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Teen Titans (2014)
Teen Titans, Volume 1: Blinded by the Light
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 superpowered teenagers--any one of whom could be the next heroic figure or major villain!
This exciting new chapter in the teen heroes' mythos starts here in TEEN TITANS VOL. 1, written by Will Pfeifer (CATWOMAN) and illustrated by Kenneth Rocafort (SUPERMAN, RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS).
Collects: Teen Titans #1-7.
This exciting new chapter in the teen heroes' mythos starts here in TEEN TITANS VOL. 1, written by Will Pfeifer (CATWOMAN) and illustrated by Kenneth Rocafort (SUPERMAN, RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS).
Collects: Teen Titans #1-7.
176 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2015
87 people are currently reading
894 people want to read
About the author
Will Pfeifer
311 books23 followersWill Pfeifer was born in 1967 in the town of Niles, Ohio. He attended Kent State University and graduated in 1989. He has resided in Rockford, Illinois since 1990, with his wife, Amy.
Pfeifer, along with his comic writing duties, is the assistant features editor at the Rockford Register Star. He also writes a weekly DVD column for the Sunday paper.
Pfeifer, along with his comic writing duties, is the assistant features editor at the Rockford Register Star. He also writes a weekly DVD column for the Sunday paper.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
August 24, 2021
(B) 74% | More than Satisfactory
Notes: But for art it's ordinary, muddy plot is secondary, on Twitter fame—whatever—lame: just boring social commentary.
Notes: But for art it's ordinary, muddy plot is secondary, on Twitter fame—whatever—lame: just boring social commentary.
January 17, 2021
Um.
Well, ok...it's not bad.
The majority of the storyline revolves around S.T.A.R. Labs, and all of the hijinks they seem to be responsible for causing. Intentional and (seemingly) unintentional. Not that the Titans know that.
Killer A.I., terrorists, mad scientists, etc., all comes back to one guy...Manchester Black.
I don't know if you can tell, but the dude doesn't actually wear a shirt. He just has the Union Jack tattooed onto his chest.
Get it! Manchester! Hyuck, hyuck!
Anyhoo, he's a bad guy, he works for S.T.A.R. Labs, and he sets a rather elaborate plan in motion to get the Teens to work with him.
Whether it works or not is still up for grabs...
There are a couple of side stories, as well.
Including, but not limited to, the introduction of their (maybe?) new teammate, Power Girl.
No. Not the one with big boobies.
Her mother worked for (and was friends with) the original Power Girl, and was killed because of that connection. Apparently, PG bestowed some of her superpowers on this kid before she took off for her own Earth. I remember reading about her mother's death, but I haven't kept up with Power Girl, so I had no idea she was gone.
Learned something new today...
The other stories were less important, but I'm gonna tell you about 'em anyway.
Raven has this obsessed fan that looks like she's a bit wacky. She's a singer who has started writing all her songs about Raven and is trying to figure out a way to get her spells into the lyrics. Something? I don't know, because the plot sort of dwindled away.
Then there's Cassie's mom, who shows up out of the blue. Not sure what her purpose is, other than to represent nagging parents worldwide.
Cassie also has a large group of girls who dress up like her, and then go around fighting crime. When they can take a break from following Wonder Girl around town, at least. Again, kinda lame, not sure what that one is all about.
Bunker seems to be getting a tad violent. Or maybe just proactive? Whatever, he likes punching bad guys. A lot.
I don't really know. Ugh. I feel really uninspired to write anything one way or the other about this title. It wasn't a chore to read, but it wasn't special, either. However, since this is just volume 1, there's a good chance it could improve over time.
I did think the art was pretty nice to look at!
If you're a huge fan of the Teen Titans, check this one out and let me know what you think.
Got this one from Netgalley & DC. Thank you!
Get this review and more at:
Well, ok...it's not bad.
The majority of the storyline revolves around S.T.A.R. Labs, and all of the hijinks they seem to be responsible for causing. Intentional and (seemingly) unintentional. Not that the Titans know that.
Killer A.I., terrorists, mad scientists, etc., all comes back to one guy...Manchester Black.
I don't know if you can tell, but the dude doesn't actually wear a shirt. He just has the Union Jack tattooed onto his chest.
Get it! Manchester! Hyuck, hyuck!
Anyhoo, he's a bad guy, he works for S.T.A.R. Labs, and he sets a rather elaborate plan in motion to get the Teens to work with him.
Whether it works or not is still up for grabs...
There are a couple of side stories, as well.
Including, but not limited to, the introduction of their (maybe?) new teammate, Power Girl.
No. Not the one with big boobies.
Her mother worked for (and was friends with) the original Power Girl, and was killed because of that connection. Apparently, PG bestowed some of her superpowers on this kid before she took off for her own Earth. I remember reading about her mother's death, but I haven't kept up with Power Girl, so I had no idea she was gone.
Learned something new today...
The other stories were less important, but I'm gonna tell you about 'em anyway.
Raven has this obsessed fan that looks like she's a bit wacky. She's a singer who has started writing all her songs about Raven and is trying to figure out a way to get her spells into the lyrics. Something? I don't know, because the plot sort of dwindled away.
Then there's Cassie's mom, who shows up out of the blue. Not sure what her purpose is, other than to represent nagging parents worldwide.
Cassie also has a large group of girls who dress up like her, and then go around fighting crime. When they can take a break from following Wonder Girl around town, at least. Again, kinda lame, not sure what that one is all about.
Bunker seems to be getting a tad violent. Or maybe just proactive? Whatever, he likes punching bad guys. A lot.
