Rating:  -
Geoff Johns' revival of TEEN TITANS has been less than thrilling so far, and the latest volume, BEAST BOYS & GIRLS, is no exception. The low-priced volume reprints seven issues: A four-issue BEAST BOY mini-series from 2000, and issues 13-15 of TEEN TITANS, which also focus on BEAST BOY. Garfield Logan has always been one of the least-interesting members of the team, so I wasn't expecting much out of this book, but I was still disappointed. Johns has been turning out some really mediocre work on TITANS, and the BEAST BOY mini-series, co-written by Ben Raab, isn't any better. TITANS completeists will want to add BEAST BOYS & GIRLS to their collection....Everyone else can safely pass and move on to Volume 4. There's nothing worth seeing here.....
Rating:  -
The third TPB of Geoff Johns' re-invention of the Teen Titans focuses on longtime Titan Garfield "Beast Boy" Logan. This TPB collects both the Beast Boy mini-series from 1999 as well as the Titans story; both of which are fine in their own right, but there's really nothing special here. Johns is a gifted writer (don't let Infinite Crisis fool you) but his knack for team superhero storytelling is replaced here for the conventional stuff that you'd expect from someone else. The art is solid enough, but as a whole Beast Boys and Girls feels completely unnecessary for the most part. All in all, this is worth checking out for Teen Titans fans who enjoyed the first two volumes, but there isn't much here to hold your interest.
Rating:  -
This TPB gives great insight into the character and orgins of Beast Boy of the Teen Titans. It helps explain what drives him to be the way he is. In the second part of the book, events show exactly what Garfield thinks of life. And it finally shows what a true rock that Beast Boy plays in the Team.
Rating: -
Beast Boys and Girls compiles two stories about Gar Logan, the Titan's Beast Boy.
The first story, a Beast Boy miniseries from 1999, gives us insight into Gar's character and his motivation. It's a great story with some very lovely artwork and it rarely hits higher than a four on the comics-cliche-o-meter. The script is only awkward when it tries too hard to hit a dramatic or comedic moment, but this does not happen often and, overall, the drama and comedy don't suffer.
The second story is the actual Teen Titans story. It gives us spot-on Gar Logan characterization that is, sadly, often presented in trite comic-book-character-expository-dialogue. The characterization of the rest of the Titans is usually right, despite their smaller roles. The exception here is Bart Allen (aka Kid Flash), whose maturity level seems to change based solely on whether he's needed for a comedic, dramatic, or expository moment. Similarly, the Teen Titans all appear as though they have the mysterious power to change their own ages at will, often choosing to look younger than they actually are. The action here is so-so, with nothing particularly thrilling. It is usually not even threatening enough to require the involvement of all the present Titans. Still, Gar get what he's been wanting all along, a chance in the spotlight (even if it is to fight a cliched, d-list villain).
Rating: -
If you're a fan of Garfield Logan (aka, Beast Boy), from either the Teen Titans comic book or even the animated series, then this collection is definetely for you. Not only do we get a lot of character moments and background, but we also get to see Garfield do some long overdue butt kicking, as he tries to prove to everyone that he's no longer just a kid with super powers but a superhero in his own right.
There are two stories in this collection, both of which were written (at least in part) by Geoff Johns, the current head writer for Teen Titans. The first is the 1999 "Beast Boy" mini-series, which has BB on his own for the first time ever and trying to make it in L.A. Personally, I think this is the better of the two stories; it's filled with lots of humor and drama, as Logan finds himself accused of murder and tries to find the real killer. Most especially, it shows that Garfield has now really grown up, and is well on his way to coming into his own.
The second story, "Beast Boys and Girls", jumps ahead in BB's continuity to the current Teen Titans series, with Garfield still older and now back with the Titans. In this story, Garfield loses his powers but must deal with a new villain known as The Zookeeper - a villain who has a connection with Garfield's parents. A little bit more action oriented than the first, but still a pretty good tale - and one that finally gives BB someone who may end up being a very real arch nemesis for him. My one complaint about this story is that, for some reason, the artist kept making him look a lot younger than he should be - Garfield Logan is, by this time, supposed to be about 19-20, yet he frequently comes off as looking younger than he was in the mini-series above. Grumble.
Anyway, complaint aside, if you are a Teen Titans fan of any stripe, and especially if you like the Titan's green shapechanger, then this is the collection for you.
And open note to Geoff Johns: Please bring back Matt Logan!!
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