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I really didn't expect to like yet another New Titans at all, after the goodness of the Baxter stuff from earlier on, but this is actually not that bad at all. I wouldn't be running out to get them the second they come up, but as far as a general comic read, it is ok.
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Let me say this: I loved the '80s New Teen Titans. Marv Wolfman and George Perez made that title one of the best and most popular comic books of all time and, in its heyday, I believe it placed consistently in the top 10 in monthly sales. When George Perez left the series, the Titans were never the same, and my interest reluctantly dwindled. I didn't think I could get so into this team again until I started collecting the revamped TEEN TITANS in 2003. Prolific comic book writer Geoff Johns (FLASH, JSA, GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH, 52, etc) and artist Mike McKone do wonders as they've managed to revive great interest in this team which, more than anything else, was about the close ties of family and friendship.
And it's still about the teens. With the tragic death of Donna Troy, aka Troia (formerly Wonder Girl), and the resulting disbanding of both the Teen Titans and Young Justice, our superhero youngsters have unhappily drifted apart. But, now, Cyborg extends an invitation for the kids to help re-launch the Teen Titans, whose Titans Tower is now situated in San Francisco. Feeling that their young charges are worryingly stuck in a rut, Superman and Batman urge their respective proteges Connor Kent (Superboy) and Tim Drake (Robin) to sign up. However, Flash is indifferent, believing that young Bart (Impulse) has no focus and is unreliable, while Wonder Woman is less than willing to grant her blessing and just simply doesn't want Cassie to be involved. It doesn't really come as a shocker, however, when everyone ends up joining.
I'm not about to credit Mr. Johns with successfully returning this title back to its once lofty place, because, frankly, he hasn't quite managed that. But what he's done is bring me and many more fans back into the Titans fold. With TEEN TITANS: A KID'S GAME, which collects the first seven issues, Johns has Cyborg creating a regimented and more purposeful team structure and mission statement. The plan now is that, on weekends, once the school week is thru, veteran heroes and former Titan members Cyborg, Starfire, and Beast Boy will mentor the ex-Young Justices.
In crafting these stories, the writer does very well in bringing life and depth to the characters. Connor and Cassie are actually becoming interesting, even if Connor is still occasionally annoying. Bart undergoes a traumatic life changing experience which makes him rethink his superhero identity. Tim Drake? Well, he's fast on his way to being just as great a Robin as Dick Grayson was. And, since these are mostly about the teens, there's plenty of angst, deep seated hostility, and pent up hormonal energy mixed in with the superhero action.
There's an off-kilter group dynamic here. None of the more established Titans is a born leader (that was always a Nightwing specialty). In their attempts at mentoring, they discover that these kids won't easily accept authority. Starfire, in particular, with her emotions ever on the surface, finds it tough going in presenting a supervisory persona. Beast Boy is barely older than the kids and is actually more in tune with the younger generation than with his older teammates. Honestly, Tim Drake seems to be the best leader in this group.
Johns deals several surprises to the reader. Perennial foil Deathstroke the Terminator returns for a lengthy story arc, with a surprise twist thrown in. With the death of his son Jericho, the lethal mercenary wants to put a stop to the re-forming of the Titans team, ostensibly because "kids shouldn't wear costumes." Meanwhile, as Connor develops a new power, he also discovers intel on his genetic makeup which shocks him. Plus, he gets a pet. Then, there's the requisite guest appearances by the kids' older counterparts and the ensuing half-hearted tussle. Somewhere in here, Nightwing and Raven also show up, as well as a retired member of Young Justice. With Mike McKone providing stellar artwork - as he draws these heroes in the way they should always be drawn - and with Geoff Johns consistently delivering with solid stories, TEEN TITANS: A KID'S GAME is the ideal time to hop back on the Titans bandwagon and will, guaranteed, whet your appetite for more. Titans Together! Again.
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I've always loved the Teen Titans; from their early days with Hawk and Dove up to the Marv Wolfman/George Perez masterwork, I ate up TT comics. When I saw the great price on this book I had to buy it. Unfortunately I was disappointed.
The artwork is mediocre and the action is as convoluted as Yoda might be if he tried to imitate the Swedish Chef's speech patterns. There is a very weak story holding the comic together, with most of the comic detailing how the Teens want to be allowed to grow up without grown-up interference.
Overall, this comic was little more than OK. I can not recommend this to anyone.
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I love everything about this new TEEN TITANS WORLD: characters, villains, costumes, situations, places...
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For any fans of the Titans tv show on C.N., this story takes place when those Titans are a few years older and are helping form a new group of Teen Titans. This will not be much like the tv show but the artwork is beautiful and it's cool to see the Raven, Beast Boy, Starfire, Cyborg, and Robin characters as they were originally. It's very cool, all Titans and DC comics fans should check it out!
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