I don't really know. Ugh. I feel really uninspired to write anything one way or the other about this title. It wasn't a chore to read, but it wasn't special, either. However, since this is just volume 1, there's a good chance it could improve over time.
I did think the art was pretty nice to look at!
If you're a huge fan of the Teen Titans, check this one out and let me know what you think.
Got this one from Netgalley & DC. Thank you!
Get this review and more at:
August 11, 2015
Teen Titans gets a relaunch with the new creative team of writer Will Pfeifer and artist Kenneth Rocafort. The Titans are: Red Robin (leader/tactician/can fly with mechanical wings), Wonder Girl (super-strong/can fly without mechanical wings), Raven (sorceress), Bunker (can manifest purple cubes!) and Beast Boy (can morph into any animal).
The Titans struggle against a robot baddie called Algorithm, terrorists who want to reveal what’s secretly going on in STAR Labs, and a general lack of interest in their comics! Because even if Pfeifer is a marked step up from the previous Titans writer and Hawaiian shirt connoisseur Scott Lobdell (booo!), Teen Titans still isn’t that great a series.
The storylines are generic and weak, failing to draw the reader in. The only concession to the Titans’ age is to have the threats in the second story arc be teenagers like them. Titans could be a series that addresses contemporary teenage issues and become an important comic for younger readers. It could emulate the energy and excitement of being a teen superhero in the same way Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie’s Young Avengers did.
Instead it does none of that and churns out the usual dreary superhero rubbish DC produces by the cartload. Bland terrorists hijack a school bus – Titans save the day. Robot villain appears and smashes stuff – Titans save the day. Give me strength! There are a couple of side stories where Wonder Girl inspires a group of admirer vigilantes and Raven discovers she has a tribute band. And neither storyline goes anywhere.
I think DC are trying to be inclusive for minorities but they do it in such a clumsy way as to be ineffective. The opening scene ends with the Titans stopping the hijacked school bus, saving the kids and crippling(!) the terrorists. Bunker wears a purple outfit and can manifest purple cubes – I have no idea who this character is by the way. Maybe he’s gay? Because a bystander remarks “Only complaint I’ve got is with all the superheroes in New York… it’s just my luck to get rescued by the two who look like a couple of…” before Bunker manifests a huge purple swatter made up of cubes and slams the guy into the wall. The insinuation is that the bystander was about to make some (homophobic?) slur, given the way Bunker’s dressed – I think? Maybe it could’ve been a racist comment though.
Bunker then says (pressing this guy into the wall with his purple cubes) “Some people like us, we wear masks, and how, underneath our masks, we might be good or evil, black or white, man or woman - straight or gay.” And I thought that was a nice sentiment –a positive step towards inclusion for this title, start as you mean to go on, etc. And then Bunker ends with “But the one thing you can count on, the one thing you can always be sure of, is underneath our masks - we are very, very dangerous.” which completely undercuts that sentiment, making ordinary people fear them for no reason. Could’ve said something about how he saved the guy’s life but decides to threaten him instead, along with the physical rebuff.
It looks like Pfeifer’s generally aiming for fun, young people being superheroes, which is the only way Teen Titans should be written really, and, aside from little moments like that, it’s not super angsty, which I appreciate. Except even when they’re being very obviously pandering, they’re emphasising their “edge” which makes them seem less fun and more desperate.
Besides the unexciting storylines, the characters are poorly written. Unless you already know who they are, you’ll only really know them as their powers rather than their characters. Also, the Titans really need a strong nemesis like Deathstroke was back in the day because Algorithm doesn’t cut it nor do random ‘roided-out teens. Hell, Deathstroke’s solo series is so bad, maybe DC should give up on that (again) and fold him back into the Titans?
Rocafort’s art isn’t my cup of tea but it’s not bad. The revamped Power Girl is unveiled in this book. Previously she had one of the most pervy outfits in comics (the infamous boob window), just one step up from Vampirella. Now it’s a different girl who’s adopted the name Power Girl – Tanya Spears - and she’s completely covered up, though of course it’s still figure-hugging, and she has a non-pornstar-like body. Out goes the boob window and the watermelon-sized rack, in with the kind of outfit a kid could dress as on Halloween. It’s a definite improvement. The design for Manchester Black (who?) is a bit stupid though – he’s got the Union Flag painted/tattooed onto his bare chest for some reason. Because that’s what all Brits do when they’re abroad (if you’re a football hooligan).
Aside from a couple of naff scenes, it’s not a horribly written book, it’s just totally lacking anything engaging or exciting. Pfeifer assumes you already know all about the characters and, if there’s a Teen Titans TV show maybe you do, but if you don’t, you’re going to feel little to nothing about the one-dimensional figures presented here. The stories are too bland and the art is just so-so. Teen Titans, Volume 1: Blinded by the Light is a very dull and forgettable superhero book so it fits into the rest of the New 52 line-up very nicely!
The Titans struggle against a robot baddie called Algorithm, terrorists who want to reveal what’s secretly going on in STAR Labs, and a general lack of interest in their comics! Because even if Pfeifer is a marked step up from the previous Titans writer and Hawaiian shirt connoisseur Scott Lobdell (booo!), Teen Titans still isn’t that great a series.
The storylines are generic and weak, failing to draw the reader in. The only concession to the Titans’ age is to have the threats in the second story arc be teenagers like them. Titans could be a series that addresses contemporary teenage issues and become an important comic for younger readers. It could emulate the energy and excitement of being a teen superhero in the same way Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie’s Young Avengers did.
