Formulaic And Vapid: Reviewing ‘World’s Finest: Teen Titans’ #3
by Olly MacNamee
Summary
‘World’s Finest: Teen Titans‘ #3 is a frothy but empty issue at best. A trip to a comic-con is the backdrop against which the latest new would-be enemy of the Titans makes his debut, but it all plays out rather predictably before he becomes the latest recruit in the war against the teen sidekick crew.
Overall
7/10After a strong start with the past issue especially capturing the essence of the original ‘60s Teen Titans series perfectly, it was disappointing to read World’s Finest: Teen Titans #3 to find it to be a rather vapid and innocuous instalment. Admittedly it is an issue still laced through with the light-hearted humour writer Mark Waid has so successfully injected into this new era of the Titans. And does add another tantalisingly piece to a bigger picture Waid is developing with the recruitment of villains into the Terror Titans, but the idea of the Titans gatecrashing a comic-con devoted to them seemed from the get go to be rather an indulgent one. Cue fans clamouring for the Titans attention, and the Titans warding them off, allowing for plenty of pithy dialogue, but not much in the way of story development.
It’s all done with great gusto, but all that noise does’t fool this reviewer. This is a light issue, at best. Even the introduction of “Toyboy” into the mix as this month’s villain, isn’t too original or inspiring. Norman Bates crossed with the original Toy Master, with a little bit of Harry Potter thrown in for good measure. It’s all rather underwhelming given the talent of the writer.
Of course the light and frothy tone of this issue, and all to date, is wonderfully captured by artist Emanuela Lupacchino, who continues to deliver silky-smooth artwork full of joy and emotion, fitting of this title. Jordie Bellaire’s colours compliment the artwork with subdued backdrops only helping emphasis the colourful teen heroes.
From a narrative point of view, there were some standout moments – not many, but some – such as the scene in which Batman once again proves his dourness, with Robin seeming to not be totally onboard with the Dark Knight’s Perls of wisdom. And, given the reliance on dialogue over action this issue, we also get the feeling not all is well in Bumblebee’s world either. But, other than these morsels, it’s a comic light on story and ideas.
All-in-all, this third issue seemed to be treading water; it felt somewhat formulaic now we are three issues deep into this new series: Titans fight villain, villain is defeated only to then be recruited in the Terror Titans. The end.
World’s Finest: Teen Titans #3 is out now from DC Comics
