There are a lot of comics out there, but some stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With ‘Don’t Miss This,’ we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list.
Who’s this by?
The main story is written by Tom Taylor and illustrated (at least through the first two issues) by Ivan Reis, with inks by Danny Miki, colors by Brad Anderson, and letters by Wes Abbott. The story also continues in “Titans” by Taylor, Nicola Scott, and Travis Moore, as well as a number of spin-offs and one-shots by a variety of DC talent.
What’s it all about?
Throughout the first five issues of “Titans,” there has been a story brewing with Brother Eternity and the new Church of Blood. In “Titans: Beast World” #1 that plot began to involve Starro the Conquerer and Beast Boy took it upon himself to channel his powers into a rival giant star, lovingly called Garro. A side effect is that the world is now infected with Starro spores that are turning regular folks and metahumans alike into animal hybrids. A literal Beast World, as it were.
What makes it so great?
The reason that “Beast World” is so interesting to me is that it is the first, in a way, post-modern DC event. I don’t mean that in the typical literary sense of the term, but it is first major DC event that I can recall that doesn’t feature, at its heart, either the Justice League or one of the cornerstone members of the team. This event is supposed to be the firs time that the Titans have to rise up to meet a challenge as the first line of defense for the DC Universe, so to include the very first Justice League villain, Starro, seems especially apropos.
But beyond that, the various tie-ins have allowed a look at some of DC’s less frequently highlighted characters. In the “Titans: Beast World Tour Metropolis” issue, we get a new Dreamer story (that will directly lead to next year’s new “Suicide Squad” ongoing).
In the “Titans: Beast World Waller Rising” one-shot, Chuck Brown created one of the most intriguing teams as of late, made up entirely of Black characters, highlighted by Batwing, Vixen, Nubia, Val-Zod, and Waller’s nephew, Deadeye.
And sometimes, the one-shots just bring us weird shit, like a longer version of the “Oh, Batman is a wolf now” beat that begins in “Beast World’ #2.
While there are parts of the series that maybe are moving more slowly than I’d like, the overarching story, huge supporting cast, and incorporation of so many disparate elements of DC continuity, from the Red to Bibbo Bibbowski to make sure this story feels appropriately large scale.
While I want to believe that this event will further shift the age groups of DC up a notch, with the Titans remaining the “A” team, it seems quite unlikely. However, if we can keep getting big spots for lesser known heroes and let the Justice League veterans take supporting roles, that will be a wonderful thing.
How can you read it?
The first two issues of the miniseries, the fifth issue of “Titans,” as well as the first two “World Tour” issues and the “Waller Rising” one-shot are all available wherever you find comics. The first four issues of “Titans,” which set up the story, are already available on DC Universe Infinite.
