[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Tom Taylor
Art: Nicola Scott
Colors: Annette Kwok
Letters: Wes Abbott

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

The Titans have descended upon the The Church of Eternity suspecting all is not what it seems.  Plus, they are still worried about Garth and his alliance with Brother Eternity.

Positives

The  art by Nicola Scott is simply stunning at times.  There are a number of thoughtfu1 and emotional beats in Titans #3 and Scott finds the sensitivity, nuance and feeling in each moment.  It communicates the depth of friendship between these characters as well as the underlying emotional content of the plot that Tom Taylor has devised.  It’s not simply about the longtime friendship the Titans share, but the concern for the environment and the convict of faith that is wrapped up in Garth’s affiliation with the Church of Eternity.

One of the best emotional beats in the issue is when the Titans try to stop Wally (The Flash) West from joining in because Raven has pinpointed his future time of death to be within the next 48 hours.  It’s a moment we all know how it will turn out, but it’s a nice moment that also leads to a fun poke at Nightwing.  It shows that these friendships are strong and complex.

Taylor layers the issue with twists and turns as the plot with the Church of Eternity develops.  Despite Garth seeming to be on the side of the Church, we do get a classic Titans vs. Church of the Blood sequence with all the Titans involved.  Also, there’s just something satisfying about an escrima stick to the forehead.  Dick kicks off the assault with a projectile shot at one of the church members in order to stop a sacrifice.  

Negatives

It’s been a couple months since Titans #2.  What began in the first two issues of this new series was interrupted by the Knight Terrors event that ran through July and August.  Despite the unwanted break, it doesn’t seem to have  hindered Titans #3.  If you didn’t know it had happened , you wouldn’t notice it, it flows smoothly from the last issue.

Verdict

Titans #3 is a strong outing with great art and intriguing story.  The character work is great by both Taylor and Scott.  The classic Church of the Blood connection brings a classic feel to the story and the there’s real nuance to Garth’s role and concerns for the environment. 

The post Review: Titans #3 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Tom Taylor
Art: Nicola Scott
Colors: Annette Kwok
Letters: Wes Abbott

Reviewed by: Matthew Lloyd

Summary

The Titans have taken the place of the on-hiatus Justice League.  But, just as they’re getting started and getting things in place, one of their own has been targeted- Wally West, The Flash!

Positives 

It’s hard not start with the beautiful art of Nicola Scott that graces the pages of Titans #1.  Whether it’s an intimate close shot of Raven holding Garfield as a mouse, or the wide shot of Dick and Donna talking to Garth on the beach or the new Titans Tower in Bludhaven, Scott makes the book look incredible.

One of the biggest draws for Dick Grayson as a character is that he’s been able to age, grow and develop.  This concept is applied to the Titans as a whole and it’s easy to see that this is the draw for the team- a group of friends who’ve grown up together.  It almost doesn’t matter what  crisis they face, it’s really about the group of friends- Nightwing, Donna Troy, Wally West, Garfield Logan, Victor Stone, Raven, Starfire and a number of others over the years.  Tom Taylor captures this as the team comes together for this new stage in their careers.   It’s really interesting that Garth (Aqualad/Tempest) is set apart in the story.  Dick makes it clear he wants Garth to be part of the Titans, but he can’t.  It’s nice to see that it’s not out of animosity or misunderstanding demonstrating simply that Garth has different priorities right now.

With all that Wally’s been through over the past five years beginning with Heroes in Crisis, it’s clear that the wound he suffers on the first page is not fatal despite the intensity of the dramatization in the issue.  It’s interestingly juxtaposed against the rest of the team bringing things together.  It’s going to be the journey of how Wally gets out of this as opposed to a shocking death.

Negatives

It seems like it’s a bit of piling on after Jeremy Adams has done all the work in undoing the damage wrought on the character.  It may feel tiresome to some to have Wally targeted on page one.  However, Wally, because of the trials he’s already come through is the only one who could be on the verge of death and it be clear it’s not a cheap stunt or meaningless death.

The inclusion of Peacemaker and Amanda Waller was a direction I didn’t expect and it feels slightly off.  Time will tell if they work as antagonists for the Titans.

