A Fox In The House: Reviewing ‘Titans’ #7

It’s all hands on deck as the Titans’ latest foe and one of their own have descended upon Titan’s Tower.

As the effects of Titans: Beast World swirl around them, Titans #7 seems to put a bow on at least one dangling plot that led to the event. Written by Tom Taylor, with Travis Moore and Tamra Bonvillain on art and colors respectively, and Wes Abbott lettering.

Apparently, if you take Nightwing off the table, a Titans book becomes a far more even team-book with everyone having their moments to shine. I’m partially kidding, but one of the issues of the short run has been how heavily Nightwing-leaning things have been. Now, there is some understanding of that, what with the genesis of this title having come in the Nightwing solo series.

Unfortunately, it has left some others sort of hanging, especially Beast Boy who happens to be a foundational piece of the aforementioned event.

Taylor has a relatively good grasp of the characters and how to use them and their abilities in tandem. There are some sprinkles of Raven’s embracing of the darkness we’ve seen as of late, and Garth is officially saved and back on the side of good. Cyborg — divided with a half tech brain — being able to defeat the Spore in him (and Starfire biting the shit out of one) was cool.

The retcon that began last issue is returned to (and semi-repeated) here. While it’s small in a sense, as canon is flexible, upon further reflection I realized one area it might affect. Including Xand’r as a betrayer in this retcon, potentially fundamentally changes the history/relationship between Starfire and Blackfire. It’s not clear if this will be addressed in the future, but it’s doubtful we’ve seen the last of Xand’r/Brother Eternity.

While this little arc, which is almost like Titans: Beast World #3.5 of sorts, is solid, the breakneck speed and continuity wrinkles of this event as a whole are just wild. Kind of sad that the Titans finally get a major event to themselves and it’s being mostly speedrun through three quickly shipping titles (the main title is 2/3 over with the final parts by month’s end).

Anyway, it’s a gorgeous book.

Moore is just great at this stuff, really hitting the gorgeous people doing super things fluidly. It’s an art style that screams superheroes but in the best way possible. Expressive faces, plenty of depth/detail, a world that feels tangible and real, kinetic energy crackling at every turn, and paneling choices that flow like butter. It just exudes the type of fun (yet fully serious) energy that comic books, especially superheroes, should have at all times.

This pairs perfectly with Bonvillain’s very vibrant, yet also very down-to-earth color palette choices. Lightness can be felt in the application of the colors, never going too heavy outside of the moments where it’s needed for emphasis and weight. Each space that is showcased though has a unique set of tones, allowing them to have their own identity and power.

Just like the action, the magnitude of voices flows around so smoothly. Abbott always can take what Taylor wrote in the script and hit it so right. All the little changes to bubbles (a real fan of the spooky bubbles for Raven) or fonts, as it all logically and neatly frame itself within the artwork. Even more talkative moments breathe simply, never feeling like too much.

Titans #7 is now available from DC Comics.