Teen Titans Go! #1 is written by Sholly Fisch and published by DC. Artwork is by Dario Brizuela, colours by Franco Riesco and letters by Saida Temofonte.
Teen Titans Go! #1 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
Say it ain’t so! The Titans’ comic book—canceled?! Desperate for a relaunch, the Titans remake themselves as everything from transforming robots to artsy, black-and-white indie comics characters. But when DC still doesn’t bite, the Titans turn to more drastic measures…like sabotage.
Review
To this day, Teen Titans Go! remains a somewhat conflicting adaption of the young super group. For anyone who grew up with the 2003 animated Teen Titans series or even the original comics, there is a certain style and tone that comes with this team, which is instantly recognisable. However, in 2013, Teen Titans Go! would come along with its more bubbly art style and heavy emphasis on comedy that rubbed a lot of fans the wrong way.
Now, the fun and bright iteration returns in comic book form with a relaunch that knows very well what it’s doing.
In typical Teen Titans Go! fashion, this first issue is all about the team finding out that their previous comic run was cancelled by DC, which leads them to think of increasingly outlandish ways they can bring their comic back and how they can appeal to a new audience. One thing the show used to prevail at was sporadically breaking the fourth wall in a manner that poked fun at the existence of the show itself. Thankfully, this first issue carries that on in the best way possible.
In the team’s efforts to appeal to new demographics, they throw out the ideas of changing their approach entirely, which is reflected by complete shifts in the artwork. The art changes to their more traditional ’60s look, a black and white aesthetic similar to The Walking Dead and even a Pokemon-influenced anime look. This brief joke brings out the versatility of Brizuela’s illustrations in a fun and engaging way that fits within the Teen Titans Go! style of humour.
Even when the comic goes back to the standard art style, Franco Riesco’s colouring work gives each panel a vibrant and punchy look that makes each page a feast for the eyes. In conjunction with the art, Sholly Fisch really steps up in the writing department as he captures the playful and frenetic pace of the show in this first issue. The closing pages even do a good job of establishing further problems for the remainder of the series that could lead to a vast array of comedic opportunities.
If you’re a fan of the show’s art style and comedic sensibilities, then you’ll have an absolute blast with this comic. It’s fast-paced, loud and self-referential in all the ways the show was. It throws a lot of jokes and visual gags into this first issue, not all of which work, but when it hits its stride, it is a lot of fun to read.
Verdict
Packed with as much fourth-wall-breaking humour as it can manage, this new relaunch for Teen Titans Go! is a promising start, to say the least. It’s entertaining, colourful and most of all, funny.
⭐⭐⭐.5
