Lobdell’s gay superhero makes his first appearance this issue and… wow… he could not be more flamboyant. Not sure Lobdell’s aware all gay men aren’t Jm J. Bullock. It’s some terrible writing.

But there’s actually a really fun page in the comic. I couldn’t believe Booth had it in him. Kid Flash–let’s not forget, Kid Flash wasn’t ever a sidekick (that detail of the Titans didn’t make it to the new DC universe)–runs around a room and Booth shows the numbered order of little events. It’s fun. It’s more fun than anything in Titans and it’s something out of a kid’s picture book.

Nothing really happens this issue other than the Bunker (the gay kid) introduction. The regular story line doesn’t develop, just little moments, like Red Robin meeting a giant android and Wonder Girl torturing a bad guy.

It’s a fast read, which means its over sooner.

CREDITS

Better to Burn Out… Than to Fade Away; writer, Scott Lobdell; penciller, Brett Booth; inker, Norm Rapmund; colorist, Andrew Dalhouse; letterer, Dezi Sienty; editors, Katie Kubert and Bobbie Chase; publisher, DC Comics.

I assume Lobdell had to turn in his terrible script for Teen Titans early (so Booth could draw it poorly), which means his constant references to objectifying women aren’t some breaking the fourth wall reaction to the response to the misogyny in his writing.

Too bad. It might be funny.

Wonder Girl can’t shut up about Robin–sorry, Red Robin–looking at her butt. It’s bad the first time and tiring the next thirty. The funny part, of course, is Red Robin really is looking at her butt and he doesn’t admit it. The lousy narration gives it away.

Other things we learn… black superheroes become cockroaches and Kid Flash doesn’t know the Flash. It’s so hard to figure out the new DC Universe.

The most fun in Titans is when Booth and Rapmund’s expressions work in direct opposite to the writing.

Though Lobdell’s inability to use English amuses too.

CREDITS

Underground and Overwhelmed!; writer, Scott Lobdell; penciller, Brett Booth; inker, Norm Rapmund; colorist, Andrew Dalhouse; letterer, Carlos M. Mangual; editors, Katie Kubert and Bobbie Chase; publisher, DC Comics.

I thought there was supposed to be a flamboyantly gay superhero in Teen Titans. There’s not.

There’s nothing here except some awful Brett Booth art and the writing stylings of Mr. Scott Lobdell. One must admire Lobdell’s consistent incompetence. I mean, one example is his narration from Tim Drake. Lobdell writes it like he’s got a character narrating a movie trailer.

Also of amusement is how Teen Titans basically just rips off Marvel’s Ultimates or, at least, did to when I fell behind in reading it. There’s this secret organization with an acronym who’s going to manage all the superhuman teenagers in the world. So a mix of the Pied Piper and Ultimate Nick Fury. Only Booth’s Nick Fury stand-in looks like a goth hipster.

Lobdell doesn’t even establish why all these teenagers have sidekick names; it’s doesn’t seem like Kid Flash is the Flash’s sidekick.

It’s truly awful.

CREDITS

Teen Spirit; writer, Scott Lobdell; penciller, Brett Booth; inker, Norm Rapmund; colorist, Andrew Dalhouse; letterer, Carlos M. Mangual; editors, Katie Kubert and Bobbie Chase; publisher, DC Comics.