Instead it does none of that and churns out the usual dreary superhero rubbish DC produces by the cartload. Bland terrorists hijack a school bus – Titans save the day. Robot villain appears and smashes stuff – Titans save the day. Give me strength! There are a couple of side stories where Wonder Girl inspires a group of admirer vigilantes and Raven discovers she has a tribute band. And neither storyline goes anywhere.
I think DC are trying to be inclusive for minorities but they do it in such a clumsy way as to be ineffective. The opening scene ends with the Titans stopping the hijacked school bus, saving the kids and crippling(!) the terrorists. Bunker wears a purple outfit and can manifest purple cubes – I have no idea who this character is by the way. Maybe he’s gay? Because a bystander remarks “Only complaint I’ve got is with all the superheroes in New York… it’s just my luck to get rescued by the two who look like a couple of…” before Bunker manifests a huge purple swatter made up of cubes and slams the guy into the wall. The insinuation is that the bystander was about to make some (homophobic?) slur, given the way Bunker’s dressed – I think? Maybe it could’ve been a racist comment though.
Bunker then says (pressing this guy into the wall with his purple cubes) “Some people like us, we wear masks, and how, underneath our masks, we might be good or evil, black or white, man or woman - straight or gay.” And I thought that was a nice sentiment –a positive step towards inclusion for this title, start as you mean to go on, etc. And then Bunker ends with “But the one thing you can count on, the one thing you can always be sure of, is underneath our masks - we are very, very dangerous.” which completely undercuts that sentiment, making ordinary people fear them for no reason. Could’ve said something about how he saved the guy’s life but decides to threaten him instead, along with the physical rebuff.
It looks like Pfeifer’s generally aiming for fun, young people being superheroes, which is the only way Teen Titans should be written really, and, aside from little moments like that, it’s not super angsty, which I appreciate. Except even when they’re being very obviously pandering, they’re emphasising their “edge” which makes them seem less fun and more desperate.
Besides the unexciting storylines, the characters are poorly written. Unless you already know who they are, you’ll only really know them as their powers rather than their characters. Also, the Titans really need a strong nemesis like Deathstroke was back in the day because Algorithm doesn’t cut it nor do random ‘roided-out teens. Hell, Deathstroke’s solo series is so bad, maybe DC should give up on that (again) and fold him back into the Titans?
Rocafort’s art isn’t my cup of tea but it’s not bad. The revamped Power Girl is unveiled in this book. Previously she had one of the most pervy outfits in comics (the infamous boob window), just one step up from Vampirella. Now it’s a different girl who’s adopted the name Power Girl – Tanya Spears - and she’s completely covered up, though of course it’s still figure-hugging, and she has a non-pornstar-like body. Out goes the boob window and the watermelon-sized rack, in with the kind of outfit a kid could dress as on Halloween. It’s a definite improvement. The design for Manchester Black (who?) is a bit stupid though – he’s got the Union Flag painted/tattooed onto his bare chest for some reason. Because that’s what all Brits do when they’re abroad (if you’re a football hooligan).
Aside from a couple of naff scenes, it’s not a horribly written book, it’s just totally lacking anything engaging or exciting. Pfeifer assumes you already know all about the characters and, if there’s a Teen Titans TV show maybe you do, but if you don’t, you’re going to feel little to nothing about the one-dimensional figures presented here. The stories are too bland and the art is just so-so. Teen Titans, Volume 1: Blinded by the Light is a very dull and forgettable superhero book so it fits into the rest of the New 52 line-up very nicely!
July 29, 2021
This was a little better than the previous series in that it didn't have that stupid plotline with Harrow where their capturing kids with powers to make them kill each other for no reason. Kenneth Rocafort's art is very good. There's not much of a plot, it's pretty much, let's just go punch things. Manchester Black makes little sense in this book. He's an executive at S.T.A.R. labs with a British flag tattooed on his chest. That's just stupid. They've also taken Ladytron from WildC.A.T.S and turned her into a living computer program named Algorithm. Not only dumb but why not just create a new character if you're not going to use anything of the old character anyway. Teen Titans has not been able to find its footings since Geoff Johns wrote it years ago. It needs to go back to its foundations and have the characters be the sidekicks of existing heroes who wanted to get together and hang out who then became something of a family.
January 17, 2018
This was a decent story. It is very action focused. In this one, there is a gay hero. Alright. That's progress. I was entertained.
They did these panels where you could see the page and I didn't really appreciate that. I did enjoy the art. I thought the whole new Power Girl thing and the transfer of power was stupid and the girls are too busty, as usual.
I will check out the next volume.
They did these panels where you could see the page and I didn't really appreciate that. I did enjoy the art. I thought the whole new Power Girl thing and the transfer of power was stupid and the girls are too busty, as usual.
I will check out the next volume.
September 1, 2016
I received this from Edelweiss and DC Comics in exchange for an honest review. The actual review will be posted when the review embargo is lifted on August 10th.
January 24, 2021
Not a fan -- reintroducing Manchester Black, Cassie's character, Cassie's mom, Beast Boy, New Power Girl, Bunker's moods, Bunker's preference, Raven's cult, all seem... token, maybe?
July 14, 2015
I'm not the biggest Teen Titans fan. And I really didn't care for the New 52 Teen Titans. With that out of the way, this was okay. Not amazing or anything. But not bad. I liked that the characters looked more like 16/17 than 13/14. Wonder Girl's redesign was a little too "Mature" She looked a little like a playboy bunny rather than a superhero. But not a bad book.
