Smallville: Titans #2 Review

Written by: Bryan Q. Miller
Art by: Cat Staggs
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: October 11, 2013

Like Breakfast Club with More Flying and Scarab Armor

After the fiasco that happened in last issue, the Teen Titans have returned to school where Jay Garrick is telling them the redemption story of Barry Allen.  The lesson of making up for your past by being a hero today seems to especially important to a few of the members in particular.

What we get in Smallville: Titans #2 is a bunch of character origin and development.  Jay Garrick wants Superboy to become the leader he needs to be, but questions which part of his DNA will rise to the occasion.  Speedy questions why she even came to the school, and shows her resentment to Green Arrow in the process.  Jayna tells how her and Zan were abandoned by their father the first time they "gleeked" their powers (nice touch).  Ms. Martian yearns to help her Uncle prepare Mars for habitation to fix the sins of her past and makes out with Superboy.

In the funniest bit of the issue, Blue Beetle fights with the scarab armor about proper length required to brush ones teeth.  When he steps out of the bathroom he slips on blood...Zan's blood!  He is then greeted by the Villain revealed at the end of issue #1 who seems to have killed Zan and is now attacking him.

I really liked this issue.  Last issue we were thrown into the fire so it is nice to see what makes each Teen Titan tick.  Each member is that much more interesting now that we know why they are at Jay Garrick's school and if/why they actually care.  Seeing the bonds forming between them is sure to pay off in the next two issues.  Also, Blue Beetle is hilarious.

Bits and Pieces:

Smallville: Titans #2 was another solid issue.  Instead of the breakneck action of last issue, we get more characterization and back story.  The team and the book are all the better for it.  I can't wait for next issue.

9.0/10