This is really a Flash (Wally West) book. The fact that the other Titans are there do end up being important to the story, but really they just needed to exist. They didn't actually contribute much otherwise. The villain is a little silly but it's a Flash villain. I am not very familiar with Flash villains currently but the ones I do know at least sound silly. Overall it's not bad for a Flash book, but it's not great as a Titans book. Maybe if this wasn't the first arc of the Titans Rebirth run it would've fit in better, but since it's the first arc I think it should've focused on the team more.

The return of Wally West is the catalyst that started of the DC Rebirth era, so you would expect to get more info on the smiley button or at least more about how the Watchmen characters are to be incorporated into the DC universe. Instead, we get a story about Wally West, reuniting with his team and trying to save all the important persons in his life while being, you guessed it, as fast as he can be.

Even excluding the rebirth mystery, it could have been quite a much better story if the villain was a bit more interesting, or if he could have had a more interesting motive. And also I hoped for development of all the members of the team, instead the author focused entirely on Wally while giving the rest a back seat (even going as far as to make them seem rather weak compared to him), and not really giving them much room at all in terms of character building.

Another sad fact is that the author never really made me feel like rooting for Linda and Wally as their past and relationship was handled too bluntly for me. Also, there is not much to enjoy as terms of team dynamics as well, due to the focus being too much about Wally and his relation with the team members.

The antagonist never really felt too much of a threat and his version of Titans fighting the real ones was also a thing that has been done numerous times before. I would rather read about these characters talking with each other than such predictable action and suspense. I mean this guy just returned from being erased we all knew he wasn't gonna lose to some second tier villain.

The art was good to look at, but did not have anything out of the ordinary to draw attention. The only positive is that Dan Abnett's smooth storytelling did keep the momentum going and fast pace of the story never really made this a chore to read.

Nevertheless, I do have high hopes for this series in the future. Now that the introduction of Wally is done, hopefully the author will focus on telling an interesting story with these characters and give each one room for improvement in the upcoming issues.

But this first volume of the Titans gets only 2.5 out of 5 stars from me.

A solid trade that any fan of DC Comics can pick up and enjoy. Rebirth continues to be just that for DC and a breath of fresh air for the superhero genre.

ARC from Netgalley.
Titans comes out of the gate at full throttle! Having their "team" restored in "Titans Hunt", this Volume starts after the events of Rebirth, showing how Wally West (now "a" Flash) comes erupting out of the Speed Force to rejoin the team (Nightwing, Arsenal, Donna Troy, Omen and Tempest) who had forgotten him. They face off in a battle against Kadabra, a magic wielder (and kind of funny hoaky magician who reminds me of that magician from Frosty the Snowman LOL) who is determined to get his revenge on Wally. Teamwork, friendship, and the bonds of love play a role as the story unfolds, and the mystery of "someone or something named Manhattan" (obvious reference for comic fans) will play out in the future for sure.
Great art, great pace, great story. High recommend.

Wally West is back! But the Titans do not remember him until physical contact occurs. But when Lilith dives into Wally's mind, she triggers the return of a nasty villain from Wally's past - Kadabra! All the Titans and Linda Park (a possible future love interest) are endangered by the Speedster's return. Can Wally travel fast enough to save everyone? Read and find out!

Volume 1 of Titans is titled “The Return of Wally West.” I thought Wally West (a couple of them, actually) returned in the Flash Rebirth, but this particular Wally, the white one, didn’t play much of a role there. I guess he was being saved for the Titans, who have dropped the Teen from their name because you can’t remain a teen forever, even in comic books. And Wally is no longer Kid Flash, because he’s not a kid. He drinks beer now, as any good role model should. And he’s washed the yellow out of his uniform, replacing it with Flash red.

Eventually Kid Aquaman, Kid Wonder Woman, Kid Green Arrow, Kid Batman, and Kid Lilith all remember Wally’s name after being shocked by the speed force. Just joking, none of the other original Titans were named Kid anything, and they aren’t kids any more either. All of this has to do with the ten years of missing memories that was brought about in the dismal New 52 days. Anyway, Wally has been outside of time (wherever that might be) but he’s back inside of time now, and the Titans are reunited, huzzah huzzah!

