superboy. A name, even if it is an insult, also humanizes him.

After these opening pages, H'El finally decides to show up.

He can immediately tell that Superboy is a clone and wonders how Earth's simple science could pull it off. Interestingly, he is invisible to Bunker but visible to Kon. Makes it confusing for poor Bunker.

One thing I did notice is that the 'green energy' power H'El is emanating looks suspiciously like Superboy's red TK power. Could it be that telekinesis is somehow Kryponian based?

Whatever the power is, H'El is able to pretty much thrash Superboy, tossing him around like a ragdoll and torturing him in the sewers, away from prying eyes.

Bunker is unclear just what the heck is happening, so calls upon the Titans for some backup.

And when the Titans arrive, Superboy is in rough shape, being pulled apart. H'El must have significant super-senses because he can read Superboy's genome. It is a pretty vivid image with Kon's limbs being unraveled and  peeled away. Disgusting!

It is unclear why but H'El has dropped his cloak so the Titans can see him. But H'El is extremely powerful, sending them flying with his green TK.

It is nice to see the Titans rally around their friend.

You can get a hint of the page set-up by Silva here, with H'El and Superboy living outside the panels above, the arc of Superboy being tossed outside the panel border, purple blocks radiating. This sort of stuff keeps me visually interested in a book.

And here we get a little glimpse into H'El's hopes. While he considers humans 'chattel', he needs the people of Earth alive so Krypton might live. Hmmm ... is he thinking of some sort of gene-bomb, rewriting humanity's DNA with Kryptonian DNA? Does he need the organic material for a cloning machine? Hmm...

As for the Titans, they aren't going to give up ... especially Cassie.

Superboy helped her. She will do the same. It is, again, nice to see these interactions, these relationships between Superboy and others. He isn't just a weapon; he is a person who has done enough good to inspire loyalty in others.

In a well-worn ending, H'El decides to take Superboy and leave rather than 'crush the Titans' with a thought.

Now what he needs with Superboy, I have no idea. Maybe if he is thinking of recreating Krypton through cloning Superboy is worth more study.

So how does this fare?

I find it amusing that the parts of this issue I liked the best had nothing to do with the H'El character. Superboy's worrying about his feelings, whether he is a 'real boy', Bunker's attempts at helping him, Superboy's accepting the name Kon,  Cass's loyalty ... all that worked, slowly washing away the bad taste of Superboy #11.

But really, this opening chapter was nothing but a clumsy brawl between H'El and Superboy and the Titans. I know he is incredibly powerful. I know he needs humanity alive. But I know little else about H'El or his agenda. So I don't know if the book worked on that level.

Still, DeFalco is rebounding nicely, slowly improving the book and the characters. They're baby steps but at least they are in the right direction.

Overall grade: B

Review: Supergirl #2

It has been something of a slow news week for the Super-comics and it also is the 5th Wednesday of the month which means only a few comics are coming out. So I figured I would look at more 'Supergirl meets Superboy' moments.

I reviewed the Silver Age meeting here. And I just reviewed the Matrix/Metropolis Kid meeting here. And so I thought I would look at the first meeting of the last incarnations of the characters. And that means a  closer review of  2005's Supergirl #2 written by Jeph Loeb and penciled by Ian Churchill.

I have a lot of issues with Loeb and his initial run and this issue showcases a lot of what I didn't like. Loeb certainly did do his best to make Supergirl powerful which is a good thing. But he may have made her too powerful for me. This is when there was some debate that she might be more powerful than Superman (who I just think needs to be the yardstick for the DC universe). But when Loeb has Kara effortlessly bash her way through everyone, it eliminates any concern for her, any feeling of conflict.

But more than her power level, I didn't like the personality of Kara here. She is moody, emotionally labile, but with a default mode of anger. She rarely acted heroic and was constantly fighting heroes. There was no sense of goodness or hope or compassion in this Supergirl. And that just didn't feel right.

As for Ian Churchill's art, I am of two minds. I think he really draws faces extremely well. But his sense of body composition veers to the impossible. And there is way to much cheesecake in these issues for me as well.

At this point in her life, Supergirl had barely met Superboy, just a one panel introduction in the last issue of her origin story in  Superman/Batman #13. After fighting Power Girl in Supergirl #1,Kara flies to Smallville to seek out Superboy. At this point, Superboy has gone into self-exile and simply wants to be left alone. So what will happen when 2 angry and isolated young 'heroes' meet for the first time?