Verdict

There’s a lot of heart in this issue as Scott communicates it through the characters faces and body language and Taylor wisely plays off the established history of these characters.  It began way back in Brave and the Bold #54  with Robin, Aqualad and Kid Flash, the sidekick proteges of the Justice League of America.  It then started again with the New Teen Titans in 1980 by Marv Wolfman and George Perez.  Titans #1 begins the latest series to feature these friends who’ve grown up together.  Certainly the journey will be fun and exciting, but the heart of this issue as well as the popularity of this group of characters is their friendship and shared experiences that continue on just like real life.

The post Review: Titans #1 appeared first on DC Comics News.

In the aftermath of the devastating events of Dark Crisis and DC Universe: Lazarus Planet, the DC pantheon of heroes will once again find itself at a crossroads. Fittingly, the event christened Dawn of DC will begin with Action Comics #1051 and will feature iconic characters while introducing new heroes over twenty new titles.

Unlike previous relaunches, such as The New 52, the publishing company will instead build on the foundation already established. Fans can also expect the return of Oliver Queen in his first ongoing Green Arrow series since DC Rebirth. There will also be a new volume of Batman: The Brave and The Bold, featuring a rotating creative team to unveil new chapters in the crusades of The Dark Knight, and lastly, the team of Mark Waid and Dan Mora will reunite to bring back the lightning of Billy Batson’s adventures as the champion once more in Shazam! Further, from preview art, apparently, Mora is going with a more classic look for Shazam but still retaining some accouterments of his New 52 costume. Connor Kent will also be returning to head Superboy: Man of Tomorrow and fellow Death of Superman alum John Henry Irons will forge forward in Steelworks. 

DC’s New Dawn – What Will It Mean And What Can We Expect?

Publisher and CCO Jim Lee has described the oncoming year as one of renewal and rejuvenation:

After the near-Multiverse-ending events in Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths and DC Universe: Lazarus Planet, the DC Universe will be heading toward the [light. With] brand-new series and story arcs from some of the top creative members in comics, Dawn of DC is one of our most ambitious initiatives ever and is a chance for us to tell bigger and bolder stories across our line.

Below is a list of oncoming titles to be released along with their creative teams:

• Superman #1 (Joshua Williamson and Jamal Campbell) – February
• Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #1 (Tom Taylor and Clayton Henry) – March
• Unstoppable Doom Patrol (Dennis Culver and Chris Burnham) – March
• Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow (Kenny Porter and Jahnoy Lindsay) – April
• Green Lantern: Hal Jordan (Mariko Tamaki and Artist TBA) – April
• Green Lantern: John Stewart (Philip Kennedy and Artist TBA) – Release Date TBA
• Green Arrow (Joshua Williamson and Sean Izaakse) – April
• Batman: The Brave and the Bold (Tom King, Mitch Gerads, Guillem March, Gabriel Hardman, Dan Mora, Rob Williams, and more TBA) – May
• Cyborg (TBA) – May
• Shazam! (Mark Waid and Dan Mora) – June
• The Penguin (Tom King and Stefano Gaudiano) – June
• Steelworks (TBA)

The format for Action Comics will also change with issue 1051 with three new stories in each installment going forward. The writing team will include Dan Jurgens (The Death of Superman), Philip Kennedy Johnson, and Leah Williams (The Amazing Mary Jane).

More information will be revealed in the coming months.

Official Source – “Dawn of DC” Starts in January 2023 | DC

The post Dawn Comes For DC Comics Post-Dark Crisis In 2023! appeared first on DC Comics News.

Here we present interviews with the cast from the hit HBO Max series DOOM PATROL, including April Bowlby, Joivan Wade, and newcomer Michelle Gomez. Be sure to check out our coverage of the NYCC 2022 panel.

Season 4 of Doom Patrol will premiere on HBO Max on December 8th, so set your calendars. You don’t want to miss it!

