Titans, Vol. 2: The Dark-Winged Queen

Titans (2023)

by Tom Taylor (Artist), Stephen Segovia (illustrator), Lucas Meyer (illustrator)

While the Titans battle their new reputation, Amanda Waller enlists the devious Dr. Morrow to assist in creating a weapon capable of taking all of them down, permanently. And to make matters worse, some of the Titans’ own have been exhibiting unsettling behavior. What could Raven be hiding from her team? Find out in the electrifying conclusion of visionary writer Tom Taylor’s truly epic run in this collected edition! Collects issues #8-15.

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Superheroes, Comic Book, Action

192 pages, Hardcover

First published February 25, 2025

About the author

Once a professional juggler and fire eater, Tom Taylor is a #1 New York Times Bestselling, multi-award-winning comic book writer, playwright and screenwriter.

Well known for his work with DC Comics and Marvel, Taylor is the co-creator of NEVERLANDERS from Penguin Random House, SEVEN SECRETS from Boom Studios and the Aurealis-Award-winning graphic novel series THE DEEP. Taylor is also the Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Deep animated series, four seasons of which is broadcast in over 140 countries.

He is perhaps best known for the DC Comics series, DCEASED (Shadow Awards Winner), NIGHTWING (nominated for 5 Eisner Awards), SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL (GLAAD Award Nominee), INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SUICIDE SQUAD, EARTH 2 and BATMAN/SUPERMAN as well as Marvel's FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, ALL NEW WOLVERINE, X-MEN: RED, DARK AGES and SUPERIOR IRON MAN. Taylor is also the writer of many Star Wars series, which include STAR WARS: INVASION and STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES (Stan Lee Excelsior Award winner). Taylor has written for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, Wildstorm, 2000 AD and Gestalt Comics.

He can be followed on twitter @TomTaylorMade.

Reviews

[Khurram · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good continuation of the Titans series. One of the loose threads from Beast World is continued here and leads straight into the showdown with Amanda Waller and Absoulte Power.

Despite saving the world, Beast Boy is still public enemy number one. However, he is not the Titan everyone should be worried about. What is Raven's destiny? How will her family be involved? This not just affects Earth but the deities and demons of hell as well. Are the Titans out of their league?

A good story with Raven taking centre stage. The only reason I did not give it five stars is that it felt a bit rushed towards the end. I do like Nightwing is becoming more and more like Batman picking up a few tricks even though he claims it is not the same. Every issue/chapter starts with a regular and varient cover of that issue.

[Molly™☺ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aside from its weak conclusion, it's a fun experience with good (for the most part) art. The real problem is the fairly strong build-up only to be teased with an epic end fight that never truly pays off. Most of the enjoyment comes from character moments rather than narrative, and with a more complete plot package, this could have elevated itself to a four (4) star experience with little issue.

actual rating: 3.5 stars

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Jessica Willis · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

Welp. The story, which had so much potential for character angst, was rushed and never quite grabbed me. There were some good character moments and I like the Waller vs Titans set up, but this run isn't super engaging

[Mike Jozic · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat satisfying end to Tom Taylor's Titans tenure but it still falls a bit flat and feels a bit rushed. I liked a lot of Taylor's Titans and the character bits here are pretty good but the whole Dark-Winged Queen and Waller stuff...I dunno. It was alright.

This will be my jumping-off point for Titans, though. No regrets to picking this up for the last little while (except maybe Beast World) but I'm just not feeling overly invested anymore so...on to other books and things for me!

[Frédéric · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reasonably well-constructed arc about Raven and her permeability to evil. Technically speaking, that is, because it's too banal - and stretched - to be remembered beyond the following week.

