TEEN TITANS #25 REVIEW

Reviewer: Drew Shirley, sinistertaco@yahoo.com
Story Title: “The Insiders” Part 3

Is Superboy the ultimate weapon?

Writer: Geoff Johns
Penciller: Matthew Clark
Inker: Art Thibert
Colorist: Jeromy Cox
Letterer: Comicraft
Assistant Editor: Jeannie Schaefer
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Publisher: DC Comics

The biggest complaint I have about this issue is the fact that the crossover is spread out over both this book and Outsiders. Yes, it’s a silly complaint, but I’ve never been a fan of crossovers in which I was required to buy more than one series to get the whole story. Of course, that complaint is rendered less potent by the fact that I’m actually reading both books anyway. So now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s look at the issue itself.

I think the best part of this issue is the portrayal of Lex Luthor. Some writers portray (or try to portray) him as a deep and complicated character, but here Johns shows him as little more than a petty and pathetic super genius who just happens to have billions of dollars . His motives and the entire history behind his role in the creation of Superboy are amazingly uncomplicated. Some would say that they’re perhaps too simplistic, but looking at Luthor’s history, he really is little more than a spoiled brat who’s either mad that attention has been drawn away from him or because he’s not getting his way. That’s not to say he isn’t highly dangerous, just that his motives are neither deep nor particularly ideology driven.

The rest of the issue is pretty standard stuff, but it does the “chaotic battle in the middle of an already bad situation” dance about as nicely as can be done. This is helped by the fact that, despite being an action driven issue, each character still gets a little development time, particularly Wonder Girl. We see how the others feel about keeping secret, get some requisite Identity/Infinite Crisis tie-in JLA bashing, and plenty of throw back to Donna Troy. Indeed, I thought that maybe her named was invoked just one too many times in what was largely a Luthor/Superboy/Wonder Girl story, but given the events on the horizon it’s perfectly acceptable. The Outsiders are fine in their guest appearance, but largely play second fiddle to the Teen Titans, which is to be expected as this is their book.

In a way, I think this issue serves as the first real distancing of these characters from their more high profile mentors. We see them make decisions that really show you that they’re coming into their own as a team and developing increasingly deep relationships with one another as teammates, friends, and possibly more. We see them openly disagreeing with the methodology many of the older heroes have used, promising one another not to fall into those same traps of secrecy. It adds a nice sense of depth to what would otherwise me a typical mass action issue.

Speaking of action, Matthew Clark’s pencils really work well here. His style is grittier and less refined than former artist Mike McKone’s cleaner line work, but here it fit’s the tone to a tee. This issue takes place on what is more or less a battlefield, is full of motion and disruption, and is generally not the sort of place anyone would want to be. Clark’s art captures that and does a good (but, admittedly, not great) job of conveying the shear emotional and physical devastation surrounding the team.

In the end, there’s not a lot of high concept stuff going on here, but it‘s still a good issue in what has proven to be a fantastic series. Still, I could see where some would call the overall build up to this story (which has spanned the entirety of the Teen Titans series thus far) has resulted in a somewhat unfulfilling payoff. But given the character that’s the perpetrator, I think it fits quite nicely. Yes, it is straightforward and to the point, but it also makes sense.

ART:


STORY:


OVERALL:


'Buy this issue now at X-World and save!'

[wondercharlie]

Wonder girl (cassie) has finally come into her own in this issue thanks to geoff J. If anybody can do ..he could. FOr me this issue hits the pinnacle of the current TT series. this is what it means to have a NEw contemporary TT team for the new millenium. The previous versions do stand on their own as a sign of the times: 60's (kitchs) 70's ( in the air) 80's (Serious ) 90's (what the ?) and Now it has come full circle with serious emotional resonance!
thanks DC and Geoff Johns!!!

Long Live Troia!(no pun intended ,I sweah)

[Vyns]

Dang it I hope indigo doesn't get whacked, she is my favorite Outsider.

[Jon Hancock]

Latest solits seem to suggest that Indy won't be with the team much longer.

Loved the issue. Thought they rushed Kon's regression too soon but then Luthor brought him back to his senses

[Bruiser]

Loved the issue, despite the fact that I missed out on #24. The new artist is pretty good, but I miss Mike McKone. The Wonder Girl focus was great, it's something that's been very absent from this title. Could've used a bit more monologue from her.

One thing, though...WTF is up with Cassie's massive 80's hair do? Looks like Liefield will be keeping this up in his issues, too. It looks horrid. 0_0

[Ken Boehm]

I really hope that if Donna Troy comes back Cassie will die coming up. Trade them out but one must die. Keeps things in balance. I almost got my wish with this issue...

I did like the twist that seemed to come out this issue regarding SPOILER! Indigo intentionally setting up the Superman robot to kill Donna Troy.

Also, did Indigo and Metamorpho do it or something? I don't like the whole robot/metahuman sex stuff. It just seemed weird when she called him "lover"

I really hope Johns gets around to dealing with the other Titans soon. Bart hasn't gotten that much time in compared to Cassie, Tim, and Conner (outside of issue #5 maybe). It seems he's always running around and getting knocked out. Even some more Raven would be nice. Hell, I thought Cyborg would pop up more since Johns loves the guy so much he traded him for Jesse Quick in the recent Titans series.

Still a good series, just needs more even character time (and Reis to come on as regular penciller!).

[Jon Hancock]

Hey it worked for Scarlet Witch!

I really don't think they should kill Cassie. Wonder Girl as a name has a legacy of pointless killings and ressurections, lets not continue it. I think if Troia comes back to the team (I see her as joining the Outsiders personally) then she will be kept seperate from Cassie.

I'm also for more Raven. Everybody Loves Raven (ducks debris being thrown in response to that woeful pun)