So Kid Flash is now just A Flash. He’s joined by Nightwing (Robin in the original TT), Arsenal (Speedy), Tempest (Aqualad), and Donna Troy (Wonder Girl), who were all founding members of the Teen Titans, back when DC thought every adult superhero needed a teenage version to whom preteen readers could relate. The team is rounded out by Lilith Clay (the first new addition to the original Teen Titans, back in issue 25), now known as Omen. So once again, DC has gone back to its roots, and I’m all for it since every time DC strays from its roots, it gets lost.

Another blast from the past, Mal Duncan (TT issue 26) makes an appearance, happily married to Bumblebee (TT issue 48).

Abra Kadabra is back, providing a suitable foe for Wally West, and the other Titans join in the fun because they have nothing else to do except sit around and eat pizza. They might not be teens, but they often act like teens, complete with teen drama (does Arsenal love Donna Troy? OMG!). Wally goes through a lot of self-blame that’s also a bit teenagerish (it’s all about me!).

And another thing that’s back, as in the entire Rebirth line, is the concept that a superhero should be heroic. Which is a refreshing change from the years in which DC superheroes were either whiners or psychopaths or trying to kill each other. Dan Abnett captures that sense of heroism nicely, particularly with regard to the superhero formerly known as Kid Flash. I’m not sure the ending makes much sense (Wally now seems to have a revolving door in and out of the speed force) but hey, I liked most of this volume and I’m pleased with the heroic tone.

A slightly grudging four stars, for this is clearly a five-part story padded out into six issues, with the hero Wally West wittering on to himself and telling us nothing we don't know, while trying to save the day. At the end of the day we know hours in advance that it's not who this story pretends is pulling the strings behind it all, but someone else, but all the same it's pretty fun. It's welcome (if belated) for a trade from DC to go into the whole reason for the Rebirth, even if it'll take years for the full thing to be drip-fed to us. Art varies from making Donna Troy look a-m-a-z-i-n-g to having Linda Park look horrendous, not only seemingly pregnant in one panel but with a ten-inch waist two images below. Still, it's for the story I came – let's face it, seeing a bloke running through lightning gets boring very quickly – and while definitely padded, it's actually a lot more enjoyable than many Rebirth books.

I started reading comics back in my mid-teens, probably a little later than most comic book readers, and I can still tell you the first four comics I started following: Alpha Flight, The New Mutants, Batman and the Outsiders, and The New Teen Titans. Comics reading fell by the wayside when I was in my thirties, though.

But the title of this book caught my attention, and I decided to return to the Titans after about a decade away.

For a fan of the classic comic, this is a great place to come back in. We've got all the classics (with Lilith replacing Raven). Wally West suddenly appears, and no one recognized him at first. In the course of the usual 'superheroes meet and fight' battle, everyone starts to remember him.

Then we bring in a villain (the minor villain Kadabra) appears with a team of the teen versions of the Titans to try to interfere. And then there is Wally's girlfriend/fiancée/partner Linda, who also doesn't remember him, not that it stops Kadabra from using her as bait.

This is a comic book, so don't look for deep plots, but the story zipped along, and the art was quite nice, and I am interested to see what comes next.

Whenever I write these reviews, I try really hard not to get too excited. I mean, I’m suppose to not go all fanboy crazy and start jumping up and down about how awesome the Teen Titans is or how awesome Flash is. But this time I’m not going to be cool about this book. Nope, I am going to let you know how I really feel.

Yeah, I love this book. Rebirth might have been the best thing DC has ever done. Wally West is back again! And the Titans . . . the real Teen Titans are back together again. Absolutely awesome!

It all starts with Wally back in Keystone City. Our long lost hero discovering that his buddies the Titans (Nightwing, Donna Troy, Arsenal, Garth, and Lilith) do not know who he is. Actually, they think he is a villain and want to take him down . . . hard.

But Wally discovers a way to bring their memories back. And once he does it is like old times all over again. Our team of friends having a great big group hug, remembering all the great times they had together!

After getting reacquainted, our force of heroes head out to hunt down the villain who trapped Wally in the Speed Force to begin with. Their task complicated by this evil one awakening from his own banishment and deciding that he is going to finish what he started years ago: kill Wally West!

What did I like about this graphic novel? Everything! This one was amazing from beginning to end. The art was great. Wally’s new suit looks cool. The story was exciting with a good villain, nice twists, and good fights. But the best thing about Titans was the friendship of these heroes; their bond so believable, their memories so real, and their desire to protect one another so easy to see that I wanted to go get into that group hug.