NYCC 2022 – DOOM PATROL

APRIL BOWLBY

JOIVAN WADE

MICHELLE GOMEZ

The post NYCC 2022: DOOM PATROL Roundtable Interviews!! appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Directors: Jared Stern, Sam J. Levine

Writers: Jared Stern, John Whittington

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Kate McKinnon, John Kraskinski, Marc Maron, Keanu Reeves, Olivia Wilde

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Thanks to WB for the review copy.

Summary

DC League of Super-Pets: In DC League of Super-Pets, Krypto the Super-Dog and Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime in Metropolis side-by-side. When Superman and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince a rag-tag shelter pack; Ace the hound, PB the potbellied pig, Merton the turtle, and Chip the squirrel – to master their own newfound powers and help him rescue the superheroes.

Positives

Make no mistake, DC’s League of Super-Pets is a kid’s movie, but it’s a terribly fun kid’s movie that parents and other adults can also appreciate. That’s not to say that there’s a second level of adult humor that goes over the heads of children. Rather, the fun is broad enough to be appreciated by all ages.

Krypto is a long-term and beloved part of the Superman mythos and is treated with the respect the character deserves. Of course, the story is simplified a bit and the animal characters are given anthropomorphic traits that aren’t terribly realistic but are typical for children’s cartoons.

For me, where the movie really shines is in the plentiful references to the wider DC Universe. The lineup of the Justice League seems based on the New 52 and Rebirth eras. Cyborg is present and Jessica Cruz serves as the team’s Green Lantern. Plus, there are a fair number of jokes about Batman. When the heroes each pair up with a pet to fight the villain, the Dark Knight tells Ace:

Batman works alone…except for Robin…and Alfred…Commissioner Gordon…Justice League, Batgirl, Batwoman, my IT crew, whoever Morgan Freeman played…Ah, what the heck.

At this, he jumps into the battle along with his newest partner. Keanu Reeves actually does a pretty good job as this story’s Batman. In fact, pretty much all of the voice acting is really good.

Positives Cont.

There are also tons of Easter eggs, referencing various bits of DC history, like the Big Belly Burger fast food chain and the Jitters coffee shop, as well as plenty of references to companies like Wayne Enterprises, Lexcorp, and Kord Inc.

I won’t spoil the end-credit scene, but it ties into another DC movie that’s about to debut. The voice of Krypto in League of Super-Pets is also starring in a DC movie releasing this month. In this short scene, that character makes an appearance along with his own pet dog. Unsurprisingly, the two pooches bicker over whose owner is superior. This leads to an amusing debate over the difference between an antihero and a villain.

Warner Home Video offers this movie in three different physical packages:

• 4K UHD combo pack, which also includes a Blu-Ray copy and digital download code
• Blu-Ray combo pack, which also includes a DVD copy and digital download code
• DVD single disk pack

Most of the special features are on the Blu-Ray, so the 4K and Blu-Ray packs include the full set of bonus features. However, the DVD only has a single feature, “Behind The Super Voices” which introduces viewers to the voice actors starring in the movie.

If you insist on the best picture quality possible, then the 4K version doesn’t disappoint. The picture is absolutely stunning. The Blu-Ray copy is also quite good and will probably be satisfactory for most viewers. But if you’re not picky about picture quality and don’t care for bonus features, then the DVD is a pretty good bargain.

Negatives

As a cat person, I am disappointed that there is little feline representation in this movie. The original Legion of Super-Pets actually featured Supergirl’s pet cat, Streaky. I suppose they didn’t want to have another animal with the exact same powers as Krypto, but couldn’t they have given Streaky or a stand-in cat a different set of powers?

I should be grateful they didn’t use the obvious trope of making the main villain a cat. However, they did make the only cat in the movie into a subordinate villain. There is some clever humor in the idea of making the seemingly innocent little kitten into an ultra-powerful amoral killer, but it just helps to further into the long-running cartoon stereotype of cats being evil. I’d like to see a heroic cat in a cartoon for once. I implore DC and Warner to include Streaky if League of Super-Pets gets a sequel.