Well, if you are a seasoned comic reader, you will know that they will fight.

As I said, Superboy wants to be left alone and doesn't take kindly to Supergirl's arrival, flying up to meet her before she can even land.

This being the Loeb Supergirl, rather than try to talk to him and figure out why he is so angry,  Supergirl antagonizes him, prompting a fight.

Now that top panel is great linework by Ian Churchill, very expressive.

After an exchange of punches and heat vision, Superboy grabs Supergirl. But she tosses him off  like a rag doll. And here is where all that buried anger Loeb had Supergirl have surges. She "will not be bound again!" It was this underlying attitude that bothered me most with this Supergirl. She doesn't even want the name Supergirl, implying it was forced on her by Superman.

And here is one of many examples of my problem with Churchill. Supergirl's skirt looks the size of a napkin, riding so low on her hips it should simply fall off, her torso elongated.

And remember, Loeb has made her extremely powerful. Without breaking a sweat, she defeats Conner, smashing him in the face and dislocating his jaw. In the prior issue she took out Solomon Grundy with one punch while the JSA as a team couldn't touch him. She beat up Power Girl. In 2 issues, she'll take out most of the Justice League.  There is little feeling of threat or conflict here. I don't mind a powerful Supergirl, she should be in the top tier of the DC pantheon. But I need some to think that things could go wrong to become invested in the character.

I say that big moments deserve big art in comics, but not here. We already had the double splash of her escaping Superboy. Did we really need a splash here.

Now here is a redeeming moment of this character. It isn't all bad in the Loeb issues. After this initial brawl, Supergirl extends the olive branch, relocating Conner's jaw and asking if the two can start over. 

This is an example of the frenetic personality Kara had in these issues. I mean she went from fury to happy in a couple of panels.

But this is also an example of a hero on the journey, making a mistake and trying to correct it.  That's okay.And remember, Conner did initiate this.

Unfortunately, the Titans suddenly arrive and a new fight opens up. The Titans attack both Kara and Conner.

Now I have talked about how this Supergirl was too angry and too powerful. Here is a great example.  She shrugs off Wonder Girl's magic lasso attack (despite it being magical). And Kara is filled with so much anger, she is able to usurp control of Cassie's god-given magic lasso. Just like that she sends painful feedback into Wonder Girl. It is sort of ludicrous. This was a lasso given to Cassie because of her heritage and magical. It simply shouldn't work for Supergirl.

And I don't know if this moment needs a splash page.

The skirt is drawn so short that it is distracting. But my big pet peeve on the artowork here is how Churchill draws legs. Look at those taffy like calves, stretched to pencil thinness. Look at those ankles ... or lack thereof. Impossible.

So she batters Conner. She shrugs off Wonder Girl's end move.

And then Supergirl's inner darkness is so great that she cannot be contained by Raven's soul self. In fact, Raven seems more shaken by Supergirl being in her than Supergirl is for having been enveloped by Raven. So everyone's end move is useless. You would think that Raven should have some effect.

But someone whose father is a demon, who has battled with evil herself is repulsed and shaken by Kara's soul. What a horrible way to portray Supergirl. This 'is she evil' stuff wore thin pretty quickly.

So why did Titans come?

Cyborg says that they detected something heading to Kent Farm at high speed. They had to investigate.

But isn't there a better way to protect their lives and anonymity than by brawling in their corn field. Wouldn't this attract more attention?

With everyone arguing about Conner's self-exile and Supergirl's arrival, Kara suddenly become morose. Look at the glum Supergirl sulk away because 'everybody wants her to go away'. So we have even more labile emotions.And no nuance her ... she goes from full fury to full happiness to full fury to full despondence.

It was hard to figure this Supergirl when all this was happening. She had wild swings in her responses. But anger and hate seemed to be her fallback mood. Who wants to read that book?

Thank goodness these mood swings were explained away by Kryptonite poisoning.

I will say there is one nice moment here when Conner calls Kara his cousin for the first time. Kara seems touched by the sentiment, like maybe someone does care.

But before, she can leave Starfire arrives ... even more fun over the Kent crops! She wants Supergirl to go with her to the Outsiders. She has some answers for Supergirl. This, of course, allowed Loeb to let Supergirl beat up on that hero team in the next issue (even if while sparring). But that was the theme of these early issues, angry Supergirl looking for answers and beating up heroes. It just didn't work.

