Titans #26 review

After their big battle with Deathstroke’s Crime Syndicate, the Titans are cleaning up, with help from fellow members of Justice League Unlimited. Wonder Woman sees an opportunity to clear the air with sister and Titans leader Donna Troy.

One Titan who is swerving the hard work is Beast Boy, who plans a day at the beach with fellow Titan and girlfriend Raven. She points out that recent events with best pal Vic mean that right now he needs Beast Boy more than she does. Newest Titan Venadia, a fellow cyborg with a tendency towards the mercurial, had told him she’s moving on.

So, rather than the beach, Gar heads for Midway City with Cyborg in tow. Their destination? Doom Patrol headquarters.

Soon Gar, Victor, Robotman Cliff and Elastiwoman Rita catch up with Beast Girl, who’s accompanied by DP veteran Negative Man. Madagascar is famed for its huge variety of wildlife but the heroes don’t expect this.

And behind the scenes, a villain who has fought the Titans previously…

I can’t resist a Doom Patrol guest appearance, and the team is a natural for this book, Gar having started as an annoying DP sidekick and gone on to be an annoying Titan. Under current writer John Layman, he’s not annoying at all; he’s still fun loving but he’s acting like the veteran hero he is, and being a good friend. Sure, Raven got there first in terms of seeing Cyborg needed him but I reckon he’d have arrived at the same conclusion before long.

As if I didn’t enjoy the Diana scene already, that snippet of information about Frost – well done to our writer for remembering she’d dropped the ‘Killer’ – cheered me up no end. With luck she’ll be a Leaguer in good standing again soon.

I’m not sad to see Veranda, sorry, Venadia, depart the series but given she’s off to find old Titans enemies the Technis, and she’s stupidly easily influenced, she’ll likely be back soon leading an invasion. Poor Victor, he’s weirdly fond of her.

I’m chuffed to bits that Beast Girl is still around, often characters introduced in DC events vanish when their home strip is cancelled. I’m less happy she’s now become another Beast Boy, her regular ability – tweaking folks’ emotions via the amygdala – is interesting enough.

We also get a couple of panels of shortlived DP member Coagula, who was killed off in a rather offhand manner years ago but revived in DC’s tribute to her creator, Rachel Pollack, last year. Perhaps she’ll be out in the field next time.

Artist Max Raynor is a real talent, so why haven’t I seen him at DC for a year? He should have a regular assignment, and if recent Titans artist Pete Woods has stepped back, let’s keep Raynor. But I do enjoy Woods, so let’s hope he’s just having a month or two off and DC puts Raynor on a new Legion book or something. Every page is a splendidly stylish gobbet of storytelling, with the creature work especially excellent. And Raynor’s final page villain reveal is nicely creepy, even if I didn’t remember them.

Working with Raynor, colour artist Matt Herms adds vibrancy to the artwork, dialling up the joy with bright colours, and the mood with more muted tones. Wes Abbott helps keep the book looking as it has under Woods by putting his sharp lettering in keyline-free balloons, a nice touch.

And there you go, Woods provides that fun cover. See you soon, Pete.