Teen Titans | Series Review

Teen Titans
By Kami Garcia, art by Gabriel Picolo
Teen Titans: Raven #1 (2019)
Teen Titans: Beast Boy #2 (2020)
Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven #3 (2021)
Teen Titans: Robin #4 (2023)
DC Comics

While the Teen Titans have been around since the 1960s and have evolved in the DC Universe over the years, Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo’s reimagined Teen Titans series opens up the comic book universe to a whole new line of readers.

The series began under DC Ink, an imprint targeted at young adult readers. Popular YA authors such as Kami Garcia, Meg Cabot, and others were commissioned to write graphic novels with well-known comic book characters, though the storylines did not continue any of the existing story arcs. While DC later dropped the DC Ink and middle-grade DC Zoom branding, they have continued to publish the graphic novels.

Each story in the series can be read independently, but ultimately it’s preferable to read them sequentially and in “one sitting” or at least continuously. I read the first book in the series when it originally came out, and I liked it so much better on my second read, especially as I binge-read all four in the series together in a day or so.

In the first volume, Raven is orphaned when she and her foster mother, who is about to adopt her, are in a terrible car accident. Raven goes to live with her foster mother’s sister and daughter in New Orleans. She doesn’t remember her past and only has an ominous feeling that something dark is looming over her. In the story, Raven learns about trust and friendship and family isn’t always about blood relations. She also discovers her lineage and carries the burden of it.

In Beast Boy, the second of the series, Gar is frustrated with his looks. Most people confuse him for a high school freshman when in fact he is almost done with his senior year. When Gar stops taking the supplements his parents have been giving him, it expedites his growth and reveals his ability to morph into animals. The ability is gradually discovered and as Gar uncovers the truth it causes a rift between him and his parents.

In the third book of the series, Beast Boy Loves Raven, both Raven and Gar have come to Nashville to meet up with someone named Slade who can offer them more information about who they are and about their abilities. Slade keeps them both waiting for a few days and the teens meet when Raven’s wallet is stolen, not realizing they both are there to meet the same person. The relationship deepens, but when they go to meet Slade, each is abducted and taken to a facility that tests their abilities to the limit. Not only does Raven’s foster sister, Maxine, witness the abduction, but another teen, also waiting for Slade, witnesses the attack from a distance. Together Maxine and Damian set out to free Raven and Beast Boy.
In the fourth, but not final installment (a 5th book is due out sometime in 2024), the teens are on the run. They are joined by Damien’s adoptive brother Dick Grayson. Tensions run high between the two boys, but ultimately the focus is on figuring out who Slade works for, why they are after the teens, and how they can all develop their abilities. With the help of Maxine’s mom, Gar is learning to control his ability to Morph. Raven is concerned about making contact ****SPOILER**** _{with her demon father}. Ultimately, the 5 teens have become a team.

I can’t wait for the 5th volume!

Piccolo’s artwork is outstanding. The panels are packed with action and emotion. The coloring in each volume is a muted color palette with a pop every so often. The coloring in itself adds to the tension of the story. The drawings are perfect for the story being told – lifelike enough for a YA novel and “cartoonish” enough to call this a superhero comic book.

Garcia’s storytelling is steady and careful. When read together, the four volumes link brilliantly and each story builds to a crescendo that leaves you wanting more (thank goodness for a sequel!). And while the ending might be a bit sappy, I don’t think anyone will mind with a promise of more action, adventure, suspense, and a little bit of feel-good drama.

This series will find an audience in a library serving middle grade students and early teens. For those readers who like superhero stories but haven’t delved into the superhero world, this series will find its niche.

Filed under: Graphic Novels, Reviews