After Deathstroke returns, the Titans need time to recover. Their conflict had a personal wound left on Beast Boy. Needing time off, he returned to his “second family”. The Doom Patrol welcomed him and Cyborg for a visit that turned business quickly.
An old rival has emerged and taken Negative Man & Beast Girl. Zookeeper is back. Is the combined effort of Titans and the Patrol ready for this return?
TITANS #27 by John Layman, Max Raynor, Matt Herms and Wes Abbott continues the wild team-up of heroes.
Let’s take a deeper dive on to where events go now.
TITANS #27 by John Layman, Max Raynor, Matt Herms and Wes Abbott (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Layman plays up to the quirkiness of this team-up. The re-introduction to Zookeeper is a nice touch. Readers get a full understanding of who he is and why. This moves events along to its’ current dilemma. The writing lets Beast Boy shine while things fall apart. It serves as a solid refresh for his character. As solid as this moment is, it is eclipsed by another.
Cyborg’s heart-to-metal talk with Robotman steals the show. Knowing how very similar these two are allows the Titan to open up. The dialogue hits the major points of what his struggles deal with. Seeing Robotman be a voice of reason strikes a chord with readers. It helps to get the hero back on a positive track. This helps to assist in the main conflict.
The writing stages action very traditionally. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this. These moments come across very well. It allows for a few fun moments to creep in before wrapping events up. Readers watch as the door is left open for more meetings in the future. Once the story goes to close, everything has changed. It is a hard reset lending itself to a larger picture n the horizon. An enjoyable read never the less.
Raynor and Herms set up the Zookeeper sequence with a few different looks. Flashback moments have a varied coloring to the panels. The art leans in on the key reveals before it ends. The final result is a full page image that starts off this issue’s conflict. Readers watch as the heroes converse about best plans. It leads to a solid half page panel featuring a few transformations.
The weight of Cyborg and Robotman can’t be denied in their panels. Vic Stone is clearly impacted by Robotman’s words. They are subtle panels but nail the key points. This moves events to the main fight with the art letting loose. In dealing with changelings, the imagination can run wild. The near full page reflects that view. It helps to compliment the fast action and unique end to the fight. Readers watch as this portion ends on a high note before changing directions in close. The full final page doesn’t pull punches as the next round is taking a bold swing. Get ready.
OVERALL GRADE: 8.4
The Titans/Doom Patrol team-up ends on an entertaining note before more trouble arrives. Layman pens a steady superhero tale with the writing. Raynor and Herms mix in some needed drama in between the action. It is a enjoyable set-up before darker times arrive for the DCU.
Let me know your thoughts on Titans #27 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!