Titans #1
The Titans have their first mission, but they’re surrounded by problems in Titans #1, by writer Tom Taylor, artist Nicola Scott, colorist Annette Kwok, and letterer Wes Abbott. This is a tremendous first issue, laying out multiple plots while delivering the kind of superhero action that DC’s biggest team needs.
It all kicks off with the Flash shot in the chest. His powers allow him time, but he doesn’t have enough to save himself. He says goodbye to his family and then runs for the Cosmic Treadmill. Meanwhile, Raven picks up Beast Boy, who was asleep and transformed into an animal. They talk about his trauma and then get ready for their new lives as Titans. Nightwing and Donna Troy go to ask Tempest if he’d like to join the Titans. He refuses, telling them that he already has an alliance he thinks will work out better. After that, the team assembles at Titans Tower for their first day. Nightwing tells Beast Boy and Raven he wasn’t sure if he should give them one room, so he gave them two. Beast Boy agrees, but Raven pulls him into a telepathic conversation and tells him that she loves him, understands his pain, and wants to help him. They kiss, but the whole thing is interrupted by Oracle. She tells them about a situation, and they find themselves at a nuclear power plant that is under attack by Titano. The team splits up, working to evacuate the plant and stop Titano, but Peacemaker shows up to take over the fight. He’s stopped by Nightwing as the team fights the rampaging ape. After the battle, Peacemaker shares information about the attack with them, as he was ordered to by the President, and then offers them government sponsorship. The Titans turn him down and leave, and he calls Waller and tells her the team will be a problem. They return to Titans Tower, where bloody footprints lead them to a dead Wally West, with the screens around him entreating them to “solve it.”
Many fans have bemoaned the existence of this comic and the fact that Tom Taylor is writing it. The firestorm on Twitter about the book has been a little much, but these people should have waited. Titans #1 is a hit from start to finish. Taylor does an excellent job of setting out multiple story hooks for this book in the first issue, from Tempest’s partner to Peacemaker talking to Waller to Wally West’s “death.” Wally’s injury will definitely not stick, but so far this plot is pretty good, down to Wally saying goodbye to his family. The relationship drama with Beast Boy and Raven is great too, showing readers who might not have seen either in a while how much they’ve grown as characters.
All in all, this issue delivers in every way possible. Taylor might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but he definitely pulls out all the stops with this book. Great first issues from him are actually pretty common, and this one fits that. He shoves a lot into the issue, but it never feels overstuffed. In fact, it just feels pretty awesome.
A big part of that is the art from Scott and Kwok. Nicola Scott has always been a fantastic artist, but her recent work has hit another level. This issue’s art is gorgeous. Her line work and detail are superb, and everything looks literally perfect. Kwok’s colors are a revelation. She knows how to make Scott’s pencils look amazing. Every page is beautiful, and this issue is worth buying for the art alone.
Titans #1 is brilliant. There are a lot of naysayers out there, but they should give this book a try, even if it is just to look at the gorgeous art from Scott and Kwok. Dawn of DC has been wonderful, and with this comic as the flagship team of the new DC Universe, things look to be in great hands.
