Weekly Comic Book Review

By Sean McKeever (writer), Eddy Barrows (pencils) and Jimmy Palmiotti (inks)

After Geoff Johns’ run on the Teen Titans ended, many fans became unsatisfied with the story arcs following. Sean McKeever’s current run on the series has been very refreshing for many fans, including myself. The current story arc is certainly the decompressed style we have all become used to; however, he uses this decompression for further character development than even Johns was able to do.

Teen Titans #58, continues the story of the Titans getting systematically picked off by the Clock King and the Terror Titans. McKeever continues his on-going theme of writing each issue of the story arc from the perspective of one team member, previously Kid Devil, as he was captured in issue #56 and Ravager, as she was seen in the Titan Tower before the Tower was destroyed in issue #57. This issue focuses on Miss Martian as she tries to cope with what seems to be a dual identity with her current self and her future self (which she encountered in the previous story arc). The issue also tries to drop hints and clues as to what the Clock King and the Terror Titans’ primary motive is.

McKeever does a great job giving readers a more intimate look at the Titans. However, in this issue it becomes a little more complicated. At times, the story doesn’t seem to flow well. Maybe it’s what McKeever is aiming to achieve, as the main character, Miss Martian, deals with some sanity issues. Pacing problems aside, the dialogue is very good. Miss Martian is finally given some depth and no longer feels like a cheap imitation of the Martian Manhunter.

Just as I was beginning to warm up to Eddy Barrows art, Carlos Rodriguez fills in on art for this issue! Not that I’m complaining, but Barrows was giving some good consistency to the series. As for Rodriguez, his art was standard stuff – nothing bad or good, but towards the end of the issue as Miss Martian deals with her dual personality, his attention to detail really shines.

Overall, Teen Titans #58 is a good issue. It just doesn’t have much plot advancement. Yet this seems to be the trend of this series as it is focuses more on the individual characters themselves. This arc, or any of its issues would be a great jumping on point for any fans curious about the Teen Titans. (Grade: B)

-Robert Hyland