Teen Titans: Raven

My Thoughts

In the world of comic book aficionado, I am not even a wannabe. I like graphic novels because I like the power of sequential art and sparse dialogue to tell a powerful story. It is probably why I actually like the manga Batman and The Justice League. The art style makes it feel fresh and new.

This is another DC based comic that feels new because they are using a YA author and the art looks more like a YA graphic novel than a DC produced comic. The original Teen Titans started in the 60's as a gathering of sidekicks like Robin, however, in the 80s they were brought back and included characters like Raven and Cyborg who are not known as former or future sidekicks for established heroes or heroines. 

This newest iteration of Teen Titans is about Raven Roth's origin story. After she loses her foster mother in a tragic accident and she loses her memory, Raven goes to New Orleans to live with her foster mother's family and finish her senior year in high school. 

This is also the story of her awakening, or reawakening as a person with powers, in her case, supernatural powers, that she must learn to control while also learning a little about herself. How can it be that she knows how to solve math equations but she is not sure what kind of music she likes? In this new Teen Titans, and under the pen of veteran YA author Kami Garcia, this scenario seems more plausible than far fetched. 

Maybe it will not impress hardcore DC readers, however, I think the feel of Picolo's art and Garcia's text will bring new readers to Teen Titans who really are looking for a more relationship forward storyline. 

An advanced copy provided by Net Galley and the publishers for an honest review.

Other book reviews on this blog for Kami Garcia: Beautiful Broken Hearts