Titans #3 - DC Comics

TITANS No. 3, November 2023

Initially depicting a twenty-page plot which strongly suggests that Nightwing’s concerns about Brother Eternity are unfounded and solely based upon the crime-fighter’s prejudicial paranoia, Tom Taylor’s utterly beguiling storyline for Issue Three of “Titans” surely must have lulled a fair few of its readers into a false-sense of security. But whilst Dick Grayson’s dubious infiltration of the Church of Blood certainly seems ill-advised when the trespassing vigilante first penetrates the grand building’s security system. Batman’s former sidekick certainly seems to have been proved right by the comic’s shocking conclusion; “You played your part well in today’s ruse. But I require something more of you. You’re going to visit your friends.”

Intriguingly however, the “New York Times bestselling author” employs a couple of ‘bait-and-switch’ moments involving the cult’s “new telegenic, media-savvy leader” before the super-villain’s true colours and mind-controlling machinations are finally revealed. These ‘ups and downs’ as to whether the book’s central antagonist is truly a victim of those within his shadowy sect who murderously were “a little unsatisfied with the new direction and new management” are convincingly penned, and genuinely make it appear that that the Australian author’s co-creation is trying to make amends for the fanatical organisation’s past offences.

Also well worthy of a ‘shout-out’ is the Melbourne-born playwright’s handling of Beast Boy, who receives plenty of opportunities to demonstrate his insane animal transformation skills during the Titans’ battle against the Church of Blood. Furthermore, Taylor provides Garfield Logan with a palpably moving moment, when he quite literally begs his old-time team-mate Tempest into re-joining the team, only to disappointingly find his plea falling upon deaf ears and be distressingly led away from the emotionally charged confrontation by a softly spoken Raven. 

Perhaps however, a good many of this publication’s considerable accomplishments are also down to the pencilling of Nicola Scott, who somehow manages to imbue many a figure with an almost life-like countenance – even when metamorphosing into a multi-tentacled green-hued octopus. The illustrator is equally as capable of making this comic’s cast come across to the reader as being utterly sincere in whatever they are saying, courtesy of some incredible eyes and heartfelt facial expressions.

The regular cover art of "TITANS" #3 by Nicola Scott & Annette Kwok