I received an anvanced copy from Netgalley.com and DC
I received an anvanced copy from Netgalley.com and DC
July 20, 2015
Reading this thanks to Netgalley...and this only influences my opinion regarding Netgalley being awesome and not with regards to the book itself. ;)
So there were three stories in this volume, and I'm going to review them separately.
Blinded by the Light
I'm already leaning towards 4 stars. The art was great. The story was great. The villain was interesting, and overall it was a good introduction.
My one drawback was Wonder Girl looking like she got a pair of huge wonder-breast implants. It's Teen Titans. I get that her costume is form-fitting and there will be some boob action. But those things are huge and the shape is very FAKE BOOBS and not teenage girl.
Human Resources
This half goes down a notch just from the change in the art. I just didn't like the style as much as the first, but maybe I would have liked it just fine if they'd both been the same style. No real way of knowing. Of course, art is subjective.
Though, on the upside, Wonder Girl's breasts are of more natural proportions and shape.
The story though left a lot to be desired. Sure there were things that happened like the introduction for Power Girl, but then it kind of just stopped pre-any resolution.
One Brief, Shining Moment
Now the art is a sort of mix between the two, but leaning a little more towards the second style and it's brought me back around to really liking it again. We're talking more than I liked the first style.
This one picks up just where the last left off so that solves the resolution issue I had easily. It does leave things open for the story overall to continue to a new volume which is expected.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and definitely would read more or continue on with this incarnation of the Teen Titans. Some of the variant covers included at the end are cool enough to frame which is always a plus.
So there were three stories in this volume, and I'm going to review them separately.
Blinded by the Light
I'm already leaning towards 4 stars. The art was great. The story was great. The villain was interesting, and overall it was a good introduction.
My one drawback was Wonder Girl looking like she got a pair of huge wonder-breast implants. It's Teen Titans. I get that her costume is form-fitting and there will be some boob action. But those things are huge and the shape is very FAKE BOOBS and not teenage girl.
Human Resources
This half goes down a notch just from the change in the art. I just didn't like the style as much as the first, but maybe I would have liked it just fine if they'd both been the same style. No real way of knowing. Of course, art is subjective.
Though, on the upside, Wonder Girl's breasts are of more natural proportions and shape.
The story though left a lot to be desired. Sure there were things that happened like the introduction for Power Girl, but then it kind of just stopped pre-any resolution.
One Brief, Shining Moment
Now the art is a sort of mix between the two, but leaning a little more towards the second style and it's brought me back around to really liking it again. We're talking more than I liked the first style.
This one picks up just where the last left off so that solves the resolution issue I had easily. It does leave things open for the story overall to continue to a new volume which is expected.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and definitely would read more or continue on with this incarnation of the Teen Titans. Some of the variant covers included at the end are cool enough to frame which is always a plus.
July 5, 2015
Thank you netgalley for providing me a copy in exchange of a honest review!
Review will come closer to release date :)
Review will come closer to release date :)
January 6, 2022
A great read with lots of action that is on par with the artwork.
As the Teen Titans start to come into their own they are faced with an unstoppable villain named Algorithm with all her crimes tied to S.T.A.R. Labs.
This TBP collects issues 1-7 of the Teen Titans: Blinded by the Light.
As the Teen Titans start to come into their own they are faced with an unstoppable villain named Algorithm with all her crimes tied to S.T.A.R. Labs.
This TBP collects issues 1-7 of the Teen Titans: Blinded by the Light.
August 1, 2015
More like 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up for a change, instead of down. I'm doing it for a few reasons: 1. I genuinely liked the characters, the story and the art that were used for this volume. 2. I think that this is a great jumping off point for those new to the Titans and it doesn't require any previous knowledge to understand. 3. I wish this had been the way they started Teen Titans for the New 52. I would have liked this way more as a new reader than I liked the first volume 1 I read. Older Titans fans with more comics under their belt might disagree. Also, maybe they'll stop bitching now that Raven and Beast Boy were included. WTF is with that Twitter knockoff, "Chirper" being in EVERY newer young DC title???!!! Also, why is a band of some kind necessary for all of these as well??? Those are my only real complaints though. I recommend it, especially if you're on the fence. What didn't work for Batgirl in such a high degree, has been toned down here and works much better with these characters and the group/team dynamic.
August 11, 2015
It wasn't the worst thing I've read from DC lately, so there's that. Review to come.
July 14, 2020
5 🌟
The Teen Titans deal with a robot and then make a partnership with STAR labs. They also have lots of fan clubs.
The Teen Titans deal with a robot and then make a partnership with STAR labs. They also have lots of fan clubs.
August 5, 2015
I'm not sure I enjoyed this at all. I think the Teen Titans have impressive powers and I liked the comradery/rivalry between some of them. I think Manchester Black is a great name. I am still also mystified by how Wonder Girl's costume manages to hold itself up (boob tubes are so not practical...)
I liked the art during the first half, but it changed abruptly in the second and I liked that less. Basically, there wasn't much of a cohesive story arc here, it was all random pieces of disconnected action. Maybe for fans of the older stuff, but as someone going into them fresh, it's not a great place to start.
I liked the art during the first half, but it changed abruptly in the second and I liked that less. Basically, there wasn't much of a cohesive story arc here, it was all random pieces of disconnected action. Maybe for fans of the older stuff, but as someone going into them fresh, it's not a great place to start.
December 1, 2016
Just alright. Mostly just pretty.
January 26, 2024
It's weird cause I don't think I really liked this, but I kinda want to read the next issue. Not for the story or anything, but solely cause I want to see if my theories are right. At the same time, I don't see myself enjoying the series too much and it being awhile before I would even carry on, so I might just look up what happens.
