Teen Titans # 55 Review
Author: Sean Mckeever
Penciler: Jamal Igle
Inkers: Ruy Jose & Jimmy Palmiotti
Cover: Eddy Barrows
A few weeks back during a podcast I talked about how much Teen Titans has been spiraling downhill since Superboy died. It sunk even further downhill after Geoff Johns left the book. While I do enjoy reading about Miss Martian, Kid Devil, Ravager, and Blue Beetle; it seems that the writers are still looming in the shadows of Geoff Johns. It’s been two damn years since Superboy was killed and we are still coping with his death. The old dynamic that put the book in motion is long gone and there is very little keeping me from completely leaving the book.
This issue is what back in the 80s (I’m sure it was called that long before I started reading comics) we used to call a character study issue. It focuses on the individual characters and has very minimal plot movement. Robin and Wonder Girl have a heart to heart discussion as to why she wanted Supergirl off the team and they explore their feelings for each other. Miss Martian seems to be going fucking nuts and Kid Devil tries to confront Ravager about the way he feels about her. One thing is for sure in this issue; Mckeever can write some dramatic teenager conflicts. He’s got Blue Beetle down and I actually enjoy reading his Kid Devil, but for some reason I can’t stand the way he portrays Wonder Girl as a whiney spoiled child and Ravager as a one dimensional bitch!
I understand the point of the issue was to make me feel for the team and connect with them and feel for them, but maybe it’s because I’m not a teenager anymore or it could be just bad storytelling, but I can’t seem to care one way or another. I have mixed feeling with the artwork too because some of the facial expressions that Igle draws capture the rage and frustration exquisitely while some facial expressions look gawky and don’t seem to fit with what the character is supposed to be saying or feeling. Mckeever’s Blue Beetle, Kid Devil, and the semi interesting Miss Martian keep me reading this book, but I really need something else to look forward to. C
