4 / 5
Teen Titans is a series I've had a renewed interest in reading since the whirlwind of events in 'Death of the Family' and Damian's death. As such, I've spent the last few weeks reading back through the entire series to get my self caught up with what's happening currently. In the process I tried to also get into Superboy, which ties in strongly through the first part of the series. Frankly, I'm not terribly interested in Superboy, especially knowing that some of the books I'm going to have to read from the point I'm at include more H'el on Earth tie-ins, but I have a few issues left in my pile, so we'll see. In the meantime I'm going to cover both Teen Titans as a series and issue 18 specifically.
Teen Titans is the story of Red Robin (Tim Drake) setting out on his own to stop an international organization by the name of N.O.W.H.E.R.E from hunting teenage metahumans. The first few issues revolve around him saving individual members of the future Teen Titans team. After the team is assembled they proceed to take the fight to N.O.W.H.E.R.E. in hopes of stopping the organization as well as saving all of the metahumans they've enslaved. The plan is foiled, however, and the Teen Titans find themselves part of battle royale between different teenage metahumans called The Culling. It's a multi-issue arc with LOTS of tie-ins - one of the major problems I have with the series as well as the Superboy books. Once the team escapes The Culling they return to New York where they begin their adventures as the Teen Titans. We've gotten introductory issues since then explaining Tim Drake's and Wonder Girl's history in the New 52. I'm certain that as time passes the rest of the team will get their time as well.
All-in-all, it's a great series. It captures some of the fun that teenagers bring to table. It also does a great job of taking the Titans from a group of heroes to an actual team. Part of what works best about the series is the perfect variety of characters. The team is well represented by different types of people from completely different walks of life. This, of course, constantly leads to quips, arguments, and self-realization that makes reading the series just fun to read.
As of issue 18, Red Robin has just returned to New York with the Titans from the events in 'Death of the Family.' In issue 17 he introduced them to their new home - a super yacht complete with every amenity and service needed including a movie theater. The issue concludes with Red Robin clearly possessed, causing drama. Moving into issue 18 begins with Tim in the Bat Cave lamenting the loss of Damian. Of all the Requiem books, this is the one that really plays with the relationship. Tim finds himself talking to a ghost / mental projection of Damian, confronting unresolved issues between the two of them. It's important to see some closure, especially between the different Robins as it's a bond that no one else - even Bruce - can understand. Appropriately, it's Alfred who ends up grounding Tim and getting him back on track to go back to his adventures as a Teen Titan.
Back in New York a week later, Superboy arrives at the yacht for the first time and just in time for Red Robin to lead them to their next adventure. They're breaking into a prison commanded by none other than Amanda Waller. The rest of the issue dives into a mashup between Teen Titans and the Suicide Squad (a book I admittedly know nothing about beyond what I picked up from this issue of TT), and some mysterious, dealing between Red Robin and Waller. It's not as tightly written as the other parts of the series have been, but I suspect that has more to do with a purposeful need to keep some things vague. The conclusion is certainly the important part as we now have a major villain making its first appearance in the nDCU, and makes reading the next issue exciting.
All-in-all, issue 18 isn't the best one in the series, but it's entertaining enough. I'm looking forward to seeing where the next encounter goes, especially since it's a villain I know through DCU Online. Let me know what you think of the series and issue!