Verdict

While children are the primary audience for this movie, there is much here for adults to appreciate – especially if they are DC fans. In fact, this movie is another great way to get the younger generation interested in comics. If they like the movie, then there are Super-Pets comics, as well as a wealth of other kid-friendly titles to choose from. But even if you don’t have any children to watch with, it’s still an amusing movie that adult DC fans can appreciate too.

The post Blu-Ray Review: DC League of Super-Pets appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Artist: Daniel Sampere

Colours: Alejandro Sanchez

Letters: Tom Napolitano

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

Dark Crisis #1: Crisis on Infinite Earths. Infinite Crisis. Final Crisis. And now…Dark Crisis! The epic event years in the making is finally here! Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the Justice League are dead. The remaining heroes are left to protect the world from an onslaught of violent attacks by DC’s greatest villains! Can the legacy heroes step out of the shadows of the classic heroes to form a new Justice League? And will that be enough to stop a darkness greater than anything they’ve ever faced from destroying everything? Don’t miss out on the first issue of the blockbuster event of the summer!

Positives

With Dark Crisis #1, Joshua Williamson’s major summer event has now officially begun. However, DC has actually been building up to Dark Crisis for months now. Infinite Crisis, Justice League Incarnate, and Justice League #75 have been paving the way for this story.

From the first page, we get introduced to one of this series’ central themes: legagcy. We see a re-enactment of Dick Grayson swearing the oath that began his career as Robin, making him the first sidekick in comics and the first of DC’s second generation of characters. This is immediately followed by a two-page spread that summarizes the legacy from Batman and Robin up to the newest generation heroes.

And while this may seem like a celebration of DC history to fans, this is actually a rather sombre occasion, as Dick’s narration is revealed to be a eulogy for the Justice League who are presumed dead following the events of Justice League #75. However, Dick’s words exhort the gathered heroes to fight on and continue the League’s legacy.

And the question of how to follow the League’s legacy is an important question that falls upon the shoulder’s of Jon Kent. And he does so by assembling his own League. His first impulse is to form a new Trinity at the core by enlisting a new Batman and Wonder Woman. Unfortunately, neither Jace Fox nor Yara Flor are inclined to take him up on his offer. Thus, we see Jon talking to a succession of candidates. some of which turn him down, while others accept.

Positives Cont.

The team Jon puts together are a rather ragtag selection of heroes. Some make perfect sense, while others seem to be rather odd choices, as Jon was getting desperate to fill the roster. I suspect that this team will not serve as the permanent roster, but that some of them will stick around. I like that the reformed Killer Frost has joined the team, and Frankenstein makes a very intriguing addition. However, there seem to be some redundant selections. Black Adam raises the question “Do you really need two Blue Beetles?”. But he could also have asked if they needed a Superman and a Supergirl.

I think we will see some shakeups in the team’s roster as this series progresses. It’s unclear whether or not the original League will reform when Dark Crisis is over, but I suspect some of these characters will remain on whatever incarnation of the League arises out of this event.

I find the role of Hal Jordan in this story rather interesting. As the only original member of the Justice League remaining, Hal now represents his generation of heroes. He has been thrust into the position of the elder statesman, whom even Dick Grayson defers to. This seems a bit at odds with Hal’s personality, but I believe he can rise to the occasion and provide an example for the younger heroes to emulate.

And Hal gets right to work and doles out the assignments. He directs Wally to search for Barry, while he sets off to “find the perp” responsible for the League’s disappearance. This leaves Jon to deal with the rise in supervillain activity around the world.

Positives Cont.

Speaking of which, the issue ends with Deathstroke and his Secret Society of Super Villains launching an all-out attack on Titans Tower. Deathstroke states his intention to “Kill legacy once and for all”. Deathstroke has settled firmly into the role of a villain and has declared himself the enemy of the Titans and the very idea they represent. This gives the upcoming conflict an interesting edge. It’s not just a typical fight between heroes and villains, but a war of ideologies.

We also see what looks to be the first casualty in that war, as Deathstroke appears to execute Beaxt Boy with a bullet to the head. However, I suspect this isn’t the end of Gar. Readers of Teen Titans Academy will remember that he and Cyborg currently share a merged body. They appear to be separate, but this is an illusion generated by Raven. And Cyborg is is elsewhere when this happens. I suspect Deathstroke merely killed an illusory duplicate controlled by Gar’s mind.

