Nothing says ‘Bold New Era’ like a new headquarters, and that’s just what the New Titans have after a few issues spent getting the latest version of the team together. Well, it’s new to them, but not the DC Universe. Happy Harbor has been a haven for heroes since the dawn of the Silver Age, debuting along with the Justice League of America in The Brave and the Bold #28 and subsequently being used by the Doom Patrol, Young Justice and even the original super team, the Justice Society. And now, their various Titans Towers having been, as is traditional, blown up, the old guard – Nightwing, Starfire, Cyborg and Terra – and the new kids – Wonder Girl Yara Flor, ‘Superman’ Jon Kent, Batgirl Stephanie Brown, Kid Devil and Eva are settling in.
Eva? Yes, she’s the newest artificial member, following in the footsteps of Indigo (a traitorous Trojan Horse, actually Brainiac 8) and Venadia (confused cyborg, easily swayed by bad guys to become a traitor). But don’t worry, she’s being given a full check-up by capital-C Cyborg, who hasn’t been nuts for at least a week.
‘I could cut you open, and you’d bleed.’ Interestingly, The Bleed is the name of the space between dimensions where super-team The Authority hangs out in a base run by an artificial intelligence named EVA. Hmm (he wrote, stroking chin theatrically).
Wanting to understand humans, Eva is keen to engage her fellow Titans, starting with all-time best/worst traitor Terra, who’s taking advantage of Justice League Unlimited’s new Villain Amnesty programme.
Maybe Stephanie is more available?
Nope, she feels she has something to prove, so it’s three more hours of practice in the Titans’ version of the X-Men’s Danger Room.
Red Devil and Yara Flor are similarly not up for a spot of pickleball, the former preferring to brood, the latter to top up her tan. Vic suggests Eva stops trying so hard, friendships will come in time. The thing is, the ‘Daughter of Tomorrow’ really needs a distraction from her dreams.
The troubled AI finally get a chance to socialise when the new kids announce they’re going into Happy Harbor – it’s recently been ranked ‘happiest town in America’ so it’s surely worth a look. Turns out it’s very happy. Unnervingly so.
Meanwhile, back at the newly named Titans Mountain, Terra finds her peace disturbed.
Well, Cyborg’s lab is in the lower levels of the cave…
This is a very enjoyable chapter in the latest Titans era from writer Tate Brombal, artist Marcus To and friends. We see new relationships being formed – Jon and Kid Devil Eddie aren’t getting along, for one – and old ones paused, as former couple Starfire and Titan have a difficult conversation.
We also meet a local cop I hope will become a regular supporting character, they bring a different flavour to proceedings. I’d tell you what they’re up to, but the final pages are worth discovering for themselves as one of the lesser-seen but most powerful bad guys of the DCU shows up with a new look and a horrific appetite.
The only thing that had me raising an eyebrow was an attempt to assure us this story is happening at the same time as events in Superman Unlimited.
Still, the scene does give Jon a chance to demonstrate what a nice guy he is.
I’m really impressed at how well Brombal is handling this book, it reads like a classic superteam book, rock solid with promise. One big plus for me is Starfire leaving, she’s great but has been around for too long; with any luck she’ll return to that lovely life she made in Florida in her own short-lived, brilliant book. Now, if only Nightwing would take a break too.
And To’s art is crisp, clear and compelling, every character looks fantastic and the interaction works consistently. Little bits of humour like the revelation Terra’s a bit of a baker are nicely sold, and the threats in the final pages are excellent; I hope To is back for the rest of this storyline.
Adriano Lucas, as always, does wonders with the colouring, whatever mood is needed, whether it’s a sunlit beach or a sinister cavern, Lucas gives it to us. And Tom Napolitano handles the lettering with his usual craft.
Taurin Clarke’s cover is pretty much a perfect piece in terms of composition and execution, though here the use of light denies us the contrast needed to provide pop. Still, it’s darned impressive.
If you’re reading Titans I’d love to know what you think of the revamp.
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 