The first thought that popped into my head when reading this issue was: wait, haven’t I read this before? I’m now reviewing two different six issue long Teen Titans stories where the main antagonist is the Church of Blood. These two stories are still wildly different but already I’m wondering why they couldn’t have just spaced them out a little.
The description I just gave for this comic is pretty much everything you’ll get to find out about so far in issue one. There’s a pretty cool ending that I’m not not gonna spoil but apart from that this comic isn’t really interested in giving us too much to chew on in terms of character or themes. I’m pretty sure that this first issue is mostly just bombastic eye catching fight scenes to get you hooked into the rest of the story which might be a bit slower in pace. This could work out really well if the writers immediately pick up the dialogue and instead of making characters all crack wise start having them have some serious questions and thoughts about the implications of what’s going on. Otherwise they could also just tear the world apart and keep having fun with it. Either way I’m pretty curious as to how each issue is going to build off from the insane energy of this first comic.
I just wish that Cavan Scott had more confidence in the art’s ability to deliver the reader important information. The characters can crack wise and insult each other and that’s fine, that’s kind of expected from the Titans. But there are more than a few pieces of dialogue that deliver the bare essentials for the plot that are already clearly being explained by the characters’ actions and expressions. The omniscient narrator is the worst at delivering interesting writing and ends up chewing the scenery which is a real shame when the scenery is just begging to be admired.
I’m actually really enjoying the more realistic art of this comic and this issue really packs a punch. They clearly want you to be focused on what you’re seeing because the story is just as easily told by what’s drawn. Most of the time the art isn’t really telling you much about the story and is more keen on showcasing the incredible fighting of good guys and villains. There is always something insane going on for you to look at, superhero powers are flying around left and right and looking really powerful at all times. A true fight between Titans drawn superbly well by Lucas Meyer. 
The coloring by Tony Aviña compliments the art and never falters, constantly colliding different powers and characters between dark and luminescent streaks. The moment someone’s superpowers are energy related, magic or otherwise, there’s this intense whiteness that fills the inside and then shoots out light or flamboyant colors which travel across the page feeling as though they’re powerful enough to tear the page apart. I especially love the panels that are controlled by Raven or the Church of Blood and think that it’s an amazing touch that I’ve noticed a couple comics doing when it comes to mind or body control and personally am such a huge fan.
Recommended if…
- An ADHD infused action brawl between beasts and badass superpowers sounds like an insane opener to a new Teen Titans story
- You want to read yet another Teen Titans story about the Church of Blood
- There’s something about realistic looking superheroes who are beautifully colored that just catches your eye
Overall
While this first issue was a lot of fun to look at I’m really curious to see where the story will go on from here. I don’t want to spoil the ending but there are a lot of implications and ideas that this story could use for its next issues and also way more character development that could really drive this story home. If the comic decided to keep up with the energy of the first issue then I’m honestly here for it, as long as the writing doesn’t crowd the page then I’m pretty happy checking out these insane displays of might every month or so.
Score: 6.5/10
Disclaimer: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review.