January 17, 2022
Gar is written like a gen z stereotype lowkey
September 17, 2015
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. This isn't as offensively terrible as the last volume, but it's still not good.
The biggest thing that Will Pfeifer fixed is that the team isn't a bunch of jerks anymore. Red Robin is still a bit obnoxious, and so is Cassie, but it fits more. It feels like that's just their personality, they're abrasive people, not that they are just trying to be angst ridden and horrible. Raven is a lot more fun, almost reminiscent of her role on the TV show where she is sometimes trying to overcome her dark personality. It's enjoyable to watch, but clashes significantly with what we last saw. Bunker has similarly changed without much explanation. He starts off assaulting a guy he rescued who was less than grateful and claims it had to do with his homophobia, which wasn't really expressed. I still like Bunker a lot, and they reined him in from the stereotype he was becoming in the last volume, but his motivations are unclear. And Beast Boy is just Beast Boy. He's adorable and awesome.
On the other hand, the plot is a little jumbled. Nothing terrible, but it's just not that engaging. Nothing new or exciting. Kids take drugs to get superpowers and randomly get their asses kicked by real superheroes. Some political agenda against a big research lab. Double crossing and conspiracy. It's not as exciting as it sounds.
The art is good, but I'm shocked that Rocafort just isn't doing it for me here. I usually love his work, but it is off somehow. Maybe it's just not a good fit for this book and these characters. I thought Scott Hepburn actually did much better. His style fits with the teen vibe and gives it a different type of energy that helped those issues.
That said, I'm not sold and I'm still too embittered by the last run to trust this. I'm signing off until there's a full vote of confidence in the title.
The biggest thing that Will Pfeifer fixed is that the team isn't a bunch of jerks anymore. Red Robin is still a bit obnoxious, and so is Cassie, but it fits more. It feels like that's just their personality, they're abrasive people, not that they are just trying to be angst ridden and horrible. Raven is a lot more fun, almost reminiscent of her role on the TV show where she is sometimes trying to overcome her dark personality. It's enjoyable to watch, but clashes significantly with what we last saw. Bunker has similarly changed without much explanation. He starts off assaulting a guy he rescued who was less than grateful and claims it had to do with his homophobia, which wasn't really expressed. I still like Bunker a lot, and they reined him in from the stereotype he was becoming in the last volume, but his motivations are unclear. And Beast Boy is just Beast Boy. He's adorable and awesome.
On the other hand, the plot is a little jumbled. Nothing terrible, but it's just not that engaging. Nothing new or exciting. Kids take drugs to get superpowers and randomly get their asses kicked by real superheroes. Some political agenda against a big research lab. Double crossing and conspiracy. It's not as exciting as it sounds.
The art is good, but I'm shocked that Rocafort just isn't doing it for me here. I usually love his work, but it is off somehow. Maybe it's just not a good fit for this book and these characters. I thought Scott Hepburn actually did much better. His style fits with the teen vibe and gives it a different type of energy that helped those issues.
That said, I'm not sold and I'm still too embittered by the last run to trust this. I'm signing off until there's a full vote of confidence in the title.
September 9, 2017
The previous volume of the nu52 Titans had two big troubles. First, it was filled with a second-rate version of the Titans including a non-Robin Tim Drake, a very-angry Wonder Girl, a terrorist Impulse, a shockingly dull Raven, and a badly stereotyped Bunker. Second, it was written by Scott Lobdell, and it was horrible.
This new Will Pfeier soft-boot is much better written, but it's still saddled with second-class versions of a lot of great characters. Raven continues to be the poster emo girl for horrible revamps, but a Robin that gets beat up all the time just isn't a great look. It's hard to say if this is ever going to be fixable, or if DC has permanently given up decades of great evolution for these characters.
But still, Pfeifer's revamp is so much better than what came before. Oh, the story about STAR labs doesn't feel that important. Especially since we've already seen the nu52 Titans and evil labs gig done to death. But there's interesting action, in the right proportions, and good character growth.
Really, Pfeifer is just a much better author that Lobdell. But he's still fighting with the problems of the nu52 characters and the nu52 style.
This new Will Pfeier soft-boot is much better written, but it's still saddled with second-class versions of a lot of great characters. Raven continues to be the poster emo girl for horrible revamps, but a Robin that gets beat up all the time just isn't a great look. It's hard to say if this is ever going to be fixable, or if DC has permanently given up decades of great evolution for these characters.
But still, Pfeifer's revamp is so much better than what came before. Oh, the story about STAR labs doesn't feel that important. Especially since we've already seen the nu52 Titans and evil labs gig done to death. But there's interesting action, in the right proportions, and good character growth.
Really, Pfeifer is just a much better author that Lobdell. But he's still fighting with the problems of the nu52 characters and the nu52 style.
July 13, 2015
Not quite a 4 star, coming in as more than a 3.75, this book, with pretty awesome artwork, was a heck of a lot better than Lobdell's run which went downhill when he felt the need to cross it over with every other book that he was writing at the time. A nice breath of fresh air with some cool characters this is unfortunately a book that I didn't quite have the funds to keep up with on a monthly basis but something that I plan on revisiting in trades further down the line for sure.
January 11, 2016
Puntuación: 3,5
Un nuevo comienzo para los Teen Titans, el equipo ha tenido unas cuantas modificaciones: Superboy y Kid Flash ya no están, y Beast Boy recuperó su color verde. Power Girl se incorpora al equipo, dandole un aire novedoso a la serie.
Es interesante y adecuado para pasar el rato.
