REVIEW: ‘Titans: Beast World’ Issue #5

Titans: Beast World #5 is published by DC Comics, written by Tom Taylor, pencils by Ivan Reis and Eduardo Pansica, inks by Danny Miki and Júlio Ferreira, colors by Brad Anderson, and letters by Wes Abbott. This is the penultimate issue of the event. In the aftermath of Beast Boy’s execution, Amanda Waller unfolds the next stage of her plan as the Titans grieve.

This issue has a remarkable structure that allows the story to progress quickly and for people to grieve at the same time. The comic shows the devastation early on but has to get to the danger that will now befall the rest of the issue. What Waller has in mind for the beasts that remain on Earth is horrific and requires immediate action to prevent enormous amounts of bloodshed. But Taylor then allows for that period of mourning and remembrance to happen later, with an extended scene dedicated solely to Beast Boy. The death has changed the danger of the whole event, altering the book’s intentions. No new beasts can be created, but those that have changed need to be both prevented and protected.

The book remains grounded, shrinking even further from the global aspect of the crossover. It focuses on those are the top of the battles, not the smaller fights. It is only Nightwing and Raven in the latter stages of the comic in a claustrophobic and brilliant fight scene, with the other Titans busy stopping the disaster from happening. Decisions have to be made, and whilst they are the correct choice, the potential ramifications are hammered home early in the book. The ending is brilliantly set up in a way that can only be realised by that final page and absolutely shakes the series to its foundations. It could never be seen coming and was a truly unexpected moment.

The characters within Titans: Beast World #5 are sensational, although there are parts that where could be improved. For one, the treatment of Beast Boy’s death has both its positives and negatives. How Raven is written within this issue is spectacular. She is absolutely destroyed, especially considering her psychic connection with Beast Boy has been completely and cruelly severed. She has always been a woman with repressed emotions that are difficult to express, and now she is in one of her worst moments. Within her is this repressed rage just waiting to come out, but her belief in her soul stone is keeping it tempered. But it is also her belief in Beast Boy. The man’s heart seems to exist beyond his life, lingering on Raven amidst her darkness.

Where the book falters minorly is the lack of real reaction from the other Titans. Garfield is not just the lover of Raven but the best friend of Nightwing, Cyborg, Flash, and the rest of the team. They’ve grown up together, and it’s a family instead of a superhero team. Whilst it’s understandable, considering everything else that needs to happen in this book, it’s slightly disappointing not seeing the shared agony, although Donna is perhaps the closest to demonstrating it.

Many of the other characters are tremendous. Some of the characters that haven’t had a moment to really shine are now provided with that opportunity. Nightwing, the leader of the whole team, has been an excellent leader during the event but has not been given the chance to show the other side of his personality. What he does in this issue is very close to what Batman would do, showing how Dick has truly elevated to that position. Cyborg also casually hints at how incredible his abilities are. This whole event has the feeling of these characters fully realising their potential and their powers.

The presence of Doctor Hate has been a specter of danger throughout the event, but he actually hasn’t appeared much at all. It has saved learning more about him, but it could be argued that he has not demonstrated enough to be a really frightening figure. However, the reveal changes all of that. Finally, as for Waller, she has gone from being a ruthless anti-hero to an all-out villain, turning into the biggest threat of the whole storyline.

The art is brilliant. Reis and Miki return with assistance from Pansisica and Ferreira. Despite the shift in artists, the styles are seamless when transitioning between one another. The sadness of the scene in space, with all of the superheroes stunned by the death of a friend and a huge creature, is particularly special. It’s a massive moment and shows an immense situation, but there is an intimacy to the page. Those gentle, heartbreaking periods where Raven tries to come to terms with what happened are sensitive and subtle. At first, Raven’s eyes are hidden, obscuring her agony. But later, her hood is down, and the emotions are displayed to their fullest extent. There is a fantastic fight scene towards the final segment of the book. It is up close and intense, used as a release of pent-up frustration and rage.

The colors are also amazing. Vibrancy is key to this book, but it has shifted as the tone also changes. It is darker and murkier, with the singular blue shade that submerges Waller, making her look extremely sinister. It is the brightness of the Titans and their powers that breaks through that darkness. The lettering is both easily legible and dynamic.

Titans: Beast World #5 mourns and moves forward. In the wake of a tragedy, there are those who seek to take advantage. The turn in direction away from the beasts and straight for Waller continues to give the book the energy that it has never lost for a second. It’s never tried to be expansive as an event, and there have been times when that has felt restrictive, but it has made the whole storyline intensely personal. Every member of the Titans has shone, with individual issues magnifying all of them in due course. And the death of the member with the most heart has been absolutely devastating.

Titans: Beast World #5 is available where comics are sold.