Titans (vol.3) #20 (2018)

Titans (vol.3) #20 (April, 2018)
"Titans Apart, Part One"
Writer - Dan Abnett
Penciller - Paul Pelletier
Inker - Andrew Hennessy
Colorist - Adriano Lucas
Letterer - Carlos M. Mangual
Assistant Editor - Dave Wielgosz
Editor - Alex Antone
Group Editor - Brian Cunningham
Cover Price: $3.99

For folks who might not know... or care, I review the most recent volume of Teen Titans (that's volume six) over at Weird Science DC Comics... and lemme tell ya, folks... it's a boring book.  I can't say that it's objectively "bad", but... nothing happens!

This week, I reviewed the final issue of the volume (#19... on shelves today), and was baffled at how little forward momentum had occurred over the past 1-2 years in the title.  Every issue/arc was predicated on a Titan either joining... or quitting... or rejoining... or being given the boot!  Other than that... nothing happens!

So... it might go without saying (though, I'll say it anyway)... I'm a little gun-shy on the post-Rebirth Titans books.  And so, the sister title, Titans, has just been stacking up in my "maybe I ought to get around and read this" pile.  So... let's do it!

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We open with Roy Harper, all by his lonesome trying to take on some Intergang Enforcers.  It looks as though he's about to bite it, when his old friend... older lover, Cheshire arrives on the scene to bail his poor butt out of trouble.  Together they're able to take down the baddies, and make a clean-ish getaway.

We follow them to a (presumably) nearby Noodle Shop, where they do a little catching up.  I'm going to guess that Lian Harper (that's Roy and Cheshire's daughter) was never a "thing" post-Flashpoint/Rebirth... otherwise, I'm pretty sure she'd at least get a passing mention.  Roy and Cheshire were definitely lovers though.  He fills her in on the Titans dissolution... and his would-be plans for the future.  Cheshire suggests they work together on taking down the Intergang Cartels... but questions Roy's ability not to fall back into "the pit" of using, if he's so close to drugs.

Later, Roy checks in with Donna... who is being held on the Justice League Satellite due to her having... I wanna say, a split-personality gimmick going on?  She turns into "Troia", which to me is that gaudily-dressed short-haired version of herself... but apparently that's something altogether different.  He tells her that he's going to go radio-silent for awhile... which causes her a fair amount of distress.  Wonder Woman pops in with a tray-full of grub... and they have a strange and sorta contentious chat.

We shift over to Keystone City where Dick Grayson is helping Wally West (the real one) move into his new digs.  They talk about how their lives will be moving in different directions now that the Justice League put the kibosh on their collective.  I didn't know the Justice League had like full-on legislative power, but I guess they do!  They even question whether or not they should be hanging out... out of costume!  What kind of madness is this?  Not a good look for the League.

We rejoin Roy and Cheshire who are infiltrating an Intergang Cartel.  The baddies are synthesizing the drug "Bliss" off of an original compound.  Intergang goes down easily... and the goods are gotten.

We follow Roy and Cheshire back to his place... where she persuades him into sleeping with her.  In fairness, Roy doesn't take all that much in the way of prodding in order to head to the bedroom.

We shift ahead a bit, to find a groggy... maybe stoned... Roy stumble out of his (now empty) bed.  He wonders if he "gave in" and used.  In the living room, he sees that the "Bliss" sample (along with Cheshire) is gone.

We wrap up with Cheshire giving the goods to Monsieur Mallah and the Brain... who thankfully weren't in bed themselves!

--

I tell ya what... after reading "Nothing Happening" Teen Titans, this book is like a breath of fresh air!  The story may not be exactly what I'm looking for, but... I can't argue that there is, in actuality, a story here!

From the moment I saw this cover in the solicitations, I kinda had that knot in my stomach.  I figured "well, they gave it a try... but it didn't quite work out".  This was (outside of the Superman books) what I wanted most out of Rebirth.  I wanted the Titans... my Titans... back.  If you flip through the archives here, I gave an impassioned plea when I reviewed Titans (vol.3) #5... it was probably the most boring book I'd read in years... and I was able to synopsize the entire issue in less than five minutes.  I listed my complaints and observations... and wrote that, even five months in, I feared for this book's longevity.

