Titans #21 – Review

By: J.T. Krul (writer), Angel Unzueta & Chris Batista (pencils), Wayne Faucher (inker)

The Story: Fractured, Part One: The Titans are mopping up a second string crew of thieves. Donna is pretty upset about what Prometheus has done to Roy in Cry for Justice #5. Flash is going through a crisis of his own due to the return of Barry Allen. Kory has been offered a berth on the Justice League, but doesn’t know what to do. And Cyborg is stuck thinking about what to do with this evaporating team.

What’s Good: As you can tell from the summary, Krul has set up a character-heavy story. I first noticed his work on those 1-issue solo Titans stories that came after that god-awful Deathtrap arc. He shows here that he’s just as able to simultaneously make life painful for five characters as he is for just one. There’s so much good stuff in here that I’ll just stick to some of my favorite moments: Donna Troy, going to town on Vault with a ton of anger; Wally West, running backwards, faster than Carom, and trash-talking; Wally’s take on the return of Barry Allen and what it means to him; and Kory’s visit to Batman, particularly her insight into him. I also loved how she explained away Donna’s criticism of the visit and repositioned what she was doing in terms of her culture and who she is. What was a bonus for this book was seeing Dick Grayson as Batman, and how he is adapting to a role, rather than changing his personality. No one but Kory could have seen that subtle distinction, because no one else has watched him so long with so much interest. Krul is doing some really subtle nuance work with these characters. On the art, we got some dynamic action sequences and some good layout work.

WCBR’s Picks Of The Week

Alex’s Top Picks

Pick of the Week: Stumptown #2 – A great series with pitch-perfect art, this issue, and this series, are not to be missed.  A lot of fun with one of the most lovable, and human, protagonists in comics today.  This really is a must-read, unless you demand spandex in all of your comics.

Most Anticipated: Punishermax #3 – Aaron is hitting this out of the park, being the first, and really only, person other than Garth Ennis to give me the Punisher comic that I want.  I just hope that this month’s issue will give Frank Castle a little more screen time.  Aaron’s version of Wilson Fisk is cool, but I’m positively frothing for some Punisher mayhem!

Other Picks: Secret Six #17, Invincible Iron Man #22, The Unwritten #9, DMZ #49

DS’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Marvel Boy: The Uranian #1 – This was a surprise pick for me and isn’t even that special, but the weakness of this week’s offerings from the big two made it possible for this book to come out on top. I did like the nods to the Daily Bugle and Timely Comics, and the prototype of the SHIELD helicarrier though.

Most Anticipated: Batgirl #6 – Bryan Q. Miller consistently delivers great action with solid character work and the art by Garbett and Scott never misses. The rivalry between Damian and Stephanie doesn’t hurt either. Someone needs to take him down a notch. I hope Batgirl gets to do it! This is a must-buy.

Other Top Picks: Batman #695, Black Widow: Deadly Origin #3, Uncanny X-Men: First Class #7, Secret Six #17, Titans #21

Ray’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Sweet Tooth #5 –  The first arc to Lemire’s debut series ends in his familiar haunting heartbreak way, while managing to make the next chapter something worth surely picking up.

Most Anticipated: Invincible Iron Man #22 – Marvel U’s greatest mind IS still trapped in his own subconscious, and Fraction IS still kicking ass and delivering some of the best character work in pop literature.

Other Top Picks: Unwritten #9, Catwoman #83, Batman #695, Amazing Spider-Man #617