Teen Titans vs. Champions

With the two Teen Titans series set in the New 52 Universe that truly sucked (not to mention the even worse Ravagers spin-off), I had hopes that the latest Teen Titans series set in DC's Rebirth would return to its New Teen Titans roots, or would at least resemble Geoff Johns' fantastic 2003 series.  I've read the Teen Titans: Rebirth #1 issue, and I'm disappointed to report that it doesn't get much better, folks.

Gone are Bunker, the new Power Girl, Wonder Girl (?), and Superboy, with additions of Starfire, the new Kid Flash, and Damian replacing Tim as the Robin on the team, but it still doesn't have that spark or character chemistry that the 1980s or 2003 series had.  Everyone just seemed bratty with shitty dialogue, just like the New 52 Teen Titans.  This was DC's big opportunity to do something great (again) with the Teen Titans...and they sadly fucked it up (again).

At the same time, I also read (and compared) the first issue of Marvel's new Champions series, which features teenage versions of Avengers characters.  Champions captured the spirit of the original 1960s, 1980s, and 2000s Teen Titans (and TV's Young Justice) that DC's "Rebirth" of the Teen Titans should have.  Fed up with the adult Avengers, the teenage Ms. Marvel, Totally Awesome Hulk, time-traveling Cyclops, Miles Morales' Spider-Man (boy?), Nova, and Vision's daughter Viv, form their own team.  The dialogue isn't cheesy or forced, and the first issue provides a great banding together of members.

Because the Teen Titans were always my favorite growing up, I hate to admit that in the contest of Teen Titans vs. Champions, Champions wins hands down.

Captain Snoozer

I don't normally read Captain America, but since he was getting a reboot, I thought I'd give him a try. I picked up Captain America 600 and 601, as well as Captain America Reborn #1. At the higher pricing of $4.99, $3.99, and $3.99, respectively, I feel Marvel could have provided something a little more interesting and exciting to get new readers hooked on their flag-clad icon. The issues had some interesting ideas in bringing the original Captain America, Steve Rogers, back to life, like introducing a "second shooter" ala JFK. Plus, I enjoyed seeing the Falcon, if only briefly.

Unfortunately, the rest of the story fails. I had no emotional connection and was truly bored. Even the "tributes" to Steve Rogers weren't interesting, and the "very special issue" touted on the cover of #601 wasn't special by any means. I expected something with some emotion attached, not a flashback story from the 1940s. It didn't move the character or story of Captain America forward in any way and certainly didn't intrigue me enough to continue reading Captain America, the comic. For the money, I'll stick to DC's rebirth of the Flash.