DCU Comic Book Reviews

TEEN TITANS #72

Child's Play, Part One: Ring Around the Rosie

August 2009

Written by Bryan Q. Miller

Pencils by Joe Bennett

Inks by Jack Jadson

Cover by Eddy Barrows and Ruy Jose

Synopsis

Today, the Titans mourn another loss.  Yesterday, the Titans take in a night of rest and relaxation.  Wonder Girl, however, is moping around, brooding about all the recent changes that have happened to the Titans.  She declines to go out with the rest of the gang.  Instead, she takes a tour of Alcatraz to make sure everything is okay.  However, while there, the Fearsome Five escape.  Wonder Girl tries to defend herself, however she is outnumbered and easily beaten.  Despite that the Fearsome Five don’t kill, because they weren’t paid by the Calculator to kill her. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

This was a semi-frustrating book to read and I think part of that has to do with the new format of the book with the two stories in a single issue.  Overall, I have been enjoying the books with the back-up features; I like having two stories for the (increased) price of one.  But, I think this book is a good example of the problem these “second features” can have:  less space.  While the overall page count has increased, the page count for the main story has decreased.  Granted, it is only two pages for this issue, but I really got the feeling that the story had to be adjusted to account for the reduced page count.  The scenes with Titans relaxing and taking it easy were the best of the issue and I think a great way to introduce the team and get to know who they are, something I feel hasn’t been done since Static, Kid Eternity and Aquagirl joined the team.  Yet, those scenes also felt rushed to the point where I wonder if they were edited to make up for the loss of two pages.  I think the story would have read a little bit smoother if the scenes were allowed to breathe a little bit. 

On the other hand, the jailbreak scene seemed to be the perfect length, leading up to the cliffhanger.  What concerns me is that I am not sure if readers will remember that Calculator is the father of Marvin and Wendy (revealed in issue #66). Actually, we have seen more of Calculator and his children in the Oracle mini-series. 

Personally, I think I would’ve preferred if the jailbreak scene was cut altogether and saved for next issue and the carnival scenes were expanded.  It would not have hurt the book to delay the next story by an issue.  In fact, I think it would’ve helped the book buy giving the readers a chance to get to know the characters, and therefore become invested in who they are and their struggles. 

This is just me, and I say this even though I love the character, but I think the emphasis on Blue Beetle is not the right choice.  Between his own book and the back-up feature in Booster Gold, I think Blue Beetle is a known entity.  In contrast, Static, Kid Eternity and Aquagirl only appeared in this book, so I would think it would be beneficial to highlight

The prizes for the carnival game that Bombshell plays include Starro, Darkseid, Galactus, Brainiac (or perhaps the Joker?), and Captain Carrot, which is the one she takes when she wins.  I would love to have a Darkseid plush doll.  Preferably with glow in the dark omega tattoos as seen on this cover. 

Fresh Hell, Chapter One

Written by Sean McKeever

Art by Yildiray Cinar and Julio Ferreira

Synopsis

After stealing a stash of epinephrine, Rose Wilson (aka Ravager) finds herself somewhere in the far north, unsure how she got there.  Eventually, she stumbles on a small tavern.  She tries to order a drink, but the locals don’t want here there.  When they ask her to leave, she attacks and knocks them all out.  When she reaches for her drink, she suddenly spews blood and falls to the ground. 

Review

Is it just me, or does this story seem to end abruptly?  It feels as if McKeever realized he had run out of pages and decided he needed the obligatory cliffhanger.  I actually think the story would’ve worked better if Ravager had stepped up to the bar, had her drink, and then walked out, ready to face whatever comes her way next.  As it is, the cliffhanger is interesting, but coming so far out of left field, it is engaging enough to make me curious about what happens next. 

I thought Ravager had dumped her drugs last issue.  Was that my imagination?  Personally, I don’t mind one way or the other, but some consistency would be nice.  This is especially true when you consider McKeever wrote both parts. 

 

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