DC Comics reviews 3/18/20 – Batman #91, DCeased Unkillables #2, Justice League #43

Teen Titans #40

How good is Teen Titans right now? So good that what’s become a bit of a storyline cliché — team travels to Hell to fight demons — is still engaging. And the simple reason why is because the team itself is so much more enjoyable to read.

Writer Adam Glass was starting to turn things around, but the addition of co-writer Robbie Thompson has drastically enhanced the unique personalities of the team and actually making them likable. That seems like a basic concept, yet it was something that felt lacking too often in the earlier run.

Thompson’s smoothed out the rough edges of the characters so Red Arrow and Crush don’t read like the same angry warrior, Damian has depth to his edge that avoids portraying him like a psychopath and Kid Flash is the heart of the team and not a judgmental hothead. It makes a major difference in bringing some much needed fun to a book about teen heroes.

The Hell backdrop is fine as the team rushes off to save D’jinn as her brother makes his biggest play yet. I’m a huge fan of the decision to bring Jakeem Thunder into the storyline as well as it makes a lot of sense given the nature of the Djinn Wars arc.

Eduardo Pansica has also been a much needed stabilizing force on the art front. Pansica kept enhancing his craft over the last few years to the point that he can make the team look like teens while retaining a realistic style that doesn’t look so cartoonish. And as always, Marcelo Maiolo’s colors pop with just the right amount of bold colors that complement Pansica’s more grounded pencils.

Teen Titans has made a major turnaround this year and it’s quickly becoming one of the books I’m most looking forward to reading from DC each month. If you’re a lapsed reader this is the time to get back on it.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10