Teen Titans (2003 Series) #9

March 13, 2004

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: First Blood

Rule of the Road #1: Don’t let Kid Flash behind the wheel!

Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Mike McKone
Inks: Marlo Alquiza & Norm Rapmund
Colors: Jeromy Cox
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover Art: Mike McKone
Publisher: DC Comics

When the Titans get a distress call from the doctor that saved Kid Flash, four of them head out to save the day – and the best way to get around San Francisco? With the west coast Batmobile, of course. Back at the tower, Superboy has stayed behind to take care of his homework, but taking care of Krypto sends him headlong into a discovery about one of his teammates.

Geoff Johns runs three storylines throughout this issue – the main storyline is mainly played for laughs, but also shows how Kid Flash’s transformation is an ongoing process, not an instantaneous ones. It also gives us a real understanding of his estimation of some of his teammates, especially Wonder Girl. Superboy’s storyline has some chuckles as well, but mainly gives us a chance to follow him as he interacts with a Titan he hasn’t really bonded with as of yet.

The third storyline follows our villains, Deathstroke and Ravager as well as the lost Titan Raven. This storyline builds during the issue, ultimately setting up the cliffhanger at the end very well and charging into the main story very well. Johns has as great a handle on these characters as I’ve seen, and each issue is a treat.

Mike McKone returns to the pencils this issue after a couple of wonderful issues from Tom Grummett, and he returns in style. He handles the nighttime scenes (along with Jeromy Cox’s colors) very well, and has a good handle on some light physical comedy and tech drawing. He even handles one of the toughest tasks in comics with true aplomb – he draws Krypto without making him look silly.

Teen Titans is one of those books I look forward to every month and with good reason: a great writer, a great artist and great characters. It all adds up to a great read.

Rating: 8/10