And here we are.  I can't say it's all this book's fault, however.  DC does feel like it's in a bit of an upheaval at the moment.  We've had crazy delays on things like Dark Knights: Metal... and currently with Doomsday Clock.  The Justice League books are up in the air... everyone needs to stop and gawk at the incoming Bendis... and the Titans, well... they're just collateral damage.

Luckily for us, what we get here isn't half bad.

Like I said above... I'm not sure if Lian Harper was ever a thing that happened.  I mean, if she did (and if Justice League: Cry for Justice happened)... she's long dead at this point (Convergence: Titans notwithstanding), but still... I feel like she'd warrant a mention.  I think we can guess that she never born in this timeline.

Sticking with Cheshire... I really dig how calculated she is here.  Like every line she spoke was planned out.  Expressing interest in Roy's life by asking where the Titans were.  On the surface it looks like she's genuinely concerned... but in reality, she's just trying to see how easy a "mark" Roy's going to be.

I think my only real "complaint" is, I'm left unsure as to whether or not Roy relapsed.  It's sort of implied... but, isn't made crystal clear.  It might just be Cheshire messing with his head.  I guess the answer might be in the next issue.

The art comes from one of my favorites, Paul Pelletier.  Just love this guy's work!  He's always been one of those artists that I try and follow when he takes on new gigs... and I'm definitely jazzed to see him here.

Overall... this is a promising start to the arc that will wrap up this volume.  I try and keep away from solicits (because they might as well be called "spoilers for what's going to happen in three months' time)... so, I couldn't say what (if anything) the future holds for this property.  I can say, however, that this one is worth a read.

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Manhunter (vol.2) #1 (1994)

Manhunter (vol.2) #1 (November, 1994)
"True Fiction"
Writer - Steven Grant
Artist - Vince Giarrano
Letterer - Clem Robins
Colorist - Adrienne Roy
Editor - Archie Goodwin
Cover Price: $1.95

No man escapes the... well, you know.

Today we're going to take a look at a book... that, if you ask me, was kinduva "blink and you'll miss it".  A volume of Manhunter that I sometimes forget even existed!

That being said... it's also a volume of Manhunter that I've never read!  Let's remedy that... at least for the first issue (not counting the zero ish), right now!

--

We open on our titular (though not yet named as such) Manhunter.  His head is full of some sorta purple prose... but it's also confused.  There's something about how these captions are written, where in a knee-jerk kinda way, I really wanna hate it... yet, I don't.  He's on the (wild) hunt for Doctor Malig (which might be a bit on the nose) because he needs his help to deal with a mythical Wild Huntsman... when he runs afoul of the motorcycle riding Butcher Boys.

They fight for a bit... and in a panel that I find funny, though I'm not sure it was meant to be, Manhunter tricks the baddies into firing on an over-sized curtain.  Gotta wonder if that's a sort of commentary on how silly the extra-long capes of the day were.  Nah, I'm probably thinking too hard.  Made me chuckle regardless though!

Manhunter then steals their wheels... and bursts out a window.  Speeding toward the city, the Butcher Boys are unable to keep up.  And so, they report back to their "boss", Goodish... who is apparently also keeping tabs on this Dr. Malig.

Suddenly, Manhunter bursts in through the window (this man has clearly never heard of a door)... he then beats up the Butcher Boys, and holds a pistol up to Goodish's head.  The baddie tells his men to stand down, because he and "Bloodmoney" here are going to negotiate.

Our man(hunter) is confused... he doesn't know who or what a "bloodmoney" is... and neither do I!  Goodish explains that he mistook him for a creep calling himself Bloodmoney... then unwittingly names our hero "Manhunter".  We learn that Malig is up to his eyeballs in debt... which is why this "Bloodmoney" fella is after him.  Manhunter and Goodish decide to put their differences aside in the interest of getting Malig out of this jam.

After hands are shook, Manhunter leaves to make a phone call.  He's checking in on a woman... perhaps one that he loves (the narrative captions can't quite make up their mind) who is in a bad way having been somehow affected by that Wild Huntsman.

We stick with Chase (Lawler, the Manhunter) as he slinks around the dirty city.  He winds up at Petrucchio's jazz club, where he chats up an old friend about trying to track down some "big deal" bookies.

