Teen Titans: Year One #3 of 6

At the end of issue three we hit the end of the review of the first Teen Titans adventure. What took one issue back in the day, took three here. The seams of the story began to show in issue two, but Karl Kerchel's art with Serge LaPointe and Steph Peru held the issue together. This issue is pretty much more of the same with the younger heroes bemoaning the actions of the older heroes and finally solving the case. This leaves us three issues for Wolfram to work some magic. I'm hoping that she takes new spin on this team and tells an original tale. There is a lot of fertile ground here and I believe that she can do it. The art team really makes this book, though. While the story has been weak, the art team has put out some great character designs, page layouts, and just plain cool art.

I can't fully recommend the first half of the series and I'm hoping that the back half brings something new.

Teen Titans: Year One #2 of 6

Aqualad and Speedy get the focus in the second issue of writer Amy Wolfram's "Year One" book. Her take on prepubescent Aqualad is interesting. I never thought of Aqualad as a wuss, but Wolfram presents that front and center here. I do like her interpretations of Robin, Kid-Flash, and Speedy. The Speedy/Green Arrow confrontation is handled well. The art team of Karl Kerschl, Serge Lapointe, and Steph Peru do a fantastic job capturing both the youthfulness of the Titans and the seriousness of the out of control grownups. My only concern with the story so far is that it is basically a retread of the one-shot annual back in the 60s. After this issue I'm hoping that Wolfram adds some new twists and turns to this Titans tale.

Teen Titans: Year One #1 of 6

Rarely does a book come home that is enjoyed across the board by all the comic readers in my house. "Teen Titans: Year One" looks to be the book to break that mold. Everyone from me (age 39), my son (age 14) and my daughter (age 9) liked the book. This book is a solid outing in terms of both story and art. I like what writer Amy Wolfram is doing here. This book serves to update the first gathering of the original Teen Titans to the modern era. For those of you who have read the "Teen Titans" Showcase books, there are no "hip cats" and "cool dudes" here.

The art team of Karl Kerschl, Serge Lapointe, and Steph Peru brings a unique look to the Teen Titans on hand here - Robin, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, and Aqualad. The team members are drawn at what looks to be the 13-14 age range and I like it.

While Wolfram spends most of this first issue setting things up, I was engrossed in the story and am looking forward to the rest of the series.

Titans, Titans, & more Titans

2008 is shaping up to be the year of the Titans. DC has put "Teen Titans" back on track bringing on writer Sean McKeever and he looks to be taking that book in a very good direction. It has jumped to the top of my first reads when it comes out. Writer Judd Winick is on board the forthcoming "Titans" with the classic Wofman/Perez lineup from the 80s. "Titans" can be a premiere book for DC if it is handled well. There are a lot of Winick haters out there but I'm willing to give the book a try because of my love for the characters. Writer Amy Wolfram and artist Karl Kerschl are bringing "Teen Titans: Year One" exploring the beginnings of the classic Teen Titans lineup. Finally, the "Teen Titans Lost Annual, featuring the original Teen Titans: Robin, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, Speedy and Aqualad, is coming from writer Bob Haney, Jay Stephens, and Mike Allred. Let's not forgot "Tiny Titans" coming from Johnny DC as well.

All in all, the Comic Adventures' household is looking forward to all of the Titans books coming in 2008!