Teen Titans Academy faces its most pressing danger yet in this action-packed and dramatic issue. Task Force X (AKA The Suicide Squad) now joins Red X in an attack on the academy, new answers and questions arise as a result, and the path forward for the academy and its students is unknown. Teen Titans Academy #3 is written by Tim Sheridan, with pencils by Rafa Sandoval, colors Alejandro Sanchez, inks by Jordi Tarragona, and letters by Rob Leigh.
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Sheridan is a masterful storyteller in this thrilling issue. While there are so many moving parts in this story about a seemingly random outside force crashing into the Titans Academy story (which for some reason includes Superboy, Kon-El, of all people), everything comes together to crystalize in the narrative. Even the seemingly random elements ultimately feel in place here with Sheridan’s compelling and focused writing. What unfolds is an amazing story about mistrust, personal choices, and moral ambiguity. This is the best issue of Teen Titans Academy so far, and it sets up the rest of the run for what is likely going to challenge all the Titans, old and new, in various ways.
Alinta (AKA Bolt) continues to be my favorite new Titan, and she is at the core of the story here. We learn more about her in the issue’s story that is tied deeply to her background. Sheridan, once again, all the while deftly handling so many characters, does a fantastic job at developing the DC Universe’s latest speedster, connecting readers with her particular challenges and inciting keen interest for where she and the other Titans’ story will go from here.
The art by Sandoval is fantastic and is his best showcasing so far. While I’ve critiqued his artwork before for not distinguishing characters of color enough with their features, I do think he makes an improvement here, which is welcome, and which I hope he builds upon. Every character is richly drawn with distinctive features and movement, his art style makes some excellent textures, and the action scenes are engrossing and riveting. You’ll find some incredible splash pages in this issue that will put you in the center of the action. Overall, Sandoval’s art compliments Sheridan’s story magnificently in this issue.
The colors by Sanchez and the inks by Tarragona also compliment Sandoval’s art very well here, as they tend to do. There’s such a rich variety of color and sheen that keeps readers engaged consistently throughout. Every character pops out from the page with Sanchez’s excellent colors, and the shading conveys excellent depth throughout the issue. All the aspects of the art come together to engross you further in this exciting and nerve-wracking story.
Leigh’s lettering is great. Even as the issue conveys much information to the reader, Leigh organizes the text boxes in easily digestible formats that never distract you from the action on-page. It continues to be a superb read with that aspect.
Teen Titans Academy #3 is a thrilling issue and the best issue of this series so far. Sheridan’s story soars to new heights as the stakes become even bigger for the burgeoning academy as the Suicide Squad and other forces get involved. With the terrific artwork by Sandolvel, Sanchez, and Tarragona complimenting the story with hard-hitting action and character work, it’s an even more exciting issue to read. I highly recommend picking this issue and series up if you haven’t yet.
Teen Titans Academy #3 is available now wherever comics are sold.
'Teen Titans Academy,' Issue #3
TL;DR
Teen Titans Academy #3 is a thrilling issue and the best issue of this series so far. Sheridan’s story soars to new heights as the stakes become even bigger for the burgeoning academy as the Suicide Squad and other forces get involved. With the terrific artwork by Sandolvel, Sanchez, and Tarragona complimenting the story with hard-hitting action and character work, it’s an even more exciting issue to read. I highly recommend picking this issue and series up if you haven’t yet.