And we get another splash page, this one a pin-up shot of Kory.

Now this issue embodied a Supergirl that you didn't want to piss off, that didn't love humanity, that was hell on wheels. And this is despite having acclimated to Earth.

Frankly after rereading this issue, I realized that this Supergirl better fits the pre-release DCnU description of the Green/Johnson Supergirl. The current Supergirl is light years away from this. Even when confused and lost, the current Kara just seems to have more depth, more goodness, stopping when she thinks she is endangering innocents.

Since this was one of the first issues of the last incarnation of Supergirl, I suppose they are of medium importance to a Supergirl collection. They really set the tone for the first 20 or so issues. It is probably available for under $5.

But reviewing this reminded me that I didn't like this book very much back then.

Overall grade: C-

Bullet Review: Titans #30

I will be honest, I haven't picked up a Titans or Teen Titans book in a long time.

But the sneak peek of Titans #30 on the DC Source got me interested enough to give it a try. The creative team of writer Eric Wallace and artist Fabrizio Fiorentino are completely new to me so I figured this would also be a good way for me to branch out and get a feel for some new talent.

I'll say that I was very grateful for the 'origin box' in the issue. I thought Titans was the title where the grown up Teen Titans work their magic. But with Donna and Dick in the JLA, Starfire in REBELS, and Beast Boy still in Teen Titans, there wouldn't be much of a roster.

So it seems this book has some connection to Brightest Day. And it really is a Deathstroke team, a gathering of some bad guys working on a secret mission. Cheshire and Roy Harper are on the team.

I should have known after reading this that it wasn't necessarily going to be my cup of tea. I don't always gravitate to the frank bad guy books (although I guess REBELS is debatable.)

The main plot of this book is Deathstroke's team breaking into Arkham to free a woman with some sort of solar/radiation powers.

What got my attention on the Source was this scene with the JLA and Supergirl. I guess a subplot here is the investigation of the missing Ryan Choi. Roy Palmer and the team are trying to figure out if Choi was murdered (which I think we know is true) but are coming up empty.

But look at Fiorentino's version of Supergirl. That doesn't look like a belly shirt to me!

Doesn't this complete blue shirt version of the costume, even if it was a mistake, look completely fantastic? Make the skirt red and I'd be thrilled!

I do like how Supergirl remains hopeful that Choi is alive. Maybe she would be recruited by the Blue Lanterns?

I also like the hair Fiorentino draws Supergirl with. It sort of reminded me of the wisps seen in the Apocalypse movie.

But otherwise this is a book about Deathstroke being one step ahead of everyone including the Dick Grayson Batman. It also showed me how low Roy Harper has gone, working with the villains and generally being a brute. He is even described as being in a heroin haze. I am sure this darkness appeals to some, but not me. I'm not invested enough in these characters to care.

So I am glad I got the book. It is always good to try new titles and see what's happening. But I don't think I'll be coming back here.

Nice version of Supergirl though.

Review: Tiny Titans #16

Tiny Titans #16 is another fun issue for older fans and the Johnny DC crowd. And anytime Kara is featured I figure a review is in order.

While the other Titans are usually the fodder for jokes, Supergirl always seems above the fray. I think that is an interesting wrinkle to this book.

As I mentioned when the book was solicited, the cover is a nice homage to this 1970's Treasury Edition comic which reprinted some Superman/Flash races from the past. Even the breakdown of who is rooting for who is similar.

Alas the issue isn't merely a Supergirl/Kid Flash race.

Coach Lobo is having a hard time convincing the Titans that they need to exercise. He asks them what they think gave him all his muscles. Their answers are pretty silly. These are only 2 panels ... there are a couple more.

To drive home the point he tells the Titans that there will be an around the world race.

The speedsters ... Supergirl, Kid Flash, and Inertia ... take the task in stride. In fact they seem excited.

The rest of the group is not as happy. How the heck are they going to accomplish that! Raven immediately drops out of the race and heads for the library. She tells Lobo that she doesn't run.

The race goes along swimmingly until the pack reaches the coast. The water-based Titans and Beast Boy shrug their shoulders and take to the water. Robin is given a snorkel and fins and joins them.

I love how he says he brought his shark spray. Is it a reference to Adam West and his 'Bat anti-shark spray' from the old Batman movie?