Un nuevo comienzo para los Teen Titans, el equipo ha tenido unas cuantas modificaciones: Superboy y Kid Flash ya no están, y Beast Boy recuperó su color verde. Power Girl se incorpora al equipo, dandole un aire novedoso a la serie.
Es interesante y adecuado para pasar el rato.
December 8, 2023
They made Manchester Black NOT an a-hole, and NOT a diabolical mastermind (or at least not so easy to tell).
Sooo WHY SHOULD I CARE?!
And we STILL dealing with some of the New 52 Titans! WRRRRRRRY?!
Sooo WHY SHOULD I CARE?!
And we STILL dealing with some of the New 52 Titans! WRRRRRRRY?!
August 2, 2015
The constant renumbering of this book series without rebooting is getting very old. The only real props I can give this book at this point, is that they made Beast Boy green again.
August 7, 2015
not brilliant but still good
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2015/0...
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2015/0...
November 18, 2015
It was okay... Nothing too great...
February 18, 2021
Nie ma to jak restartować zrestartowany tytuł jeszcze w tym samym cyklu wydawniczym ( a potem zrestartować go raz jeszcze...), ale nie dziwi mnie to wcale, bo poprzednia seria Teen Titans delikatnie mówią, ssała. Poza pierwszym tomem, poziom fabuły pikował ostro w dół i nawet poprawne rozliczenie się z bohaterami pod koniec historii, nie jest w stanie zatrzeć raczej negatywnej opinii na temat tamtego tworu. Tylko, czy w ramach całego Dc You nowi, starzy Młodzi Tytani będą nam w stanie zaoferować czytelnikom coś więcej? Cóż, i tak i nie.
Za fajny uważam aspekt medialności ekipy. Poprzednio ich przygody działy się na uboczu ‘society’ i nikt nie miał świadomości, że taka grupa super-bohaterska w ogóle istnieje. Teraz strzałeczka na skali popularności obróciła się w drugą stronę. Młodzież działa w mieście i robi to na tyle efektownie, że filmiki z ich akcji trafiają do wszelakich mediów społecznościowych. Dalej to wszystkim popularność, ale i rodzi pewne kłopoty. Taki Bunker i Beast Boy wydają się pławić w świetle jupiterów, ale Cassie ma już większe problemy. Nie dosyć, że ma na głowie opiekuńczą mamę, to jeszcze popularność ściąga na bohaterkę pokaźny fanklub Wondergirl, który naśladuje swoją idolkę tak czynami, jak i wyglądem. Z kolei Raven jest tak tajemnicza, iż nawet jeden z zespołów ma stylówkę zainspirowaną jej wyglądem...
Ich akcja przyciąga odpowiednią uwagę, w tym nawet służb, z STAR Labs na czele. Pojawienie się pewnego ważniaka o barwnym nazwie Manchester Black, dla którego grupa będzie teraz pracować, uważam za pomysł średnio trafiony. To charakterem taki dalszy kuzyn Constantine’a, działający główne na swoją korzyść. Red Robin jest na tyle łebski, że byłby w stanie pociągnąć działanie grupy samemu, a tak mamy ‘typowe podwykonawstwo’. Dobrze, że przynajmniej przeciwniczka prezentuje się ciekawie (choć potencjał drzemiący w niej nie został wykorzystany właściwie), a i warstwa wizualna, za którą odpowiadają Kenneth Rocafort i Scott Hupburn prezentuje się przyjemnie dla oka, mimo wyraźnych różnic w style kresek. Na dodatek są one pełne detali i świetnie wyglądają przy pokazywanych akcjach. No i momentami drobny humor, zwłaszcza przy zmiennokształtnym Garze, wychodzi tu naprawdę dobrze.
Miałem problem z omawianym tytułem, bo miejscami był mocno przegadany i należało poświęcić mu naprawdę sporo uwagi. A skoro stawia takie wymagania, to czegoś od niego oczekuję w zamian. Liczyłem na interakcję między herosami, ale te są miejscami różne w poziomie. W kwestii rozwoju herosów nie ma tu nic, czego bym nie widział, a jakimś długoletnim fanem serii nie jestem.
Dołączenie do zespołu Power Girl to ciekawy pomysł, ale raczej nie jest w pełni wykorzystany. Główny wątek fabularny też jest przewidywalny, co gorsza prowadzi do słabego finału, gdzie nasza grupa poza 'za-pozowaniem' do kamery, nie ma zbytnio co do roboty. A potencjał był, zwłaszcza z pewnym wybuchem. Mimo, że jest tu cała masa akcji, to paradoksalnie nie było to tak ‘krzepkie’, jak można było się spodziewać po takiej utalentowanej młodzieży.
‘Blinded by the Light’ to nie jest zły komiks. Ba, w większości czasu jaki poświęciłem na lekturę, ubawiłem się nieźle, zwłaszcza przy naprawdę dobrym początku, gdzie postaci mogą się wykazać mocami i pomysłem na ich użycie. Szkopuł w tym, że potem dzieje się coś niedobrego i ta błyskotliwa, zabawna narracja gdzieś ucieka i mamy napływ wątków mocno przewidywalnych. To taki komiks od fanów dla fanów, którzy kochają te postaci w nieco odświeżonych szatach. I jedyne czego się obawiam, to takiej powtórki z rozrywki, gdzie mamy niezły początek, a potem jednak nie starczyło pary na resztę. Obym był złym prorokiem.
