This flashback mini-series has been terrifically entertaining as it reframes the early years of DC’s premiere teen team. We’ve seen a slightly different line-up, new villains and a lot more tension than previously.
And this issue those dodgy dynamics explode as the mystery bad guy who’s been forming a ‘Terror Titans’ in the background is revealed. We first see him as he tries out for the Titans during a mission several months prior to the main action.
Meet Haywire, whose powers and confidence would make him a useful addition to the good guy gang. It’s a shame about his attitude. As attacking aliens are put to bed, Haywire takes the opportunity to grab confidential government files.
In the now of the comic, Robin lends an ear as Wonder Girl shares her worries over her new relationship with Aqualad. That leads to wider discussion about how the team is functioning.
The conversation comes to an abrupt end as Titans socials guy Charley Parker alerts them to an attack on Bumblebee by an old foe, the amped-up Ant. Soon all the Titans are present, along with the finally formed Terror Titans, and the good guys are really getting in their own way.
It’s fair to say the Teen Titans aren’t a textbook example of top teamwork this time. There’s a lot of diving into situations without thinking and while Robin’s leadership skills could make things better, no one is listening. If you’ve been reading this marvelous mini-series by writer Mark Waid and artist Emanuela Lupacchino, you can likely guess why that is. If you can’t, it’s handily laid out in the final pages, making for a powerful close to this chapter. I suspect the boat will be thoroughly righted next time.
Waid once again gifts us a cracking script, full of compelling character moments and entertaining action. I’ve heard and read comments that Waid isn’t great at conveying teen slang, but as I wouldn’t recognised neato teenage talk if it slapped me in the kisser, tigers, no problemo. Also, I grew up with Bob Haney Teen Titans scripts, I have a high tolerance for creaky dialogue and to me, this is just fine – there’s no sense Waid is trying too hard.
New villain Haywire fills the role of ‘disgruntled wannabe who turns villain when rejected’ well enough, though the Titans are very tough on him. He gets no second chance, no aftercare… OK, he’s rough on Wally after the fact, but maybe unpleasantness could’ve been avoided. As is, he’s a mini-Magog – Boy Thunder from the companion Batman/Superman: World’s Finest series could have subbed for Haywire nicely in the flashback, but he’s lost in the Multiverse by the time of this issue’s main action.
Lupacchino’s artwork continues to be a real asset to this book, her fluid linework making every page a pleasure. Storytelling is crystal clear while character body language and facial expressions are terrific. And she brings Waid’s new alien race – who I’d love to see make another attempt at DCU domination – to intimidating life. Haywire’s costume is a bit dull and that’s understandable – why waste a great design on someone who’s likely never going to be seen again after next issue? – but he does have a smart haircut.
Jordie Bellaire grounds not just Haywire but the entire book with some very earthy tones, while Steve Wands provides lettering sharper than Artemis’s arrows… did I mention the angry adolescent archer has signed up with Haywire’s act?
I wonder if our resident letterer produced that splendid word bubble on the cover, Batman’s dialogue is fair dripping with anger. Artist Chris Samnee and colourist Matheus Lopes’ image is a grabber.
So, one more issue of World’s Finest: Teen Titans to go. Please Sir and Madam, can we have some more?
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
I found the art a bit hard to follow at times in this issue. Also, the personality clashes with the Titans have grown old (for me) after decades of the same arguments (the first Teen Titans story I ever read was in a Secret Origins annual and the arguments here mirrored the ones in that issue), but it looks like Waid will sort that out next issue. Probably my least favorite issue to date but I’m looking forward to the conclusion.
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Arguments here that mirrored arguments in comics decades ago… hurrah for consistency? Anyway, I wonder what Waid’s next World’s Finest spin-off will be. Certainly the upcoming Annual bodes well.
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I thought the issue went too hard and too fast on disfunction in the team. Speedy is recognizably the asshole he’s always been and always will be until Arsenal and fatherhood but Donna seemed plot moody rather than organically so.
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‘Plot moody’ – that’s great. Permission to nick?
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Oh and I did enjoy the book. It’s better than any non-Waid book I’ve read in ages. ‘Team Argues & Loses Because Of It’ and ‘Oh Look, It’s Kingdom Come Yet Again’ aren’t my favorite tropes.
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Loved it, as I’ve loved every issue in this series. Lupacchino’s art and storytelling are a dream. And Waid’s love for these heroes shines through. If he’s not capturing up-to-the-minute teen slang, that’s totally gear with me.
(As a counterpoint, Speed Force *does* seem to be capturing modern teen slang. And I suddenly understand your frustrations with Interlac. It looks like it could be a fun story — with a few great character returns! — but it kept me at arm’s length the entire time while I worked out the dialogue. Bought the first issue on paper, but the rest I’ll read on DCUI.)
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Speed Force, tell me about it – I took one look at the five or so pages previewed at Bleeding Cool and ran screaming back to my Swing With Scooter collection.
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Robin chewing out Haywire is ironic, since Batman would *definitely* take the opportunity to grab confidential government files, because prep time! Then again, in post-Crisis continuity Batman has frequently been a “Do as I say, not as I do” type figure who would certainly justify the hypocrisy by arguing that *he* could be trusted with all that top secret information, but no one else can.
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What an excellent point, Ben! I do dislike Batman’s modern characterisation. I may have mentioned that.
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I am a big fan of the mid-70s reworking of the series. A lot of fans don’t like it, but I enjoyed it for the times. It also took some chances and tried to be different. A fel the current WF series captures some of the magic of that under-appreciated title.
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Rozakis did a mostly fine job on it. The Hornblower then Guardian thing with Mal was a head scratcher though. Joker’s Daughter/Harlequin was a good character even if Wolfman had it right that she was too old to be Harvey’s kid. Plus anyone who has ever done a Titans East/West story owes him a debt of gratitude for originating the concept.
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I’m with you, Bob Rozakis was trying his darndest to bring the Titans into the Seventies. That series deserves more – heck, some! – respect.
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