And this the same month that a 'some days you just can't get rid of a bomb' reference in Super Friends! Unreal. Two Adam West Batman movie references in one month! Us old guys can't get enough Easter Eggs.

Don't ask me why I got such a kick out of this. But Batgirl had a bat-copter stashed at the coast and takes off in it.

The group of speedsters continues undeterred .... cruising across the desert and picking up Mas y Menos along the way. Don't ask me how they can lose to someone swimming. I don't think I am supposed to be thinking that critically.

But the first person to cross the finish line is Raven, fresh from her trip to the library.

Then all the rest of the Titans careen across the finish line, barreling into Lobo in the process.

Still he names Raven the winner!

As usual, Art Baltazar continues to mix enough DC history and all ages fun into this title.

Overall grade: B+

Review: Teen Titans #66

If there was ever a title that I want to like it is Teen Titans. Maybe it is because I have such fond memories of the Wolfman/Perez run from my early adolescence. But it seems I give the Titans a whirl every so often in hopes of it catching my fancy. It never seems to grab hold of me enough to keep me purchasing.

I have honestly picked up and dropped this title 3 times now. The last time I dropped the book was 6 months ago when Ravager left, the only character that I felt was interesting and written with any dimension.

But as I have said in the past, I am a sucker for the 'new direction' issues and Teen Titans #66 seemed to have that feeling to it. The roster of the Titans will be turning over yet again it seems.

One scene that was nicely done was Cassie apologizing to Kara for their fight last year. You may recall that Cassie told Kara that the only reason she was Kara's friend was to somehow keep the memory of Conner closer. That by keeping an 'S-shield' on the team it might help her deal with loss.



Of course Kara felt a bit used and stormed off. Here is that panel from Teen Titans #55, drawn by our friend Jamal Igle.


Cassie asks Kara if they can be friends again and Kara responds 'when were we not?' It's a nice scene of 2 friends reconciling. With that simple hug all the garbage between them is simply gone.

I also like how Supergirl tells Cassie that she knew Cassie had some things to work out. As if Kara doesn't. The presence of the unpacked boxes put this around Supergirl #34, and therefore before the events of New Krypton.

As for Wonder Girl's new look, I find the lack of bracelets jarring. How can you play 'bullets and bracelets' without bracelets?

Cassie then offers Supergirl a spot on the team but Kara responds that she has 'already made another commitment'.

Hmmm ... I assume that she is talking about the new JLA.

Of course this book still hasn't been solicited yet. And I thought the team was formed based on the events of Final Crisis, which hasn't finished yet. Could Hal have been planning his team this far in advance? Or (more likely) is this just another minor flub in the DC editorial control of continuity?Anyways, I am glad the Supergirl/Wonder Girl friendship is back and intact. Kara could use as many friends as she can get. This one seems natural.

As for the rest of the issue, it is standard fare of new applicants coming to the tower. Cyborg shows up and says he will help out as a mentor. The Calculator reveals himself to be the father of Wendy and Marvin.

There is one funny scene where Kid Devil teleports around recruiting with very little success. I especially like the JSA bit.

But not much is set in stone about new members, although it does seem clear that Spoiler will be joining the ranks.

And that is because Tim Drake is quitting. Given his role in The Battle for the Cowl, he can't maintain his Titans presence and so takes off. In a scene which plays off the opening Kara scene, Tim tells Cassie he needs to leave to work some things out.

Rather than have it end bitterly like that Supergirl scene from a year ago, Cassie embraces Tim and says 'do what you need to do ... we will be all right'. It is clear that Cassie has grown over the last year and is more mature. Rather than burn her relationship bridges, she is building a stronger foundation.

There is a nice symmetry to that opening scene with Kara even down to the hug at the end.

All that said, does this mean I will be picking up Teen Titans yet again? The answer is 'probably not'. I don't know if a Titans title can survive where the main characters are Wonder Girl, Blue Beetle, Kid Devil, Bombshell, and Misfit. Not exactly household names.

If this issue was meant to bring in new readers to sample the title, I don't know if it put out enough bait to keep people coming. And losing Robin, arguably the most popular character on the roster can't help matters.

Otherwise, I thought Sean McKeever had a pretty good handle on dialogue. I usually love Eddy Barrows' art but for some reason this issue seemed a little flat.

Overall grade: B-