I used to hate puns. In my book, they were one of the lowest forms of comedy, lacking the elegance of a literary reference or the simple poetry of a well-timed fart joke. More often than not they were cringe-inducing, a statement designed for the reaction rather than the joke itself.
But then I became a dad. Now, I have a new appreciation for puns. Could it be that I just didn’t understand the finer points of word play? Or mayhaps I lacked the conviction to properly convey a joke with a nuanced double-meaning.
Either way, this is a story titled “Scaredy Pants” where Raven and Cyborg make pants that literally scare the wearer and it’s the dumbest thing. Naturally, I thought it was hilarious.
One of the main strengths of this book has always been its art, with silly gags and jokes littered throughout. This story, though, has some panels that are genuinely stunning.
The use of shadow is striking, and the fact that colorist Franco Riesco was able to make a primarily blue image look so vibrant is a wonder.
Marcel Di Chiara is allowed to get pretty creative with his pencils, as the pants make Robin hallucinate and see common objects and people projected as his worst fears.
The pants themselves are pretty frightening, too.
Double-cuffed and visible stitching? ::shudders::
Heather Nuhfer and Paul Morrissey collaborate on the script, and while it isn’t remarkably deep and isn’t quite as cutting as other installments have been, it’s still fun.
The real joy of this book is its silliness, the fact that it doesn’t take the characters too seriously and can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. It doesn’t quite have the wit and charm of something like Tiny Titans, but it doesn’t talk down to its audience even with some juvenile humor. Enjoy it for what it is, and who knows? You may end up learning something.
Recommended if:
- You want a few laughs.
- You like the cartoon.
- You want something to enjoy with your kids.
- Puns.
Overall: It’s kind of a “same song, second verse” scenario with this book: you always know what you’re going to get. It’s goofy, usually harmless, and oftentimes great fun. If you’re not on board already then nothing will change with this installment, but if you can enjoy laughing at the sillier escapades of favorites like Robin, Starfire, and Cyborg then Teen Titans Go! may just be the book for you.
SCORE: 6.5/10
