Review: Teen Titans #34

“Friends & Traitors”
Writer: Adam Glass
Artist: Bernard Chang
Color Artist: Marcelo Maiolo
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Review by Steve J. Ray

Summary

I just have to come out and say it, Teen Titans #34 “Friends & Traitors” has blown my mind.

 The turncoat within the team, the one who freed Robin’s prisoners and has been in league with the Other all along, has been revealed. I’m not going to give anything away here, but regular readers will NOT see this coming. Wowza!

Positives

Adam Glass is weaving one hell of a tale, and Bernard Chang can deliver more emotion on a character’s face with the squint of an eye, or the hint of a grimace than some artists can manage with all the intricate detail in the world. The incredible synergy that this team has is clearly demonstrated on every single page that they produce. It’s clear that Glass had a plan going in, and the way he has made us love and care about every member of this team, old and new, is testament to his skill as a writer. The final page reveal at the end of this issue knocked my socks off, and I cannot wait to hear the thoughts of fellow fans and readers.
Speaking of synergy and chemistry; Bernard Chang has been working with color maestro Marcelo Maiolo for years, and I can see why. Marcelo is an incredible talent and I can feel a difference when reading an issue he hasn’t worked on. his use of light is gorgeous, particularly the way he illuminates Djinn’s tattoos, and the way she uses her powers. The results are incredible, and make me feel like I’m watching a movie with special effects by ILM, not reading a 2D comic-book.
Rob Leigh’s prolificity is astonishing, yet he delivers outstanding work on title after title, week after week, and month after month. I wonder if his heart skipped a beat, like mine did, when he was lettering the issue and he discovered the truth about the viper in the Teen Titans’ nest?

Negatives

This issue is a 100% sure-fire hit. Every line is gold and that ending is knockout. Negatives? Not a one.

Verdict

I can’t believe that I was ever dumb enough to doubt this book when this new creative team took over. Yeah, I was wrong… but I’m man enough to admit it. The last 15 issues, special and annual have been some of the best Teen Titans stories I’ve read since the golden years of Marv Wolfman and George Perez. Those classics shaped my life and my character, so believe me that when I compare this run to that one, I’m bestowing upon this book and its creators the highest praise imaginable.
Teen Titans #34 is the kind of issue you need to give someone who says that comics can’t surprise us anymore. Surprised? They’re gonna need a road drill to get my jaw out of the ground… that’s how hard it dropped.
Images Courtesy Of DC Entertainment

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