Usually, I say what I didn’t like about a story. Don’t need to do that this time, because there wasn’t anything I didn’t like. This story was amazing.

Titans: The Return of Wally West was really, really good. I have a feeling these guys are going to be my new favorite super hero team. And I’m telling all of you to go get a copy of this now, because it is too good to miss!

Well, I hope you liked this review, and if you are on Goodreads, friend me any time to talk about my reviews or comic books.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.

Titans by Dan Abnett is DC Rebirth's reboot of the Teen Titans and it reminds me of why I was never a fan of this comic book series to begin. Sorry, but when you are rebooting a comic line and bringing back a character that is central to its universe and the villain you have him face is called, "Abra Kadabra"?

No, I'm sorry this is definitely a miss for me

Nice restart of a series I have enjoyed in the past. Fun to see what caused the new 52 but seems hasty for an acceptable solution.

I liked this one. I've been a fan of the original Teen Titans for a long time, and still have several early issues from the late 60s. The strength of this series has always been the friendship between the team members, and that's used quite successfully in this first volume in DC's Rebirth event.

The writing was pretty good, though somewhat corny in places, and the artwork was very good. I definitely liked seeing the "new" team in their new uniforms facing the "old" team in their original costumes. I also liked the scene with Wally and Linda in "heaven", which reminded me a lot of a similar scene in the Star Trek movie, "Generations".

I'm interested to see where this series heads. Lots of clues in this volume about the future.

'Titans, Volume 1: The Return of Wally West' by Dan Abnett brings Wally West back into the DC Universe. I'm not familiar with where he was before, but this is still a pretty good story.

Wally West is back, but no one remembers who he is. This includes his old teammates, who have dropped the Teen in their name and just go by Titans, and it also includes the woman he loves. Who or what is behind this is one of the Flash's oldest enemies. This enemy has devised a plot that could trap the Flash in the Speed Force forever. Will the Flash disappear again or can his old friends help him?

The villain turns out to be a bit ridiculous, but the story moves along at a good pace. I hadn't been familiar with what led up to this point, but I felt like it got explained well enough. The moral of the story was a bit sappy, but I liked it. I'm glad I got to read it.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Great story and a great villain, was great to be reacquainted with the Teen Titans again and see Wally doing what he does best!

Spinning directly out of DC's <i>Rebirth, The Return of Wally West</i> hits us right in the feelings with full-on Teen Titans nostalgia. Dan Abnett expertly undoes the events of <i>Flashpoint,</i> effectively reconning the retcon. As Wally reintroduces himself to his once-and-future teammates, this introductory volume simultaneously gives new readers the information they need while reminding old fans what the DC Universe lacked while Wally West was missing. Although the intro of Lilith/Omen was a bit hamhanded (somewhat understandable, since she is the least well known of the characters in this book), that's nitpicking in a book that was fun, filled with action, and stepped as far away from the New 52 as possible in this new environment. The multiple references to <i>Watchmen</i> solidly positions <i>Titans</i> as a book that bears watching as we learn more about the direction Rebirth is heading.

I received a preview copy of this book from NetGalley.

The Titans are back together. Lilith, Wally, Donna, Garth, Roy, and Dick beat Mr. Twister and are trying to figure out how Wally got back, not to mention where he had been what he had seen while in the Speed Force.

They're also trying to figure out who took their memories of Wally and each other.

Then, boom, they think they may have the answers. And Wally isn't the only one who has come back apparently.

And the villain who comes back is one who dazzles and misdirects and is quite a problem for Wally and the Titans.

I was also nicely surprised by the ending. I wasn't sure how they would resolve it. And the way they did it seemed real and not forced at all.

I got this ARC through Netgalley on behalf of DC Entertainment.

ARRRGH!!! WHY, why does (practically) every Rebirth book have to be so bad!? T’ain’t fair I tells ya (sobs)! Oh my god… alright, let’s do it again!

Even though the Teen Titans have been teens for decades at this point, NOW they’re slightly older so as to no longer be teens - they’re just Titans (because Damian Wayne’s leading the new Teen Titans in a separate Rebirth title). Not that the distinction matters as this is basically a Flash book with cameos from the Titans!