Za fajny uważam aspekt medialności ekipy. Poprzednio ich przygody działy się na uboczu ‘society’ i nikt nie miał świadomości, że taka grupa super-bohaterska w ogóle istnieje. Teraz strzałeczka na skali popularności obróciła się w drugą stronę. Młodzież działa w mieście i robi to na tyle efektownie, że filmiki z ich akcji trafiają do wszelakich mediów społecznościowych. Dalej to wszystkim popularność, ale i rodzi pewne kłopoty. Taki Bunker i Beast Boy wydają się pławić w świetle jupiterów, ale Cassie ma już większe problemy. Nie dosyć, że ma na głowie opiekuńczą mamę, to jeszcze popularność ściąga na bohaterkę pokaźny fanklub Wondergirl, który naśladuje swoją idolkę tak czynami, jak i wyglądem. Z kolei Raven jest tak tajemnicza, iż nawet jeden z zespołów ma stylówkę zainspirowaną jej wyglądem...
Ich akcja przyciąga odpowiednią uwagę, w tym nawet służb, z STAR Labs na czele. Pojawienie się pewnego ważniaka o barwnym nazwie Manchester Black, dla którego grupa będzie teraz pracować, uważam za pomysł średnio trafiony. To charakterem taki dalszy kuzyn Constantine’a, działający główne na swoją korzyść. Red Robin jest na tyle łebski, że byłby w stanie pociągnąć działanie grupy samemu, a tak mamy ‘typowe podwykonawstwo’. Dobrze, że przynajmniej przeciwniczka prezentuje się ciekawie (choć potencjał drzemiący w niej nie został wykorzystany właściwie), a i warstwa wizualna, za którą odpowiadają Kenneth Rocafort i Scott Hupburn prezentuje się przyjemnie dla oka, mimo wyraźnych różnic w style kresek. Na dodatek są one pełne detali i świetnie wyglądają przy pokazywanych akcjach. No i momentami drobny humor, zwłaszcza przy zmiennokształtnym Garze, wychodzi tu naprawdę dobrze.
Miałem problem z omawianym tytułem, bo miejscami był mocno przegadany i należało poświęcić mu naprawdę sporo uwagi. A skoro stawia takie wymagania, to czegoś od niego oczekuję w zamian. Liczyłem na interakcję między herosami, ale te są miejscami różne w poziomie. W kwestii rozwoju herosów nie ma tu nic, czego bym nie widział, a jakimś długoletnim fanem serii nie jestem.
Dołączenie do zespołu Power Girl to ciekawy pomysł, ale raczej nie jest w pełni wykorzystany. Główny wątek fabularny też jest przewidywalny, co gorsza prowadzi do słabego finału, gdzie nasza grupa poza 'za-pozowaniem' do kamery, nie ma zbytnio co do roboty. A potencjał był, zwłaszcza z pewnym wybuchem. Mimo, że jest tu cała masa akcji, to paradoksalnie nie było to tak ‘krzepkie’, jak można było się spodziewać po takiej utalentowanej młodzieży.
‘Blinded by the Light’ to nie jest zły komiks. Ba, w większości czasu jaki poświęciłem na lekturę, ubawiłem się nieźle, zwłaszcza przy naprawdę dobrym początku, gdzie postaci mogą się wykazać mocami i pomysłem na ich użycie. Szkopuł w tym, że potem dzieje się coś niedobrego i ta błyskotliwa, zabawna narracja gdzieś ucieka i mamy napływ wątków mocno przewidywalnych. To taki komiks od fanów dla fanów, którzy kochają te postaci w nieco odświeżonych szatach. I jedyne czego się obawiam, to takiej powtórki z rozrywki, gdzie mamy niezły początek, a potem jednak nie starczyło pary na resztę. Obym był złym prorokiem.
May 13, 2018
Teen Titans was restarted again in time for the eighth wave of the New 52 imprint. This series chronicles the on-going adventures of Tim Drake as Red Robin, Cassie Sandsmark as Wonder Girl, Miguel Barragan as Bunker, Gar Logan as a now green Beast Boy, and Raven. This trade paperback collects the first seven issues of the 2014 on-going series.
Teen Titans: Blinded by the Light opens up with terrorist kidnapping a school bus filled with children threatening to blow them up when they crash into S.T.A.R. Labs. Manchester Black and his S.T.A.R. Labs associates watches on as the Teen Titans capture most of the terrorists (sans the leader) and save a runaway bus filled with children without even intervening on iota.
Apparently it was all a test for the Teen Titans by Manchester Black – he orchestrated the attacks by Algorithm in ordered to lure the Teen Titans, particularly Red Robin into his presence. The two of them discussed forming an alliance with each other – S.T.A.R. Labs with the Teen Titans, which the Teen Titans eventually agreed to.
A secondary story, which was used to further the second half of the trade paperback, was that a group of young women formed a group fashioned after Wonder Girl. Tanya Spears – the new Power Girl after getting some of her powers from the original Power Girl – Karen Starr heard about this group and investigated, which led her to Wonder Girl and the Teen Titans.
The trade paperback ends with this new Teen Titans going against a terrorist group that would use a weapon hidden under S.T.A.R. Labs to erase New York City from existence, a weapon too hard to pronounce, but was named The Eraser by the terrorist. The Teen Titans managed to take the cell down, in front of a live streaming recorder no less and became rather famous.
Will Pfeifer's writing for the most part was not ... too terrible – slightly better than previous writing, but nothing spectacular. However, it's not all too bad – the character sounded fresher with a new writer, but again nothing outstanding. Kenneth Rocafort's penciling was rather good, after a while, it has a sketchy, but youthful look to it. I like the fact that Beast Boy is green again, although I wished there were an expectation for it. Scott Hepburn penciled tow issues (Teen Titans #5–6) and is penciling is more angular that I'm used to, but not all too terrible.