His old pal hands him a guitar and tells him if he wants the info, he's gotta "play to pay".  And so, Chase takes to the stage and cranks out some blues tunes.  We can assume that his buddy gave him the line on the bookie he was looking for post-performance, because...

... next thing we know, Manhunter is attacking the biggest bookie in town!  This is Sammy Oberlin, and he's the guy who... well, let's be honest here, only wants what Dr. Malig owes him.  Sure, bookies might be a bit shady... but, a bet's a bet, right?  Well, Manhunter doesn't seem to think so... he grabs Sammy by the throat.

Then... Bloodmoney shows up... looking nothing like Manhunter.  Well, I guess they have a matching color scheme... but the costumes look completely different.  They fight for a bit, with Chase maintaining the upper hand.  Bloodmoney calls for a cease-fire (and cease-punching) to tell Manhunter that they'll forgive Dr. Malig's debts if he just walks away now.

Chase knows a good deal when he hears it... and also can't see a trap when it's right in front of him, so he accepts.  Oberlin asks Bloodmoney what he's planning... to which, BM says he just shifted Malig's debt onto their new masked friend... and interest is accruing.  Doesn't seem the smartest thing to burden an unknown masked man with debt.  I wonder if I can somehow use that to write off my student loans.

We wrap up with Manhunter finally visiting Dr. Malig.  Malig claims to have seen him beating up Bloodmoney, and asks where he learned to fight.  It doesn't take him long to deduce that Chase might've "found" the Wild Huntsman... and also, might have a piece of the Huntsman in him as well.

He suggests that Chase now has a lust for killing.  To prove otherwise, Manhunter violently grabs him by the collar and shouts in his face.  That'll learn 'im.  We close out with Manhunter questioning what he is becoming.

--

Hey, this feels like an Image book... and I'm not just saying that because our leading man sorta resembles... ya know, that guy.  And, don't get me wrong... I know saying something feels "like an Image book" is usually some really damning "praise", but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it!

This was a pretty good issue.  It's so weird seeing Vince Giarrano's work here, especially if you know the kind of art he's putting out nowadays.  The fella is phenomenal.

Our new Manhunter is a very means-to-an-end kinda dude.  He's pretty quick to grab someone by their throat... and doesn't really seem to give violence a second thought.  Now, if that doesn't scream "90's!", right?  But here's the thing... there's this nebulous Wild Huntsman who might be causing Chase to act this way.  It sort of lampshades the entire deal... and I feel like, at least for now, that's good enough.

Early on, I mentioned the sorta cringy captions... they're really the sort of thing I should hate, but I don't.  They give us pretty good insight as to what's going on inside Chase's muddled mind.  He's literally editing his thoughts to best serve his goal.  It's an interesting approach to storytelling... and I can't say that I've really ever seen anything quite like it.

Gotta say, the whole "beating up the bookie" thing kinda bugs me.  I guess it works in a "shades of gray" sort of way... where Lawler isn't exactly a good or bad guy... just a guy who needs something done.  I guess it's just that a "bookie" lives in that gray area as well... not a good or bad guy... just a guy who makes lopsided "deals".  I guess that just feeds into the world Grant and Giarrano are building... people using other people to get what they want.  I suppose it works.

Before we go... I suppose we ought to mention Manhunter's costume, right?  Do we have to?  I mean, it's a really cool design... but it's almost certainly based on, ya know.  Either way... he looks cool, and I suppose it's sorta-kinda got it's own thing going to separate it from, that other guy.

Overall, not half-bad!  I was expecting to dislike this (or just not care) from the get-go, but found myself having a halfway decent time with it.  If you come across this on the cheap, it might be worth a look.  This issue is not yet available online (only #0 is)... but it shouldn't be a tough... nor wild, "hunt" in the bins.

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Young Heroes in Love #4 (1997)

Young Heroes in Love #4 (September, 1997)
"Cry Me a River of Nigh-Irresistible Beams!"
Writer - Dan Raspler
Guest Penciller - Mike Manley
Inkers - Keith Champagne & Ande Parks
Letters - Bill Oakley & N.J.Q.
Colorist - Scott Baumann
Assistant Editor - Ali Morales
Editor - Dan Thorsland
Cover Price: $1.75

What say we do one more day with the Young Heroes?

