Showcase #59

Official Teen Titans comics can’t begin just yet, as there’s one more pre-official comic. December 1965 saw the release of Showcase #59, which contained the story “The Return of the Teen Titans.” The public loved it enough for DC to give them their own title.

The teenage world is crazy for this hot new band called The Flips, but all the adults seem to hate them. Even Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad, and Wonder Girl loved them too. However, it seems The Flips are involved in a string of petty thefts, using their stage props of a magnetic motorcycle, boomerang baton, and hover surfboard. They can’t do their next benefit concert because the mayor of the city of Clarkston is afraid a crime might happen, so the kids call in the Teen Titans for help.

The comic is actually really great and isn’t weak in any area. The characterization is a lot better than the last one. Robin is quick on his feet with a plan, showing that his training from Batman wasn’t all for naught. On the other hand, Aqualad somehow gets tired in water, yet he lives in water. Also, in Brave and the Bold #54, it’s established that he can’t survive out of water for more than an hour, but now he’s on land for days.

As for the cover, it’s busy but good. It has everyone from Wonder Girl getting tied up while throwing her lasso at the girl band member to Robin and Aqualad bumping into each other going after the surfboard. It looks like Kid Flash is the only one going to succeed.

While the story is good, it does have one real flaw in that the Titans aren’t really needed. The Flips could get a proper court hearing and be set free, even with all the bizarre evidence. Lawyers could convince the police to do the same thing Robin thought of, which was a bait and switch that resulted in three sets of Flips. Still it was a good idea and Robin didn’t act like the idiot he did in the last issue.

Showcase #59: “The Return of the Teen Titans” – 4/5