“Desolation Boulevard”
Artists: Scot Eaton, Wayne Faucher & Jim Charalampidis
The Fearsome Five are back and they’re holding the entire city hostage. Robin, Beast Boy, Raven and Starfire are on the scene, but are they too late? The latest Walmart Teen Titans 100 Page Giant has the answers.
Walmart and DC Comics have proven themselves a true Dynamic Duo with their wonderful 100 Page Giants. I usually only cover the Justice League issues, but this month I’ve taken on Batman and Teen Titans too. Heck, if every issue’s this good I may not give them back to their regular reviewers!
These monthly gems fill me with nostalgia and joy. These are the kind of comics I was weaned on, and dearly miss. This is the stuff that will make today’s kids tomorrow’s die-hard fans. The best bit is, they’re available at Walmart! No need to scour the area for a comic-book store, just pick one off the rack. I miss the days where a shopping trip meant a new comic, I really do.
Teen Titans, GO!
Having veteran comics creators like Dan Jurgens, Scot Eaton and Wayne Faucher on these stories is a blessing. The way these guys evoke the classic feel of the cartoons, meshed with the characters from the legendary Wolfman / Perez era is just magic. These stories are big, bold and brash… and all the better for it. Raven’s narrative and her constant inner turmoil are a great counterpoint for the chaos surrounding her, and her team-mates.
While this is clearly a kid friendly tale, there’s action a plenty, and some pretty scary imagery. I think that kids need this stuff. Comics that scared or excited me as a child are the ones that I’ll always remember. These are the feelings that let you know that you’re alive.
Letterer Tom Napolitano not only makes me crave pizza and ice-cream, he also delivers lovely and easy to read text. I particularly love Raven’s purple internal monologue, and ragged word balloons.
Jim Charalampidis floods the pages with vibrant color that lifts the gorgeous art by Eaton and Faucher. This is classic comics; so big, bold colors are a must.
Conclusion
While this series is clearly aimed at a younger audience, this isn’t just a simple heroes bash villains comic. There’re layers to the story, with discord within the ranks of the Fearsome Five, and with Raven facing her – quite literal – inner demons. There’s a lot to enjoy in these well crafted pages.
Images Courtesy Of DC Entertainment