By Hunter T. Patrick

Misleading name featuring Titans, still exciting nonetheless. There is no need to have read what followed, this is a perfect starting point, even if not having read Metal or No Justice/ The end of Metal happened as did the end of No Justice. The source wall has been destroyed. Before No Justice, the Titans also disbanded. The world is ending, and the threats have never been bigger. How do the Titans continue? Well, a new team of course. The Titans were not an ordinary team, they were formed over friendship. This new team will be different, an actual team. With the new threats, the DC Trinity asks Nightwing to lead a new team of his choice. Nightwing, Donna Troy, Raven, Beast Boy, Steel (Natasha Irons), and their ‘chaperone’, Miss Martian. Team members now have their abilities being altered thanks to the source wall broken and people need to be saved. This issue brings together this new team for the first time and also sets up the new era of Titans, with a team trying to be different than what came before. Welcome to the new unknown. 

The writing was fun and fast, despite the longer length. Each character is highlighted in their own way and their interactions with Nightwing shines strong. The whole issue jumps back and forth between Nightwing and other characters as the team keeps growing. Nightwing is how he is portrayed in Titans thus far, as is Donna Troy. Each character gets introduced and it is delightful to begin to see who they are and how they react to one another.

The artwork looks nice and dynamic. Characters are shown shining in some scenes. It is a great delight to see such focus on each character. This team is full of different members and deserves contradicting colors, which as the cover shows, is perfectly well. The background is fleshed out and shows beautiful colors as well. The best way to describe this art is colorful (but not too colorful). If you wanted a dark and gritty Titans, for whatever reason, this is not it. There are some dramatic moments but thanks to the art it never pushes too far dark and it maintains that this is a series of color and wonder.

Titans have always been a different type of team, so seeing a new era where they continue that trend is what supergroups should be about. Comics should be about change along with familiarity. It should be a mix. This is a new team, not the Titans. They do share a comic title and they might even share a name, even members. This team has a new mission and a new dynamic. If you are interested in seeing Nightwing, Raven, Beast Boy, Donna Troy, Steel, and/or Miss Martian then this book is for you. Start here. This is a worthy book for New Justice and an even worthier book for newsstands. Titans are underdogs, as is this book. They might be in the mainstream comic market, but the underdog nonetheless. This is why people love the underdog.

Score: 4/5

Titans Special #1
DC Comics