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

Writer: Leah Williams
Art: Eduardo Pansica and Julio Ferreira
Colors: Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Letters: Becca Carey

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Power Girl and Crush team up with the Holliday Girls to fight some Czarnians.  There’s a surprise lurking in the shadows that should prove to be bigger trouble for PG as her past seems to literally be following her.

Positives

The best part of this issue, like many others in this series is the cover.  The cover artists, this time Yanik Paquett, don’t seem to understand the changes wrought on Power Girl and continue to produce covers that capture the personality of the character that readers know instead of what Williams has reduced her to since she began writing PG in Lazarus Planet and Action Comics in 2022. 

This issue somehow sidesteps lots of the elements that plague Williams poorly conceived take on Power Girl.  While some aspects are inescapable like the “S” shield on her costume, Power Girl is not demeaned overly.  Though there is some, it seems to take a backseat in this issue.  This allows the plot to move forward and not be weighed down by the mischaracterization that hinders this series.

The action in Power Girl #9 is darn good when we get it.  Pansica and Ferreira do a good job of delivering the visuals on the fights.  There are even a couple iconic shots of PG in action.  Bringing in the Holliday Girls is a solid idea.  Michael W. Conrad and Becky Cloonan reintroduced them into current continuity in Wonder Woman #780 about two and a half years ago.  Williams makes the connection to Etta Candy in this issue so readers have a chance of knowing where to look for more about them.

The issue also teases the return of what appears to be the symbioship that featured as the villain in the first four issues of this series.  It’s a little unclear what’s going on, but it’s a nice connection to what’s already transpired in this series.  It’s a logical callback and a good use of the plot point for a greater impact as an overarching storyline.

Negatives

While Williams doesn’t focus on Power Girl’s characterization in Power Girl #9, it’s can be seen lurking in the corners.  You’d like to see PG take charge of the situation more strongly.  It would make more sense if Power Girl had a stronger reaction to the situations.  When one of the Holliday Girls tells her she has a dumb name, Power Girl wouldn’t let that slide without a strong comeback.  She wouldn’t throttle the non-powered Holliday Girl, but she’d put her in her place.  Additionally, as an experienced, former Tech executive, when Power Girl asks how they can stop all the Czarnians technology at the same time, it would make sense that PG would be able to come up with the answer on her own.  

As a tie in to House of Brainiac, Power Girl’s involvement feels very small and insulated.  While smaller moments are useful and needed to balance stories out, the focus seems off for this tie-in to such a massive attack in Metropolis.  This should’ve been the opportunity to showcase Power Girl’s Superman level ability in saving Metropolis instead of relegating her to a fight with essentially a biker gang.  Along the same lines, some of the action tries to be more funny than exciting.  It demonstrates how Williams’ doesn’t understand the humor associated with Power Girl.  These “funny” moments come off as childish and pointless.  Also, Williams’ dialogue is often too cutesy and it also misses the point that Power Girl is a Superman power level character, who SHOULD be (along with Helena Wayne, the Huntress) the preeminent hero of her Earth, not an insecure novice.   

Unfortunately, Pansica’s depiction of Power Girl varies in this issue.  When she’s in action she usually looks good and begins to feel like the depictions that are seen on the covers.  However, Pansica tends to draw PG with a smaller physique, not just her chest but also her arms and shoulders.  The ferocity he captures in the action sequences is gone when she’s static, looking meek and unsure of herself.  Unfortunately, it’s a reminder of the damage Williams has done to PG’s character.  For whatever reason it’s more noticeable in this issue than some others. 

Verdict

Overall, Power Girl #9 is much more enjoyable than previous issues of this series.  With elements that hurt the series downplayed there are not as many distractions.  There’s just enough with the action and the surprise at the end that make it readable.  It’s by no means good, it’s just not quite as bad as most of the issues have been.

The post Review: Power Girl #9 appeared first on DC Comics News.

