The Titans are back, along with the debut of Teen Titans – which is not to be confused with Kadabra’s fake Teen Titans. Which brings our total Titans teams to three. Try to say that five times fast.
Batman Beyond: Rebirth #1
Honestly I don’t know why I didn’t see it coming, perhaps a warning label should be placed on the book: “This book may contain the contents of an origin story. That you may or may not have heard before.”
Sure this really shouldn’t be a surprise, especially considering the recent events with Terry McGinnis and the whole Batman Beyond series, it’s just that I hold this series in such high regard – I was really looking forward to reading this title.
That’s not to say there isn’t anything good in this – seriously, there was a lot to cover: Terry (Batman) has apparently traveled back to the future and is assuming his role as Batman. Bruce Wayne is no longer in his ear giving him directions, and his girlfriend Dana doesn’t even know that Terry is alive. As an interesting twist, apparently the Jokers (gang of thugs) have been getting a little crazier than usual. They’ve created an area called Jokers Town where the leader of the Jokers happens to be bringing someone back from the past… aka: The Joker.
Teen Titans: Rebirth #1
It’s a little strange having a Titans book and a Teen Titans book going at the same time, not to mention Cyborg having his own book as well. I was a tad confused when I started this book as I kept wondering who would make the team.
The book basically goes through each of the main characters, giving us a look at their background. The team is made up of Beast Boy, Starfire, Raven and Kid Flash and Robin. The fun really gets going as they are still feeling the effects of the death of Tim Drake (Red Robin. Oh, and someone is hunting down the Teen Titans. I don’t want to spoil the fun but it’s a great ending.
Batgirl #3
This book continues to impress – I’m especially enjoying the artwork by Rafael Albuquerque. It has a very unique style that makes it a joy to read.
When we last left Barbara Gordon (Batgirl) she had joined the MMA and didn’t do to well in her first match. After a big KO Barbara learns a thing or two about her adversary, Wen Lu, aka: The Moth. Moth’s hunting down her current sort-of boyfriend Kai. After a chance encounter with the Moth, Batgirl lays down the law, knocking The Moth out the window. With a name like Moth you would figure either she’s attracted to bright lights or she can fly. Yeah if you guessed fly you’ve been reading comics long enough. Anywho, Batgirl finds a hidden spy cam and decides to trace its signal. Meanwhile, as Barbara Gordon she confront Kai on what’s going on and he’s, well, less then honest. Barbara decides to follow the signal, which happens to lead her right into a trap.
Top Pick: Titans #3
So we have a Teen Titans and Titans book going on at the same time, and if that wasn’t confusing enough Kadabra (resident bad guy) has made fake Teen Titans from the Geoff Johns reboot. That’s okay, I’ve been enjoying following old-school Wally West as he rejoins the world. And hopefully brings back everyones memories. And track down the person that did all of this.
Last issue a couple of pivotal things happened. Garth (Aqualad) nearly died – Wally luckily saved him, but it still came pretty close. Meanwhile when fake Wonder Girl put her lasso of persuasion on Arsenal (Speedy… Red Arrow) he confessed his love for Wonder Girl. Donna Troy wants to get this all squared away, and Arsenal is apparently the world’s best liar: he tells her he was lying and she believes it. Meanwhile Kadabra makes a getaway but before he does he laments about how he was the person that zapped Wally out of this timeline and erased any memory of him. Now here’s the interesting thing about that: first, Nightwing doesn’t buy it, and when Kadabra talks to his Fake Teen Titans he pulls out his watch… which has blood on it. Very reminiscent of the Watchman Comedian Badge, except it’s a watch. I dunno, thought it was odd, and something to mention. Oh, and then Kadabra goes and kidnaps Linda, aka: Wally West’s Girlfriend from another timeline.