Blog Archives
Review: Teen Titans #7
Holy crap, does this issue suck. I have rolled my eyes at this comic’s various flaws before, but suddenly they’ve come together in a massive, brain-straining menagerie of winded dialogue, cringe-worthy banter, twists that fall pathetically flat, sudden changes in story that come out of nowhere, and the seemingly random and awkward introductions of several new, never-before-seen villains. What had been a relatively tightly paced series has suddenly exploded into a nearly incomprehensible mess.
And it definitely doesn’t help that half the story takes place in an issue of Superboy that hasn’t even come out yet.
Comic rating: 1/5: Terrible!
Everything Teen Titans has been building towards just seems to fall apart with this issue. The only saving grace, perhaps, is the teamwork between the Titans. But their battle against N.O.W.H.E.R.E. just collapses in a big mess as the Titans attack their foes at their evil lair. Whereas before, N.O.W.H.E.R.E. was just a general evil organization, we’re now all of a sudden introduced to various super-villains with names and powers. Their appearances mean nothing because we’ve never seen them before. So the fights with the Titans mean squat. Not to mention the fact that the fights last only a page or two.
But worst of all is the dialogue. Characters not only talk too damn much, but they explain things that are happening in the same panel, as if we didn’t understand. The Titans are also constantly trying to tell jokes, but all of them fall thuddeningly flat.
Join me after the jump as I tear this comic book a new one.
A Plastic Man Cartoon? For Reals?
Beyond the silliness that is an actual, honest-to-god Plastic Man cartoon.
Plastic Man is a DC Comics superhero with the ability to, as I’m sure you just watched, strength and shape his body into anything he wants. He’s a comedian, known for being a very silly sort of guy. Which means he’s perfectly suited for a silly willy, diffy daffy kids cartoon courtesy of Cartoon Network. Though he’s not going to get a full show. Instead, Plastic Man is going to get a few animated shorts to go alongside DC’s new DC Nation block of shows, which will include Young Justice and the new animated Green Lantern series.
What’s that you say? A DC Nation animated block? Tell us more, Sean!
Gladly. After the jump.
Review: Teen Titans #3
The new Teen Titans series just isn’t clicking with me. I loved the first issue, but it’s been downhill ever since. The antagonist is hyped beyond credibility and the heroes, though individually fun to read, are saddled with some less than stellar dialogue. Issue #3 continues the downward spiral for a story that’s all over the place, features some fairly odd moments and finally introduces us to every member of the team – though they’re not a team yet. I think part of the problem is that I might be expecting a different sort of comic.
I think I want a serious Teen Titans comic, whereas we’re getting a light and fluffy tale.
Comic rating: 2/5: bad.
Teen Titans is bright, fun and cheerful. The characters are peppy, especially newly introduced Bunker, and they literally seem to be bouncing all over the place and against each other with energy and excitement. But that’s just not clicking with me. I’m not enjoying it. The comic isn’t solidifying into a good story yet. It’s stretched too thin, in my opinion. Writer Scott Lobdell telling a harmless story about harmless characters who are not in any real danger, yet can’t stop talking about what danger they [i]think[/i] they’re in. As I said in my review of issue #2, the antagonist organization N.O.W.H.E.R.E. is just too ridiculous at this point, and the character just can’t stop talking about N.O.W.H.E.R.E.
I think what this book is missing is heart. Where’s Ma-Ti of Captain Planet when you need him? Spoilers to follow.