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

Writers: Elliot Kalan, Kenny Porter, Calvin Kasulke, Dave Wielgosz, Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, Ed Brisson, Terry Blas, Jeremy Haun

Artists: Mike Norton, Max Dunbar, Rob Guillory, Pablo M. Collar, Jesus Hervas, Christopher Mittens, Garry Brown, Tony Akins, Moritat, Dan Hipp

Colours: Allen Passalaqua, Luis Guerrero, Wil Quintana, Eva De La Cruz, Tony Avina, Marissa Louise, Moritat

Letters: Simon Bowland, Becca Carey, Dave Sharpe, Clem Robins, ALW’s Troy Peteri

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

Are You Afraid of Darkseid? #1: Gather ’round the fire, fellow campers, because it’s time for that most terrifying of traditions—campfire stories so scary you’ll never sleep without a night-light again! The Teen Titans guide those brave enough through tales of Batman and the hidden killer, Superman and Lois Lane and the killer in their back seat, Harley Quinn and Darkseid versus a furious Bloody Mary, and four more stories so hair-raising you’ll call your momma to come pick you up. So toast your marshmallows, pull up a s’more, and answer the only question that matters this Halloween: Are you afraid of Darkseid?

Positives

Are You Afraid of Darkseid? is DC’s Hallowe’en special for 2021. The tales are presented as a succession of ghost stories told by the Teen Titans. The Titans each take turns trying to scare the others with a scary tale.

Due to this being an anthology title, the stories are of varying quality. There are a couple of real gems, but no clunkers. Even the least inspired are entertaining, and the collection overall is a fun read. I don’t recognize a lot of the names of the creators on this book, so I suspect that DC is also using this special to try out new talent, much like their New Talent Showcase titles.

The title itself is a nod to the kids’ TV series Are You Afraid of the Dark? – so it’s appropriate that the terror level is rather kid-friendly. Each story has some element of horror, but nothing here’s should give an adult any nightmares. That’s not to say that an adult won’t enjoy the stories however.

My favourite of the stories has to be the Phantom Stranger story. The Stranger has always been one of my favourite characters. This story is reminiscent of how the Stranger was once used as the being who would lead the dead to their final reward. But in this story, the Stranger removes specific threats from the world.

Positives Cont.

As the narration tells us, “For most of us we are lucky to find death. Death is the reward for a life lived. But there are a some who earn a different reward. An extended hand. Five words. And oblivion”. One notable soul removed is Joe Chill, who the Stranger removes after he kills Thomas and Martha Wayne, but before he can also kill their son.

But we do see the Stranger saving the last dodo before the species extinction, which seems to indicate that some of the souls he takes up the “Endless Staircase” are preserved rather than obliterated.

Are You Afraid of Darkseid? also includes a story with the titular character himself in a truly bizarre team-up. Darkseid and Harley Quinn join forces to put an end to the rampage of the vampiric being, Bloody Mary. Well, they don’t join forces so much as Darkseid allows Harley “the pleasure of serving my goals”. In either case, Harley aids the dark god in corralling his wayward servant in a wonderfully strange tale.

Negatives

It appears DC has been sitting on these stories for a while, as some of them are slightly out of date. The roster of Teen Titans is one notable example. While this team is mostly intact as part of the Titans in Teen Titans academy, both Robin and Crush have departed the team. This isn’t major issue, however. It just means that the framing sequence story must have happened in the recent past.

And the stories the Titans would presumably be even further in the past – if they happened at all. For some of them, here’s no way the characters could know about the events they are describing – at least not in the detail they describe them. So, it makes sense that they might be exaggerating them or making them out of whole cloth. So, we don’t have worry about how they fit into DC continuity.

Negatives Cont.

One thing that bothers me a bit is how DC has forgotten a fundamental rule of  Phantom Stranger stories. He might be referred to as the Phantom Stranger in the book or story’s  title, but originally, he was only referred to as “the Stranger” in the story – just like the Doctor is never directly called “Doctor Who”. But in recent years, writers have him being directly referred to as “the Phantom Stranger” by other characters. It just sounds wrong.

