Angry Teens

This ain't your dad's Teen Titans.  Heck, it isn't even mine.  

The latest reincarnation of DC Comics' Teen Titans was nowhere as good as Geoff John's 2003 version or Marv Wolfman/George Perez' 1980 version.  It wasn't totally awful, though, either.  

These new teens are full of anger.  I guess that's closer to how real teens are/stereotyped to be?   In this first issue, we meet Red Robin, off his stint as Robin.  He's got some issues with the whole former Batman team-up thing.  He's also monitoring the recent sudden appearance of teens with superpowers around the world.  

And then there's Cassie Sandsmark (Whatever you do, don't call her Wonder Girl!).  She's definitely got some anger issues, and a bit of mystery surrounding her existence as well.  Gone is the sweet Cassie from series' past.  She's also wearing a costume that's a combination of her former costume and Donna Troy's black starry one.  

As for the rest of the team, we did see some confusing segment about Kid Flash, but the rest (pictured on the cover) are still yet to come.   And, also, where is the new Aqualad? 

After reading the first month of #1 issues of the New 52, I've discovered a recurring theme throughout the new DCU:  the heroes aren't really "heroes," per se.  They're operating covertly, outside the law, as vigilantes and don't really have the support of the public.  All of 'em.  I'm not sure this is a wise decision on DC's part.  Having some vigilantes and covert operations is good.  But all of them?  It doesn't make any of the teams/individuals unique.  Now they're all Suicide Squad, Secret Six, or X-Men-ish.  And how are they all funded?   How do they survive without jobs?  I'd really like to see more of their personal lives, their "secret identities."  That's how we really get to know them as characters, not just by watching them battle one foe after another. 

Teen Titans was better than I expected (I had low expectations), so I hope it develops into another TT series that I really love.  But let's lose the anger...

Lastly, I'm not crazy about the logo.  However, I wasn't crazy about the former logo either.  Can we take this back to the marketing department?

Aqualad: FAIL

It seems that Aqualad just can't catch a break.  

First, there was the original Aqualad from the Teen Titans, Garth, that everyone seemed to make fun of and, basically, found useless.  In an attempt to recreate/reimagine himself, Garth became Tempest.  Unfortunately, Tempest never caught on in popularity either.  To put him (and his legion of non-fans) out of their misery, in the Blackest Night maxi-series, Garth is killed off.  

To revamp the Aqualad name and bring some diversity into the teenage superheroes of the DC Universe (besides the go-to Static), a new Aqualad appears in Brightest Day #10.  He's African-American; sports dreadlocks, a cooler costume, and tats; has better/expanded powers; and has a mystery surrounding him.  At this point, it seems like DC is really going to do something big with an Aqualad. 

Then comes DC's event series Flashpoint...and changes all DC history.  Where is Aqualad?  Is there an Aqualad?  Who knows.  He's not shown in any new issue of the new Aquaman series.  He also doesn't appear in the new Teen Titans series. 

Goodbye, Aqualad.  We hardly knew ye.