DC Comics reviews 3/19/24 – Nightwing #112, JSA #9, Superman #12

Titans #9

Tom Taylor is a great writer. One of DC’s best consistently delivering strong runs on titles and excellent mini-series. That said, there’s not much going on with Titans to be excited about with this current arc.

Amanda Waller has descended so far into villainy that she’s now taking meetings with Trigon. Yes, it leads to a funny gag with Peacemaker, but it’s hard to see how Waller thinks an arrangement with a devil is a good idea or helpful to her presumed goal of eliminating the threat of superheroes. Is Trigon a better alternative?

The Dark Raven story also feels like treading water. Raven has been a pawn of some evil force it feels like every three years. Then there’s the natural frustration of the Titans taking too long to realize she’s been corrupted yet again. Given how often this happens it doesn’t seem far-fetched that Nightwing and Cyborg would develop some means of ensuring Raven has higher safeguards. Or that the Titans could detect when she’s under someone else’s sway.

New regular artist Lucas Meyer has provided needed stability after Nicola Scott departed the title. Meyer basically did a warm-up act on the Titans Max-inspired comic book mini-series and has no trouble capturing the personalities of the team in action or sorting through their feelings. Colorist Adriano Lucas does a stellar job providing distinct hues specifically in Trigon’s lair.

Much like he did with Heartless in Nightwing, Taylor probably needs to create some new villains and different threats for the Titans. Trigon feels played out and the Amanda Waller arc is on a slow burn until Absolute Power. Titans is in need of a spark as it feels like the DC universe’s big team isn’t having the kind of epic adventures and challenges they deserve.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Photo Credit: DC Comics