Raven’s transformation into the Dark-Winged Queen is almost complete in Titans #14, and the Titans join forces to take on their evil friend. Written by Tom Taylor with art by Lucas Meyer and colors by Adriano Lucas, this issue follows the Titans as they learn that Rachel Roth’s body has been taken over by her dark self. The Titans set out to confront Raven, but are instead interrupted by others who want to stop them. Can the Titans prevent Raven’s complete transformation into the Dark Winged Queen? This is a perfect issue with beautiful art, impeccable writing, and, best of all, Swamp Thing!
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Tom Taylor. He has a way of bringing current social issues into comics that don’t come across as cheesy or contrived. Taylor proves that and shows that he really understands how to write the Titans and manages to break the common view of them as teenagers. Taylor’s Titans feel like adults and make decisions and fight like real adults. I’ve loved his work on Titansand the Dark Winged Queen storyline was my favorite (though I’m biased, as I like any story with Raven’s lineage the best). This issue is perfectly paced and seamlessly mixes action and relationship building, as a Titans book should. I have to say, in classic Taylor style, this issue is on the short side and leaves the reader wanting to read more. This whole storyline will read so fantastically in tandem and flow so well without a months-long gap between issues. Taylor’s writing is so good, you just won’t be able to put the comic down! Tom Taylor writes the best Titans we’ve seen in a long time, and this is an era we’ll be talking about for years to come.
The art in this issue is absolutely stunning. Lucas Meyer and Adriano Lucas perfectly capture the essence of this iconic team and bring a fresh perspective while staying true to their classic look. I mean, whenever Nightwing is on the page, I can’t help but stare at his perfection. The character designs in this issue are carefully crafted, with each member of the Titans team portrayed with distinctive features that really enhance their personality. The standout character design in this issue is Raven, as she looks truly haunting in this issue. Her final form as the Dark-Winged Queen is straight out of a horror movie and terrifying. The action sequences in this issue are also a particular highlight, as they showcase Meyer’s ability to create a sense of movement and impact. The panel layouts are dynamic, with well-choreographed fight scenes that pulse with energy. The use of perspective amplifies the intensity of the fight, making every punch, kick, and superpower feel impactful. Meyer’s ability to balance chaos with clarity makes it easy to follow the plot without losing the thread of the narrative. This issue is a delight and I can’t wait to find out what happens next month!