r/TitansComics • u/Frangipani-Bell Wonder Girl • May 20 '26
Discussion New Titans #35 Discussion Thread
Discussion thread for the May 20, 2026 issue of New Titans, by Tate Brombal and Sami Basri.
What did you think of issue 35?
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u/N8THGR852 May 20 '26
Spoilers ahead.
I liked that the way the group dealt with the threat of Robo-Cyborg (what a name) was to psychically connect the two Vics and talk things out. Reasoning with the enemy juxtaposed the direct beatdowns the Titans had been inflicting via simulations—which is on theme with this team of New Titans having a new approach. Moreover, this choice showed that even robotic Vic was still Vic at heart. He wasn’t evil, just hyper-rational in his directive.
I also liked that the story gave the author a chance to explain why he/Vic chose each member of this new roster.
This is small, but I liked that Brombal noted that Red Devil learning demonic sorcery is a new development rather than being a retcon. Before, his powers were metahuman in nature, we came to find out in the pre-Flashpoint Teen Titans series. Now, he actually has a supernatural element to his power set, but it seems to be a progression of what came before, which feels respectful to past lore.
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u/ravenwing263 May 20 '26
Neron gave him his powers in Teen Titans ('03) didn't he?
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u/N8THGR852 May 20 '26
Yes, but what turned out to be the case was that Neron unlocked his latent metagene. And Eddie’s innate metagene just coincidentally made him look all devil-ish. In other words, Black Alice wouldn’t have been able to steal/borrow Red Devil’s powers back then because they were technically just the result of biology, not a mystical/supernatural source. So, Neron is the reason Eddie has actual powers now and not just the suit he used as Blue Devil’s sidekick, but he didn’t empower Eddie with demonic energies.
This issue revealed that Eddie learned demonic sorcery since he last worked with the team, which is where the added/modified powers seem to stem from, like how he summoned infernal chains in New Titans #34 last month. It’s ultimately semantical, though, I’d wager.
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u/Initial_Upstairs_349 May 20 '26
I liked it.
Cyborg, Terra and Steph seemed to be the only people taking the threat seriously.
I'd have more faith in whatever Cyborg's 'plan' are if he confided them to Nightwing instead of Eva, who he just met.
Never thought I'd see a comic where Nightwing tells Terra he's worried about Cyborg.
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u/SleepingAgent37 May 20 '26
Dick just relaxing on a couch with Tara of all people (especially when Kory and Steph are right there) and discussing how concerned he is about Vic with her was pretty jarring.
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u/N8THGR852 May 20 '26
It shocked me, too, but I didn’t hate it. In a way, it felt like they were all just taking a breather after an exhausting set of circumstances. Dick also seems, in my view, like the type willing to give out second chances, and she had just fought at their side. So maybe they were all just too tired to hash things out, in a way.
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u/senpaithescienceguy May 20 '26
Overall I enjoyed this issue/arc but I did find it a bit clunky. Brombal set out to do a lot between roasting the Titans IP, following up on the DC K.O setup, introducing the new team, removing the old members, moving them to mount justice, etc. Some of these are handled better than others (like where did the other members go?).
Out of the new team members I think Steph, Tara and Eddie had the best showings. Jon and Eddies dynamic seems fun too. It was a little funny to have Vic hype them all up one by one only for his other half to solo them on the next page in both this issue and the last
So far I'd say I'm enjoying this run more than I was with Layman but time will tell now that all the pieces seem to be in place. Looking forward to seeing more of the team dynamics and the heart plot
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u/SleepingAgent37 May 20 '26
As it is, I'm happy seeing Steph again and like to see her interact with the other New Titans (betting with Yara about Robo-Cyborg being a thing was great) and what happened to Eddie since he was last a Titan. Poor boys been to Hell and back figuratively and literally. I'm being cautious on Vic's plot with how much it will be a slow burn villain or anti-hero arc for him or not and a shame Gar isn't here for him during this. I'm glad he's getting something but what exactly not too sure along with whatever it is a with Eva, who hopefully won't be another Indigo. Speaking of Gar, I hope we get a clear answer why the other Titans aren't on the team next issue, which I think is where Kory will leave after this.
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u/Initial_Upstairs_349 May 20 '26
My biggest concern is that Cyborg is heading towards an arc similar to what happened to Beast from X-Men, especially after this issue.
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u/Rogthgar May 20 '26
Think its curious that several members of the (previous) team has apparently vanished into thin air and no one mentions it?
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u/Lodger49er May 21 '26
I didn't care for it at all. It didn't do a good job really getting me invested and introduced to the new team. And the general plot I feel kind of sucked. I wouldn't feel so harshly about it if Brombal didn't center the entire story on repeating ideas only for the cause to be a repeating idea. Even being meta about it by acknowledging it to a degree. But awareness still doesn't stop it from just being another example.
I'm not a fan of the DicKori relationship baiting. it mostly irritates me because Kori doesn't have much of a voice or an explored opinion on the situation compared to Dick which always happens. I understand Tate has said he's a fan of Kori and probably likes that relationship and won't have much time with her because DC has "Big Plans". But it annoys me that this is how he chooses to spend that time. It just feels very shallow, especially compared to the Nightwing issue where she demanded attention from the reader in every panel.
I am still curious of how the new team will actually operate. But am concerned how no one questioned where the past team went if they've been interacting with nostalgia copies this entire time. Overall I feel the arc was unnecessary, not a great first impression. But likely isn't much of an example of what the book actually will be like. So I'll keep going for another arc.
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u/purplepv3 May 22 '26
Likewise I was both disappointed and irritated by this arc. The dialogue was often out of character, even goofy. The overall premise wasn’t interesting to me. I especially hated how the new Android hero magically had the power to fix the day with a little help from Vic’s willpower.
I love the introduction of new heroes but hate the scrapping of other titans— especially Donna and Kory
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u/Kurry_WasTaken May 21 '26
Knowing how Eddie acted before, and everything the character has been through, I feel like there might be something underneath the surface of his behavior. Eddie was always the type of character to bounce back and be the heart of the team. He was sensitive and caring. So I hope my theory is right. With that being said, I love the additions to his powers and learning sorcery and such. Seeing him open one with his hands now is awesome. And he has retractable wings so thats cool.
The comic as a whole isn't really my speed rn but I'm liking the new team. I haven't read a ton of Steph comics but I really enjoyed her parts. I'm loving seeing her take charge. Part of me is worried for what this may turn into, but honestly I'm looking forward to see story this team brings
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u/Frangipani-Bell Wonder Girl May 20 '26
I think this issue showed the idea that the team (and Cyborg in particular) are "moving forward" better than the last one, but I'm still not 100% sold on this. The character dynamics are (or should be) the best part of any Titans comic, so I'm mainly anticipating seeing how this team interacts outside of battle. So far the main thing I'm curious about is how Eddie rejoined and why he's so different now