The bell has rung on Round 4 of the DC K.O. event, and for Titans #30, we are grabbing a ringside seat for a clash of heavyweights. While the rest of the team is busy with the desperate evacuation of Earth and the looming threat of a New Apokolips, John Layman and Pete Woods pull Victor Stone away for a cage match against a literal force of nature: Swamp Thing.
One thing I appreciate right off the bat is that we literally start in Round 1. We skip the awkward “Why are we fighting?” buildup and get straight to Cyborg and Swamp Thing duking it out. Vic even has a great internal monologue about it, basically acknowledging that “heroes fighting heroes” is just part of the gig. Sometimes your best friend is mind-controlled, sometimes a writer just wants to see two heavy hitters punch each other through a mountain. It’s meta, it’s self-aware, and it sets the tone perfectly. Round 1 sees Cyborg unleash the heavy artillery to eviscerate Swamp Thing for the first win. But the real fun starts when the “Power Ups” come into play.
The Art of War (and Easter Eggs)
I have to give a massive shoutout to artist Pete Woods here. When the heroes choose their power-ups, Woods understands the assignment and runs a thousand miles with it. We get a stunning spread of Cyborg variations that serves as a love letter to the character’s history. We’re talking the DC You era, the classic 80s George Pérez look, the Teen Titans cartoon design, the New 52, the Zack Snyder Justice League version, and even Smallville. It is a visual feast.
Not to be outdone, Swamp Thing returns for Round 2, and he is mad. We get a furious, red-hued Swamp Thing (which looks incredible thanks to the coloring depth) who argues that the planet’s natural defense system is superior to anything man-made. It’s a great philosophical debate: who is better suited to protect the Earth: the man of the future or the Avatar of the planet itself? Swamp Thing swallows Vic whole to take the round.
The Interlude: Family Drama
The issue takes a breather to check in on Donna Troy, Jon Kent, Roy Harper, and Lian. I’m surprisingly invested in the Roy and Donna pairing. It feels like a “falling for your coworker” trope, but it works, it’s charming, and makes for a great comic soap opera.
However, the real kicker here is the friction between Roy and Lian. I was hoping Lian’s recent team-up with Cheshire and Cheetah to rob the Justice League wouldn’t get swept under the rug, and Layman delivers on that front. We are seeing Lian evolve into a true anti-hero: robbing vaults with Mom on Tuesday, serving soup at the shelter with Dad on Wednesday. The disagreement between her and Roy about her staying back to “play” hero is tense, and it’s clear she’s eventually going to have to pick a side.
Pay What You Want!
The Verdict
The final round features the combatants looking their hulkiest. Cyborg unveils a “Titanic” form, which is basically the power of the Titans made one. We’re talking Starfire’s bolts, Raven’s magic, Beast Boy’s razor-sharp claws, and some of Arsenal’s arrows for good measure. Vic takes the win via the “power of friendship.” Is it a cliché? Yes. Does it work here? Also, surprisingly, yes.
My only gripe is that the matchup feels unbalanced. Swamp Thing is the planet; he really can’t be killed as long as the Earth lives. So, ‘realistically,’ he takes this win 7 out of 10 times. Plus, having him basically throw in the towel felt a little cheap, but it’s a flaw I can forgive to keep the story moving.
Ultimately, Titans #30 is a great entry in the DC K.O. event. Great character moments, incredible art by Woods, and a fun fight. Next up: Harley Quinn vs. Zatanna. That one is going to be a doozy.
‘Titans’ #30 Pits Cold Steel Against The Green
Titans #30 is a great entry in the DC K.O. event. Great character moments, incredible art by Woods, and a fun fight. Next up: Harley Quinn vs. Zatanna. That one is going to be a doozy.
