DC Comics reviews for 2/8/17 – Justice League of America, Detective Comics

Titans #8

The opening Titans arc was entertaining enough, but for a team book it was a little too focused on one member. With Flash fully integrated as part of the Rebirth universe and back with his pals, Titans can devote more attention to the overall team dynamic. And just one issue into the newest arc, that improvement is evident.

Like last issue, this wasn’t an action-focused installment as writer Dan Abnett deals more with team interaction. A major part of the charm on the Marv Wolfman/George Perez run was the team bonding moments that occurred when they weren’t battling Trigon, The Fearsome Five, Brother Blood, etc.

It also helps that Abnett has an even amount of Titans. This issue featured the more traditional pairings of Donna Troy/Roy Harper, Wally West/Dick Grayson and Garth/Lilith. Abnett gets to delve more into their personalities and potential subplots like Wally’s impatience, Donna’s renewed interest in photography and Lilith’s fighting ability.

Meanwhile, Mal and Karen visit a clinic that has the ability to help metas control or remove their powers. But their true identity has a panicked Mal re-connecting with his old teammates.

Brett Booth is one of the few artists that has to tone down on the dynamic posing and expressions. There’s never a lack of energy on his pages, but he’s been prone to making casual conversations appear too dramatic.

That’s not the case this issue as Booth appears more comfortable with the conversational sequences that don’t immediately transition into a fight. That increased comfort level made for Booth’s best work on Titans yet, which is an encouraging sign that his work is still evolving.

Early on in Rebirth, Titans benefited from a nostalgia kick and simply getting the band back together. With this issue, Abnett and Booth suggest Titans is only to get better. I’d still prefer this book get on the bi-weekly schedule, but if the results remain this consistent, I’ll have to be content with a quality monthly installment.

Rating: 9 out of 10