DCU Comic Book Reviews

BLACKEST NIGHT:  Titans #1

A When Death Comes Knocking

October 2009

Written by J. T. Krul

Pencils by Ed Benes

Inks by Rob Hunter, Jon Sibal, JP Mayer

Covers by Ed Benes and Brian Haberlin

Synopsis

In San Francisco, the Titans gather together on Heroes’ Day to mourn their fallen teammates.  Elsewhere, a black power ring attempts to raise Don Hall (aka Dove) from the dead, but he is at peace and remains dead.  In Washington DC, Holly and Dawn (aka Hawk and Dove) encounter a trail of dead birds.  It leads them directly to Black Lantern Hank Hall (aka Hawk).  At Titans Tower, Beast Boy encounters Terra and thinks she has come back to life.  Cyborg and Starfire then find Lilith, who is responsible for Beast Boy’s vision of Terra.  Both terra and Lilith are Black Lanterns.  And Terra has come to literally collect Gar’s heart.  Meanwhile, Holly and Dawn continue to fight Hank, who shoves Dawn aside and then plunges his hand into Holly’s heart.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Over the decades, the Titans have been connected a number of deaths, such as the original Ravager and Terra and others.  Out of the Blackest Night tie-ins, this is the one that is just bursting with possibilities of returning characters rising from the dead.  Despite that, I am actually quite disappointed with this issue.  In this issue, the main characters are essentially the new Hawk and Dove.  Which is fine.  Except the book is subtitled, Titans, which would mean there should be, you know, Titan members as the lead characters.  Hawk and Dove haven’t been seen in any of the Titans books, Teen or otherwise, for several years, dating back to the Titans East Special last year and even then that was a quick cameo. To me, I think it is odd that these two missing-in-action characters would take center stage. 

Yet, it looks as if the role of Dove, or the avatar of Lords of Chaos and Order, may play an important role in the finale of the event.  When the Black Lanterns are on the hunt, they visual its prey in the emotional spectrum of the various lantern colors, such as love (sapphire) for Beast Boy or rage (red) for Holly.  The emotional state of Dawn could not be defined and its color is white.  Given Don’s lack of resurrection (which was shown in the main Blackest Night miniseries), one has to wonder if Dove, the symbol of peace, will end the War of Light. 

Having said all that, the scenes without Hawk and Dove and done fairly well, with some nice horror-movie creepiness with Donna and the baby carriage and Beast’s Boy encounter with Terra.  There is some good material hidden amongst the Hawk and Dove stuff.  I just wish that had been the focus rather than what we got. 

A small nitpick:  the first image of Black Lantern Hank Hall shows the ring on his left hand.  Later scenes during the fight show the ring on his right hand.  Which just goes to show at DC the right hand doesn’t know what the left is doing. 

Comic Connection

Dawn Granger (aka Dove) first appeared in 1988 and was killed by Hank Hall when he became Monarch in the Armageddon mini-series.  Dawn later resurface in JSA, issue #45 (2003).  The first appearance of Holly Granger (aka Hawk) occurred during the battle against Dr. Light in Teen Titans, issue #22. 

In the Day Of Vengeance mini-series, Hawk and Dove briefly lost their powers.  They briefly appeared in Teen Titans, issue #34 (the first issue of the One Year Later stunt) which suggested they were part of the team during the missing year.  Hawk and Dove were last seen in the Titans East Special. 

	Main		Page	NEXTð

Home ●  Blog ● Who Are We? ● Site News
Alive and Well since April 16, 2006

 DC Universe Reviews.  All Rights Reserved
  Characters, trademarks, brands are property of DC Comics

For problems or questions regarding this website, please contact our kindly webmaster.
Last updated: 08/06/11.