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Mild Mannered Reviews - Teen Titans Comics

Teen Titans #7 Teen Titans #7

Teen Titans #7

Scheduled to arrive in stores: March 28, 2012

Cover date: May 2012

"Assault on Project 13"

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciller: Brett Booth
Inker: Norman Rapmund

Reviewed by: Shawn Morrissey

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An initially hesitant Teen Titans make their way to N.O.W.H.E.R.E.'s polar facility in an effort to rescue Superboy. Plenty of fisticuffs ensue as the team mixes it up with N.O.W.H.E.R.E.'s goons. Meanwhile, Templar finally confronts his prize, Wonder Girl (yeah, yeah, yeah, don't call her that...).

In the midst of the fighting, Red Robin slips away to the records room in order to download N.O.W.H.E.R.E.'s files on teen metahumans, his intent being to prevent them from being nabbed by N.O.W.H.E.R.E.

Besting Templar and the rest of N.O.W.H.E.R.E.'s lapdogs, the Titans attempt escape only to be thwarted by the brains of the operation: the sinister Harvest.

2Story - 2: If I were to simply grade issue #7 against issue #6, the former would read like On the Origin of Species, while the latter, a text book on young earth creationism. One is full of insight, reason, and careful contemplation drawn from decades of observation and study. The other, while baseless, is good for a giggle, but raises concerns when you realize that it's labeled a "text book." However, if I'm honest in my approach to reviewing this title, I can't simply grade the value of one issue against that of another. Issue #7 is no classic. It's simply a better written chapter in that same reprehensible "text book."

Nothing much happens, per usual for this title. It's really just a bunch of fighting. Now, I mentioned before that I don't mind if an issue has little more than flying knuckles and killer front kicks. Action is an integral part of these comics, after all. Just the same, the delivery matters, and the ultimate result of the action here is two fistfuls of boring. At no point does the action feel intense. There's no sense of urgency or danger. It's just a lot of going-through-the-motions.

There's a brilliant movie reference when Bunker says "I do not believe that word means what you think it means." It's misquoted, but I had a wonderful geek moment when I read it. Unfortunately, the joy of it all is annihilated when Bunker says he's referencing a movie. What's worse, the title of the movie isn't mentioned. What's the point in that? Those who initially get the reference are satisfied, while those none the wiser harmlessly remain so. By revealing that it's a movie quote ruins the clever subtly for those in the know, and confuses those who aren't. Lobdell here fell victim to one of the classic blunders - the most famous of which is never get involved in a land war in Asia - but only slightly less well known is this: never underestimate your readership.

On a positive note, we finally get a solid answer to the mystery of how Kid Flash and Solstice suddenly appeared on Red Robin's door step in issue #4. Danny the Street is an interesting, if not thoroughly odd character.

The end would seem to promise a bit more grit for the title in issues to come. Whatever it takes, Teen Titans needs some serious help in the quality department.

3Art - 3: I still enjoy the art quite a bit. Booth, Dalhouse, and Rapmund remain on task. The overall boredom of this issue's action is eased by how well the art team delivers. The reveal of Templar's parasitic powers is particularly well drawn.

1Cover Art - 1: The cover seems rushed, a last minute scramble to get it done. The depth perception, in particular, appears to have suffered from procrastination. For all the semi-praise I tend to shower on this art team, this cover is the worst one we've seen so far.


Mild Mannered Reviews

2012

Note: Month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

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