Carrying over from Suicide Squad #3, the crossover continues this week in Tim Sheridan and Rafa Sandoval’s Teen Titans Academy. We might be pondering who Red X is, but Alinta’s ties to Amanda Waller’s plans are also a mystery worth resolving. This crossover has plenty of tasty morsels of mystery to uncover, but there are also plenty of fight scenes at hand too. Knowing the Suicide Squad is going to attempt to break into Titans Tower, one could surmise conflict is imminent, but it’s an impenetrable fortress. Right?!
This issue opens with a grave foreshadowing as Raven has a vision that could spell doom for the Teen Titans Academy. This spurs on the older Titans, most of whom are teachers now, to act. The thing is, with Red X, Peacemaker, and the rest of the Suicide Squad actively breaking into the Teen Titans Academy, it may be too late for that. These elements hang over the narrative, which allows Sheridan to thoroughly play around with character dynamics. Waller and Peacemaker, or Red X with the whole crew, are relationships rife with conflict. As characters break in, fight, or simply talk amongst themselves at a table, Sheridan makes sure to have every character add to the conversation and keep the reader’s interest up.
Outside of the Teen Titans Academy break-in, this issue also fleshes out Alinta’s past and progresses Crush’s story. Since Crush and Lobo launches next week, it’s safe to assume that Crush needs a reason to leave the Academy, and Sheridan gives us ample scenes that explain her reason for breaking away. Much like the overarching crossover at work here, it’s clear editorial is keeping things concise when it comes to how they affect other books. Meanwhile, Alinta’s backstory is an interesting one that is realistic when you consider how the powers of a child might be used by parents. It’s not dissimilar to parents of child actors if you think about it.
I’d rather not have visions, thanks!
Credit: DC Comics
This issue has plenty of action and Sandoval does a great job choreographing fight scenes as well as the break-in to Teen Titans Academy itself. The fun of this book is partly due to the number of powers potentially used in a scene and Sandoval does a great job capturing the various abilities. From teleportation to super strength or even superpowered hair, there’s plenty used to visually enhance the major fight scene in the issue. In fact, it’s impressive how much gets stuffed into every page and panel.
Sandoval is backed up by inker Jordie Tarragona with Max Raynor and colors by Alejandro Sanchez with Alex Sinclair. The colors are bright and suit this team book, while the inks give the characters a darker edge and tone furthering the realism of the scenes.
Teen Titans Academy continues to be packed with great character work, action, and plenty of mystery. The cliffhanger of this issue may even make you gasp as Tim Sheridan continues to impress by not skimping on entertaining content.
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