Verdict

Are You Afraid Of Darkseid? is a fun Hallowe’en collection of stories that is well worth checking out. And it is not too scary to share with any kids in your household. And DC, isn’t it about time for a new Phantom Stranger ongoing series?

The post Review: Are You Afraid Of Darkseid? #1 appeared first on DC Comics News.

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

Writer: Tim Sheridan

Artist: Rafa Sandoval, Jordi Tarragona, Max Raynor

Colours: Alejandro Sanchez

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

Teen Titans Academy #3: Don’t miss this crossover with Suicide Squad! Hunted by the deadly Task Force X, the new students of Titans Academy will have to grow up fast or risk losing one of their own even faster. Why has the Squad put a target on new speedster Bolt’s back? And why, in its charge on Titans Island, is Amanda Waller’s team of villains being led by the mysterious Red X?!

Positives

In Teen Titans Academy #3, the Suicide Squad crosses over from their own title on a mission to capture Bolt. Bolt is a rather interesting character, being a speedster with prosthetic legs. And this issue, we learn her backstory, as she tells her origin story to her roommate.

Interestingly enough, her power comes from Johnny Quick’s speed formula (“3×2(yz)4a”). Apparently, the formula only works for some people, but not others. This raises the question of why it works for her in particular. Is she related to Johnny and Jesse Quick? Or does she have some connection to the Speed Force. Also, the formula gave Johnny the power of flight as well. Does this mean she has the potential for that power as well?

It turns out that Amanda Waller was the benefactor who gave her blades and enrolled her at the Titans Academy “on the condition that the instant she called, I would come running”. But Alinta has not been accepting Waller’s calls, so the Squad has come to fetch her.

The enigmatic Red X assists the Squad in breaking into the tower. It’s been implied that Red X is one of the Academy’s students, but his motives remain a mystery. However, this does imply that his motives are not benign. There is also some interesting discussion between the staff about who might be behind the mask. This is shaping up to be quite the mystery. I have to wonder just how long Tim Sheridan plans on keeping us in suspense.

Positives Cont.

During this staff discussion, Donna Troy refers to Billy Batson as “Captain Shazam” – well actually, “Captain freaking Shazam”. This may just be a throwaway line, but I think that Captain Shazam, while not as good as returning his name to “Captain Marvel”, would still be a big improvement on just “Shazam”. It certainly would eliminate the confusion of it being both the Wizard’s name and Billy’s hero name.

Superboy is now a member of the Suicide Squad and there’s a brief, but sad moment where he spots a picture of his days with the Teen Titans. He isn’t exactly a willing member of Peacemaker’s team and it must be galling to be sent on a mission against the Titans.

I quite like the concept of this title. The Academy setting allows for multiple incarnations of the team to be featured. The original Titans are present as the staff, while the most recent team are the upperclassmen, and the new additions are freshmen. And there are many students that we haven’t met yet, allowing other characters to be brought in as the story unfolds. And it’s a direction that hasn’t been explored much in the DCU, although it does seem to borrow from Marvel’s X-Men.

Negatives

This is a bold new direction for the Titans, and as such, is a somewhat risky move. However, I don’t detect any warning signs that Sheridan’s story is going off the rails. I’m enjoying this direction so far.

Verdict

Teen Titans Academy #3 continues to flesh out the intriguing beginning that Tim Sheridan has presented for DC’s foremost junior team. I look forward to seeing where Sheridan’s new direction leads.

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

Not only that, this June we will see the new miniseries Crush & Lobo, as well as the new graphic novel Poison Ivy: Thorns.