Daniel Sampere’s visuals for this issue are astounding. Many of DC’s greatest characters are represented here, and they all look absolutely iconic. I loved every image: young Dick Grayson swearing his oath before Batman, the throng of heroes gathered to mourn the Justice League, and Deathstroke’s attack on Titans Tower. Sampere’s art really sells the idea that this story as a major event.

Negatives

Some of Jon’s selections for the new League seem rather odd. For example, Harley Quinn seems an outright bizarre choice. However, I understand that Jon was likely getting desperate to find enough heroes. And, as I said above, I suspect this lineup will change as the story progresses.

And actually, I think that Harley’s presence could prove interesting. She has been going through a redemption arc in her own title. Also, Harley is actually very intelligent and an expert in criminal psychology. She could be a disruptive influence, or she might actually turn out to be a valuable addition to the team – or quite possibly both. While her being on the team may or may not be a good idea, it will almost certainly prove entertaining.

Verdict

Dark Crisis #1 serves as a fantastic opening chapter for Williamson’s story. It has me hooked and I am eager to see what twists and turns this story will take over the next few months. Strap in, folks, as it looks like we’re in for a hell of a ride.

The post Review: Dark Crisis #1 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Tim Sheridan

Artist: Tom Derenick

Colors: Peter Pantazis, Matt Herms

Letters: Rob Leigh

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

Teen Titans Academy #15: Final issue! In the shadow of the new Titans Tower, the students and faculty decide whether the school is the right place for them.

Positives

Just before the DCU heads into Dark Crisis, Tim Sheridan reaches the final issue of his series in Teen Titans Academy #15. Sheridan has had a number of threads running through the series that have indicated he has had long-term plans for the series. However, the title’s seemingly abrupt cancellation has required him to quickly wrap up many of those threads. Or at least put them on the back burner for now.

We don’t really know what DC’s plans are for their next Titans title. The older Titans will figure prominently in Dark Crisis, so we don’t know what their status or that of the school will be in the wake of that event. So, we don’t know if Sheridan will be able to pick up where he left off with a new title, or if a new writer will step in to take the characters in a new direction.

Teen Titans Academy #15 focuses on three main storylines. One focuses on the recent merging of Changeling and Cyborg. Sheridan has managed to bring this storyline to a quasi-resolution that is actually quite clever. Raven is able to cast an illusion that makes them able to interact with the world as their separate selves. Yet, they are actually still merged.

I think this is particularly clever. This allows them to appear in Dark Crisis or other books as their old selves for now. If Sheridan is able to return to the Titans, he can continue his story of their merging. If, instead, some new writer steps in, they can ignore it completely, implying that the situation was resolved off-panel.

Positives Cont.

Another major storyline deals with some of the freshman students on a rescue mission to save Shazam, Nevermore, and the teenage Black Adam from Apokolips. The fact that they are able to carry off such a rescue. Thus, the junior class shows how much they have learned and grown during their first year in the Academy.

The third main storyline deals with Chupacabra and his uncle. Uncle Jorge is a loving tribute to a DC great that we recently lost. Consider that Chupacabra’s family name is Perez and Jorge is the Spanish form of the name George. Add the fact that he’s a talented artist, and it’s unmistakable that he’s meant as a homage to George Perez.

This makes the story especially poignant, especially when Uncle Jorge tells Diego that he’s leaving. In the story, he’s just retiring and moving away, but it serves as a reminder of his real-world counterpart’s final departure from this world. But before he goes, we see him doing what he is best know for, as he draws his nephew taking flight with the Titans Tower in the background.

But he has some parting words for his nephew and the readers. He tells Diego, “The timing sucks… Let’s just be grateful or the moments we’ve had–and make the most of what’s left”. This serves as an incredibly touching send-off for one of DC’s greatest artists.

