DC Comics has launched a brand new line of Teen Titans graphic novels under their DC Ink imprint focusing on the teenage heroes origins before becoming the titular superhero group. Number 1 comes out of the gate strong with fan-favorite character Rachael “Raven” Roth as it’s core focus. In this adaptation of the story Raven suffers the loss of both of her mothers as well as her memories while learning of her dark history. 

Teen Titans: Raven is a 2019 superhero graphic novel, it is written by Kami Garcia and illustrated by Gabriel Picolo, it is distributed by DC Comics and DC Ink. It’s currently available in digital and print formats. The sequel Teen Titans: Beast Boy is scheduled to release in Spring 2020.

Editor’s Note: A review copy of Teen Titans: Raven was provided by DC Comics in support of this review. Medium to near complete spoilers for Teen Titans: Raven may be present within this review.

Taking place before her time as a member of the Titans, Teen Titans: Raven follows a much older incarnation of the character who has become amnesiac after a car accident takes the life of her adoptive mother. Now living with her aunt and cousin, Rachael attempts to recover her missing past while adjusting to her new life. With graduation fast approaching and a demonic force looming over her head, Raven starts the beginning of her destiny that leads to her path of heroism. 

THE GOOD: Teen Titans: Raven is a story-focused graphic novel aimed at building the character development of it’s titular heroine. In this version of Teen Titans, Raven is more of a psychic than a dark mage, so her powers are more telekinetic based. This includes the ability to read minds and feel the emotions of others, as well as forcing her will into reality. As the story develops further into the series with the inevitable follow-ups I’m sure we’ll get more keynote psychic abilities revealed for Raven. For the record there is magic featured in Teen Titans: Raven, but it’s more of a sub-theme to the character’s arc than a core theme. Character wise Raven is still mostly the same version we know her as, though this version of the character is far more outgoing and open emotionally than in previous incarnations which is a nice change of pace. This is the typical Raven arc involving her demon father Trigon trying to gain control of her powers, but the addition of her high school friends and adoptive family tree makes for some unique story beats that we’ve never really seen with Rachael. It doesn’t break the character’s foundation, nor does it affect her story negatively. The introduction of voodoo magic into Raven’s lore is something I wouldn’t mind seeing explored in the canon of the character it’s refreshing and adds further depth to her as an individual. 

Kami Garcia has some fun ideas she wants to try out with Raven and because of how close they are to the initial source it feels believable and as a huge fan of the Titans franchise I can tell she took a lot into consideration as a writer and being connected to a fan of the character herself. Gabriel Picolo interestingly seems to have chosen the DC Universe’s incarnation of the team as his choice of character design. It’s fine, it keeps the team feeling modern, but one thing I worry about is future adaptations coping the style of current incarnations to the point where there’s no distinction. There’s not a whole lot more you can do with the Titans from a design perspective all things considered, so this won’t really hurt them specifically. It is an ongoing issue for superhero adaptations as a whole though. There’s a large story arc being planned with this series and it’s written all over the place. I know “Beast Boy” is Garcia & Picolo’s next tackle at the Titans and that’s a sequel continuing the arc, but who’s to say we won’t be getting direct sequels of these stand alone projects over time? If it means Garcia and Picolo team up long-form once the current ongoing arc finishes I’m definitely down with this. They have such a unanimous sync with one another that I honestly think they could succeed at adapting any DC teen hero. 

THE BAD: The worst thing about Teen Titans: Raven is that the story beats outside of Raven’s own realm of the story flourish more. This is more due to the fact that thanks to the multitude of Teen Titans adaptations as of late we know the ins and outs of her background to death. That being said the core of Raven’s background is still enjoyable to jump back into, so if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. 

OVERALL THOUGHTS: While clearly aimed at younger audiences, Teen Titans: Raven is probably one of the best superhero adaptations you’ll read in awhile and is a great addition to the DC Ink lineup. Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo play on each other’s strengths as writer and artist in a way that gives a refreshing edge to a classic DC hero. Otaku Dome gives Teen Titans: Raven a 95 out of 100.