A Weekend At Wally’s — Reviewing ‘World’s Finest: Teen Titans’ #4

The Teen Titans go their separate ways for some much needed downtime in World’s Finest: Teen Titans #4, giving writer Mark Waid the opportunity to explore the various members’ characters and remix in some classic Teen Titan golden moments once again. Some old, something new has definitely been the cornerstone of this series and Waid makes it work. Of course, the contemporary on-point artwork of Emanuela Lupacchino on this book also breathes life, vitality and a sense of modernity to this new take on an old favourite too. The way these guys are being depicted – from their clothes to their dialogue – should win over a while new generation of fans. Or at least that must be one of the driving forces behind this latest reiterate of the Teen Titans.

This brave new world that Waid – a longtime DC fan and something of an expert – is creating here, and in his Batman/Superman: World’s Finest title, is appealing, well-written and, given the artists he’s working with in this particular corner of DCU history, feels like a foundation that is here to stay. Something I can only applaud after a decade and some change of resetting the DCU. He brought us a much-mined future in his seminal Kingdom Come series of the ‘90s and now he’s building a solid and coherent past too. 

But, back to the issue at hand. 

Wally West hosts a sleepover, with Garth and Roy invited. Chalk and cheese, with Kid Flash, and his parents, stuck in the middle as mediators. Then there’s Mal and Karen, who share some quality time together as their budding relationship grows and she offers him a gift that could change his life. And does. Meanwhile, Dick – ever the loner – unexpectedly bumps into Donna back at the Titans’ HQ before the requisite action kicks in. Action that isn’t necessarily needed, but does serve the development of the longer story arc Waid has been teasing out across the series thus far. As we weave between these three scenes Waid gives us insightful, often witty, dialogue that builds on the characters he is moulding with affection and a deep understanding of their heritage and past representations. He captures each one’s voice wonderfully, which is a huge part of this book’s appeal. You’re dragged in and quickly embroiled in their lives. 

And while Waid captures their individual voices perfectly, Lupacchino captures their mannerisms equally well. Whether that’s the over-confident body language of a cocky Roy Harper or the energetic dynamism of Donna Troy, she’s got it covered with aplomb. Hell, we’re even given comic book parents – the Wests – who actually feel like real-life, age appropriate folks, rather than the over-the-hill parents that once dominated comic books. Well, those that weren’t killed off, at least. 

World’s Finest: Teen Titans #4 is a comic book that proves you don’t always need to follow the usual gung-ho norms of superhero storytelling to entertain the reader. Emotive writing and artwork works equally well, if not sometimes better. 

World’s Finest: Teen Titans #4 is out now from DC Comics