Teen Titans Issue 90
Teen Titans got lucky man. I mean, the book was in one of the worst slump I've seen in a long while when J. T. Krul came on board with Nicola Scott. These two have pretty much saved a great book and have managed to make me practically forget of the year of issues that sucked. With strong action, great characters, and a horizon that couldn't look brighter if they tried (Get it? Solstice is joining hehe), Teen Titans is one of the top books to keep an eye on. With that being said, let's dive into issue 90 to see where the team is at!
The issue opens with the parents of the soon-to-be Solstice disappearing mysteriously, much to her dismay. Meanwhile, back in Titans Tower, Wonder Girl and Raven talk about what it's like to be lonely, Robin and Ravager talk about what it's like to be angry, and Beast Boy and Superboy talk about what it's like to be part of a family. Kid Flash runs in to tell the team he found Barney, the boy they fought last issue. Cutting to him, we see Dr. Calligan also worked with a couple of Barney's classmates and the trio attack the student body as the Titans arrive. Everybody breaks into the pairs from before and it's not long before a battle ensues with Beast Boy, Superboy, Raven, Wonder Girl, and the powered up students. Elsewhere in the school though, Robin and Ravager find exactly what the student body, but they may be in over their heads...
J. T. Krul has officially proven to me that he can write the Teen Titans and bring them into a new era of greatness. I was a bit iffy for a while, not because of the quality of his work here, but because of his unimpressive Titans tie-in for Blackest Night. While not bad, that mini didn't really do anything for me. These three issues have easily outshone those and work incredibly well as a new start to the team. I particularly enjoyed the pairings we got in this issue, since we never really get to see some of these relationships play out outside of a fight. Seeing Superboy and Beast Boy talk about family was equally great, as both of them really understand how sometimes family needs you more than you need it.
Nicola Scott once again proves why she is a great artist for this book. Her style is reminiscent of the beginning of this volume (Back when Mike McKone did the art) yet she adds a significant flair to her work that makes it unique. I consistently love the way she draws Kid Flash and Damian and who knows, maybe one day I'll get lucky and get to see an issue that spotlights the two polar opposites. I'm still not really down with a couple of these character designs though. I've gotten used to it by now, but Ravagers hair coming out of the mask just doesn't feel right to me since I got so used to it being in the mask for so long. It makes more sense but still, it's eh. Plus, Scott really didn't try with the design of Barney. Given how Barney's classmates look the same after their experimentation, I don't see why Barney needs to have those pointless and distracting circles on his head. It's like he wants something thrown at his head.
Overall, another great issue of Teen Titans has passed and we're getting ever close to the team and Krul's run becoming truly special, with crossovers and the big number 100 just ten months away. I can't wait to see what he breaks out for that. 4 out of 5 stars, a real up-and-comer.
