TITANS #10

[ A SMASHING SALE ] 

It's that time of the month again, folks, that time when we all sit back, relax, and try to figure out how Dick, Roy, Wally, Donna, Lilith, Garth, and the Duncan's are going to get out of Psimon's trap. So go on, get set, and get ready for another great story brought to us by Dan Abnett, Brett Booth, and DC Comics. It's May, 2017, and it's time for the Titans in review.

TO QUOTE Kin Hubbard: 'A bee is never as busy as it seems; it's just that it can't buzz any slower'. 

THE REVIEW:

Issue 10 of The Titans, or in other words, the final part of the 'Made in Manhattan' story-line, is basically a Battle Royale between the titular team and the Fearsome Five. So, as you can most probably imagine, that can only mean this tale will eventually resolve itself in one of three ways: The Titans could win, the Fearsome Five could win, or, by some strange fluke of luck, both teams could make it a draw -- it could be a stalemate -- which, let's face it, wouldn't really be a great ending to finish this story on.

Another factor we have to consider is the style in which this battle is relayed on the page. If it tries to do something original -- just to break the usual action-oriented conventions -- then hopefully its structure would be a fairly creative one by design -- innovative, while being clear and logical to follow. Yet having said all that, sometimes a fight can be illogical, ill paced, and not very exciting to witness -- which unfortunately for this issue, partly seems to be the case.

Picture the scene: As the book begins, we see Nightwing and The Flash tied up and hanging by their hands while their captors make sure they don't try to escape. As most of you may remember, last month both of these heroes got caught trying to break into Meta Solutions Clinic by Mammoth, Gizmo, and Psimon. So when this month's episode kicks off, it kicks off with Donna, Roy, Garth, and Lilith smashing on to the scene, and attempting to save their kidnapped comrades. 

But alas, this doesn't really pan out for the best, and I say this because not so long after the Titans show up, the remaining members of the Fearsome Five also show up and quickly take them down.

Don't worry though, because as luck would have it, once the Titans are defeated -- minus Lilith, who's still busy fighting Psimon -- Karen Duncan rapidly enters the scene and zaps her opponents into submission, doing so despite not having any real experience in the field of combat. Eventually Psimon gets taken down by Lilith -- Smack -- but not before he manages to mess-up Karen in the process, the poor-poor dear. 

Now I must admit I wasn't too thrilled with the way this concluding chapter was resolved. Even though I did love the amazing artwork provided by Brett Booth, which, as usual, was cleanly displayed, easy to follow, and very dynamic to look at, in the same breath, the illogical route this story finally took just didn't sit right with me.

I mean, the Titans have been in the superhero business for years -- individually, if not collectively -- so to see them being saved by someone who's never been a super powered hero before -- not in this new universe, anyway -- doesn't feel explainable yet it does feel contrived. I obviously say this because I think this resolution is partly due to how the story ends as well as the up and coming crossover event with Deathstroke, the Teen Titans, and the HIVE (AKA The Lazarus Contract). Not that this is a hugely terrible thing, mind you. But then again, when something feels too forced -- I'm looking at you, Dan Abnett --  it can also hinder it's flow, it's pacing, and it's original intent, especially when it's trying to tell a story about a new hero who's attempting to save others who also tried to save her.

On a more positive note, however, I did like the fact that Mal Duncan may actually be a superhero again. Seeing him in that clean cut Guardian costume brought back some fond memories and I do hope that he sticks around, along with his wife, who also seems like a nice character despite her abrupt and almost forced introduction.

So all in all, I'd say that this issue of the Titans was a fairly okay issue. The artwork was its main saving grace whereas the general resolution kind of felt like a dud in retrospect. Let's hope that next issues crossover will absolve this issue of its sins. Amen. 

THE MUSIC:

Essentially, a large portion of this tale involves people buzzing about, buzzing off, or, you know, buzz-buzz-buzzing in general.  So with that said, how could I not musically match it up with the Huey Lewis and The News song, 'Buzz Buzz Buzz'.

THE COMPARISON:

Now the obvious comparison for this comic book would have to be the act of a bee stinging a passer-by. So, if the cap fits, let the bugger's sting, Ha!

THE CONCLUSION:

At the end of this issue something happens to Karen Duncan. So, for the sake of money for the honey, can you guess what happens to her out of the following eight options? Could she… 

1. Sting herself to death.
2. Become diabetic.
3. Shy away from humankind and become sexually attracted to insects.
4. Start enjoying music played by Justin Bee-ber.
5. Lose a portion of her memory.
6. Turn into a lesbian.
7. Decide to be a bee keeper.
8. Produce honey by squatting down over a... a... uhhh?

Nuff said.