Okay, so the title kind of gives it away, but our Titans are finally starting to meet each other, and our first taste of it is through the cute grumpy/sunshine pairing of Raven and Gar. For those who love rom-coms, this one’s for you. A sweet, young love story filled with meet-cutes, misunderstandings, and a bit of mayhem.
In the previous books, Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo have commented on how closely they feel to Raven and Gar, and the note to the reader at the start of this book reflects that. It’s a sweet proclamation that emphasizes connecting with others, trying to recognize your uniqueness as a strength, and encourages us to try even when we mess up – because that’s what being human is all about. Honestly, it’s crazy how moved I get just from their notes to the reader, but that’s probably because I, like them, see so much of myself in these misfit teens.
These first three books together make a lovely collection, and you can feel how much care Garcia and Picolo put into the pages. Even without their notes at the top of each book, you can tell that these are two of their favorite characters, and that honestly makes a huge difference. We want creators that actually care about the characters and stories they’re telling, because stories impact us deeply; they help us understand the world and ourselves.
But you didn’t come here to hear me wax poetic about the importance of storytelling. (Or maybe you did!) You want to see how the first of our Teen Titans meet in an opposites-attract story. We actually get a twofer, because it’s not just Gar and Raven that show up here – though they do get the spotlight – Raven’s foster sister Max makes a return appearance along with newcomer Damian. Though it’s not explicitly stated, through Garcia’s clever dialogue and Picolo’s subtle imagery like batarangs, street signage, and a fairly iconic jacket, readers are able to make the connection that Damian is Robin, or rather a Robin. Honestly, this sleuthing is a great way to get readers engaged and actively contributing to the narrative. That’s what we want. We don’t want to be spoon fed that 1+1=2 in a story; we want the creators to show us 1+1 and then to scream out: 2! That way we’re co-creating with them and feel more invested in the story.
Since this is Beast Boy Loves Raven, let’s start with them. Though I’m not typically a fan of “love at first sight,” it feels totally in line with Gar’s heart-led character to make that kind of a declaration when he first sees Raven. I think it’s more accurately attraction or infatuation at first sight, but if he wants to call it love, who am I to argue semantics. Bottom line, it’s very sweet, very endearing, and very Gar. Gar is crazy about Raven and hopeful that something will happen between them while Raven is more guarded. We get some great moments of them spending time together and getting closer, as well as some embarrassing moments where the outside world pushes them hard to get together as they’re dancing around it. It’s delightful.
The book quite accurately depicts how bonds are formed between people – whether that’s a friendship bond or a romantic one. The more time Gar and Raven spend together, the more likely they are to develop feelings for each other and grow closer – it’s the mere exposure effect. Also, when we’re put in high-stress situations with another person, we tend to project those feelings of anxiety and stress onto the other person and interpret it as attraction. And Gar and Raven are put in some intensely stressful situations, so maybe there’s a bit of that going on, as well. I don’t think that negates the feelings they have for each other, though, if anything, I feel like it just may have sped up the natural attraction and draw the two have for each other. Look at that, you came here for the super-powered teens awkwardly trying to discover themselves and each other and you’re leaving with sound relationship science. You’re welcome.
Raven and Gar’s story is about two outsiders trying to connect while not fully understanding themselves and what they can do. That bond is tenuous while they’re both still holding back parts of themselves because they believe that secret part of them won’t be accepted, but, paradoxically, when they reveal who they really are to each other (powers and all), that’s when they can finally connect deeper. We often fear this disclosure because if we’re rejected for acting like who we think we should be, that may sting, but it’s nowhere near as brutal as being rejected for who we truly are. But if we want that deep connection, we have to risk rejection and vulnerably reveal our true selves – that’s how we can be truly seen and accepted. It’s scary, and trust me, I’m still terrified of it myself, but it’s exactly this kind of disclosure that brings people together and allows their bonds to deepen.
