DCU Comic Book Reviews

TEEN TITANS #80

Home Is Where The Holocaust Is

April 2010

Written by Felicia Henderson

Pencils by Joe Bennett and Eduardo Pansica

Inks by Jack Jadson and Eber Ferreira

Cover by Joe Bennett

Synopsis

In Dakota, Holocaust attempts to convince Static that he has turned legit and is trying to help those who have been struck with a deadly virus that is sweeping through the town.  Meanwhile, the Teen Titans search the city looking for the wayward teammate.  They are momentarily sidetracked when they help to evacuate a local hospital caught in a fire.  Afterwards, they visit Frieda Goren, Static’s best friend, to see what she knows, but she hasn’t seen him.  Meanwhile, Holocaust suggests that he and Static work together, to save Dakota from the virus.  Static almost believes his former enemy, until he notices a note placed in his pocket from one of Holocaust’s employees asking for help.  Static refuses Holcaust’s offer.  The two fight.  The Teen Titans join the fray.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

There were some good moments in this issue, but overall if felt a little long.  The conversation between Holocaust and Static ran way too long, repeating its point over and over again only to reach a conclusion that was predictable.  It was a forgone conclusion that Static would turn down the offer and the two of them would fight.  As it continued on and on, I was hoping that Henderson had something else in mind, perhaps something a little bit more original than the two fighting because Static didn’t believe him, but I guess that was wishful thinking.  Instead, it just devolves into what I was expecting, making the pages filler.  Why did we need it to last the entire issue?  Was it to get to the cliffhanger?

As for the other part of the story, the sad thing is that the Teen Titan’s appearance was only a way to provide even more filler than the main part of the story.  There was very little, if anything, that occurs that is important to the plot.  Mostly is there to provide some moments for Wonder Girl to demonstrate her leadership skills and Gar to turn into a whiny little bitch.  However, at the very least, it was entertaining and provided more entertaining and amusing moments than Static’s parts.  I must say I really liked the single page layout of the team in the hospital; that was imaginative and well done.  I also like the double-page spread of Static and Holocaust discussing the same event, but showing different points of view.  That was also nicely done.

Is it just me or is it pretty laughable the way the team can’t find Static, even with the help of a telepath, but then somehow locate him just at the moment when Holocaust attacks Static.  It is like magic. 

I am having trouble with the way Gar is being presented, which is like a young kid, a newbie.  Beast Boy is one of the most experienced, accomplished “teen” heroes around.  He has been part of the Teen Titans and the Titans.  They way he acts here is idiotic and, frankly, stupid based on the type of person that he should be.  Gar should not need to prove himself or go running to Cyborg for help or whine about assignments.  Then, to make things worse, we have Cassie dressing him down and effectively dismissing him.  When and how did Beast Boy change so much.  It is a regression and it feels like it was done for the needs of the plot rather than anything that has happened to him to make him lost his confidence.  It is sad, really. 

Fresh Hell, Chapter Six

Written by Sean McKeever

Art by Yildiray Cinar and Julio Ferreira

Synopsis

In Russia, Ravager finally finds Will, a local gang leader in the far north who has been dealing in human trafficking.  She easily defeats his bodyguards. However, Will takes two hostages.  He then shoots one and runs away.  Angry, Ravager takes out it on the bodyguards before taking the girl for help.

Review

Something is missing.  Oh, wait, that would be the search for Will, which we never saw. We went from “I need to find him” to “found him” without much in between.  In fact, the last panel of the previous issue had Will’s henchmen say he was the only other one who knew where he was.  Well, apparently not because she found him, almost like magic.  It is annoying and a cheat.  We needed to see her search, to learn how important it is to find him, to make their confrontation that much more meaningful.  It makes me wonder if McKeever needed to wrap up things quicker than he had originally intended. 

That little nitpick aside, this installment was average for this story.  I can’t really complain about it.  Well, okay, I can.  McKeever needs to get to the endgame.  At this point, it feels like it is dragging on for far too long.  We need to get to the confrontation between the two of them.  We do not need anymore, “you found me” no, “I’m getting away” installments; it is time for the showdown.

 

ïPREVIOUS	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.