I swear, you guys... without that #Action100 thing looming over me, it's almost as though I've got too much freedom here on the site.  I think I've become a fella who needs that kinda direction... too many choices lead me to, well... doing nothing!  And that ain't good.

So, uh... one more day with the Young Heroes!

--

We pick up right where we left off last issue... a weepy Hard Drive storms away from Superman and the Young Heroes (in a very "Romance Comics" pose)... leading to Superman suggesting that perhaps Hard Drive isn't the best choice to lead their fledgling superhero team... which, of course, might be exactly what Monstergirl wanted to hear.  Worth noting that Superman looks like a very smiley Jay Leno when "breaking the bad news".  Hard to take him seriously, Electric Blue notwithstanding.

Suddenly... a tiny voice rings out, and we meet Zip-Kid!  She's sort of like the Wasp... without the wings.  She asks Superman not to be so hard on Hard Drive, because, as it turns out, Hard Drive's best friend had been kidnapped by a Giant Mummy... and seeing this Giant Mummy, just triggered an extreme reaction in him.  Sounds perfectly legit!  Superman strokes his gigantic chin for a moment to consider this... and decides that maybe Hard Drive deserves another chance.  He tells the kids to try and set an example... and flies off.

Once big blue is out of the picture, the Young Heroes set to questioning Zip-Kid.  Turns out she was lying about Hard Drive's "best friend" (duh), and that she is more or less just a fan of the team.

After the meet 'n greet, Bonfire and Frostbite break off from the group to head over to Hard Drive to make sure he's okay.  Thunderhead wants to "go with", but Bonfire tells him to hang back.  Along the way, she reveals to Frostbite that she was able to read his "heat-signature invisible-ink message" from last issue... which, of course, was the point all along.  Turns out the message was preeeeeetty filthy... which might just be the way to her heart, because she can't stop thinking about him either.  They briefly discuss their "connection", then Bonfire breaks off to check on Hard Drive...

... who is rather displeased that she has gone against his "suggestion" of suitors.  He "suggests" again that she be with Thunderhead.  Moments later, they return to the group... and Hard Drive gets his first eye-ful of Zip-Kid.  They all decide to return to HQ.

Back at HQ, Monstergirl is still petitioning to have Hard Drive removed as leader.  The first ear she bends belongs to Bonfire, who feels like she's really overreacting.  This is important for a couple of reasons... first, Monstergirl's true colors are beginning to surface... and second, it's made perfectly clear that Bonfire has no memory of Hard Drive's threats.

Elsewhere Thunderhead and Junior are at the soda machine... and the latter is shocked and perplexed that the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen is just his size!  Thunderhead suggests he "go for it"... which is pretty good advice considering how rare it is to find a four-inch tall woman.

In the living room, Hard Drive is giving Zip-Kid the nickel tour of the facilities.  He is totally oblivious to the fact that his team is discussing his Superman-emotional-freakout like three feet away.  Monstergirl is still politicking... but nobody seems overly concerned.

Bonfire enters the room, drawing Frostbite's attention... then, she walks right past (or is it "passed"?  I never have to worry about grammar when I talk) him and over to Thunderhead.  This really bugs him... and he stomps off.

Speaking of stomping off, Monstergirl... tired of having her concerns fall on deaf (or disinterested) ears, heads off to confront Hard Drive.  She walks in on Zip-Kid turning down membership to the Young Heroes (seems like Hard Drive might not be the best recruiter).  After Zip-Kid zips off, M-G confronts H-D... she plays it off, however, as though Superman was in the wrong.

We shift scenes to Junior and Zip-Kid getting to know one another.  He makes it pretty clear that he's interested... and suggests she maybe go full-time with the Young Heroes.  She declines again... because she doesn't think her boyfriend would be cool with it.  Record scratch... or something.

Back in Hard Drive's room, Monstergirl has left... and he is now joined by Frostbite, who is asking a whole lot of questions.  I mentioned it yesterday, but Frostbite definitely knows something is up.  Hard Drive doesn't take the questioning as intrusive... and just looks happy to have somebody interested in his story.

Back in the living room, Junior blurts out his smoothest line yet... giving Zip-Kid props for having the guts to lie to Superman.  This, of course, makes Zip-Kid realize that she did, in fact, lie to Superman!  She freaks out, and grows to her normal size.