While a lot is left up in the air, some small hints about the future are teased. Shazam mentions his sister Mary. And an editor’s note tells us to pick up The New Champion of Shazam! to find out what’s in store for Mary. Also, we are introduced to the new crop of freshman students. Among them are the teenage Black Adam, as well as Primer and Whistle from DC’s line of graphic novels for younger readers. There are also other unknown students, which we will hopefully get to meet in a future Titans title.

Negatives

Unfortunately, due to the suddenness of the title’s cancellation, Sheridan has had to rush the story significantly. This is particularly evident in the storyline set on Apokolips. Sheridan had to quickly gloss over how Shazam and the others had come to be on Apokolips. And the battle is rather quickly resolved.

However, given the limited page count Sheridan had to work with, I believe that rushing this story to give more space to the George Perez tribute and the title’s concluding sequence. The battle was a foregone conclusion, so compressing it doesn’t really hurt the story much. But ending the title without a proper conclusion would have been rather jarring.

Conclusion

Teen Titans Academy #15 is a fantastic final issue of this series from Tim Sheridan and Tom Derenick. While it’s inevitable that the Titans will return in some form, I hope that Tim Sheridan will be afforded the opportunity to complete his Titans story.

The post Review: Teen Titans Academy #15 (Final Issue) appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Tim Sheridan

Artist: Tom Derenick

Colours: Peter Pantazis

Letters: Rob Leigh

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

Teen Titans Academy #14: It’s a fresh start for the students and staff of the newly-rechristened “Titans Academy”! As classes resume, two faculty members navigate the awkwardness of a new relationship-and one student, on a dangerous training mission, must finally face the mysterious past that’s haunted him all his life…

Positives

Teen Titans Academy #14 is the penultimate issue of Tim Sheridan’s title, which is ending next month with issue #15. While we don’t know why DC cancelled the book, I am guessing that it may have something to do with this summer’s Dark Crisis event. I expect that the original Titans are going to figure prominently in the event. And they may well be seeing major changes in their status quos. Perhaps some of them might be members of the next incarnation of the Justice League.

I also get the feeling that Sheridan found out about the cancellation rather abruptly, and is trying to wrap up dangling storylines. Or at least leave them at a place where it will be easier for him or another writer to follow up on them later.

One of these plotlines is the merging of Changeling and Cyborg into a single body, which is revealed this issue. This was first hinted at in Future State: Teen Titans. While it appears that the Future State timeline has been averted elsewhere in the DC titles, a lot of events in this title seem to be tending towards that future.

Personally, I have mixed feelings about this development. It’s a fascinating idea, and Sheridan’s doing a great job of exploring the emotional toll it’s taking on both to adjust to this development. However, with the title ending so abruptly, I fear that Sheridan won’t get time to fully develop this storyline.

Positives Cont.

Also, while it makes an interesting story, I don’t really want to see this as a permanent change for the characters. But if they’re still in this state when the title ends, how long will they remain in this merged state before they are restored to their separate selves. If neither appear in whatever Titans title comes after Dark Crisis, they might be stuck like this for quite a while.

We also see Stitch and some of the Freshman class set off on an unauthorized mission to help Nevermore, Shazam, and the teenage Black Adam. Instead of arriving at the Rock of Eternity, however, they meet up with Dane and Adam on Apokolips. I wonder if this is going to lead to a final wrap-up of the storyline that has kept Billy and the others in Hell. And also, what impact will this have on the upcoming miniseries featuring Mary Marvel – or is that Mary Shazam?

Fittingly, this penultimate issue opens with a graduation. Upperclassmen Kid Flash, Roundhouse, and Red Arrow graduate from the Academy. I wonder what that means for the characters. Do they now join the faculty? Do they go off on their own, or are they still part of a Titans team? I guess a lot of that will be determined after the fallout from Dark Crisis is settled and we know what the new status quo for the Titans and the Academy is revealed.

Negatives

It’s a minor quibble, but the solicitation refers to the Academy as the “newly rechristened Titans Academy”. However, during the graduation ceremony, Starfire declares the name to still be “the Roy Harper Titans Academy”. So, it seems that Sheridan had a change of mind before completing the story.