[Roman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Сьогодні розбираємо завершення рану Тома Тейлора на Титанах. Після подій "Beast World" люди тепер бояться Титанів, особливо Біст Боя, а Рейвен опинилися під контролем своєї лихої половини. Як раз таки і лихій Рейвен та її перетворення в Темнокрилу Королеву приділяється найбільше уваги, впродовж цієї історії ми побачимо її взаємодію з Титанами, особливо з Біст Боєм, та спроби не спалитися перед ним, а також сутичку з братом.

Однак оскільки цей сюжет триває 8 номерів то інколи він розвивається на другому плані поки нам тут показують як Титани намагаються рятувати людей незважаючи на Воллерівську пропаганду проти них. До речі про неї, вона тут також є, в основному на задньому фоні та укладає угоду з Тріґоном, в одному з номерів навіть посилає кіборга Ванадію, яка до роботизації була супер фанаткою команди. Певний фокус також відбувається на Біст Бої й тому, як він переживає наслідки Біст Ворлду, в одному з номерів йому доводиться розбиратися з лиходійкою яка отримала здібності внаслідок події.

Щодо малюнку то більшість номерів тут малює Лукас Меєр, в той час, як Стівен Сеґовія та Даніель Ді Нікуоло по одному. І от вони видали доволі непогану роботу, але головним гайлайтом є саме малюнок Меєра.

Щодо мінусів, то я покєкав з того, що Квінтесенти вкотре були показані як лохи, і не сильно то й потрібні, плюс Спектр тут вкотре заджоберив. Ну і сама фінальна сутичка не те щоб погана, але якогось захвату не викликала.

І на цьому експеримент з Титанами як заміною Ліги підійшов до свого завершення. Чи вийшов він успішним? На жаль ні. У команди не було ні часу, ні нормально шансу щоб по повній зарекомендувати себе. Не допомагає й те, що перша арка це сет-ап події. Ран Тейлора завершується вривом Титанім до Воллер під час якої вони заявляють, що завжди захищатимуть планету від неї. Від того, стає досить сумно, що під час подій Абсолютної Влади вони не зіграли ніякої ролі.

Тим не менш, якщо закрити очі на цей аспект, то ран Тейлора вийшов цілком непоганим і я залишився задоволеним. Загалом можу порадити прочитати.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

is this what 'Slay, Queen' means?

This was a great volume. The art continues to be very pleasant, and it’s cool to get so much time with a variety of Titans (though I’ll always want a Starfire-centric arc). I know the “Raven turns evil” arc has been done a hundred times, but it’s re-explored well here with some great character moments for Raven and Beast Boy. The Vanadia issue in the middle is wonderfully tragic, and the final issue’s battle is resolved in the most narratively satisfying way, with a bunch of rad action. Solid Titan storytelling all up.

4 Sick Crowns out of 5

👑👑👑👑⬛

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow this was a steep drop from the pretty good first volume. Raven is a baddie yet again? She is seriously the Phoenix of the Titans. Nothing in this book was original or even interesting except the covers by Chris Samnee which were gorgeous.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

GREAT ending. Heck yeah titan crown.

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leading on from Beast World....it's a strong Volume featuring a threat from within the team..

Amanda Waller is still around...and makes a deal with a d....

[John Rudd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this a very high 3.8. Usually, I don't start with the rating, but in this case, it is warranted, as it is for what the book seems to have wanted to be, not what it is. Review follows, rant follows review.

As a volume, this is in between Beast World and most of Absolute Power. As a result, we naturally follow the consequences of Beast World, and that is great. We follow the growth of "Raven" on the path to becoming the Dark-Winged Queen. And, potentially, most importantly, we follow a short story of Vanadia; a girl who wanted to be a Titan. These stories have Taylor's fingerprints all over them. They feel like his narrative and characters. It feels like Taylor had to fight or kowtow to the whims of DC's Absolute Power event. With Vanadia feeling like the unrealized Tom Taylor version of Absolute Power, we could have gotten.

