Teen Titans #6 Review – When People Stop Being Polite and Start Getting Real
The new Teen Titans have a home base in San Francisco, but only a few of them live there at all times. Kid Flash goes back to Central City during the week, but always visits on weekends and of course when missions happen. Robin appears to do the same. The original Teen Titans happily live together at Titans Tower, which is fine for them because they’re rather used to it. Or maybe they aren’t. Who knows what is real and what has been retconned thanks to DC Universe Rebirth. Regardless, personalities will clash when all five bunk together, especially when you throw in a particularly broody teenager like Damian.
I completely expect Damian to thrash Beast Boy one day, especially when Beast Boy calls in an exclusive interview with the team without telling anyone. Beast Boy used to have his own reality show or two, and the guy can’t stay away from the camera for long. Damian, on the other hand, doesn’t want anyone to know anything about him. He’s probably still bitter that his teammates even know his grandfather is Ra’s al Ghul.
Things are about to get crazy in this Real World of Titans Tower, as it appears they’re going to get a new roommate and DC Universe Rebirth gets a second Aqualad.
Aqualad’s character from Young Justice was a fabulous reimagining of the original Aqualad, Garth, who happens to still be with the original Titans. Rebirth appears to have enjoyed the YJ character so much that they have recreated him in Teen Titans. The YJ Aqualad was named Kaldur’ahm, and he was essentially raised by Aquaman himself. He later learned that the Black Manta was his father, which still doesn’t fully explain his webbed fingers and toes or his powers. But that’s neither here nor there. This Aqualad’s name is Jackson Hyde. He lives on the surface with his mother, he has the same black marks on his arms that harness his powers, and same bleached blond hair. Since his father is not around, and his mother makes some comment about promising that she would keep Jackson safe, it’s entirely possible that his father is the Black Manta. I’m sure all will be revealed in time.
Jackson has a hard time fitting in anywhere because of his black marks (people think they’re tattoos), his bleached hair, and the fact that he’s not entirely out of the closet yet. He has a boyfriend, but the whole situation appears to be on the down low. Jackson knows he’s different from the “norm,” and all he wants to do is embrace it. He knows he should be part of the Teen Titans with his abilities. He tries to confide this to his boyfriend, but once he shows off his powers, his friend decides he wants nothing to do with this relationship. That was the final push Jackson needed to leave home and approach the Teen Titans himself about joining them.
And it couldn’t be a better time for an aquatic hero, as the Titans seem to have a serious shark problem on their hands. Ever feel like there are too many man-sharks in the DC Universe? I know Orca technically isn’t one, but killer whales are just a blowhole away from being sharks. And mammary glands. And…you get the idea.
Our Rating: YUS
Author: Benjamin Percy
Artists: Khoi Pham, Wade von Grawbadger, and Jim Charalampidis
Publisher: DC Comics
Publish Date: 03/22/2017
Acquired via Purchase
