It Was Trigon All Along: Reviewing ‘Titans’ #10

Once upon a time, the Titans were able to take on and defeat the demon Trigon alongside his daughter Raven. Oh, how things have changed. With her demonic side unleashed, Raven secretly assists her father in a plot that will see her teammates enslaved and the world dominated.

Some cracks in the plan begin to show themselves as Titans #10 ups the ante for this deadly game. Another chapter in this dark tale from Tom Taylor, Lucas Meyer, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbott.

I have to say, my relationship (much like that of Raven and Trigon) sure has been all over the place.

I’ve had various critiques of how it’s been structured, and how it hasn’t felt like it lives up to the premise. That premise being the Titans finally achieving the status of premiere hero team of the universe (with the Justice League temporarily disbanded). Those critiques shifted back and forth even more during the Titans: Beast World event, which led to this current story arc.

So where do I currently stand?

Firmly somewhere in the middle.

Overall, the issue is fine as it progresses some of the character beats and includes a team change. Because something has apparently happened to The Flash/Wally West, but since I don’t read his book currently, I have no idea what. Tempest is there, and now alien spore free, so he agrees to join his friends again. Then promptly gets his ass handed to him in the water for a moment by Raven’s demon brother.

Taylor has some good beats and crafts some solid action set pieces for Meyer to bring to life. It’s one of those issues that clearly is kind of stretching things out (not in a bad way per se) without fully feeling like it. Pieces move around a bit to prepare for what is next but a lot of the questions and beats from the previous two issues aren’t even referenced. Pretty much it’s that standard middle of an arc type of issue, make of that what you will.

Visually it’s pretty darn great. Meyer tapped in to draw the Titans in that aforementioned Beast World event and I’m glad he jumped on the main book. There is a really dynamic factor to his work with this team. Finding all those very appropriate superhero visual elements along with an energy that grounds the whole thing. Expressions are pretty energetic, letting the character moments hit even harder.

It’s easy to tell why Lucas keeps getting put on books that Taylor is writing, because he instantly hits those bright and heavy tones that suit cape stories. Bringing in all those brighter than bright vivid splashes that remind this is a story of the most fantastical nature. Powers, costumes, and realms that are beyond reality and need to feel that way as soon as our eyes fall upon them. At the same time, the other elements vary between a more neutral toned-down state and a shadowy heavier state. Keeping a foot in a more reality like space, hitting each of the tonal vibes that the story is asking for.

Back at the beginning, so long ago I know, I spoke about the character-related emotional paths that Taylor brings to the story. We see those very much within the artwork and colors, but also in each of the bits of dialogue or captions. Abbott is a master at making Taylor’s style of writing come to even more life on the page. Letting it flow around in the smoothest ways possible, personalities and feelings almost tangible in every single letter.

Dropping in all the little colors, bolds, shifted fonts, and altered balloons to reach those goals while adding an additional bit of fun. Modifiers to lettering and their containers, bubbles and boxes in most cases, bring visual variety to the page as well as the personality stuff. It keeps the eyes moving and engaged, because it’s easier to tell certain voices and moments apart.

Titans #10 is now available from DC Comics.