Book: Teen Titans volume #2: The Culling (issues #8-14) by Scott Lobdell
Illustrations by Ig Guara (issues #8-9), Brett Booth (#10-0) and Ale Garza (#13-14)
Color by Andrew Dalhouse and Lee Loughridge for issue #8, the rest of the issues by Dalhouse with an assistance by Blond for issue #10
The Culling:
Teen Titans Annual #1 (The Culling part 1) by Scott Lobdell and Tom DeFalco
Superboy #9 (The Culling part 2) by Scott Lobdell
Legion Lost #9 (The Culling part 3) by Tom DeFalco
Teen Titans #9 (The Culling part 4) by Scott Lobdell
Edition: I read the single issues (print)
Rating: 1 1/2 stars
Review:
Wow, the writing, the characterizations and the story continue to be the worst things about this series. The writing is simply atrocious, it's no wonder this series was canceled, although the Teen Titans will be getting a relaunch this June (more on that in another post).
I gave this an additional 1/2 star because there were tinny tiny moments when you could see a glimpse of the pre-new 52 teamwork and friendship of Tim, Cassie, Bart, and Conner that is sorely missing with this Teen Titans series. But those small moments can't save such an awful group of issues.
Issue 8 opens with the Teen Titans trying to fight off Omen (one of Harvest's minions) who is using her powers to place each member in a dream world so she can tap into their secrets to find out what they are trying to hide. All of this is so Harvest can get them ready for the culling.
The Culling had the Teen Titans and the Legions trying to stop the Ravagers and Harvest who claimed he was trying to save the world from something horrible that will happen in the future but need only the best warriors for it. This story was such a mess, it was all over the place.
The funny thing is, I've heard from friends that have read the trade edition and said that the book is even more confusing for them because the trade doesn't include the Superboy, TT Annual #1 or Legion Lost parts of the story. Since this haphazard story is tied to those other series, you would think they would be included in the trade edition. I'm here to say that I read those additional issues and The Culling still made absolutely no sense.
After they escape from The Culling and part ways with the Legion, the Titans (minus Skitter who has most likely been written out of the series since she didn't return by the time I dropped the series with issue #16) wind up on some strange island that has dinosaurs. They ended up returning back home with help from Danny (the metahuman street).
Issues #11-14 dealt with Cassie (Wonder Girl) losing control of her armor and attacked Bunker, Kid Flash and Solstice. It took Red Robin and Superboy to stop her by removing her armor. But she also got attacked by her ex-boyfriend to claim her armor. While the other three members recuperate, Tim, Cassie and Kon go on a trip to where Cassie found the armor as well as she tells them her life story.
Issue 0 was Tim "Drake's" recreated origin story. This was rather disappointing because they changed everything that once made Tim a unique and interesting character. He's been turned into nothing more than another generic New 52 jerky arrogant character. This Tim "Drake" tried to figure out who Batman was so he could become the next Robin. Despite Batman saying no, Tim decided to steal money from Penguin to get Batman's attention. His stupid and selfish action nearly got his parents killed as well as himself, all so he could be Batman's new partner and that's exactly what this jerk gets rewarded with to be the new sidekick. Leaving his parents to be placed in witness protection and he's then given a new last name.
I can't help but feel like this was a lousy group of issues and that this was not the best of the Teen Titans. It just makes me miss the pre-new 52 Teen Titans that much more.
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