Teen Titans #8 Preview/Discussion

[Mr. Holmes]

Also, I don't know what's wrong with Lobdell's dialogue in this title, the last couple of issues had characters talking to themselves outloud and using unnatural expressions. I don't think that Lobdell is losing his touch since the dialogue in both Superboy and Red Hood on this month was great, maybe he's overworked with planning The Culling event.

Superboy's dialogue can be attributed to Tom Defalco scripting the book, who I think is doing a terrible job there. But I have no idea what is going on here. The dialogue in this very book was fine in the beginning issues. Red Hood and Outlaws remains to be a consistently good book, so I don't know what is going wrong here.

The art was just wayyy too sloppy. I'm not very critical of art usually unless it just visually doesn't look good. The layouts were too busy. The designs were sloppy as hell.

[yanapryde]

So....was Omen saying that Cassie's lariat was draining CASSIE'S life force?
Or simply that it DOES drain life force, when wrapped around a target?

I got confused with how that was written.
Who else was lost? Explain please???

[Mr. Holmes]

So....was Omen saying that Cassie's lariat was draining CASSIE'S life force?
Or simply that it DOES drain life force, when wrapped around a target?

I got confused with how that was written.
Who else was lost? Explain please???

I wish I could help, but I got so bored in this I stopped paying attention to what specifically Omen was doing.

[Outside_85]

I see a lot of people noticing that something has suddenly happened to the writing, but I don't see anyone connecting this to the fact that we're now in a "prelude" to an "event". This book and Superboy were both pretty solid until the last issue or two and now they're both pretty sloppy. Could it be that the needs of the Culling event are interfering with the writer's ability to just write a good book like he had been doing? Is DC micromanaging to the point of screwing up the writing and making the books weaker? Why am I apparently the only one who suspects this? I don't actually know anything about the process that goes on between publishers and writers when it comes to planning these "events", so I could be wrong....

I wont say it is DC micromanagement that is screwing up anything, for once. Since the mini-event is 2/3 Lobdell and 1/3 (whoever is writing LL), it doesn't impact anyone else's books or involve any other titles. My guess is that Lobdell is either getting bored himself with this, or is just fouling up on his own.

That said an having now read the thing, I am mostly struck with the notion of the books inconsistent pacing, its slow building in the beginning where nothing really happens and then suddenly it ends with the meteoric fall of Robin...before I am uncomfortably reminded how Hydra goons in the Cap America movie were so funny.
I suppose Lobdell was trying to evoke some Morrison-esque vibes with it all, but he just goes through it too damn fast for it to properly manifest (but I suppose the whole run has been dragging its feet for far too long already).

In regards to Omen...well, once again I am happy he couldn't use Raven for this, since Omen, like the rest of NOWHERE, appears to be evil just for the sake of it. She's Harvest goon, I know, but so far we have never been told what's the motivation behind Harvest, Templar or Omen. While it probably is too late for this book and me really caring about it, but Wallaces Titans did the same mistake of not telling the reader anything about the big scheme before it all wrapped up. Back then we were told Slade has a plan, we weren't told what it was or what he was aiming to do with it before 2 issues before the end of it all and I kinda feel like Lobdell is making the same mistake here.

[Shurato2099]

In regards to Omen...well, once again I am happy he couldn't use Raven for this, since Omen, like the rest of NOWHERE, appears to be evil just for the sake of it. She's Harvest goon, I know, but so far we have never been told what's the motivation behind Harvest, Templar or Omen. While it probably is too late for this book and me really caring about it, but Wallaces Titans did the same mistake of not telling the reader anything about the big scheme before it all wrapped up. Back then we were told Slade has a plan, we weren't told what it was or what he was aiming to do with it before 2 issues before the end of it all and I kinda feel like Lobdell is making the same mistake here.

This, I can agree with. It feels like they're saving everything for the big reveal in the Culling, but that feels as if it comes too late. NOWHERE is a shadowy organization that exists to be a shadowy organization, Harvest and his goons are all evil for the sake of being evil with nary a hint of motivation to be seen. Even little hints dropped here and there in the early TT and Superboy stuff would have been nice to see: what do all of these agents and scientists -think- they're working towards? A "better world" by hunting young metas down like dogs and running experiments on them? It would have gone a long way towards fleshing out the big-bad antagonist group, and we just haven't gotten that.

[Jabare]

The whole TITANS line is just so awful. Ugh, to think I used to look forward to the adventures of Dick, Donna, Koriand'r, and the others.

co-sign this. Heck the whole Young Justice line is bad. Breaks my heart

The art is just as horrid as Booth's...I am officially dropping this title from my pull-list, as of right now.

yeah not a fan of the art either

[dupersuper]

Well...at least Omen's not dead any more...

[Robotman4]

ive loved the Teen Titans so far but this issue just fell flat. the stuff about Cassie's armour was kinda interesting but besides that it just seemed like filler. not really the comic you need thats supposed to be the "Prelude" to a big crossover.

the most exciting bits wernt even Titans related. Waller was on Team 7!

[Zoch]

I liked this issue I thought it was good I like how kept playing with readers mind thinking titans escaped which they hadn't, it was good we got more backstory on Wonder Girl and Skitter so Cassie put on the war bracelets to protect someone she cares for and lariat has a life draining effect which seems effect her little to, overall I thought it was good issues Iv'e really been enjoying Teen Titans can't wait for Culling.

[Doctor Voodoo]

co-sign this. Heck the whole Young Justice line is bad. Breaks my heart

must not be reading Blue Beetle & LoSH...

and I'm looking forward to Ravagers. Not reading Titans currently, but only because I'm trade waiting.

[Roland Gunner]

Like a lot of people, I found this to be one of the weakest issues of TT. Lobdell has always used dialogue to have characters explain plot points but this was over the top. After re-reading this story, I think its because he had to push everything through to get ready for The Culling, next month. Its kind of embarrassing that he had to do this after 8 issues in the storyline. Hopefuly things will settle down in June.

I liked Guara's art here more than in Blue Beetle, maybe because of Dalhouse's colors? Thought he drew Bart and Cassie especially well. Still prefer Brett Booth's more energetic style though.

[notorious_g3]

Superboy's dialogue can be attributed to Tom Defalco scripting the book, who I think is doing a terrible job there. But I have no idea what is going on here. The dialogue in this very book was fine in the beginning issues.

I had to go back through my digital issues to confirm that DeFalco was not also scripting this title... I honestly thought he was from reading it.

[Mr. Holmes]

I had to go back through my digital issues to confirm that DeFalco was not also scripting this title... I honestly thought he was from reading it.

Yeah I know, I just don't understand how this is the same writer from the earlier issues of this book.

[paulski]

I didn't think the issue was diabolically bad, but it was very probably the weakest of the series so far, and I put most of the blame with the artwork. Guara's clearly capable of good work - the first splash page was good! - but he was a little inconsistent throughout the issue and certainly wasn't helped by the weak coloring. Like him or hate him (Booth), his colorist usually brings their A-game.

[DragonPiece]

Yeah, it seemed like Scott kept focusing on small details too much and just ignored big plot details.