Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Teen Titans #25 Review and **SPOILERS**


Un-Chained Melody

Writer: Adam Glass
Guest Penciller: Robson Rocha
Guest Inker: Daniel Henriques
Guest Colorist: Sunny Gho
Letters: Rob Leigh
Back-Up Pencils: Max Dunbar
Back-Up Colors: Ivan Plascencia
Cover Price: $3.99 
On Sale Date: December 19, 2018

Looks like we're headed into character-specific territory... I guess we can call this arc "Tales of the Teen Titans" or perhaps "Teen Titans Spotlight".

Whatever we're gonna call it, I'm cautiously optimistic that we're going to come out the other end with a much better appreciation of our Titanic Newbies.





When I read that we'd be getting character-specific stories over the next several issues of Teen Titans, I wasn't quite sure what to think.  I mean, I dig the newbies well enough, was skeptical about whether or not they can shoulder an entire issue.  Well, after Crush's initial outing, I'm pleased to say that my fears were unfounded.



What we get here is a great look at Crush's childhood on Earth.  Arriving not unlike Superman did, only to a couple of drug-addicts rather than farmers, Crush was raised among the "normies"... all the while ignorant of her true parentage.  I mean, she knew she was different, because... c'mon, just look at her (also, she had a seemingly sentient chain)... but, she didn't find out about being the seed of the Main Man until adolescence.



Along for the ride for this outing is Djinn, who proves to be a pretty good Yin to Crush's Yang.  The challenge each other's preconceptions on the good of humanity... and play surprisingly well off one another.



I mentioned during my discussion that I have a weakness for "trapped" stories... stories that force people, who might not have much in common, to interact.  This is certainly more of that.  Together Crush and Djinn head off to reclaim Obelus (that's Crush's chain), and along the way learn a fair amount about themselves and one another.

Since this is a super-sized "milestone" issue, we get a back-up story.  This story fills us in on how Roundhouse survived going "boom" a few issues back.  I'm not usually a big fan of back-ups, however, in this case I'll make an exception... not only because it's a good story, but also... I'm pretty sure an entire issue of Roundhouse might be a tad tiring.

Here we learn a bit about Roundhouse's family, including meeting that sister who has thus far only been alluded to.  We also get a look at some bizarre ways our pal's powers work.

We get fill-in art by Robson Rocha, and I gotta say... we don't miss much of a beat.  This is a good-looking book all around.  I don't wanna jinx it, but this is probably the best streak of good-to-great issues for this franchise in the better part of a decade!

Bits and Pieces:

A team-less tale wherein a titanic newbie gets properly fleshed out.  Excellent characterization and art.  Title continues to deliver!


8.5/10

1 comment:

  1. Dc saving Grace this week. I have a new appreciation for both Crush & Roundhouse. And even Djinn, coming across as a good friend to have. I have a feeling if Crush and Jason Todd ever met they'd be great friends, considering there upbringing being quit similar. Roundhouses powers seem to be that he could transform the properties of his body, and that his Suit he build controls his powers. But we don't know the incident that caused his powers and killed his sister, but I'm interested in finding out. And who ever Crushes mother is might be a magical character considering her magical chain. Loved this book
    9/10

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