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Teen Titans #1 - Teen Spirit

4

The Titans are about to get together but it's not the best time for them. With young heroes being hunted by a mysterious agency, it's a dangerous time to be a young metahuman. This marks a new direction for the Teen Titans idea.

The Teen Titans are about to get together. Too bad it's a really bad time in the DC Universe for young metahumans. Scott Lobdell is taking the concept of the team in a new direction.

The Good

Kid Flash on page 1. With this week's 'The Flash' #1, we got to see a seemingly younger Barry Allen with no sign of Wally West. As with most of the 'New 52' books, we're going to see some tweaks to the characters we know. Seeing Kid Flash and his entire...presentation makes you want to know right away what his story is. How much of his history has changed? That alone is a reason to check out this series.

The focus on the team will be on Tim Drake. Again, we don't know his full story. We've been told that the events in the Bat-universe are all pretty much in tact. Tim is out on his own, which makes perfect sense with this Red Robin guise. While still a kid, he has grown in some ways. The atmosphere in this world for young metahumans isn't a good one. With Tim looking into the problems young heroes are facing, we get an inkling of who might be coming around the team in future issues. When faced against a threat, Tim immediately springs into action with a precision that shows he's picked up some tips from Batman. Planning for every eventuality will be key when being hunted by a mysterious agency. Red Robin's costume is a big change. It doesn't seem like something Tim would need but seeing him using it is enough to sell you on the idea. Tim's always faced a lot of danger but he's not up against something a little different.

We are also introduced to Cassie Sandsmark. As with Kid Flash, we don't know her full story. It might seem a bit of a change in some ways but that's what makes the issue feel fresh. The more of 'The New 52' I read, the more I'm willing to accept changes to characters with an existing history. Why not try something a little different? If it doesn't work out, there are always ways to change things back. But do we really want more of the same old same old?

With Lobdell writing and Superboy on the cover, you can imagine there is going to be a connection between the two series. There is one and it's pretty big. This helps to give the issue a bigger feel. We've been reading all these new books this month and none have really tied into each other. That's good in a way as each book needs to be able to stand on its own and readers shouldn't be forced to read every single issue if it doesn't suit them. With Teen Titans and Superboy, it's going to be interesting to see how the events relate to each other.

The Bad

The situation in which Tim faces the (first) threat in this issue didn't sit well with me. His new enemy have have some impressive resources but maybe I just expected a little more from Tim. I'm curious as to how he was found. I'm also not sure if Tim would keep a picture of him and Batman (in costume) in a frame.

I am a fan of Brett Booth. He does an great job here but a few panels felt off a little. Characters go from angsty to sad in a split second.

The Verdict

We've seen tiny mentions of the past Teen Titans (the original team). The team does not exist right now and it appears it's time to make one again. Teenage metahumans are being hunted so it makes for the perfect excuse for teenage heroes to band together. We've seen many Teen Titans stories over the years and while they've been fun and exciting, the idea of the team not necessarily being seen as heroes is interesting. We always want to root for the underdogs and the big mysterious organization they'll be going up against is going to provide quite a challenge. Because DC (thankfully) didn't go with telling/re-telling the origins of the characters, we do have some mystery that entices the reader. What is Kid Flash's story? What has Red Robin been up to lately? Why is Cassie Sandsmark so angry? These are just some of the questions you'll form and will want to come back to find out. Brett Booth does a nice job drawing the excitement in the action scenes. There were times when the characters felt a tiny bit too posed in panels. With Lobdell writing this and Superboy, we're seeing some major crossover material that gives the book a bigger feel in this new DCU. It's a different Teen Titans and I still miss the original team but this one is definitely going to give us something different to enjoy.

30 Comments

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xkoenig

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Edited By xkoenig

So, I'm just really not sure about some of these new books. For a launch of a new Teen Titans with a clean slate and free rein basically over what he can do, Scott Lobdell gives us a Kid Flash who acts like an idiot and fails miserably to help a fireman, then Red Robin watches blandly as some generic stuff goes on on screen. He then faces off against some bad guys, but what on Earth do they want? Are they all that dangerous? Then things perk up in the best scene of the book when a new Wonder Girl shows up and Robin has to rescue her (or the other way around), but even when they're done, all Robin can say is 'Maybe we can do great things together.' Maybe? Like: 'Eh, I guess we could form a superhero team... or something...'???? Come on, Scott, one good scene and an interesting final page do NOT make for a captivating launch. Must do better.

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LordTaronji101

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Edited By LordTaronji101

i like the new 52s a lot the artwork and new appearences look excellent

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Sobe Cin

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Edited By Sobe Cin

@longbowhunter:

I'd get as soon as a you can. Because this one has been selling out where I live.

As for the book, I enjoyed it immensly. But I would like to know the identity of Kid Flash. I'm going to assume it's Bart- but can he truly exist in this new world. Because if that's Wally- I feel like he is going be majorly out of place more than Bart would.

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Eyz

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Edited By Eyz

I'm guessing this Kid Flash/Bart Allen will be exchanging his future son-time traveler origin for Wally West's....

@Booster_Bronze said:

Was it just me, or did anyone else get a serious case of Deja Vu while reading this issue? It really seemed to be a teenage version of Justice Leage #1 to me.

I got a sense of deja vu in the sense this looked to be a more exteme!!!/90s/hip/modern rehash of the Young Justice comic series from the 90s (yeah!! a more 90s remake than the 90s original one) YOUNG JUSTICE comic book series... Without the humor.

