DC Universe Presents #12: I have to admit that I was skeptical that I would like an issue dedicated to Kid Flash fighting three dino-teens who apparently hitched a ride with the Teen Titans when they left "Mystery Island," the winner of the 2012 "Mostly Poorly Fleshed out Concept in Comics" Award. But, man, Nicieza really delivers. It's a super fun issue. Nicieza really gets Bart, so he's fast (heh) with the quips all issue. I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite one, but I will say that I loved his interaction with the cops. ("None of this is my fault!" "Okay..." "No, I know how you guys are -- I want it on the record!" "Okay, okay -- just stop those things!") But, even better, Nicieza manages to really flesh out the three dino-teens nicely. By the end of the issue, they have personalities and rivalries and complications. I can't see reading this issue and NOT wanting to pick up "Teen Titans" #12. If you like Bart and/or want to read a fun zany adventure, this issue is for you.
Justice League #12: Honestly, after 12 issues, I just don't know how I feel about this title. This current arc suffers the same problem that I had with the first one, with Johns doing a great job building up the intensity, but rushing the denouement. Graves seemed to be a powerful guy, but the League takes him down pretty easily. here Sure, they work together to do so, but I don't think we see Graves even successfully land a punch. Moreover, the fight is over before we're even half-way through the issue. Normally, I would blame it on the editors rushing Johns to wrap up the arc before the #0 issues, but, since he did the same thing with the Darkseid arc, I don't think it's that easy.
The rest of the issue looks at the internal dynamics of the Justice League and the aftermath of the Graves encounter, and I'm also somewhat frustrated here. So far, Aquaman's role within the team seems to be demanding over and over again to run it, leading me to wonder why he wants to lead the team so badly if he has such disdain for its members (and they, possibly, for him). I also don't understand why any League member, particularly someone as sensible as Batman, would hold themselves even remotely responsible for Graves' family's death. How were they supposed to know that the ash from their conflict with Darkseid might've been carcinogenic? When only Hal sees the big picture, that they can save the world but they might not be able to save everyone, you have problems. Hal made even more sense when he wisely noted, a la "The Dark Knight," that his departure would given the League a scapegoat for the fight that they had last issue, a fight that Graves had televised around the world and led people to question the League's efficacy. I'm sad to see Hal go, because I'm worried that it's going to get really boring without him. Of course, the most obvious "internal dynamic" addressed in this issue is the Superman/Wonder Woman "moment." Johns did a great job here showing how it was two lonely people looking to connect with someone. It's actually the most organic moment of this entire series so far and it at least gives me some hope for the future.
That said, I feel like Johns just keeps trying to force too much into these issues. It's hard to fit a climatic battle with a big bad into an issue that also tries to give the main characters time to engage in some quiet reflection. Hopefully, with the #0 break, Johns will get a chance to re-focus a bit and start delivering more well paced stories. Beyond Superman and Wonder Woman, Johns has to start finding a way for the other charcters to interact in a way that makes you believe that they want to work together. I'm not saying that there shouldn't be tensions, since that would be boring, but it's getting hard to believe that any of them even want to be there.
Teen Titans #12: Lobdell deepens the mystery of Cassie here by introducing her crazy-ass boyfriend, who seems to be able to "share" the Silent Armor with her. After WAY too many issues spent on the N.O.W.H.E.R.E. business, I definitely approve of Lobdell redirecting his focus to stories that flesh out the pasts of the various Teen Titans members. Of course, it's not great, but you have to sort of accept it on Lobdell's terms. Why are Cassie, Kon, and Tim suddenly in a cabin in the woods? It's better not to ask. Why are Bunker, Kid Flash, and Solstice recovering in a motel in New Jersey and not the penthouse? Again, don't ask. It is what it is. Lobdell manages to get in some characterization, with Kon and Tim engaging in some not-so-friendly banter that reveals their shared attraction to Cassie. (The fact that she has a boyfriend, who also happens to be dedicated to destroying the world, should complicate those relationships even further.) I'm also still intrigued by the dino-teens, who Nicieza manages to flesh out all the more here. He's building Steg into an honest-to-goodness menace and one that seems to be a better fit for the Titans than N.O.W.H.E.R.E. was. I can't wait for their eventual grudge match. After some lackluster issues, it's nice to be enjoying the Titans again, even if "enjoying" comes from a place of reduced expectations.
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