Teen Titans #2

By Will Pfeifer, Kenneth Rocafort, & Dan Brown

Social media is everywhere… so why does it need to be in our comic books? Last month’s relaunched premiere of Teen Titans showcased the Titans in the modern world, with a focus heavily on the integration of phones, internet, and social interaction through technology. That all sounds pretty good, and I’m sure it’s a great attempt to get more closely involved with their readers, but just having phones, media coverage and nods to Twitter and Facebook isn’t enough to captivate an audience. Issue #2 attempts to integrate the same elements as last month, but it just doesn’t do anything to improve the story. Aside from the social media aspects, Teen Titans #2 was an enjoyable read with some fairly good scenes with the focus lying heavily on the tremendous art.

This issue had us jumping around quite a bit, but each new setting tied back to the events of issue #1 which maintained a feeling of consistency. Some characters that were absent last month were displayed here and it was nice to get a quick glimpse of what they’re up to. Bunker was the star this month, although his character comes across drastically different from his earlier incarnations. From beginning as a goofy, comedic-relief kind of guy, Bunker’s turned into a serious, righteous, no-nonsense crusader. It is a fine change that maybe came a little too sudden. Wondergirl leads a team of rogue teenagers wanting to make a difference; a subplot that would probably happen in the real world if we had Teen Titans to inspire us. As for Red Robin, the guy has less than two pages in this book and still comes across as the Batman of the Teen Titans. This character needs more screen time because he was the best part about the previous series.

Rocafort is known for his detailed art style and it is on full display here. His unique positioning of panels destroys any conventional looks and creates an exciting flow of the page. These things set him apart from many other artists and his art is instantly recognizable because of it. Brown’s colors are bright and vibrant, and detailed like Rocafort. The large shots and Bunker’s bricks are things to watch out for when examining the fine color work. The overall art is dynamic, fresh and detailed; everything comic art enthusiasts look for. And if reading on a tablet (like I did) zoom in and bask in glorious detailed art, which really lights up on the screens.

The social media integrations are nice addition but they may be trying to promote it too much, especially seeing as it’s a small addition that doesn’t advance the story or develop the characters. The Titans were all displayed nicely and the action was enjoyable to read. It’s too early to tell what kind of book this will be but its early issues have us convinced that, at the very least, Teen Titans will be a fun and energetic comic.