Teen Titans #1 is written by Kyle Higgins and published by DC Comics. Artwork is by Daniele Di Nicuolo, colours by Marcelo Costa and letters by Becca Carey. Main cover art (left) is by Daniele Di Nicuolo.
Teen Titans #1 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
When one of their own vanishes after attending a rally for Ascend, a fast-growing youth movement training kids to survive in a world shaped by superhuman conflict, Fairplay, Cheshire Cat, Proxy, and Wildcard will do whatever it takes to find their friend, including teaming up with Red Hood! Jason thinks they’re soft and reckless. They don’t understand how he can still kill people. Now they have to work together, whether they like it or not!
Review
As a group, the Teen Titans have taken on many different forms over the years, but the core lineup most will immediately think of is Robin, Starfire, Raven, Cyborg and Beast Boy, thanks to the iconic 2000s animated series. Now the team are back…but maybe not as you remember them.
One thing that should be noted is the way this series is written. Kyle Higgins takes a distinct approach here, putting a refreshing spin on the DC superhero world we know and love. A lot of DC titles nowadays tend to get caught up in the pre-established heroes we all know and love, rarely giving the younger heroes any time to shine. By having this series focus on newer characters such as Fairplay, Cheshire Cat, Proxy, and Wildcard, it allows Higgins to explore a side of the DC world that is new and inviting, showing what the repercussions of the larger stories have on the younger generation who inhabit this environment.
That’s not to say that this series completely sidelines the well-known heroes. Higgins still manages to incorporate the likes of Nightwing, Red Hood and Mr Terrific in ways that feel natural for the narrative progression and the journey of these characters. They never overshadow the new lineup, instead bolstering their progression in interesting ways.
What makes this iteration of the Teen Titans work as well as it does is a few key elements. The first thing is that Higgins remembers that, at the end of the day, these characters are just teenagers. They’re inexperienced compared to their adult counterparts, yet they carry this youthful, almost rebellious energy that makes them stand out from prior Teen Titans lineups. This sentiment is best seen during a heart-to-heart talk between Fairplay and his dad, Mr Terrific. This chat puts the superhero antics to one side and treats it like a real father/son talk, and it really works at cementing the overarching theme and tone of the story Higgins is trying to tell.
On top of that, you have truly fantastic art and colour work from Daniele Di Nicuolo and Marcelo Costa. Their art style here reinforces the youthful, almost anarchic feel the story requires whilst keeping it colourful and stylish at the same time. The result is this bright and dynamic visual aesthetic that is perfect for this type of story, and this edgier take on the iconic team.
This first issue sets the stage perfectly, from its visual flair to its surprisingly down-to-earth character moments. Higgins and co. know exactly the line to ride in terms of knowing what defines the Teen Titans as a group whilst also giving this new lineup their own distinct personalities that sets apart from their predecessors. What unfolds is a story that feels seamless in integration and unique in style.
Verdict
Teen Titans #1 gets off to a fantastic start with an interesting new lineup, character-driven storytelling and fun, colourful artwork that is both stylish and anarchic at the same time.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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