But I don’t really mind that the school’s name hasn’t changed. It does lead to an interesting exchange as Roy expresses his surprise at the name not having changed. Donna answers, “I like it. And our lawyers say you’re still legally dead”. Roy’s response is just to say, “only on the inside”. This kind of banter shows the friendship and love that exists between the original Titans. And it shows that Sheridan understands this crucial element of any Titans title.

Verdict

With only one issue to go, I wonder if Sheridan will be able to satisfactorily conclude his overarching storyline. It’s almost certain that some plotlines will be left hanging. So, I hope that Sheridan will be able to continue his story in some form post-Dark Crisis. But Teen Titans Academy #14 did hold some interesting developments and set up next issue’s finale to be an exciting conclusion to the series.

The post Review: Teen Titans Academy #14 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Tim Sheridan

Artist: Tom Derenick

Colors: Peter Pantazis, Matt Herms

Letters: Rob Leigh

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

Teen Titans Academy #13: Caught between the Suicide Squad and the Crime Syndicate, the Teen Titans fight to free the missing academy student from Amanda Waller. With time ticking away towards when the Titans must return home or risk being stuck on Earth-3 forever, the team faces an impossible choice.

Positives

With the destruction of Titans Tower last issue, Teen Titans Academy #13 opens with the school set up in its new home. It looks to be an old factory or warehouse that has been converted to serve as a school. It’s not specified, but it appears that this is a temporary home until a more permanent home for the Academy can be arranged. The kids refer to it as the “safe house” and there is mention of a new tower. But the old building is an interesting contrast to their former high-tech headquarters.

This issue also serves as a chapter in the War For Earth-3 crossover event with Suicide Squad and The Flash. Rick Flag’s Suicide Squad team infiltrates the Titans’ new headquarters to ask the Titans team for help stopping Amanda Waller’s invasion of Earth-3.

I have to wonder why Flag turns to the Titans for help rather than the Justice League. Maybe because the two teams have encountered each other before? Also, how did Flag know about their new headquarters? It doesn’t seem like they’ve been there long, and I don’t think they publicly announced the school’s new location. And maybe I’m just being suspicious, but I wonder if Flag has some other hidden motive for invading the Titans’ headquarters.

Positives Cont.

It makes sense for Wally to be hanging around the Academy, given his history with the Titans. I wonder if this means that he’s rejoined the team or is just visiting. DC has hinted that the Justice League is about to meet a disastrous end. So, perhaps Wally will be free to rejoin his old team in the near future.

I liked seeing that Wally takes a bit of time while at the school to hang out with his namesake cousin. We haven’t really seen the two together that much, except for a few times during Joshua Williamson’s run on The Flash.  It would be nice to see more of them together, either here or in the pages of The Flash.

The senior Titans set off with the Squad to Earth-3, leaving their students in the care of Roy. However, we see that a group of students have stowed away on the T-Jet. It seems doubtful that the youngsters are ready yet to face a situation as dangerous as the War For Earth-3 is likely to prove. Hopefully, they will all survive the experience. Given that a number of them are new characters created by Tim Sheridan for this title, their survival is not guaranteed. Sheridan likely has the freedom to kill off any of his new characters. After all, he’s already done so with Brick.

Positives Cont.

It also seems like the merging of Changeling and Cyborg as seen in Future State is about to happen. At least that’s what the implication seems to be. The Future State timeline appears to have been averted. However, Raven still believes that this part of her visions is likely to come true. I’m not sure that I like the idea of merging the two characters into one body is a great idea. However, it might prove interesting as a temporary situation for Gar and Vic.

I also loved the reference to the classic Batman 1966 TV show. When the two teams are getting ready to leave in the T-Jet, we hear Donna mention a couple familiar lines. First she states, “Atomic batteries to power…” and then, “Turbines to speed”. These lines were part of the process of starting up the Batmobile, when the Dynamic Duo would set out to fight crime. A nice little reference to this classic bit of DC history.