Rant--->I am upset we didn't get Vanadia as a fully realized story instead. This is the worst part of ongoing comics; when an event tramples over the work being accomplished by the author. I just finished Dan Slott's run on Fantastic Four,and it was neutered by events, with very little if his own charm being allowed to shine through. The big dog comic publishers need to change. Events aren't the sellers they used to be. Nor are they are not the pinnacle of narrative and creativity they used to be. As a result, these events have been ruining the best storytellers for decades.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO much better than the first volume and really satisfying. I get why someone wouldn't like the conclusion but it actually works for me in a whole ~power of love sort of way.

[Sarra Hassan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, so many complaints but I loved it. And the part when Nightwing figures out how to get around Raven’s mind reading was INSANE. I literally went back and reread that specific part like three times because it was just so clever. It’s moments like that that really show why he’s meant to be leader. Only part where they lost me was the lack of Wally with no explanation. He’s in half the book and then no mention of him even at the end when every super hero is in attendance. I also hated how beast boy was the key to solving everything. The relationship is just so forced I can’t. And when they realize she was willing to kill all the titans except beast boy was just sooooo 😐. I would have MUCH preferred that it was starfire to rekindle raven with evil raven. She’s the best with emotions on the team and the peacemaker. She’s also usually depicted as Raven’s best friend and I would have loved to see that in this run. I hate when female friendships are replaced with relationships in plots. Like the “power of friendship” as dumb as it sounds is just so much more compelling than her forced boyfriend who isn’t that in tune with emotions anyway being the one to help Raven accept her evil persona. I HATED the constant shoving of Beast boy and Raven and the erasure of Starfire and Raven's friendship. Beast boy and Raven had no chemistry in the earlier volumes it was just constant trauma dumping I had to just skip over it. Raven relaying on Starfire would’ve been so nice because they're supposed to be best friends and although Raven is the empath, Starfire also is very in tune with emotions coming she the culture of her people. Them being so similar in that sense and yet complete opposites in personality is why they're so great.

Lastly, I wish we had gotten long black haired raven from the beginning. My god does she loook so much better than she did with a pink Karen cut.

[Ángel Javier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom Taylor acaba su etapa en los Titanes, no con un estallido, sino con un gemido. El hombre se desinfla y desinfla, con episodios flojísimos, como el de Beast Boy contra una tipa con sus mismos poderes, por ejemplo, que además está dibujado por el hijo de su prima, o alguien con enchufe semejante, porque hay que echarle narices... y el caso es que la premisa del tomito está bastante bien, aunque la originalidad de la misma tiende a cero, pero bueno, si tienes a Raven en el equipo, tienes que sacar a Trigon de cuando en cuando, eso es de cajón. Y en los Titanes tiene que haber un traidor cada dos por tres o no son los Titanes. Llamémoslo homenaje...

En fin, el caso es que a mí se me iba haciendo esto cada vez más cuesta arriba hasta el final que, curiosamente, sí que me ha gustado. El Megazor que se monta Raven con sus compis arreándole guantazos al papi hasta hacerle morder el polvo me ha parecido un digno remate a la etapa de Taylor, enfatizando el tema de que los Titanes no son otro supergrupo más, sino que son una familia, y que juntos pueden vencer a cualquier amenaza. De la etapa de Taylor me quedo con el power-up que les ha metido a los personajes, que ya lo iban necesitando, convirtiéndose en una verdadera alternativa a la Liga de la Justicia. No voy a decir que ha sido sobresaliente, pero ha tenido bastantes buenos momentos. A no ser que Layman lo haga verdaderamente bien (¿os acordáis de Chew?), creo que lo vamos a echar de menos.