Garcia has always included the inner thoughts of the characters in these books, but they’re particularly effective here, especially when what someone says and what they think are in conflict or at least tension with each other. Gar and Raven’s inner monologues help us understand their motivations and viewpoints even more. I’m really glad they’re included, especially in the moments when they reassure the other despite their internal thoughts showing us just how scared they are for each other. That’s honestly one of the many things comics excel at; we can see the internal motivation and thoughts of characters without feeling invasive.
Another interesting thing Garcia does is play with typical gender roles in regards to being a savior. Raven is incredibly self-reliant – almost to her detriment – but Gar being Gar, he wants to help. Raven calls him out on it, but throughout the book we see that this aid goes both ways. It’s not always Gar that helps Raven and it’s not always Raven that helps Gar. It’s mutual, reciprocal care, which is exactly what a stable, sustainable relationship should look like, so these kids seem off to a good start. I’m totally rooting for them, and you should be, too.
We get more physical external danger inside this book, and it’s heightened because of Raven and Gar’s emotional connection to each other and our connection to them. Because they’ve spent time together creating a bond, they can be used as leverage against each other which is exactly what happens. The best villains know that to really hurt a hero, you don’t hurt them – you hurt the people they care about. So, when it comes to creating a compelling climax where we really fear for these characters we’ve come to love, Garcia delivers.
But as I said, Raven and Gar aren’t the only ones to get involved. Max returns and with the help of Damian, they come up with a plan – and encounter many obstacles to that plan – to help their friends. It’s quite fun to watch Max and Damian’s parallel dynamic run along side Gar and Raven. Whereas Gar and Raven are more awkward and guarded, Max and Damian are more smug and combative, but we get to see their relationship evolve in a short amount of time. It feels like the start of an enemies-to-lovers relationship, and, honestly, it’s really fun to watch the two of them bicker. They’re both highly independent and resilient and dislike being told what to do, so that makes for some great humor and tension. It just goes to show you that you can have conflict between characters who are incredibly different from each other, as well as characters that are incredibly similar – it’s like trying to stick two positive ends of a magnet together; it’s not going to work, not until something gives.
Picolo’s art is wonderful, as always. I feel a bit like a broken record. How many times can I say that I adore Picolo’s art? It’s incredible. The backgrounds and atmosphere really get a glow up here. We’re in Nashville, and Picolo puts the music city on full display in a way that makes place feel like a character.
The transformations Gar goes through in this book are even more impressive here. We’re able to see his pain and the toll it takes on his body – even in animal form – as he’s forced to change again and again. Picolo excels at visually contrasting the characters and highlighting their personality through distinct styles. For example, Damian’s close-cropped hair and tech gadgets convey that he’s a direct, tactical person who may (Let’s be honest: He totally does.) lack social graces. And Picolo continues to add diversity in the book, as well; this time we even get people with service dogs.
While the first two books in the series allowed us to luxuriate in the lives of Gar and Raven, this book is where the action of the series starts to ramp up and we begin to see how dangerous the world is for people who are different. It’s heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure. We see fledgling relationships bloom, get tested, and solidify and the hints of external dangers from the previous books culminate to propel us into the next chapter. We’re pivoting from internal conflicts of the characters grappling with who they are, to external dangers that force them to band together and defend themselves against a world that sees something that’s different as dangerous or something to manipulate and take advantage of.
There are enough breadcrumbs and loose threads to tease us into the next book, but there’s also a lovely downbeat to Gar and Raven’s relationship… but if you really want to know what that is, I suggest you grab the book for yourself. You’ll be glad you did, especially if you’re a fan of those two as much as I am. Garcia and Picolo keep hitting it out of the park.
Creative Team: Kami Garcia (writer), Gabriel Picolo (artist), Rob Haynes (artist), David Calderon (colorist), Gabriela Downie (letterer)
Publisher: DC Comics
Click here to purchase.