All in all, Teen Titans: Blinded by the Light is a somewhat good start for this Teen Titans series. I was hoping with a new creative team at the helm would infuse the series with a fresh breath – it was somewhat successful, but not breathtakingly that I hoped for. Regardless, I'm looking forward in continuing the series.
Teen Titans: Blinded by the Light opens up with terrorist kidnapping a school bus filled with children threatening to blow them up when they crash into S.T.A.R. Labs. Manchester Black and his S.T.A.R. Labs associates watches on as the Teen Titans capture most of the terrorists (sans the leader) and save a runaway bus filled with children without even intervening on iota.
Apparently it was all a test for the Teen Titans by Manchester Black – he orchestrated the attacks by Algorithm in ordered to lure the Teen Titans, particularly Red Robin into his presence. The two of them discussed forming an alliance with each other – S.T.A.R. Labs with the Teen Titans, which the Teen Titans eventually agreed to.
A secondary story, which was used to further the second half of the trade paperback, was that a group of young women formed a group fashioned after Wonder Girl. Tanya Spears – the new Power Girl after getting some of her powers from the original Power Girl – Karen Starr heard about this group and investigated, which led her to Wonder Girl and the Teen Titans.
The trade paperback ends with this new Teen Titans going against a terrorist group that would use a weapon hidden under S.T.A.R. Labs to erase New York City from existence, a weapon too hard to pronounce, but was named The Eraser by the terrorist. The Teen Titans managed to take the cell down, in front of a live streaming recorder no less and became rather famous.
Will Pfeifer's writing for the most part was not ... too terrible – slightly better than previous writing, but nothing spectacular. However, it's not all too bad – the character sounded fresher with a new writer, but again nothing outstanding. Kenneth Rocafort's penciling was rather good, after a while, it has a sketchy, but youthful look to it. I like the fact that Beast Boy is green again, although I wished there were an expectation for it. Scott Hepburn penciled tow issues (Teen Titans #5–6) and is penciling is more angular that I'm used to, but not all too terrible.
All in all, Teen Titans: Blinded by the Light is a somewhat good start for this Teen Titans series. I was hoping with a new creative team at the helm would infuse the series with a fresh breath – it was somewhat successful, but not breathtakingly that I hoped for. Regardless, I'm looking forward in continuing the series.
August 6, 2022
The comic book for misfit characters.
It's not the Suicide Squad. They're too popular. This is a book for all the creative dead ends or ill timed ideas. Got some obscure character from Wildstorm, Vertigo, or a 'C List' DC title? Just chuck them on over to 'Teen Titans'. They'll craft a story around just about anyone.
Take Manchester Black for instance. He was a fairly popular villain in the Superman books. He had a good run and then they dropped the character like a hot potato. Thank GOD the New 52 found something to do with him. Dust him off, rewrite his origins and make him a S.T.A.R. Labs executive.
Josiah Power is another one. Formerly a lawyer that had his metagene activated and thereafter created the group 'Power Company' in the DCU. Now he's another executive in S.T.A.R. Labs.
Algorithm? That's WildC.A.T.s character Ladytron dusted off and redesigned. She's now a AI program given 'sentience', or a close proximity, by Mancchester Black.
Power Girl. Not the blonde haired, large chested one. There's a new girl using the name Power Girl. She's loosely tied to the Earth 2 (boy, don't you miss THAT trainwreck?) Supergirl and Huntress. The two superheroes were spacetime jumped to the New 52 universe after seeing their parents die facing Darkseid's forces in the Earth 2 universe.
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Art is fair, but must not had been able to meet deadlines because it changed style partway through. This feels like it would have been a better pitch to start the New 52 on. Mostly members you remember and yet different from what is remembered of the Teen Titans.
Bonus: Cassie has a WonderGirl fangirl gang running around town? That can't be good.
Bonus Bonus: Chirper, as a brand name, SUCKS. Wish they'd just call it what it is/was
It's not the Suicide Squad. They're too popular. This is a book for all the creative dead ends or ill timed ideas. Got some obscure character from Wildstorm, Vertigo, or a 'C List' DC title? Just chuck them on over to 'Teen Titans'. They'll craft a story around just about anyone.
Take Manchester Black for instance. He was a fairly popular villain in the Superman books. He had a good run and then they dropped the character like a hot potato. Thank GOD the New 52 found something to do with him. Dust him off, rewrite his origins and make him a S.T.A.R. Labs executive.
Josiah Power is another one. Formerly a lawyer that had his metagene activated and thereafter created the group 'Power Company' in the DCU. Now he's another executive in S.T.A.R. Labs.
Algorithm? That's WildC.A.T.s character Ladytron dusted off and redesigned. She's now a AI program given 'sentience', or a close proximity, by Mancchester Black.
Power Girl. Not the blonde haired, large chested one. There's a new girl using the name Power Girl. She's loosely tied to the Earth 2 (boy, don't you miss THAT trainwreck?) Supergirl and Huntress. The two superheroes were spacetime jumped to the New 52 universe after seeing their parents die facing Darkseid's forces in the Earth 2 universe.
----------
Art is fair, but must not had been able to meet deadlines because it changed style partway through. This feels like it would have been a better pitch to start the New 52 on. Mostly members you remember and yet different from what is remembered of the Teen Titans.
Bonus: Cassie has a WonderGirl fangirl gang running around town? That can't be good.
Bonus Bonus: Chirper, as a brand name, SUCKS. Wish they'd just call it what it is/was
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