Hodge Podge Of Hate — Reviewing ‘Titans: Beast World’ #5

Evil comes in various shapes. Sometimes it’s the known, shadowy devil. Other times, it’s more like staring into a mirror.

Note: There are major spoilers ahead.

As a Titan falls, the true evil makes themselves known. Titans: Beast World #5 brings the event one step closer to conclusion. Still written by Tom Taylor with letters by Wes Abbott, the issue sees the return of Ivan Reis, Danny Miki, and Brad Anderson, who are joined by Eduardo Pansica and Julio Ferreira.

It’s really tough to know where to even begin here.

DC Comics has been speed-running this event (currently the final issue is a week away), just churning out issues faster than anything. This was something I pointed to negatively in the past, but, honestly, it might actually be a positive. In the simplest of terms, this was rough.

I appreciate what Taylor was trying to do, elevating the Titans is a worthy cause. For far too long they were second banana, relegated to playing like kids even as adults. Yet, I’m not sure this was the way to go — probably because of two chief concerns.

First, an event centered around Beast Boy has had little to no actual development or anything for Beast Boy. Even during his time as Garro (before his perceived death), there was nothing. He was just a giant green prop and Nightwing has basically been the main character through-and-through with little exception.

Second, Amanda Waller is way too evil. Like cartoonish, over-the-top, about to twirl a mustache evil. Yes, she’s an evil person who does terrible things, that’s her whole bag. Usually it’s very controlled and smooth and calculated. There is some of that here, but for goodness sake she’s spouting off borderline right-wing talking points for why she’s going to wipe out a million people (that she caused to become infected) and will be a hero for it.

Doctor Hate seemed a silly concept — pure comics — at first and that was cool. The reveal that it’s actually Raven’s escaped demon half that she used to keep trapped in a gem was also real comic stuff. At least Raven got some spotlight here and build-up in a way that made the reveal kind of work. Really, though, it’s one of many things that feels like it needed more time and development to actually breathe. Especially since there was no way to guess the character’s identity since Raven’s gem and dark side only came up in this issue (not even in the Titans accompanying series).

A million ideas thrown into six rapid fire issues, hoping they stick.

With most of the action on pause, this is a very stand-around-and-talk (info dump at the audience at times) sort of issue.

Reis and Pansica make it work, as there is enough detail and weight to everything to give the series a firm foundation. Characters move around pretty smoothly, their expressions capturing all the right emotions. There are pages of action and they work — especially since many of them feature a lot of moving parts. Miki and Ferreira’s inks add a solid stability to everything, making sure the presence is felt.

There are more dark or shadowy spaces on display here and Anderson’s colors shift to meet this. Lots of harder, heavier colors and oppressive shadows are in the mix. Characters are still the big, vibrant beings they are, pushing back against the darkness even as they dabble within it themselves. I appreciate how the balance of dark to light tips in this issue, with it being the one where the evil pretty much seems to be in a winning position (a penultimate issue staple).

People have a lot to say here, especially the lying liar that is Waller. Abbott makes it all work though, injecting the right levels of energy and personality into each beat. Making Waller’s words hit even if she’s gone off the rails in her supposed logic. One of the scenes with Donna and Raven really hit so good because the words really captured the tones of two old friends mourning, but finding a moment of levity together.

As with the rest of the event, much of this feels fine while other parts not so much. For the Titans first big starring event, it’s not quite hitting the marks that one would expect or desire. Perhaps it is best to reach the end and see what might come afterward. It can’t get any rougher…probably.

Titans: Beast World #5 is now available from DC Comics.