TEEN TITANS #33 REVIEW

[Phil Hunn]

<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0206/TeenTitansCv33.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0206/TeenTitansCv33t.jpg" hspace=10 align=left alt="Teen Titans #33 preview"></a>Reviewer: Phil Hunn philiphunn@hotmail.com
Story Title: The Brave & The Bold

Question: Who does a long-suffering next-generation hero turn to when the chips are down?

Answer: Why, another long-suffering next-generation hero, of course!

Script: Geoff Johns & Marv Wolfman
Pencils: Todd Nauck
Letterer: Nick J Napolitano
Inkers: Sean Parsons, Norm Rapmund, & Marlo Alquiza
Colorists: Richard & Tanya Horie
Assistant Editor: Jeanine Schaefer
Cover Artist: Tony Daniel
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Editor In Chief: Dan DiDio
President: Paul Levitz
Published by: DC Comics (www.dc.com)

Okay, before I begin the review proper, I beg a little indulgence of my long-suffering readers.

T-E-E-N T-I-T-A-N-S, Teen Titans -- let’s go!

Sorry, just had to get that out of my system. I love that show. Anyway, onto more relevant things: the beginning of this issue tells the reader, in no uncertain terms, to STOP! (in big capital letters, no less) and go read Infinite Crisis #5 so that things don’t seem too confusing. Well, I haven’t read Infinite Crisis #5, and don’t intend to, and I managed to follow this story just fine. Either Geoff Johns & Marv Wolfman have written a very accessible tale here, or the Infinite Crisis isn’t as confusing as DC’s editorial staff thinks it is (I’m leaning towards the former, personally).

The main thrust of the issue concerns the efforts of Nightwing and Superboy to help out as the events of the Infinite Crisis tear the DC multiverse to bits, and on their efforts to prove to one another that first impressions aren’t always correct. Johns & Wolfman do an excellent job of showing that Superboy isn’t rattled by Nightwing’s superiority in terms of age, in terms of being a hero, and in terms of being a Titan in particular, and that Nightwing’s initial scepticism about Superboy’s capability following last issue’s severe, Titan-slaying beatdown (by a nutty alternate Superboy), while it has some basis in fact, isn’t what will define Nightwing’s view of Conner from now on. In fact, the respect for each other the two men have grows as the issue progresses, with Superboy’s awe at working closely alongside one of the Teen Titans’ living legends being balanced by Nightwing’s realism and gentle corrections of Conner’s excited hyperbole.

Meanwhile, we’re given a brief peek at the dilemma faced by a powerless Wonder Girl: should she accept her situation and remain a normal human, or should she make a deal with the devil in order to regain her powers? The outcome of this ought to be predictable, but Johns & Wolfman have injected just enough doubt into the proceedings to make you wonder (no pun intended), which can only be a good thing.

Artistically, Todd Nauck brings a cartoonish look to the title, but with moments of suitable grandeur sprinkled throughout -- the initial view of multiple Earths crashing into each other in the sky above Titans Tower is a splendidly detailed and impressive visual that sets the tone for the entire issue. Plus, the difference between his boyish, tousled Superboy and neat, mature Nightwing is a wonderful visual contrast that helps to show the differences in attitude that are the focus of their whole plotline.

Infinite Crisis hasn’t been a must-read for me, admittedly, but -- as with House Of M -- the tie-ins have frequently been very good reads, showing off the destruction being wrought by the core miniseries very well. Teen Titans under Geoff Johns has been a revelation, and this issue is no exception.

Great stuff.

ART:
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STORY:
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OVERALL:
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[Marty P]

I'll get this story when it gets out in TPB, sounds like a great story.

I'll start getting it monthly when OYL starts.

Can't wait to see Tony Daniels art in this book! I've seen a lot of previewpages on his blog, and they all look awesome!

I am glad my fave penciller is on a book for the long haul.

[BritishSeaPower]

Good review. I have to say I was a little disappointed with this issue. It felt.... forced. Last issue's "Director's Cut" of the IC 4 battle was fun. This issue's "Deleted Scene" served to get Superboy and Nightwing from point T to L in time for Crisis 6 was fun, but honestly the conversation was too much. "How do I tell her I've slept with her?" or something to that affect. Superboy you're talking to Dick Grayson. Between him and Roy 'Arsenal' Harper they've slept with the entire female super hero population in the DCU. The non sequitur donning of the old-school uniform from Grayson... ::sighs.:: I just don't know. Did the issue serve its purpose? Yes. Did it do it well.... I'd say more yes than no, but I still think it could have been better. Especially from such great writers as Wolfman and Johns.

[Anthony Lucynski]

Teen Titans Annual fleshes out both IC #5 and this issue. I think you'd be wise to buy it.

Anthony L

[uglymask]

FONT=Comic Sans MS] can anyone come up with a cool teen titans story[/FONT]

[Plasma Charge]

I thought this issue was okay. It was cool to see Nightwing and Superboy bond a bit before they head off to save the world and stuff. Other than that, though, it felt a bit like a filler to me. Which it probably was, anyway. Well, mission accomplished, then.

All that said, though, it's great to see Wolfman and Johns co-writing again. Hope to see more of that in the future. It was also awesome to see Todd Nauck drawing these characters over the past two issues. I'm a big fan of his Young Justice work, so seeing his Superboy and Wonder Girl again was cool.

Good job with the review!