“Titans: Rebirth” #1 is a fun, although slight, introduction to Wally West and his reunion with his past team members. Although the art can be distracting, writer Dan Abnett sets the Titans on a promising course.
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Brett BoothFriends. Teammates. Titans. Donna Troy, Arsenal, Garth, Lilith and Nightwing were all that and more until a mysterious force erased their memories, forcing them to forget what they could accomplish together. Reunited with their memories returned, the Titans must destroy the interdimensional demon that broke them apart and threatens reality itself.
“They don’t understand how strong our friendship is.” Wally West’s declaration is a mission statement for a team with deep bonds that writer Dan Abnett appears to hold as close to his heart as fans of these characters do after all these years. Whether a decades-long follower of the Teen Titans or just being introduced to these tight-knit buddies for the first time, Abnett briskly portrays the relationship Wally has with each of the team members he encounters for the first time (again). Wally has returned from the Speed Force, as depicted in the brilliant “DC Universe: Rebirth” one-shot, and must now figure out who or what has messed with the world’s minds. Abnett, in a slightly by-the-numbers approach, gives us a tidbit of history between him and each member of the team as he “shocks” them into remembrance.
There is a purity and natural approach that Abnett has when writing Wally’s thoughts and the interactions between his friends. There is a definite sense of comfort with and love for these Titans that comes off as almost effortless in his writing. Although that enthusiasm is contagious, “Titans: Rebirth” #1 still retains a slight quality because of its brevity and lack of in-depth exploration of these characters’ pasts and motivations. The issue only skims the surface of these relationships and is much too brief of an introduction. It is, however, worth getting if only for the promise of the future this book exudes with every one of its words.
The hiccups in the issue come primarily from Brett Booth’s art. He has a clean, generic superhero style that fits the main thrust of Abnett’s story. Norm Rapmund’s inks highlight the strength of the heroes and elicit a glow that almost bursts from the page. But Booth’s art is not as consistent as Rapmund’s inks. Pizza appears to look more like a rubber toy being stretched in someone’s mouth instead of the actual thing itself. Stances can appear odd and overly staged to the point where characters appear wooden. The layouts may be dynamic, yet the art is very much dated. If you’ve followed Booth’s art over the years, then you haven’t missed anything with “Titans: Rebirth” #1. He has remained competent, yet in need of injecting his art with more vibrance.
Booth does have a unique style, though, that shows some promise in places. His Flash Wally West has a kinetic electricity that makes the character the strongest one visually depicted in the issue. His Wally is the most consistently drawn of the team. Even Wally’s facial features seem to be given more care than the others.
The strongest creative team member of “Titans: Rebirth” #1 is colorist Andrew Dalhouse. Although the art is flawed, the coloring remains expressive throughout. The bright colors of the opening flashback hearken to an earlier time, with an aura of innocence brightening the scene. The darker palette of the present day is melancholy and contains a sense of night that is appropriate for friends who are just waking up to the realization that they have just discovered a long-lost team member that has been forgotten for years. The purple and blue hues lend a haunting quality and a richness that is absent in much of the art, giving the proceedings a sense of twilight before the reemergence of light.
“Titans: Rebirth” #1 may not be an impressive book, yet it has great promise. These legacy characters are deserving of a great creative team to tell their story. Abnett clearly has great affection for Wally, Dick Grayson, and the rest of the Titans. He just needs to keep us invested in a story and relationships that have been built up over many years. We are only teased with this issue. Maybe Booth will push himself going forward with this series and match the quality of the writing.
Final Verdict: 6.5 – Despite not being an essential issue, “Titans: Rebirth” #1 has promise because of Dan Abnett’s writing and his enthusiasm for the cast of heroes.
