Teen Titans #1
“Teen Spirit”
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Pencils: Brett Booth
Inks: Norm Rapmund
Colors: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters: Carlos M. Mangual
Cover artists: Booth & Rapmund
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99 US

This first issue was one of a few in the New 52 lineup that was much maligned online in advance of its release, mainly because the iconic teen characters were altered not only visually but conceptually, according to early promotional material. It seems DC has opted to eradicate a lot of Titans history to allow for Lobdell’s vision of a team of young heroes defending itself and the world against a mysterious and malevolent government or corporate agency. I was put off by early indications as well, but after reading Lobdell’s story in Superboy #1, I decided I needed to be more open-minded about his Titans effort. Well, there’s definitely something interesting about his premise, but it’s just not one that works in the larger scheme of the DC Universe. Adding to the off-putting quality instilled by those continuity challenges is Brett Booth’s exaggerated artwork, which distracts the reader rather than dazzles with his bizarre distortions of human anatomy.

Fury of the Firestorms: The Nuclear Men #1
“God Particle”
Writers: Gail Simone & Ethan Van Sciver
Artist: Yildiray Cinar
Colors: Steve Buccellato
Letters: Travis Lanham
Cover artist: Van Sciver
Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99 US

There are two main reasons this comic book is worth reading. The first, and the most obvious, is how DC and the creators on this book have shaken up the property. They’ve shown a willingness to alter Firestorm’s status quo considerably, and that’s just not something one sees in corporate super-hero comics much these days. Secondly, and more importantly, the conflict between the two main characters is compelling. Jason Rusch and Ronnie Raymond are opposites in almost every conceivable way, but both are well-realized, believable characters. It’s easy to see oneself not only in either one of them, but in both. There are a couple of awkward or unfortunate choices in the plotting, but overall, this is a fun super-hero concept that also feels new. And any kind of freshness of innovation in this decades-old genre is something to be excited about. While the story has something new to offer to readers, the art doesn’t. Mind you, that doesn’t mean it’s poor. Yildiray Cinar’s work tells the story clearly, but it never really comes off as much more than a standard super-hero art style.