The Young Heroes gather around and comfort her, knowing that she only did what she did in order to help them out of a jam.  All the Young Heroes gather... except Junior, who keeps calling out from the table.  It's here that we learn that Junior... has no powers... he's just a four-inch tall boy!

Off-Ramp asks if he can shrink any smaller... a comment that Junior definitely doesn't appreciate.  He asks if it's time for him to spill his "secret origin", to which Off-Ramp suggests sharing only "a few panels worth" of it... which is pretty great.  Turns out Junior was in an accident at a Pharma company... and was shrunk.  Easy peasy.  He then storms off threatening to quit the team.

Frostbite goes after him to try and talk him down... he follows Junior around a corner to find... Thunderhead and Bonfire gettin' it on.  Now it's Frostbite's turn to storm out!

--

Well, this is one damn charming series, ain't it?

Let's get my one complaint out of the way.  The art is a bit uneven.  Looking at the credits, we have multiple inkers... and even multiple letterers.  I wonder if there might've been a time crunch on this one... especially considering that the next issue will be a Genesis tie-in, which might've been getting more attention from the creative team and editorial.  We go from some very Madan-looking pages to... some overly-angular, rushed looking art.  Almost felt as though I was reading an issue of X-Men Unlimited... except that the story was actually worth reading.

Anyhoo, today we meet Zip-Kid... and learn that Junior cannot size-shift.  I guess the clues were there all along (if we were looking for them)... I mean, Junior has never increased his size yet.  Hell, first time we saw him, his mother was dropping him off for his "superhero meeting", and he was even tiny for the car-ride in.  It's an interesting concept for sure, and it's cool to consider that he has zero metahuman powers... so, he's just a regular human... who happens to be the size of a G.I. Joe.

Zip-Kid is a pretty neat character... not too keen on her design, though that might be due to the art.  She's drawn to look, I dunno, kinda middle-aged.  Maybe it's the retro-style facemask... but she doesn't seem as teen-agery as the rest of the team.  Looks like she should be leading a Jazzercise class or something.  Though, again... that might just be the fill-in art.  Or maybe I'm projecting Janine from Ghostbusters onto her.

I don't know about you... but I'm actually starting to feel bad for Hard Drive.  I mentioned yesterday that it's been around twenty years since I last picked this up... so, this might as well be a brand new book for me.  I don't remember where this is going... though, I'm expecting a pretty big reveal to explain why he is the way that he is.  He definitely has control issues... and seems to like any attention he's given.  He's a real odd duck.

A whole lotta "storming out" this time around.  I don't know if this is a commentary on the old romance comics where lovesick fools go from swooning to storming in no time flat... but it's pretty funny either way.  From Hard Drive, to Monstergirl, to Junior, to Frostbite... and probably Zip-Kid, if the Young Heroes didn't gather 'round... there was a whole lotta stormin' goin' on!

Now... let's look at "Who's Zoomin' Who?"

Bonfire is still with Thunderhead... though, she has a connection with Frostbite.  Frostbite knows that she has the same feelings he does, but doesn't know (at least it isn't clear) that Hard Drive is manipulating her with his "power of suggestion" to remain with Thunderhead.

Monstergirl is still "with" Hard Drive.  She tries to help him through his Superman-freak-out... though, is also politicking to have him removed from his leadership position due to the Superman-freak-out with everyone else on the team.  This is something that Hard Drive is either too aloof or too oblivious to realize.

Junior is suddenly smitten with Zip-Kid... unfortunately for him, she's taken.  We don't really see Roadshow this time around, so I can't comment on how Off-Ramp feels about his ride this time around.

Our ending was... I dunno... not as much of a cliffhanger as I think it was meant to be.  I mean, it shouldn't be that surprising to see Bonfire and Thunderhead gettin' it on, right?  I mean, even Junior looks shocked... and for all he knows, Bonfire and Thunderhead are a legitimate couple.  Frostbite too... not sure he should have been quite this surprised, considering earlier in the issue she gave him the (heh!) cold shoulder.

Overall... another fine issue, hampered slightly by some intermittently rushed art.  Still worth grabbing if you happen across it!

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