Check out the official press release with images below:

DC Proudly Announces ‘DC Pride’ Anthology Comic to arrive June 8 and ‘Crush & Lobo’ Comic Book Miniseries Launching on June 1

 Nine Pride themed variant covers will feature artwork by Kris Anka, Jen Bartel, Stephen Byrne, Paulina Ganucheau, Travis G. Moore, David Talaski, Kevin Wada and Yoshi Yoshitani

Young Adult books ‘Poison Ivy: Thorns’ and ‘I Am Not Starfire’ make their 2021 debut, and GLAAD-nominated ‘Suicide Squad: Bad Blood’ brings LGBTQIA+ characters to the forefront of DC’s publishing line

BURBANK, CA, March 11, 2021 — DC today announced DC Pride, an 80-page anthology comic featuring LGBTQIA+ characters from across the DC Universe, and Crush & Lobo, a new eight-issue miniseries written by Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer, Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass) with art by Amancay Nahuelpan (Nightwing, Wonder Woman). Crush & Lobo will launch on June 1 and DC Pride will publish on June 8. DC will also publish a series of nine Pride themed variant covers in June, showcasing DC’s top characters as realized by the comic book industry’s leading artists.

DC Pride #1 will feature LGBTQIA+ characters from all corners of DC’s ever-expanding Universe, including cameos by fan favorites Batwoman, Renee Montoya, Alan Scott, Midnighter, Apollo, Extraño, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Constantine, and more. The DC Pride creative teams, and the characters they’re developing stories for, are:

• Batwoman (Kate Kane) by James Tynion IV & Trung Le Nguyen
• Poison Ivy & Harley Quinn by Mariko Tamaki & Amy Reeder
• Midnighter by Steve Orlando & Stephen Byrne
• Flash of Earth-11 (Jess Chambers) by Danny Lore & Lisa Sterle
• Green Lantern (Alan Scott) & Obsidian by Sam Johns & Klaus Janson
• Aqualad (Jackson Hyde) by Andrew Wheeler & Luciano Vecchio
• Dreamer by Nicole Maines & Rachel Stott
• Renee Montoya by Vita Ayala and Skylar Patridge
• Pied Piper by Sina Grace, Ro Stein & Ted Brandt

Additionally, DC Pride #1 will include full-page profiles of DCTV’s LGBTQIA+ characters and the actors who play them, and fans of The CW’s Supergirl will be thrilled to see the first comic book appearance of Dreamer, a trans woman superhero, in a story written by actor Nicole Maines, who plays Nia Nal/Dreamer on Supergirl.

Rounding out the DC Pride anthology is a forward by Marc Andreyko (Love is Love), single-page pin-ups by artists Kris Anka, Sophie Campbell, Mildred Louis, Travis Moore, Nick Robles and Kevin Wada, with more surprises to come! The DC Pride #1 cover is by Jim Lee, Scott Williams and Tamra Bonvillain.

DC will also release a series of Pride themed variant covers showcasing DC’s leading characters through the month of June, giving fans the opportunity to purchase comics featuring covers with Batman, Harley, Ivy, Superman, Wonder Woman, and more, all by cutting-edge comic book artists!

• Batman #109 Pride variant cover by Jen Bartel
• Crush & Lobo #1 Pride variant cover by Yoshi Yoshitani
• DC Pride #1 Pride variant cover by Jen Bartel
• Harley Quinn #4 Pride variant cover by Kris Anka
• Nightwing #81 Pride variant cover by Travis G. Moore
• Superman #32 Pride variant cover by David Talaski
• Teen Titans Academy #4 Pride variant cover by Stephen Byrne
• Wonder Girl #2 Pride variant cover by Kevin Wada
• Wonder Woman #774 Pride variant cover by Paulina Ganucheau

But DC’s Pride plans aren’t limited to June! Crush & Lobo by Tamaki and Nahuelpan, spinning out of the pages of Teen Titans Academy, will debut with a cover by Kris Anka, a Pride variant cover by Yoshi Yoshitani, a 1:25 ratio variant by Christian Ward, plus an exclusive Dan Hipp team variant for participating retailers. In this new eight-issue miniseries publishing between June 2021 and January 2022, Crush, daughter of the Czarnian bounty hunter Lobo, is in full-on self-destruct mode! After rage-quitting the Teen Titans and blowing up her relationship with her girlfriend Katie, Crush decides it’s time to finally confront her father in space jail and get her baggage sorted before she wrecks everything. Like father, like daughter?

