Tiny Titans: Return to the Treehouse #6
Written by Art Baltazar and Franco
Illustrated by Art Baltazar
And so we begin the month of November, and the first of at least three of my books that are ending.
Thankfully, this miniseries ends only to set up the return of the Tiny Titans in a future series, so it’s not all bad.
The opening gag consists of Cyborg opening a Boom Tube, allowing the Secret Oranges of the Justice League through, all the while being unable to close the Tube because the batteries are dead. That right there is enough to warrant purchase of the issue.
Up until now, the Titans haven’t been able to find a suitable replacement for their missing treehouse, even with the assistance of Leaguers like Superman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman. So, instead of suffering through math (understandable), they take advantage of Cyborg’s own continuity and connections with the League and pop into the Justice League Watchtower via Boom Tube, earning detention in the process (also understandable).
It goes about as well as you’d expect.
Batman is none too pleased with their arrival, nor with B’dg who opened the Boom Tube that allowed them in.
You know B’dg, right? The adorable squirrelish Green Lantern who isn’t Ch’p? Well you do now.
We’re only seven pages in and already there are enough gags and throwaway references to please the most hardcore DC fans, which is why I’m sad to see this book go. Those, combined with the snappy writing, make this a book that I’m incredibly sad to see go.
The series’ trademark humor is on full display, like in a scene where Batman proclaims it to be a job for Superman, and then just turns his head and yells “Clark!” without getting out of his chair. Or when Superman calls Brainiac to get the treehouse back, who just ignores his call. It’s silly, it’s goofy, and it can be enjoyed by anyone no matter their age. That’s saying nothing of the more subtle jokes, like Cyborg saying that “the future has no end, my friend.” Baltazar and Franco really know how to balance their material and make jokes that aren’t maddeningly esoteric without being blatant, obvious groaners either.
A book like this is more about the gags and good time rather than a rock-solid plot, but it is a little disappointing that everything wraps up so easily about halfway through the issue. I wasn’t expecting a huge battle or anything, as that isn’t what this book is about, but it pretty much amounts to Batman slapping Brainiac on the wrist and using his mean teacher voice.
Then again, that’s exactly the kind of Batman I want to see here, so that’s fine with me. Plus the Titans now have not one but six sweet treehouses with… less than snappy names.
Like I said before, this issue ends with a setup for another Tiny Titans series (“The Detention Contract,” perhaps?) and features the return of possibly my favorite character in comics right now: Lunch Lady Darkseid.
Too bad they’re obscuring the Anti-Life Equation
I know that Baltazar and Franco have a few projects lined up, such as Itty Bitty Comics: The Mask, so hopefully they can return to the Titans sometime again in the near future. No matter what, we still have this mini, the 50 issues of the original series, and Superman Family Adventures to tide us over until then.
Recommended if:
- You enjoy a solid, all-ages comic.
- You enjoy solid writing with great, clean humor.
- Darkseid as a lunch lady is something you want to see, because it’s definitely something you want to see.
Overall: A solid enough conclusion that ends up being set up for another series, but with something as enjoyable as this book, that’s ok. It’s light and funny, a quick read that still warrants a return or two to get all the jokes or just laugh a second time. In an increasingly dour comics landscape, Baltazar and Franco have given us a rarity: an all-ages book that is suitable for everyone, from children to adults, without talking down or pandering to anyone.
SCORE: 8.5/10
