Teen Titans #6

Writer: Benjamin Percy

Artist: Khoi Pham

Colorist: Jim Charalampidis

Publisher: DC Comics

Aqualad is back! And by that, I don't mean the original Aqualad, Garth, who is currently running around with the adult Titans; I mean Jackson Hyde, who just so happen to be my preferred version. On that note, who's ready for Young Justice season 3?

Issue #6 of Teen Titans was a fun, light-hearted affair with some hilarious banter between the teammates throughout the issue, especially during the news interview which Beast Boy hosts. Of course, the issue can't all be for laughs, and as expected, “something wicked this way comes.”

Veering away from the Teen Titans, we have a side story with Jackson Hyde and his debut in the Rebirth universe. It's a heartbreaking story of Jackson's attempt to understand himself and his place in the world. It is a story that has been told over and over, but it always seems to pull at the heartstrings. The Jackson presented here is a lot more vulnerable than version that I have seen in the past, especially the stoic and headstrong version in Young Justice. It's interesting to see so much “humanity” brought into the character, and I'm looking forward to seeing what's in store for the character.

Speaking of Jackson Hyde, I'm not a huge fan of the artwork for the close-up shots of his face. Pham's art is fantastic and I generally enjoy his work, but something about Jackson's face seems a little too “doughy.” I'm not sure that's the best way to explain it, but his eyes and the rest of his face just seem...off. It reminds me a bit of Frank Quietly's work (with all due respect to Mr. Quietly), but it's only for Aqualad's face.

Issue #6 does a great job of interweaving light-hearted moments with some serious, soul searching moments, and I can always appreciate a story that that takes my emotions from one end of the spectrum to the other. I'm very much looking forward to seeing Jackson join the Teen Titans, and I'm also looking forward to seeing the resolution of the return of a classic villain. You'll have to read it yourself to find out who!