Following on from DC Universe Rebirth #1, pre-New 52 Wally West is back and just as bland as ever. That’s exciting for some people apparently. After reuniting with his teammates, they fight an evil magician called (wait for it) Abra Kadabra. Faceplants all round! Dan Abnett tanked Aquapants Rebirth and now it’s the Titan's turn!

I defy anyone to tell me the difference between the personalities of Barry Allen Flash and Wally West Flash. They are two sides of the same boring coin. When they’re not being stunningly dull “good” guys saving the world with their teammates, they’re in love with women who’re also journalists. They even say the same corny line: “My name is Barry Allen/Wally West. I’m the fastest man alive”! Drop dead, the pair of you.

Speaking of corny: that storyline. Abra Kadabra the Magician. I mean, really. A professional writer came up with that, guys. This is why people who read non-pitcher books look down on superhero comics and, if they were all like this, I’d say they have a point! Abra Kadabra wants everyone to know his name so he decides to fight the Titans with mirror versions of them. It’s good superhero vs evil superhero, one of the most generic, uninspired, by-the-numbers storylines there are.

Did someone say generic? I give you Brett Booth’s unmemorable art! Yeah it’s slick but so is diarrhea. And of course this being a Flash story, the finale involves Flash running right quick to save the day. Real original, Dan Abnett, and SO tense and exciting - gosh, I wonder if Flash will be fast enough this time?!?!? The very minor Watchmen mystery references sprinkled throughout were not worth wading through this slop for.

The Return of Wally West was horrible across the board. That’s it, I’m never reading another Teen Titans or Flash comic again - I think I hate the Flash at this point! Rebirth? More like Afterbirth! Have I made that joke before? Ah, I don’t care, it’s true anyway! Birthing pains… is there a funny there? Are those my brains oozing out of my ears? Good, I wanna die after reading these terrible comics!

From the publisher: Spinning directly out of the events of the smash-hit DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1, witness the rebirth of the greatest team of young heroes in history in TITANS VOL. 1: THE RETURN OF WALLY WEST!

They were heroes, yes, but more than that—lifelong friends. There was a special spark that held them together. It was a rare thing, like a lightning strike. You couldn’t make it happen. It just did.

Then it became a memory. And then the memory faded. Taken. Stolen. Ripped apart. And only one person remembers.

His name is Wally West. Once upon a time, he was Kid Flash. Now a refugee from a lost universe, it’s up to him to reawaken his former friends and reforge the bond that made them great.

Nightwing. Donna Troy. Beast Boy. Arsenal. Lilith. They must come together and defeat the enemy who destroyed their memories—or be destroyed themselves.

This great new jumping-on point for comics fans of all generations, written by Dan Abnett with art by Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund, is the long-awaited reunion that collects TITANS #1-6 and TITANS: REBIRTH #1!

Titans Vol. 1 - The Return of Wally West is a terrific book by Dan Abnett. Of all the characters affected by DC's New 52 reboot, Wally West and the rest of the Titans (formerly Teen Titans) were probably changed the most, especially since this version of Wally West no longer even existed. It's nice to see that DC is using Rebirth to correct this, and bring Wally and the Titans back into their continuity.

In the Rebirth special, Wally West was finally rescued from the Speed Force (where he had apparently been throughout the New 52) by Barry Allen, who's remembrance of Wally brought him back. Titans Vol. 1, then, is about how Wally goes about restoring the memories of his former teammates and investigating how/if the magician Kadabra was responsible for his disappearance. This volume is full of the excitement and humor that is typical of the Titans' adventures. There is also an undercurrent of emotion, as Wally meets his true love, Linda Park, and discovers she doesn't remember him.

While Titans is an ensemble book, this volume really focuses on Wally West, and it's his story that is told. Nightwing, Arsenal, Wonder Girl, Trident, and Omen support Wally in his quest, and the family dynamics of this group are on full display. (Beast Boy is listed as being in this book, but he is not a part of it). In addition to this main story arc, there is a hint as to the greater overall mystery of who/what actually caused the New 52 to occur, and why all of the DC characters are missing time or events.

Dan Abnett's opening volume of Titans was a fun read. I highly recommend it, particularly to fans of the previous Titans books. It's also a great jumping on point for new fans.

I received a preview copy of this book from DC Comics and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.