Teen Titans #16
"Alone Against the World"
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Tom Derenick
Inker: Trevor Scott
Colorist: Jim Charalampidis
Letterer: Corey Breen
Cover Price: $3.99
On Sale Date: January 24, 2018
What's this? Another issue of Teen Titans not being done by the usual creative team? Does this mean I might go two issues in a row saying nice things about this book?
Well, let's not throw any babies in the air just yet...
Well, let's get it out of the way upfront... this is more a Starfire spotlight issue than a "real" Teen Titans adventure. That's not a good or bad thing... it's just a thing that "is". I just don't want to fool anyone into thinking this issue is "business as usual" for the Frisco kids.
We open with Starfire, Beast Boy, and Raven fighting with Mammoth (of the Fearsome Five). After successfully vanquishing their foe, Gar gets a bit snotty with Starfire. But, get this... it actually feels somewhat in character! He ribs her a bit for being "old"... which is something Gar would definitely do.
I appreciate the fact that they are addressing that there is a slight age difference between Starfire and the rest (we're told she's three years older here). I was wondering if that would ever come around... especially considering DC recognizing that she and Dick were an item in her short-lived pre-Rebirth series.
Kory storms off... which is, again... in character, only to find herself alone against the reptilian Psion horde. It becomes something of a story of self-discovery... almost a test of everything Starfire has learned since coming to Earth. I might be making it sound far more overblown and intense than it is... because the issue itself doesn't really make too big a deal out of it. I'm just happy that these characters feel, for the first time in a long time, somewhat familiar.
I mean, Gar... is annoying. He's always been annoying. But in reading this, I don't want to repeatedly punch him in the face. This isn't Garfield Logan "with selfie-taking action"... this feels more like good old-fashioned Beast Boy... and it's pretty great.
Art comes to us from Tom Derenick, who is definitely more of a "traditional" superhero artist than Khoi Pham... and, just as I mentioned last month during the "Super Sons of Tomorrow" tie-in, it makes the book stand out... and, I might go so far as to suggest it makes it feel more substantial.
Bits and Pieces:
This was a fun character spotlight for Starfire... written by the man who knows her better than anyone. Worth picking up... just don't go into it expecting to see the entire Teen Titans line-up.
8.0/10
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