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Planewalker

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Edited By Planewalker

@MrMazz: According to Scott Lobdell it will take at least 4 to see all the characters, just see his Answers

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MrMazz

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Edited By MrMazz

Solid first issue I like the x-menish vibe im getting from the book and the art reminds me of Jim Lee and JL so thats good I guess since this is technically Jr Justice League. Hopefully they don't spend the first roughly 4-5 issues buliding the team

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blackkitty

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Edited By blackkitty

Okay, it's a minor flaw I admit but, have you noticed that all the characters are in red, black and yellow? I mean, can't we mix up the color spectrum any more than this?

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Mbecks14

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Edited By Mbecks14

Still didn't like it. Art was so horrendous i couldn't stomach it. I almost didn't even finish it.

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deactivated-5a4e0e8ea3dfb

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Surprisingly Tim's costume didn't bother me at all and in fact works very well as a collection of the previous Red Robin costumes that came before as well as fitting in with the more armored theme of the Bat Family (which still makes me wonder why Dick and Damian are not more armored, especially with Dick being solo as well) though I'm still on the fence about the feather cape though its nice to see it blows around like a normal cape and has more use than just gliding.

Not sure how I feel about the new Cassie but it will be interesting to see her grow into a member of the team and the possibility that there will be a love triangle between her, Tim, and Superboy.....which is something that could have happened before the revamp but was basically tossed under the rug so Tim could be red robin so it will be interesting to see if they expand on it in the new series.

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BatteredArmor

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Edited By BatteredArmor

Teen titans a kid game was actually the first comic i bought if Tim and Bart hadn't been such awsome charecters i wouldn't be reading comics period now there both still two of my favorite charecters i enjoyed the first issue and i'll be colecting this one way or another

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higher_evolutionary

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@The Stegman said:

"the world is against young metahumans" kinda sounds like x men...and anyway, i'm glad they changed wondergirl, her "girl next door, always does the right thing" personality was a bit...blah

he is an x-men writer after all
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dernman

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Edited By dernman

@GraveSp said:

Anyone else notice someone in top hat hanging out in the panel with Kid Flash? At first I thought he was the guy from NOWHERE but he honestly looks more like Shade.

No Caption Provided

I totally missed that.

Anyway I liked the issue I'm going to pic up another.

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GraveSp

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Edited By GraveSp

Anyone else notice someone in top hat hanging out in the panel with Kid Flash? At first I thought he was the guy from NOWHERE but he honestly looks more like Shade.

No Caption Provided
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caladbolglight

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Edited By caladbolglight

And to everyone who is worried about the costumes and that they look bad...don't worry. Turns out that Robin's wings are just like Batman's cape from the Dark Knight, where in the Hong Kong scene, how he deploys them from this canistre on his back. And Cassie's thing looks strangebut it works and isn't completely impractical. Superboy and the stripper, hhahah, but I kinda like the whole "no tights, no capes" thing about him.

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caladbolglight

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Edited By caladbolglight
@mikeclark1982
EUGH SAME BRO!! >.< 
Though I figured out a backup plan. 
ComiXology if you have an iPhone. Comics that are cheaper than they are at the store and they don't sell out. If you don't mind digital comics that is :P
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Booster_Bronze

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Edited By Booster_Bronze

Was it just me, or did anyone else get a serious case of Deja Vu while reading this issue? It really seemed to be a teenage version of Justice Leage #1 to me.

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Outside_85

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Edited By Outside_85

Read it...giving it a 'meh' as a recommendation as this is more Young Justice playing X-Men than Teen Titans. Thankfully it doesn't have a Starfire, thought Cassandra could be a target, if Henderson hadn't been writing. Atleast Games came out last week...

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danhimself

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Edited By danhimself

I really liked this issue but I think that as far as most of these #1's are concerned they should have been double sized....it just seems like a lot of them ended to quickly

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Bestostero

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Edited By Bestostero

It was alright...I give it a 3 out of 5.

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elayem98

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Edited By elayem98

ewww superboys black sleeveless v-neck leather vest with no shirt underneath makes him kinda look like a male stripper...

everything about the new teen titans just looks bad

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The Poet

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Edited By The Poet  Moderator

hmm...I'll look at it in the store...I'm unsure if I'll get it or not...

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mrzero1982pt2

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Edited By mrzero1982pt2

these reviews make me want to go outside and jump someone who bought this book. IT IS SOLD OUT AT MY LOCAL SHOP!

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deactivated-5c6600594117e

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This is waiting for me in my car.....
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ReVamp

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Edited By ReVamp

HYPE HYPE HYPE. (Haven't read review yet... :P)

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Jonny_Anonymous

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Edited By Jonny_Anonymous
@batman_begins said:

Superboy's outfit. Really? Ok. now that I look at it, 2 of them have costumes that are just going to be a hindrance come battle time. Cassie with her halter top, Tim with all those wings. Still, looking forward to great things with this.

I take it you haven't read it yet then
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moffattbooks

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Edited By moffattbooks

I followed the last Teen Titans series. Is Superboy going to be part of this new group or just crossing over to bring in the readers?

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Gambit1969

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Edited By Gambit1969

Why can't Connor ever have a real costume anymore?? It's seems lame to me just like Nate Grey never wearing a shirt (at least he has shoes now!)

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the_stegman

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Edited By the_stegman  Moderator

"the world is against young metahumans" kinda sounds like x men...and anyway, i'm glad they changed wondergirl, her "girl next door, always does the right thing" personality was a bit...blah

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longbowhunter

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Edited By longbowhunter

I'm a huge Tim Drake fan and that alone should have made me get this. I decided to sit it out and read some reviews first.
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garougrem

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Edited By garougrem

Superboy's outfit. Really? Ok. now that I look at it, 2 of them have costumes that are just going to be a hindrance come battle time. Cassie with her halter top, Tim with all those wings. Still, looking forward to great things with this.