Titans #13 - DC Comics

TITANS No. 13, September 2024

Essentially comprising of Beast Boy and Cyborg confronting a green-skinned shape-shifter in the Principality of Kravia, Tom Taylor’s storyline for Issue Thirteen of “Titans” probably pleased the majority of its readers by tapping into the pair’s well-established and engaging friendship. Indeed, it’s arguably a pity that the good-natured partnership doesn’t actually last a little longer, as Victor Stone is forced to single-handedly ‘Boom Tube’ Marco Savic to safety whilst Logan battles Apex Ava alone; “Get the President to a hospital. Take his guards with you.”

Of course, the resultant scrap between two walking, emerald-hued menageries is without a doubt the highlight of the twenty-page periodical, particularly as it contains all the sense-shattering shenanigans first seen during Merlin and Madame Mim’s morphing duel in Disney’s 1963 American animated film “The Sword In The Stone”. But many bibliophiles may well have additionally yearned for the Australian author to follow up the comic’s opening sequence, where “Gar” and “Cy” inadvertently stumble upon a demonically-possessed Raven choking Nightwing to death in the very heart of Titans Tower. Instead of simply having that adrenalin-fuelled reality immediately be ret-conned by the magic of Trigon’s daughter. 

However, almost as enthralling as the assassination attempt in Kravia is debatably Hera’s trip down to Hell to speak to the dark domain’s current ruler. This rather furtive trek to visit the extra-dimensional demon Blaze by the Queen of the Gods drips in powerful subterfuge and devilish double-dealing. Plus it contains a seriously surprising cliff-hanger when the Ancient Greek deity suddenly summons the Spirit of Vengeance to help thwart the Dark-Winged Queen from reigning all.

Quite remarkably adding a palpable aura of animation to all these proceedings is the “co-creator of Seven Secrets by Boom! Studios”, Daniele Di Nicuolo. The Italian illustrator’s art style genuinely makes many a panel appear to have been directly lifted from a roll of film stock, and impressively causes a fair few scenes to hark back to the days of Glen Murakami’s 2003 “Teen Titans” cartoon series. In fact, some within this book’s audience will most assuredly hear the show’s iconic theme song performed by Puffy AmiYumi blazing away in the background during certain segments of the action.

The regular cover art of "TITANS" #13 by Chris Samnee & Matheus Lopes