DC Comics reviews for 12/13/17

Titans #18

The downside to Titans having a monthly release schedule is realizing how long storylines can take. When this arc started, Metal hadn’t started, Batman wasn’t engaged, Tim Drake was still gone and Mr. Oz’s identity was still a secret. That doesn’t affect the quality of the issue so much as provide evidence Titans would benefit from much shorter story arcs.

Troia and her minions battle the Titans, who get some major reinforcements. Writer Dan Abnett didn’t exactly make this a secret, but it still led to a great moment.

Brett Booth’s pencils are the most frenetic of any DC book giving Titans a continual sense of movement and action. Rarely does Booth offer a standard layout, which helps to make the fight sequences truly stand out.

Ironically, despite the heavy action, it’s the quieter moments when the Titans come together in their various pairings that makes for the issue’s best scenes. Hopefully, Abnett will maintain that balance as this is the team that benefits the most from character interplay.

There’s an odd moment midway through that Abnett doesn’t pay off, but the tease for next issue suggests it will be addressed next issue. This ended the Troia arc on an encouraging note with the full Titans together. With next issue’s big clash, the Titans will need all the help they can get.

Rating: 8 out of 10