One of the comic books that I’ve been anticipating most from DC Comics is Mark Waid and Emanuela Lupacchino’s World’s Finest: Teen Titans. Waid has done an excellent job with the Batman/Superman: World’s Finest series telling classic superhero stories while modernizing the early years of the DC Universe. Taking that similar framework for the original Teen Titans roster opens a lot of possibilities. Telling a story around the original Teen Titans set in the modern era, rather than having the setting be in the 1960s, is something DC Comics hasn’t done much of with the original next generation characters. Let’s see how it starts with World’s Finest: Teen Titans #1.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Emanuela Lupacchino
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Steve Wands
SYNOPSIS
After the Teen Titans stopping Hhgrhkl from killing a group of teens in a ritual sacrifice Robin and Speedy get into an argument over the latter livestreaming the fight.
Later, while Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, Charley Parker (former Golden Eagle) all show their support for their proteges working together on the Teen Titans to be careful about Robin as Batman shadow looms large. Meanwhile Batman reminds Robin to keep things professional with the Teen Titans and not fully trust them.
Meanwhile it’s shown Roy Harper is not on speaking terms with Oliver Queen, who is said to have funded the Teen Titans hideout.
Another day, the Teen Titans stop the Separated Man attack on Pensacola Beach, Florida.
After the fight Robin once again calls out Speedy for his first concern was livestreaming the battle. Speedy says there is nothing wrong with them getting some appreciation from those they save. Speedy then calls out the fact Robin is the only one to not trust the team with their secret identity. Frustrated by all of this Robin marches off alone.
Elsewhere an unknown villain kills one of Two-Face’s former henchmen (Hi-Lo) while auditioning people to a “better Teen Titans.” End of issue.
REVIEW
World’s Finest: Teen Titans #1 is exactly what it needed to be. Mark Waid and Emanuela Lupacchino show they understand what made these characters work during this period but aren’t letting themselves be ruled by nostalgia. This allowed World’s Finest: Teen Titans #1 to be a modern, fresh take on the original next generation team.
The opening for World’s Finest: Teen Titans #1 was the perfect tone setter. We get to see how this isn’t an origin story. Robin, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash, Aqualad, Speedy, and Bumblebee have been working together for enough time to build solid team chemistry. Hhgrhkl is also presented as a mystic threat that the team needed one another to take down. Then later we saw this teamwork come into play again with how the Teen Titans defeated Separated Man.
At the same time, this opening sets up how this original Teen Titans roster did come together in modern times. This is done both visually and in the dialogue. The characters are given slight adjustments to their costumes while keeping them classic. They also talk how you expect teens to talk who are both having fun being heroes and trying to prove themselves.
Having the scenes with their mentors added to all this. Waid does a good job at showing the different level of support Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Arrow, and Golden Eagle have for their proteges. This is something we don’t get enough of and was refreshing to see. Each of the Justice League members talk to their proteges differently. Its these little things showing that Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, and Golden Eagle took an active interest in their proteges lives that makes these characters better even in their short appearance. These relationships are reflective of how Donna Troy, Wally West, Garth, and Karen Beecher.
The obvious standout in this was Batman and Robin. Unlike the others, Batman was reminding Robin about how careful they need to be about everything. On that same note, Wonder Woman and Aquaman experience with Batman on the Justice League makes them warn Wonder Girl and Aqualad about Robin is understandable. As we see at the end of the issue, while being the leader of the team Dick Grayson is having his internal battle of wanting to have close friends and Batman’s teaching.
This made the way Waid decided to spotlight Roy Harper and his relationship, or lack thereof, with his mentor, Oliver Queen even more interesting. While a long-time member Roy is sort of the black sheep of the early Teen Titans since he wasn’t a founding member. Here we see how all of this gives insight why Roy has this chip on his shoulder and goes all in on being a rich kid social media influencer as Speedy. He is clearly hiding his own issues by becoming obsessed with fame. This creates a sub-plot for the series that could see if Green Arrow does make an appearance his role will be different from the other Justice League mentors.
The ending with a mysterious antagonist seemingly putting together their own villainous version of the Teen Titans was a good tease. We now have a long-term threat for this series to develop and have the Teen Titans deal with. Though how good this cliffhanger is will be determined by who it turns out to be and what their plans are.
Emanuela Lupacchino delivered excellent throughout World’s Finest: Teen Titans #1. The action was well choreographed to showcase the teamwork of this Teen Titans team. Each member got a chance to shine with their powers and skills. Lupacchino also nailed the character expressions to show off the youth the Teen Titans have compared to their Justice League mentors.
FINAL THOUGHTS
World’s Finest: Teen Titans #1 is one of the best first issues DC Comics has published for a new series. Mark Waid and Emanuela Lupacchino did a fantastic job showcasing the balance and chemistry that this version of the Teen Titans have. This is definitely a must-have comic book for DC Comics’ fans.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10