Comic Review -- Teen Titans #5: Over Before It's Begun / Scott Lo
Originally posted on my blog, The Comics Cove, not too long ago...
I think the main reason I enjoy this cover is because Bart is featured wearing the red iteration of the Robin costume while running roughshod around Superboy. I also like some of the faces he's making while he does it. Amusing, without being too obnoxious.
The Titans take on Superboy... and it doesn't go so well. Kid Flash gets super-charged on his speed, faster than his body can tolerate, before Wonder Girl kicks him loose. Bunker gets a few shots in before Superboy uses his own psionic gloves to knock him out. Red Robin actually knocks him down, but wastes time trying to persuade Superboy to change sides, and Superboy knocks him out. Wonder Girl ropes him, but gets dragged underground to the subway, where the train's impact presumably knocks her out, but not Superboy. And finally, Solstice tries to reason with him, and nearly gets through to him, before he knocks her out. Victorious, Superboy is nonetheless confused, and heads back to his N.O.W.H.E.R.E. masters, without Wonder Girl, intending to get some answers from them.
This disastrous first outing, while not unexpected, was well plotted. It shows how each of the team members think, as well as showing that Superboy, for all his power, is far from invulnerable. Aside from the physical chinks in his armor, it seems the best weapon any of the Titans had against him was persuasion and the ability to make Superboy doubt his station as a N.O.W.H.E.R.E. agent. In the end, it actually seems to work, as Superboy returns to them without Wonder Girl, their intended target, or any of the Titans, even. So, in a way, it was a victory, albeit a moral one as opposed to a tactical one. Tactically, they get their butts kicked.
I was a little disappointed that Skitter didn't show up at the last second and support her new comrades, but I'm hoping she'll make an appearance in the next issue.
Favorite line of the issue belongs to Wonder Girl: "The bird kid just beat the crap out of the super kid!"
Artistically, things continue to be stellar. This art style is pretty much exactly what I like in superhero comics, realistic but slightly cartoony. I think it makes for a good combination of expressiveness, epic action, and some exaggeration when it's occasionally needed. The brawl with Superboy itself was well depicted, and Booth consistently turns out good work.
Overall, I think this is a good chapter to what is turning out to be a lengthy intro to the team. I don't think we'll be wrapping this story up next issue, which is fine, but I do wonder how long this will go on. With that said, as long as things are kept this interesting, I'll definitely be along for the ride. Highly recommended.