by Tony Rhea, Reporter

Being a teenager is rough, I assume. I’m far removed from being one, but I have a couple, and they tell me it’s hard. Between the pressure to fit in and the journey to find out who you are, you also have to grapple with the concepts of acceptance, self-respect and …let me see if I’m reading this right… latent psychic ability! World’s Finest:Teen Titans #2 tackles all this and more!

Creative Team:

Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Emanuela Lupacchino
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Steve Wands
Cover: Chris Samnee & Matheus Lopes
Variant Covers: Evan “Doc” Shaner, Paolo Rivera, Riley Rossmo and Megan Huang

Aqualad, Bumblebee and Wondergirl are trying to enjoy a day in Washington, D.C., but Robin and Speedy are alerted to a young girl in need by some allies. The Teen Titans enter a creepy house to try and find her, but quickly become the ones in trouble.

Mark Waid, once again, writes a great issue that really brings out the “teen” in the Teen Titans. The way that Waid wraps both modern and timeless teenage issues into these stories is something to be lauded, and sets it apart from other Titans series. Not only are these issues fun to read, they serve as excellent springboards for further conversation. While Garth and Donna serve as excellent focal points for some of this exploration, Speedy was a surprising choice, particularly in the manner in which he was used. Waid also does an excellent job of capturing the angst of these characters, while keeping the overall tone of the stories fun.

The more that I see of Emanuela Lupacchino’s character designs, the more they continue to grow on me. This issue gives us a look at some of the team in their street clothes, and several of these panels are some of the best drawn in the book, but not to be beaten out by panels of Garth in the room of mirrors. As much as the writing captures the characters insecurities, the art truly enhances this and brings it to another level. Not to be outdone, Jordie Bellaire does a fantastic job in this issue, utilizing blue, purple and green tones to really highlight the creepiness of scenes featuring Speedy and Aqualad. Bellaire does some amazing work, as well, with the lighting effect on Donna’s Lasso, ensuring that the glow effect highlights everything around it (and even mutes the colors of Aqualad’s costume in one panel, really adding to the effect), while casting shadows where appropriate!

ComicsOnline recommends this issue to fans of the Teen Titans, but especially to those fans who have young teens in their lives. Stories like this, relating normal teenagers and their issues to these larger-than-life heroes, are a great way of sparking important conversations that may be awkward and difficult but are altogether important ones to be able to have.

Rating:
ComicsOnline gives World’s Finest: Teen Titans #2 – 4 out of 5 creepy old houses!

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