*This article contains spoilers for Titans #1 (2023)*
Breaking News! It has happened! Tom Taylor has taken out a beloved hero within the first pages of his Titans (2023) run! But death rarely sticks in this neck of the woods—fear not reader, no doubt [Spoiler] will return!
Wally West has been shot and killed within the first pages of Titans (2023)—ironically just as Dick Grayson mentions he will need all his friends in order to protect the world. While this is not the first time Wally West has been abused by the editors of DC Comics, it is the most recent. For those who do not remember, Wally West was killed shortly after returning to the DC Universe. Heroes in Crisis (2018) had Wally West among a slew of characters murdered at “Sanctuary”—a place for heroes to heal mentally following heroic trauma. Though this time Wally was unable to phase before the bullet clipped his heart; it was because the shot came from behind. Poor Wally West. We await his resurrection.
The Titans have been brought together once more! Following the disbanding of the Justice League in Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Titans are filling the void they left. And Dick Grayson, aka Nightwing, is the one leading the team into a new age.
Dick Grayson and Donna Troy go to Tempest (Garth) to get him to rejoin the Titans, but Garth refuses. His excuse being there is far too much happening in the ocean for him to abandon it for the land. Every day, the sea dies a little more. He also mentions he’s teamed up with someone to take care of the land anyway. Though not mentioned, there is a possibility it is Amanda Waller.
Raven and Beast Boy finally realize their commitment to each other while the Titans get ready to move into their new Titans Tower. But Oracle sends out a distress call, sending the Titans to a nuclear power plant where Titano is wreaking havoc. Cyborg goes into the nuclear power plant to shut it down before a complete meltdown. While the Titans are working hard, the military rain down from the sky led by the USA superhero nationalist: Peacemaker.
After the Titans clear everyone from the nuclear radiation, Peacemaker extends an offer to the Titans from the president of the United States: Join the USA and become national superheroes or be national security threats. The usual.
And the issue ends with the Titans finding Wally West’s Body with a message on the screen, “Solve It”.
There are a few big mysteries set up in this issue: Who is Tempest working with? What does Amanda Waller want—especially since she’s becoming a major playing in an upcoming DC event? And who killed Wally West?
All of this is gearing up for a great Tom Taylor run! Hopefully his murder of Wally West will not be in vain! Excited for Issue #2!
Rating: 4/5 Stars. Great first chapter, great setup for the future!
Suggested reading: Heroes in Crisis (2018). See how Wally West has died before!
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