Titans #9 - DC

This issue we, or rather Dick, gets a little more insight into Jericho's character. It's a story that most of us already know . . especially if you're a Titans fan, but . . we do get some new information and a little different perspective. He tells Dick the story of how his powers first manifested. He was playing with a friend of his. They were probably 7 or 8 and his friend, Eric, got into a life or death situation . . he fell off a balcony. However, even at the young age, Joey grabbed his arm and tried to save him. Unfortunately, as they locked stares . . Joey's powers kicked in. He jumped into Eric and they both pummeled to the ground. The point of the story is . . . Joey didn't remember that. He had blocked it out, or something. Eric had told him. How? It appears that everybody that Joey's ever inhabited, leaves a trace of their personality inside of him. They're all there. 'Good guys' and 'bad'. But they're not quite themselves. He's only got bits of their personalities and memories. "So many of them are filled with hate. They're the ones who have been talking. When Raven brought me back, my throat was healed. But I chose not to talk. But the dark ones in me? All they want to do is express themselves . . . and they're the ones who are winning." We finally find out this issue that all of this is taking place shortly after the DC Decisions mini-series. However, while Dick and Joey are reliving all of this, Garth and Koriandr were able to get through to STAR Labs. That's not all that consequential except . . it appears that STAR contacted the JLA. The issue ends with the JLA camped out on their doorstep. They're looking for Joey. Next issue is billed as . . . the Titans vs the JLA. That should be an interesting issue. I've been a fan of Judd Winick's for quite a while now. I think he does a fantastic job on these team books. I loved him on the Outsiders, and Green Arrow. I know. Green Arrow is a solo book, but . . with all of the characters he was writing into the stories, it really was like a team book. I think he's doing a fantastic job here so far. I've also been a fan of Howard Porter's art for quite a while now. I was thrilled when he did the art on the last issue and this one. However the 2nd half of this book was done by J Calafiore. Who is no slouch himself. Overall, I thought it was a pretty good issue. We learned some more about Joey and we're set up for a great battle next issue. "Let's get ready to . . . .", well . . . you know.