Negatives

It’s been announced that Teen Titans Academy is ending with the next issue. This makes me uneasy. Tim Sheridan has started a number of plot threads that have yet to be resolved. Does DC plan on letting him come back and resolve them in a future Titans title, or will they be left hanging. Or will Sheridan be forced to hurriedly wrap everything up in a single issue. I hope that DC affords him the opportunity to finish his saga in a worthy manner.

Verdict

I’m going to miss this title when it ends. Hopefully, Sheridan will be able to pick up his story in the aftermath of Dark Crisis, which looks like it will have some major effects. And I am sure that Sheridan’s plans for the Titans were part of the overall plan for the DCU. So, I doubt that Dark Crisis is going to derail those plans. The question is whether Sheridan will be the one to continue the story. I certainly hope so.

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[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Tim Sheridan

Artist: Tom Derenick

Colours: Alex Sinclair

Letters: Rob Leigh

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

Teen Titans Academy #12: It’s all come down to this! As their lives are literally tumbling down around them, the Titans must contend with the betrayal of their most troubled student—who has just unmasked themselves as Red X—plus a familiar face from deep in their darkest days, determined to exact an unholy vengeance upon Nightwing. In the end, after the epic collision of past, present and future, who and what of Teen Titans Academy will still be standing?

Positives

Teen Titans Academy #12 is chock full of surprises and revelations. But the biggest reveal is the unmasking of Red X. It turns out that one of the Academy’s students, Brick Pettiroso was Red X. While I can’t claim to have figured this out before the reveal, it does seem rather obvious in retrospect.

But what is surprising is his motivation. Brick reveals that Nightwing is actually his father. But wait… wouldn’t Dick have had to fathered him when he was about ten? Yeah, unsurprisingly, this was a lie fed to Brick by his predecessor, the second Red X. Apparently, Brick doesn’t just refer to his powers, but also his intelligence. Brick was just the pawn of the real Red X.

However, it is also revealed that Brick was the fourth Red X, raising the question of who the third Red X was. Is it someone still connected with the Titans? Despite this issue’s big reveal, Tim Sheridan is keeping most of the Red X mystery intact.

Positives Cont.

The question is still open about whether or not the Titans have avoided the future seen in Future State: Teen Titans, or whether that timeline is becoming inevitable. Brick’s death does not preclude those events. The Red X from that future could be either the second, or perhaps the third, Red X. Changeling and Cyborg are both injured this issue, which might possibly lead to them sharing a body as their Future State selves will. And Raven is still having visions of a bleak future. The future doesn’t look too bright.

There was another surprise, though not quite on the same scale as Brick’s unmasking. When Brick attempts to flee, he finds the ever-silent Megabat blocking his way. Then Megabat breaks his silence, declaring “No more”. Later, he delivers two word balloons full of exposition, prompting Chupacabra to exclaim, “OMG, Lucas– Do you ever shut up?!”.

Dick declares his intention to hunt down the second Red X. He states, “There may be only one man who can help me do that…and he’s more dangerous than Red X”. I suspect that Dick is referring to Deathstroke. This is somewhat fitting, considering that Dick created the identity of Red X to get close to Deathstroke – or at least he did in the Teen Titans cartoon. It’s quite possible a similar story happened in the DCU as well.

Negatives

Brick’s revelation as Red X and subsequent death struck me as not having the impact that it should have. My first reaction to the revelation was to wonder why I hadn’t figured it out for myself. So, I tried to recall what I knew about Brick. I realized that I really didn’t know much about him. Some Googling filled in a few details, but made it clear that we readers didn’t really know much about him at all.

And that’s why this issue’s big revelation doesn’t have the impact it should. We hadn’t seen enough of Brick to have much emotional involvement in the character. That’s most likely caused by the large cast in this title. But Sheridan really should have made an effort to let readers get to know Brick. While other characters have had their moments in the spotlight, Brick never did so, except as Red X.

Verdict

Despite the diminished impact of the big reveal, this was still a shocking turning point in Sheridan’s story. And it does end on a tentatively hopeful note for the Academy’s future. Unfortunately, DC has announced the imminent cancellation of the title with issue #15. I hope this allows Sheridan to bring the story he’s been building to a proper conclusion, or that he’s allowed to finish it elsewhere.

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