DC will also publish GLAAD Media Award-nominated Suicide Squad: Bad Blood by Tom Taylor (Injustice: Gods Among Us) and Bruno Redondo (Nightwing) on April 27, DC’s gothic LGBTQIA+ romance Poison Ivy: Thorns by Kody Keplinger (The DUFF) and Sara Kipin on June 1, and Mariko Tamaki and Yoshi Yoshitani’s highly anticipated YA graphic novel, I Am Not Starfire, will publish on July 27 as part of the publisher’s overall Pride plans in 2021. Lois Lane by Greg Rucka and Mike Perkins, Far Sector by N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell and You Brought Me The Ocean by Alex Sánchez and Julie Maroh have also been nominated for GLAAD Media Awards in 2021!

Stay tuned for more Pride announcements from DC between now and June! #DCPride

The post DC Proudly Announces ‘DC Pride’ Anthology Comic Coming This June appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers!]

Writer: Priest and Adam Glass

Pencils: Carlo Pagulayan, Sergio Davila, Pop Mhan

Inks: Jason Paz, Norm Rapmund, Andy Owens, Pop Mhan

Colors: Jeromy Cox

Letters: Willie Schubert

Reviewed by: Steven Brown

Summary

The inmates are free in the Teen Titans base! Located in a secret prison under the Teen Titans very own base Damian has housed some of his worst adversaries. Black Mask, Atomic Skull, Brother Blood and more are all imprisoned here! So what happens when Deathstroke releases them all? Nothing but utter chaos! But there seems to be a lesson to be taught here between Robin and Deathstroke! What lesson does the mercenary for hire have to teach the Boy Wonder exactly?

Positives

I have to admit, that I’m starting to enjoy the rivalry between Deathstroke and Robin! Damian comes off as almost obsessed in this issue with the capture of Slade Wilson, and even though Slade escapes, he’s still trapped in the Teen Titans headquarters thanks to a certain protocol that Damian has. I admit that once I found out how detailed this protocol was for the escape of his prisoners, I was pretty shocked. Priest and Adam really deliver on the action in this issue as well, with almost every page showing either the criminals attempting escape, Robin hunting them all, and also his confrontation with Slade–all done with painstaking detail. I also enjoyed the pairing of Kid Flash and Robin too. The friendship between the two seems to be pretty good, especially since you don’t see Damian relating to other people that much. I’d love to see these two taking down villains in their own story eventually.

Negatives

I have to admit that my only real complaint in this issue isn’t the story itself–but rather Robin’s horrible leadership. You’d figure that the son of Batman would be a great leader to follow, but in reality he’s horrible. Why do you ask? Robin actually placed his team in danger by placing a prison right below their home base–without even telling his team! Not even Kid Flash knew about this secret prison, and I’m wondering now that the secret is out, what’s exactly next for this team as a whole? When the inmates break out, the rest of the team wonders exactly how their base got invaded while Robin is already making a plan on his own–without even informing his own team! Even Slade admits that the Boy Wonder’s actions could get the team killed, but Robin of course refuses to listen.

Verdict

Deathstroke #43 is a good read and very entertaining. I enjoyed the book as a whole, and I’m really liking the emerging rivalry between Slade and Damian. Priest gives us a shocking ending thanks to the actions of Red Arrow and I’m eager to see how it all plays out in the next issue!

The post Review: Deathstroke #43 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: Priest

Pencils: Carlo Pagulayan

Inks: Jason Paz, Norm Rapmund

Colors: Jeremy Cox

Letters: Willie Schubert

Summary

Deathstroke has been captured by Damian Wayne! Chained in a secret prison by the young hero, Slade breaks free, but instead of escaping–he makes himself at home! Robin and the rest of the Teen Titans are busy working on a case, but when Deathstroke hacks their communication link, he’s constantly in Robin’s ear! Just what is Deathstroke’s plan–and does it involve Robin?

