Finally we start to get into the meat and potatoes of the story of Raven and Beast Boy (or Garfield/Gar) with Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven (Teen Titans, #3). The first two books were Raven’s story “to now” and Beast Boy’s story “to now.” In fact, the third volume starts where the other two books left off.
Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo create a Before They Were the Superhero’s The Teen Titans. Garcia makes a fresh story about teens coming of age. Just because their puberty deals with turning in to green gorillas and not pimples, it is still relatable. And who has not thought their father was a demon from time to time, like Raven’s pops? (No really, he is a demon. Horns and scary teeth and all). Raven and Gar face dangers together and recover help from some old and new friends. We are introduced to Damian Wayne and explore not just the dangers of mad scientists who want to torture and test on them, but the pitfalls of falling for another person.
And Picolo’s illustrations are a mix of classic comic-graphic novel and modern, teen graphic novel. They are dark, but there is light and colors that keeps them from going grim. We are within the action, but it is “appropriate” for at least 10 and up, but probably 12 and up due to some context. Raven’s nightmares could be a bit much for some sensitive readers and the idea/scenes of being forced to change/being tortured/manipulated also could be a lot for some people.
Otherwise, it is a nice read. I think I preferred the solo stories better but do like how the two characters worlds are now colliding. I am guessing we might get at least three more (a Robin, Starfire, and Cyborg solo story; and possibly fourth with all five at once).