Titans #2 Review

The Titans versus themselves…who ya got? Is it good?

Titans #2 (DC Comics)

So what’s it about? The DC summary reads:

“Remember the Titans” part two! As the Titans prepare to do the unthinkable in order to defeat the intergalactic demon that stole time itself from theDC Universe, enter the Fearsome Five! But are the sinister quintet acting of their own accord…or are greater forces at work?

Why does this book matter?

Writer Dan Abnett has subtly revealed this new super team is going to be working on solving a bigger villain than anyone could imagine and it may have ties to the overall universe. It’s all because Wally West has become unstuck from time and now with the help of his old Teen Titans friends maybe he can do some good. Plus his girlfriend doesn’t remember him!

Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?

Things not to say on a first day.

In some ways this series is more Wally West’s than the Titans members. Case in point, Abnett opens the issue with Linda Park attempting to get a scoop for her Super News agency further developing her curiosity of Wally’s fascination with her. She doesn’t know who he is, but it’s the one thing Wally wants back from his previous life. Showing us that Linda is curious means things are developing, but much of that is put on hold in this issue.

That’s because it’s all action save for a bit of interesting dialogue from Abracadabra, the bad guy pulling the strings of the false Teen Titans. Abnett gives all of the characters something to do, like Nightwing attempting to lead and Arsenal making things complicated between himself and Donna Troy.

Since it’s mostly action, that leaves Brett Booth in charge of wowing us with visuals and boy does he. Abracadabra looks great–just look at the page below–and the action is easy to follow and fun. Wally and Teen Titans’ false Wally both look great running at crazy speeds and flashing all the electrical energy. You gotta love the slanted panels and interesting use of layouts to convey the chaos of the action too.

It can’t be perfect can it?

Being as this is mostly action, the larger plot of discovering the impending doom is put at bay. Abracadabra may be in some way involved sure, but 90% of this issue is action. The cliffhanger certainly suggests something permanent may be in play, and the time travel element is certainly there, but it’s not opening up enough to know what is going on. That leaves this issue as an action issue and not much more.

Killer page Booth!

Is It Good?

If you like action, especially Flash in action, you can’t miss this issue. The Titans get lots to fight, but unfortunately the bigger plot is barely scratched to give the action more room.