Not Your Parent’s League: Reviewing ‘Titans Vol 1: Out Of The Shadows’

From teenage sidekicks searching for purpose to the premiere superhero team of the DC Universe. Talk about a glow up.

With the Justice League (temporarily) disbanded, it’s time for the former Teen Titans to finally ascend to their rightful place in Titans Vol 1: Out Of The Shadows. A new era for these old heroes comes from Tom Taylor, Nicola Scott, Annette Kwok, and Wes Abbott.

Headquartered now in Blüdhaven, the stomping ground of team leader Nightwing, the reborn Titans sure have a lot on their plate besides their new status. Machinations of Amanda Waller, fires and global environmental issues, a new Church of Blood (sort of), and a murder mystery to boot. They never said life as a big-league superhero team would be easy.

A perfect way to describe this handful of issues is hit and miss.

When it comes to writing these characters, fleshing out their found family dynamic and relationships especially, Taylor has them down. Everything about them feels like heroes with history and depth. Stepping up to take on this level of herodom doesn’t even phase them. They are the children, sidekicks, and companions of the Justice League.

Everything else leaves a bit to be desired.

While the team is said to be the replacement for the Justice League, it sure doesn’t feel like it. We watched the League fight off alien invasions, multiversal incursions, Apokolips attacks, and more on a daily basis. Apparently, all that stuff just ceased because Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are hanging out solo these days.

The Titans instead get Titano, Peacemaker, a variation of their typical foe Church of Blood, oh and the Demolition Team. All lowkey enough to be typical Titan level stories. Which would be fine, if this was a typical Titans book. Not one that’s supposed to stand in the place of the premiere team.

It doesn’t help that not a mention of these characters being this new level of team occurs outside of their book. Also, the former League are all still the prominent characters of the universe (in their massive titles) and still the go to heroes in most events. It’s like your boss telling you that you’re in charge now but they are sitting behind you the whole time. Everyone knows, you’re not really the one in charge.

Also, I do like seeing the Titans bring the youthful energy of trying to help the actual world beyond fighting crime. It’s topical and very reflective of the younger generations of today who are speaking and standing up more for human rights, environmental issues, and more. Unfortunately, the way that Taylor tackles it feels too simplistic and still in a way relies on punching somewhat.

What also helps sell these characters is being able to see and feel those relationships, bonds, and moments. That is never a worry with Scott executing the artwork of a series. All those emotions and energetic waves that we need are more than evident in her work. They are almost tangible, that’s how realistic and weighted they are.

Visually, much of it looks like it could be an image ripped from our world. Yet it’s not a complete photo-realistic approach. There are enough little flairs that keep it just outside our world. It’s playful and never forgets this is a fantastical world full of strange and powerful beings. It’s mixed with very fluid kinetic energy, with every panel feeling like it truly is moving.

This work pairs nicely with the colors that Kwok brings to play. There is plenty of bright superhero vibrancy in many aspects, but it’s never overwhelming. The colors are more grounded and reflective of that reality feeling I mentioned. Lots of shadows and darker elements give everything more depth and weight. It’s very classical meets modern in a sense, hitting all the right beats for hero stories.

Just like the rest of the artwork, the lettering brings so much to this story. With little choices here or there, Abbott can make things feel heavier or lighter to match whatever tone the page needs. Visual cues to make sure that we’re reading the voices accurately.

Can’t forget all the heroic dynamic sound effects brought into the frenzy. A comic can do everything it needs without them, but they sure are way more fun to have around. Sure, I get it when Nightwing throws his Escrima stick at someone, but the satisfying “TNK” as it hits just makes it all better.

Titans Vol 1: Out Of The Shadows is now available from DC Comics.