“Into the Bleed” – Part One
Writer: Dan Abnett
Artist: Bruno Redondo
Color Artist: Hi-Fi
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Editor’s Note: this review may contain spoilers!
Picking up the story line we’ve been promised for quite a few issues now, Titans #33 sees the team making their way through Unearth in order to face off against Lord Travesty and take back Raven’s Soul-Self. Overall, this is a really solid first chapter with an intriguing twist ending. I had a lot of fun reading it, as it just felt like a DC Titans version of Dungeons and Dragons, which I expect is exactly what Abnett was going for, considering the number of fantasy references this issues makes.
One of the highlights for me personally was seeing Kyle Rayner’s Green Lantern interact with the team again. I’m a huge fan of the Green Lantern comics and love Rayner, so anything with him will pique my interest. Getting to see him working with the Titans, cracking jokes with Beast Boy – it made me giddy. He brings something new and fresh to the team that I think it needed, so I welcome him with open arms. I am especially interested to see how he plays into it all, considering also that he and Steel are being targeted specifically by Mother Blood.
The ending of this issue reveals that Commander Lenore – who wasn’t a creation of Ernest Hinton and simply appeared in the world when it came to life – is actually Raven. Or rather, her Soul-Self. This isn’t explicitly stated, however I think that it’s a fairly safe bet. This adds a really interesting dynamic to the mission, as the Titans are now facing off against one of their own. Naturally I think this will end with Raven taking on Lenore in a battle for her soul, so I am very excited to see that.
The art in this issue was, simply put – gorgeous. Redondo, along with the vibrant colors provided by Hi-Fi and the fantastic lettering from Sharpe, really did an incredible job with this world. It felt more fantasy than any comic I’ve read in a long time, and the team selection here was perfect to help bring that to life. Assuming this is the art team we get for the remainder of the arc, I am extremely keen to read the next few issues.
Conclusion
This was a solid opening issue to what looks to be an interesting and different arc. The writing and references were at their best, and the art supported them exceptionally well. This arc feels like a good jumping on point for new readers, as it does take you through everything you need to know as the story progresses, so if you were ever indecisive about whether or not to pick up this series, do it now!
Images Courtesy Of DC Entertainment