Positives

Once again Priest throws another great issue of Deathstroke our way! I had no idea that Damian Wayne actually had a secret prison for his own criminals! Even Black Mask is a prisoner there! Black Mask seems especially excited to see Deathstroke, thinking that he’s the key to his escape! However, when Slade finally breaks out of his cell, he casually walks by Black Mask and the other prisoners, and proceeds to make himself at home! Hacking into the Teen Titans communications, Deathstroke taunts and teases the Teen Titans, especially their leader Robin while their working on a case. Robin’s leadership skills come into question in this issue, and although the team is pretty good at following them Deathstroke points out how unskilled and unsure of themselves they are.

Negatives

The only negative I have about this issue isn’t even the book–it’s the Teen Titans themselves. I have to admit that Slade was right about the team’s lack of experience, and it shows in this issue. The additions of Roundhouse, Crush, and Djinn who is a sorceress did little to stop the destruction of the armored villain Blackrock. The only heroes with any experience are Robin, Wally West aka Kid Flash, and Red Arrow, and even they struggle because of the lack of experience of the other team members. As Damian shouts out orders to the team, they attempt to carry them out, but this team’s inexperience in the field is just too much. Now I must admit I haven’t read an issue of the Teen Titans in a long time, but I was not impressed by them at all in this issue.

Verdict

Overall Deathstroke #42 is a good read, especially if you enjoy the relationship between Deathstroke and Robin. Slade likes taunting the young hero it seems, and Slade knows that Damian walks a thin line between hero and villain. Deathstroke mentions in this issue that he knows Damian’s true inner conflict–the respect of his father Batman or his grandfather Ra’s Al Ghul. It’s an inner conflict that Damian has struggled with for a long time and although he’s the leader of the Teen Titans and saves lives in this issue as well, it seems to be a conflict from within that won’t resolve itself anytime soon.

The post Review: Deathstroke #42 appeared first on DC Comics News.

2019 is going to be a landmark year for DC fans. Talent-driven new imprints and highly-anticipated titles are shaping this up to be DC’s year. Before we can barrel ahead, 2018 deserves some parting love. DC’s rookie lineup of 2018 brought to life infamous offspring and mysterious new faces with formidable powers to match. Their future appearances remain undetermined, but with such obvious potential, we can assume we’ll be seeing these characters again very soon. Of course, these are not all of the new faces to grace the pages of DC comics in 2018, but each is memorable enough to merit some extra attention as their debut year is behind us.

Jinny Hex (Batman Giant #4, December 2018)

From Dripping Springs Texas, Jinni Hex is the great-great-granddaughter of legendary gunslinger Jonah Hex. Her first appearance in December 2018 teases an upcoming role in January’s Young Justice series. Jinny takes after her ancestor with a fearless attraction to adventure. In her Batman appearance, the Dark Knight searches for Jinny to assist him in a mission. After crime-fighting alongside Batman, Jinny scores a spot in Young Justice. Not surprisingly, she’s a skilled marksman and definitely the person you want behind the wheel if you’re making a getaway.

William Wu/ Roundhouse (Teen Titans Special #1)

William “Billy” Wu can turn himself into balls, an interesting powerset that earned Wu a spot in Damian Wayne’s Teen Titans. With the help of his “Roundhouse suit”, Wu can morph into different elemental spheres such as ice, fire, and iron. Additionally, his superspeed and extraordinary strength make him somewhat of a human wrecking ball. He’s one of several new Teen Titans to appear on this list and, notably, is the only one to have the gift of superhuman intellect and precise computer knowledge.

