DC Comics reviews for 7/17/19 – Batman #75, Aquaman #50
Teen Titans #32
Lobo continues stalking the Titans to fulfill his contract to kill Crush, but is there any chance Robin and company can stop the Main Man? Probably not but that doesn’t mean they won’t stop trying anyhow.
I loved how writer Adam Glass treated Lobo like an 80s horror movie villain — unstoppable and not afraid to play with his prey.
Glass is working through his earlier struggles in failing to make Robin, Kid Flash and Red Arrow sound consistent with their portrayals in other books. He’d always has an easier time making the new members likable, but now Teen Titans reads like a more fully rounded title. Characters deal with doubt, worry and abandonment issues.
There’s a lot of relatable material Glass has to work with and this issue was another indicator he’s become more comfortable with all of the team members. I also appreciate that Glass avoided watering Lobo down to make for a fair fight. It forced the Teen Titans to be more resourceful having to take on Lobo at his peak.
Bernard Chang’s art is such a strong fit for the title and has helped to give it a distinct look unlike anything else at DC. Marcelo Maiolo uses a striking and vibrant color scheme that helps Chang’s art pop. It’s colorful, but it works so much more effectively than muted colors that channel the book’s more serious tones.
As with most books this month, this ends with a Year of the Villain tie-in. This one is ok, but reveals the lack of a true adversary or main opponent of the team. That’s likely to lead to a sense of familiarity since the crossover will impact next issue.
Teen Titans is developing into a steady, consistent read that’s paid off for readers who stuck with it through the early growing pains.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10