TEEN TITANS #1 (2014)

Publisher: DC Comics

Classification: Teen

Language: English

Writer(s): Will Pfeifer 

Penciller: Kenneth Rocafort

Coloring: Dan Brown

Cover Price: $2.99

Page Count:  32

by Samurai Millo

Synopsis:

The following is a description of the comic taken from the official website of DC Comics:

“Red Robin, Wonder Girl, Raven, Bunker and Beast Boy step out of the shadows of the adult heroes of the DC Universe to offer bold, exciting and sometime dangerous ideas on how to protect a world full of super powered teenagers – any one of whom could be the next heroic figure or major villain!”

Review:

This is the second #1 issue of this title since the reboot of the DC Universe in 2011. Whatever motivated the editorial minds to do such a thing is unknown to me and frankly I don’t care. What matters to me is to find to out if whether or not this new first issue meets the expectations of a first issue. In other words, is this a good entry point for new readers? Let’s see.

On the positive side this story makes no reference whatsoever to plot points or any event from the previous series, which is good for that fresh start feeling that every first issue deserves. All the main characters are addressed by their superhero names at least once, which is important so the new readers can identify (code-name wise) who’s who more easily. On the negative, this story doesn’t give us any basic backstory on the team members and what their powers are. Back to the positive side, the main story is fast paced and entertaining. It succeeds in showing the Teen Titans as a very well trained and coordinated superhero team, except at the end when one of the members makes a very stupid public relations boo-boo.

Speaking of well-coordinated teams the writer/penciller duo of Will Pfeifer and Kenneth Rocafort made a very positive first impression on me with this issue. The plot didn’t drag on and the dialogue was very enjoyable. Rocafort’s art was its usual brand of awesome. His penciling has been evolving through the years and his recent work in Superman and now in Teen Titans show a pleasing improvement. Curiously I found his style of panel distribution reminiscent of Todd McFarlane’s technique during his days at “Infinity Inc.” during the 1980’s. And between Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 and Teen Titans #1 Rocafort has two first issues under his belt.

So in closing, I advise you to check out Teen Titans #1.