Xiomara Rojas/ Crush (Teen Titans Special #1, August 2018)

Xiomara Rojas goes by the alias ‘Crush’- a nod to her wild father, Lobo. Lobo is a constant of the DC Universe, sometimes helping but often hindering the Justice League’s core members as the Universe’s best bounty hunter. He’s half heavy-metal comic relief and half force to be reckoned with. Crush is the spitting image of good ol’ dad in style and demeanor. Trouble is fun and Crush doesn’t mind smashing a few things to indulge in it

Xiomara crashed to Earth as a baby. Fittingly, her landing was made at the Burning Man festival, where two well-meaning hippies, David and Lisa Rojas, adopted her. Xiomara did not come alone. A sentient chain called Obelus was wrapped around the baby and seemed to serve the purpose of protecting her from external threats. When Obelus allowed David and Lisa to touch the child, they assumed they were meant to act as her parents until her real family came to claim her. Unfortunately, when her adopted parents are killed, there is no keeping Crush out of trouble. She participated in illegal fighting rings until being approached by Robin to join the Teen Titans, an invitation she accepts with the belief that the Titans can help her locate her parents’ killer.

Derek James/ Sideways (Sideways #1, April 2018)

Derek James is a dimension-hopping teenager who adopted the alias ‘Sideways’. After accidentally falling into a rift in the Dark Multiverse, Derek returns to Gotham with the ability to jump from rift to rift and travel between dimensions. His powers attract the attention of Tempus Fuginaut, a mysterious antagonist who accuses Derek of damaging space-time.  Derek may not be a danger on purpose but his powers are formidable, to say the least. Sideways has the ability to create uncontrollable black holes, and his rifts are razor sharp, making them able to cut through solid matter.

Djinn II (Teen Titans Special #1)

Djinn is a four-thousand-year-old genie bound to a magical ring. Fortunately, she does not age, which makes her new membership on the Teen Titans somewhat less awkward. Djinn is recruited as a magic wielding, shape-shifting, force of nature- one that Damian Wayne may be falling for. Djinn finds her ancient roots in Arabic mythology (something anyone who’s seen Aladdin can guess).

In ancient mythology, Jinn/ Djinn are powerful magic deities who interact with the human world. The complex history of the Jinn predates Islam and Christianity, traveling far back into long lost Pagan beliefs. They have been romanticized through the centuries as dangerous tricksters and subservient genies, always with awe-inspiring magic abilities and less than predictable loyalties. What this means for the newest Teen Titan remains to be seen but having a legendary supernatural being in your corner couldn’t hurt, right?

Bart Allen/ Impulse (Flash Vol. 5 #50)

The Flash family got even bigger in 2018. Bart Allen, grandson to Barry Allen and Iris West, follows the speedster tradition into deep trouble. Bart becomes trapped in the Space Force (possibly due to his own recklessness) and only escapes when Barry Allen and Wally West accidentally break the force barrier while battling Zoom. Bart sheds the typical ‘Flash’ name, choosing instead to go by ‘Impulse’- a telling name when it comes to Bart’s impulse control.

Rogol Zaar (Action Comics #1000)

As the only *confirmed* villain on this list, Rogol Zaar crashes into the DC universe with a dangerous legacy. Rogol is an alien who claims responsibility for the destruction of Krypton. His claim is personal for Superman and Supergirl, both of whom end up battling Rogol until Supergirl uses the Phantom Zone Projector to banish him to the Phantom Zone. For the time being, imprisonment may keep Rogol at bay but it’s safe to assume that in the true comic tradition, we haven’t seen the last of him.

With any luck, 2019 will bring DC fans another list of interesting new characters and stories to explore. The possibilities are endless, especially for the Teen Titans’ ever-changing roster. It’s safe to wonder whether Djinn will be a loyal Titan, or lead Damian to crash and burn. Heroes like Sideways, Impulse, Crush, and Jinny Hex are already making waves as potential DC regulars – which is good, considering the Phantom Zone may not hold Rogol Zaar forever.

The post Comics Recap: 2018 New Character Spotlight appeared first on DC Comics News.