There’s a lot to cover on Wednesdays. We should know, as collectively, we read an insane amount of comics. Even with a large review staff, it’s hard to get to everything. With that in mind, we’re back with Wrapping Wednesday, where we look at some of the books we missed in what was another great week of comics.
Let’s get this party started.
Cyborg #1
Written by Morgan Hampton
Illustrated by Tom Raney
Colored by Michael Atiyeh
Lettered by Rob Leigh
Reviewed by Gregory Ellner
Victor Stone’s relationship with his father Silas is often fraught with conflict, albeit not to the point of physical confrontation most of the time. That relationship is at the forefront in Morgan Hampton’s writing, and seems to set the stage for this new “Cyborg” series as a whole. While Hampton does delve into some superhero combat with two Teen Titans villains, the majority of the writing seems to focus on the emotional impact of Cyborg’s father, keeping in mind his place in the Detroit community due to his lack of a secret identity. As such, this debut shows that Hampton is focusing on a likely more emotional story than the usual physical combat of superheroes.
Tom Raney’s artwork is somewhat stylized, especially when it comes to organic characters. The linework is a bit thick, enhancing facial expressions as is common in Raney’s work, but perhaps a bit more noticeably than usual. The norm is lain in contrast to the illustration of mechanical parts, which seem all the more inhuman by their thinner, more precise design, seemingly devoid of genuine emotion and thereby more uncanny and more disturbing.
Michael Atiyeh’s colors are, as ever, on point. His use of hues adds definite emotion to the scenes, making them livelier and more engaging. The colors are bright, though darker where tonally appropriate, helping the shocking scenes feel that much more so.
Final Verdict: 7.0– A possibly atypical approach to a superhero’s new ongoing nonetheless remains intriguing.
Titans #1
Written by Tom Taylor
Illustrated by Nicola Scott
Colored by Annette Kwok
Lettered by Wes Abbott
Reviewed by Quinn Tassin
A lot of the time, simply declaring something is the new norm can’t make it true. So when the Titans were deemed the new leading team of heroes in the DC universe, I was somewhat skeptical about whether “Titans” would be able to feel that important, even if it turned out to be a great comic. After this issue, it’s clear that this could be the best team book since Scott Snyder’s “Justice League.”
From its opening panels, there’s a palpable weight to “Titans” #1. Where a lot of comics trying to prove their importance immediately go for scale, this one does it through a simple mystery- the Flash has been shot through the heart. It’s a perfect mystery for an important team book, especially with a cast of characters as tight-knit as this one. This is the kind of event that demonstrates the power of our unseen antagonist (one who you definitely need a high-powered team to stop), creates personal stakes for the Titans, and has real emotional ramifications for this cast.
While all of that was about the great foundation that this issue lays, “Titans” #1 is firing on all cylinders and the bulk of the issue is spend on their debut as a team. Taylor make a smart decision opening this issue with a series of normal conversations between the Titans; it both communicates the history that this team has and grounds the whole affair. Sometimes, characters can get lost in a big narrative but here, it’s clear that relationships are front and center. Beast Boy and Raven’s dynamic gets the most focus and it really is sweet but the full group dynamic is the best thing “Titans” #1 has going for it. The team speaks the way that most groups of old friends do and it’s a real treat to read that instead of different superhero philosophies bouncing off of each other.
This issue is a gorgeous issue and the sense of importance is conveyed at least as much through the visuals as it is the story structure. Titans Tower feels just as grand as the Watchtower or Hall of Justice ever have and the attention to detail throughout the issue is incredible. There’s a perfect balance of classically beautiful artwork and unabashed comic book fun. The colors are bright but grounded; the pencils are (relatively) realistic but feel distinctly like a DC comic. Best of all, big set pieces and little conversations get just as much detail which is great not only because it’s pretty but because it communicates that this is a series that really cares about both. But when you see Beast Boy transform into a giant lizard monster to fight a giant robot gorilla, that’s gonna be your highlight.
Continued belowThat fight against Titano and confrontation with Peacemaker feels like the real proof of concept here. The art team gets a lot of the credit for how thrilling this is. They communicate the scale of the Beast Boy/Titano clash not only through sweeping splashes but by showing how big they are compared to the rest of the action. The layouts keep things paced strikingly well; it’s clear that there are a million things going on incredibly quickly but there’s no part of the sequence that isn’t easy to follow. Powers are illustrated beautifully and each member of the team gets to play to their strengths. This is a team that’s been solving big problems together for years and their ability to jump into action so seamlessly makes it clear that they’re ready to step up to the plate. Then rejecting Peacemaker’s offer to work for the U.S. government makes the group’s (and the comic’s) ethos clear- they’re here to help people everywhere without following anyone’s agenda. It’s simple stuff but it’s effective nonetheless. And it’s clear that a confrontation with Amanda Waller is coming.
“Titans” #1 is a genuinely great comic. The Titans are an interesting, fun team and it’s refreshing to see their dynamic in DC’s spotlight. With a strong creative team, an intriguing mystery, and a new direction like this for DC as a whole, it’s impossible not to be excited for what’s coming next.
Final Verdict: 8.7- A strong debut issue proves that the Titans are ready to be DC’s premier superhero team
