Review: TITANS HUNT #1

Writer:  Dan Abnett
Art:  Paulo Siqueira and Geraldo Borges
Colors:  Hi-Fi
Letters:  Carlos M. Mangual
Publisher:  DC Comics

The Teen Titans franchise has been in a peculiar state since the start of the New 52.  First we got a brand new team of teen heroes starring Red Robin, Kid Flash, Superboy, Wonder Girl and more.  They claimed to be the first team to call themselves “Teen Titans”.

There were rumblings in other books that some of the Titans of the past had adventures together.  But nothing really concrete was ever presented as proof.  Titans Hunt looks to be the first step in solidifying an actual history between Dick Grayson, Arsenal, Donna Troy, Tempest, and others.

What I Liked

I’ll be honest, what excites me the most about Titans Hunt isn’t what is shown in this issue, but the potential after this series concludes.  I’ve always been a sucker for teen superhero comics.  I’ve tried my best to support the New 52 version of the Teen Titans, but there hasn’t been a story thread to really speak to me.  Volumes one and two of Teen Titans haven’t taken off.  My hope is after all is said and done, Titans Hunt leaves the Teen Titans franchise in a better place.

There were many Easter Eggs for longtime Titans fans.  I didn’t recognize every single one, but there was a water tower shaped like the “T”  for Titans Tower, a person named Gnarrk, and references to whirlpools/twisters.

Artists Paulo Siqueira and Geraldo Borges take turns with the illustration duties and deliver dynamic visuals.  The storytelling is detailed with attention given to lines structure, with assists to Hi-Fi colors for lighting effects.

Dan Abnett has a fine tightrope to walk tying existing New 52 history with what came before in the pre-New 52.  It’s not an easy task, but he handles it like a pro.  Smart idea focusing the main story on Dick Grayson and Roy Harper.  Both are currently starring in ongoing comics (Grayson and Red Hood/Arsenal respectively), so they should be more recognizable to current readers.

What I Didn’t Like

Not being familiar with everything Teen Titans was a small hurdle, but nothing that made reading Titans Hunt overly complicated.  I just have to assume Lilith was a Titan in the pre-New 52 and that’s how she knows everyone.

Where did Garth come from?  He appeared out of nowhere when Grayson was about to get the drop on some organ smugglers.  If you look at the page, it literally looks like Garth popped out of thin air.  If that’s one of his Atlantean powers, so be it.

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#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE