TEEN TITANS #27

[ BATTLING BARGAINS ] 

Holy sh*t, gang! Did you see what Scott Lobdell, Tyler Kirkham, and Scott McDaniel, did to Kid Flash in this comic book published in February, 2014? Damn. That was cold hearted, wasn't it? If I was you, I'd rush over to the offices of DC Comics, and ask them to put these guys on the naughty step, straight away! 

To QUOTE Patrick Henry: 'Give me liberty, or give me death!'.

THE STORY:

Now it has been brought to our attention, that you, Bar Torr, have been a very naughty boy. Go on. Just ask any of your colleagues in the Teen Titans, and they'll tell you how your past misdemeanors have caused them to question your validity as a hero.

Therefore, it is in my power as a member of the functionary, to pass sentence on your previous crimes. Guilty? Not guilty? Let the internet decide.

BOOOOM!

Or maybe not.

THE GOOD:

Despite this not being the best issue of 'Teen Titans' I've ever read, in the same breath it did have some very favorable qualities throughout its telling.

Firstly, the story in itself was fairly easy to follow, which is always a good thing in my book. Secondly, I did like how each of the characters commented on Bart's predicament -- except Raven -- because not only did it define their stance on this matter, but it also gave each of them some time to shine. Thirdly, I found Bart's predicament very engrossing by nature, as it made me wonder how this will all turn out next month. And fourthly, the sardonic side of me found Superboy's demeanor in this tale a right blast. Honestly. Every time he applauded Bart's previous actions, I couldn't help but bust a devilish grin.  

Ding!

THE BAD:

I suppose the only thing I wasn't too keen on would be how the artwork was somewhat inconsistent on the page. Sometimes it was detailed and full of life. Sometimes it was flat and rather boring to look at. And overall, it was a mixed bag to say the least.

Obviously this is DC's fault because they should have hired just one artist instead of many to illustrate this adventure. And I'm sure that if it was just down to Tyler, Scott, or Art, to do the drawings, the general tale would have flowed smother than it did.  

THE MUSIC:

Now if I looked at this story from Bart's perspective, I'd say that the 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic' would be a very good match for it, mainly because of the revolutionary feel this melody has got in spades.

THE COMPARISON:

In contrast to what I said in my previous section, no matter how you see it, this adventure is focused on Bart's friends and so-called piers judging his past actions. So from my standpoint, that is exactly what I'm going to compare it to. A Judge. My favorite judge.

THE CONCLUSION:

On a conceptual level 'State's Evidence' is a build-up and reclassification of Bart Allen's eventual status within the New 52. From certain characters perceptions -- like Red-Robin and Wonder Girl for instance -- he's a bad seed who was once their friend. Whilst from other characters perceptions -- like Solstice and Superboy -- he's a very cleaver individual who had to do what he must to survive.

But what do you think, folks? Honestly. How do feel towards Bart now he's been redefined as a future bent rogue / killer / criminal? Personally speaking, I like to refine my feelings by presenting to you a quote taken from the book, 'Walk Two Moons'...

'Don't judge a man till you have walked two moons in his moccasins'.

Well. Let's face it. How can we pass judgment on Bart if none of us have followed in his footsteps? It would be like judging Nelson Mandela for supporting a militant uprising in South Africa. Or by poking fun at some other noteworthy person for not conforming to society or the head of state!

Admittedly, by the end of this issue I wasn't one hundred percent certain if Bart was still a hero or not.  Nonetheless, that's another good reason why it was such a great book to read.

Nuff said.