[Ya Boi Be Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down. If it wasn't for the ending this would be a for but man that ending felt rushed. I'm still really bummed this is the end of Taylor's run though. I enjoyed what it was going with although as apparently it was sort of treading worn ground apparently going by what long term Titans fans say. The Raven and Beast Boy dynamic was great. Raven's inner demon was a larger element of Dawn of DC and works well here on a series-specific scale too as she systematically avoids suspicion and gains power. Beast Boy's slump and the fallout from Beast World was a good inclusion that I enjoyed. The psychological aspect of Demon Raven essentially grooming her cadre to be her harbingers of Doom is interesting and fun to read. It gives this strong push and pull and Tom Taylor does a fair job at showing how her actions can be taken much more friendlier by her allies as well as the sinking suspicion they begin to feel.
The ending though happens too fast. I get he only has so many issues but for such an epic finale it's over very quickly. And the whole teamwork “We are Titans” friendship deal comes off more lame than empowering and celebrating the team. It's not terrible but it is cheesy, rushed, and very Kumbayah. It’s also a bit of a let down since Titans was sorta the JLA for Dawn of DC and to have all it built up to (including plot points from multiple line-wide events) end up a rushed ending is a letdown.
Most of the art is by Lucas Meyer who does good. But my favorite artist here has to be Daniele Di Niculou of course! I'm so glad he's in here. Meyer's work is fairly anatomical, does well, and his layouts can get experimental which I enjoy but that looser kinetic feel of Di Niculuo is addicting to read istg.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Tom Taylor's DC work. The first volume of Titans was solid, and Beast World was surprisingly fun too. But this final volume falls into the trap that most Titans/Teen Titans writers fall into - it's time for Raven to go evil!

Sigh. I know I've read a lot of comics, but there have GOT to be better stories to tell with Raven than this. If it's not Trigon, it's some other evil entity trying to possess her, and it just all feels so wrote at this point. Let the woman move on, please. It's a decent story, but it doesn't do anything new with anyone, and that feels almost more insulting than anything else. I thought Taylor would have been able to spin the whole Evil!Raven narrative a little better.

The art's nice at least - while we don't get more Nicola Scott, we do get Lucas Meyer, who did a bang-up job on those two Titans United series as well as filling in for Ivan Reis of all people during Beast World, so he and Taylor were likely familiar by this point.

Okay if you've never read a Raven story before. Otherwise, you know what's gonna happen from the moment you open the book.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something of a letdown after the terrific first volume, but that comes as no surprise as the Titans are juggling a lot of plates between DC events here (Beast World and Absolute Power). Raven stars in The Dark-Winged Queen, her evil half having taken control and now determined take on great cosmic powers with the Titans as her "generals."

Of course, Raven does this very slowly and subtly over the course of eight issues, so when the big battle finale arrives, it almost feels too late to be interesting. In the intervening issues, the Titans take on issues big and small, and these issues often cover up the sad lack of character beats. Beast Boy, for example, is recovering from Beast World, but his concerns that he's widely hated are shoved aside in favor of just having Raven mindwipe him.

Not a bad volume by any means, just fairly average. (That goes for the art too, which suffers in comparison to Nicola Scott.)

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taylor's Titans continues to be the most Wolfman-like Titans since, well, Wolfman. (And the good Wolfman of mid-years, not the wonky Wolfman of Team Titans and the Titans Hunt.)

In V2, the world turns against the Titans and Raven goes bad. Yes, we've seen these plots before. (Heck, I don't know _how_ many times Raven has gone bad ovearll.) But, Taylor treats them well and offers an engaging new story with a conclusion that's very Titanesque.

The characters also continue to be great. Beast Boy and Raven get the big attention here, and it's really wonderful to see how they've evolved over the years (decades).

So far, Taylor's stories could be honorably placed next to the five volumes of Wolfman omnibuses.

[Cazadora De Mundos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tengamos en cuenta que leí la edición de ovni press, con eso en mente empecemos.
La etapa de Taylor en los titanes termina flojito no logra mantener durante todos los números la calidad esperada, aún así tiene sus buenos momentos, en especial me gustan los pequeños momentos de Flash que aligerar el ambiente en momentos un poco complicado para las relaciones públicas de los Titanes y el arco de Vanadia me rompió el corazón en este momento Donna se lucio con muy poco.
Los paneles de Nightwing en rojo y azul(para no hacer spoiler)son muy buenos de verdad que siempre me sorprende el ingenió con las viñetas.
En general decente y espero que ovni traiga la próxima etapa de los titans porque quiero ver a Roy y saber que pasa con Raven.

[Dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

the whole volume is one storyline. I like the confidence to do an extended story but the execution wasn't great. no B plot.

Lucas Meyer and their colourist did outstanding work here.

turns out the good Rachel was held inside a crystal while the dark side is in control of her body. yet the dark Rachel isnt being evil. theyre still working with the Titans, helping in their battles, and loves Garfield.

Rachel is collecting various demons and people to make a crown/Infinity gauntlet. if that had been the b plot building int he background for twenty plus issues and the art plots were the titans fighting villains and protecting the environment each issue this would have been more rewarding. it felt like this was rushed out, potentially done so for the all in initiative.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the build up to the reveal with Raven and liked that it was Dick who figured it out (multiple times, and kept getting his mind wiped). I thought it was a bit of a cop out that after all of the grandstanding about Raven losing to her father’s side and how big a deal it has been for decades, it happens and is immediately defeated by the power of love. Evil Raven isn’t evil after all and she just needs a pep talk apparently.

I did like the Voltron-esque team up at the end with Raven using the Titan’s abilities to defeat Trigon.
Also can’t go past the DickKory fanservice.

3.5 stars.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good storyline that fizzles out at the end. Taylor took the time to build a slow burn plot with Raven, only to step on the gas in the last issue and rush the ending way too much. A lot of places that are rushed, actually. A character gets built up as a new nemesis only to be completely dispatched in a few pages, and the mastermind behind her creation is bested in literally a few panels. It also strains believability that Dick would create his own buried alternate persona at the exact same time the Failsafe stuff is going on with Batman.

[Saarah Mohammed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this whole volume. Raven's arc was brilliant and the ending didn't feel as tacky as I expected with a 'we will beat the devil with the power of friendship' situation. Also clinging onto my DickKory crumbs because DC are cowards for not letting them be together again. But I will take what I can get in this day and age.

Also snorted out loud at "You know, it's a bit pathetic that an all-powerful cosmic council lacks the power of compromise".

Btw I would die for Donna Troy.

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly setting up the last few pieces to the 'Absolute Power' event...

Beastworld was a mess.
Now, we've got the 'dark' side of Raven preparing for her dark ascension...
Waller making backroom deals (literally) with Trigon

====
Bonus: Apex Ava is, possibly, the WORST idea to come from 'Beastworld'

[Alek Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's okay. The overarching plot sort of facilitates the singular story taking place in each issue. With the major climax of the "Dark-Winged Queen" feeling under developed and its conclusion underperforming expectation. Mainly I wish it focused more on the fallout of Waller's actions during Beast World rather than Raven

[Sarospice · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Reads like a goodbye from Taylor and "I want to write Trigon before I dip". Too bad as I liked the Beast World event and was hoping for more great storylines. This isn't one. Sadly, it leads to the Titans in Absolute Power which is a snooze. Also, Raven swearing? No ma'am.

[Emmett Spain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced and fun read that wrapped up a little abruptly at the finish, but was an easy and enjoyable read nonetheless. I really enjoyed the new character of Vanadia and hope to see more of her down the line.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic comic series this is turning out to be. The art has gone from strength to strength, and the story continues to get even better. I adore the Raven plot and how it all comes together in the end. I can't wait to continue this series once I am done with dawn of dc and onto all in.

[Mariano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arranca mejor de lo que termina, pero bueno, son ocho issues, es un montón. El final se siente medio apresurado, supongo que porque se venía Absolute Power. Lindo cierre para este mini run de Tom Taylor con la misma onda que le puso a su Nightwing. No sé si da seguir la serie después de esto...