It should be noted that this is based on the original Cartoon Network Teen Titans cartoon, using the “Go” from the show’s intro to set it apart from the regular DC Universe Teen Titans comic.
“Ummmm….we were fighting Mirror Master.”
Teen Titans Go! #1 (Free Comic Book Day edition)
DC Comics (September, 2004)
“Demo”
WRITER: J. Torres
PENCILER: Todd Nauck
INKER: Lary Stucker
COLORIST: Brad Anderson
LETTERER: Jared K. Fletcher
EDITORS: Lysa Hawkins & Tom Palmer Jr.
The Titans are relaxing, playing video games, though Robin sees it as a teamwork building exercise. It turns out the game was actually created by Gizmo to learn the various heroes’ fighting styles. He, Jynx, and Mammoth try to prove who is the better fighter and can take the Titans down, only to get their butts kicked by the heroes. It turns out this too was a simulated battle as Slade judged their lack of teamwork versus the Titans. Unaware of all this, the Titans just continue their game.
What they got right: The theme is teamwork, how the heroes are good at it (at least in a real fight versus a video game) and the villains don’t. The comic’s art style matches the show’s, which I always prefer, and the writing is a good replication of the show.
What they got wrong: I don’t recall Slade having any interactions with the HIVE before, so why now? There’s also these little skits with the “Teen Titans Super-D’s”, resembling their occasional super deformed/chibi states in the show (which is what the Teen Titans Go TV show bases their art style on) and it distracts from the story, offering nothing of importance. I hope they dropped that eventually.
Recommendation: This comic is a good representation of the 1st Cartoon Network incarnation of the team, so if you liked the show you might like this comic.
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