Writer: Tate Brombal
Artist: Sami Basri
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Cover Artists: Taurin Clarke, Ethan Young & Stephen
Byrne
Corner Box Variant Cover Artist: Sami Basri
Editors: Marquis Draper & Brittany Holzherr
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99/$4.99 Card Stock
Release Date: March 18, 2026
"Titans together!" It's been their call to action
and a reminder of their unity. But when they aided the evacuation of Earth, the
Titans went their separate ways. Starfire reunited with her sister Komand'r on
Tamaran. Beast Boy joined Beast Girl in the Proxima Centauri system. Nightwing
and Raven safeguarded refugees on Gemworld, while Cyborg traveled to the
Earth's core to fight in the Omega tournament. As Roy Harper and Donna Troy
protected the Earth while it descended into Apokolips, they also recognized
that their lives were in flux.
In the wake of the Omega Tournament, life springs anew on
the planet Earth. How will it alter the heroes' lives? And who will protect our
world as the New Titans? Let’s grab a cup of coffee, leap into New Titans #33,
and see!
Story
Dick Grayson’s life has had its ups and downs. In his
childhood, he completed his parents’ dream. After their death, Dick fought to
be good enough to fight alongside his new mentor. Then came the Titans, a group
of former sidekicks who no longer wanted to live in anyone's shadow. Despite
his struggles with Batman and the team's fight for the Justice League to view
them as equals, the Titans have fulfilled Dick's goals. He lives his dream life
and celebrates every victory with the people he loves.
In New Titans #33, Dick carries the responsibility for his
team. Like the others, Donna Troy may question his decisions. Yet Dick Grayson
leads the Titans. One day follows another, and they’re all good. Each morning,
Dick and his friends bond over coffee. Every evening, they cap off another
great day together. And when they’re not battling foes, the teammates celebrate
their love for each other, express their concerns, and face their anxieties.
Yet, in Tate Brombal’s story, Dick Grayson begins to wonder
if that’s enough. He has accomplished his dreams for the Titans. Life should
involve doing what you love with the people who matter to you. Still, Dick
begins to feel unfulfilled and wonders why. He doesn't want to leave the team.
Nor does he perceive any needs the team isn't addressing. Yet just as he
transitioned from an eight-year-old acrobat in the Flying Graysons to the Boy
Wonder, and then to Nightwing, Dick feels on the cusp of change, and wonders
what is holding him back in New Titans #33.
Art
Sami Basri's layouts channel the power of three. Three
panels form a horizontal strip, or three horizontal panels complete a page.
Often, three rows of three panels fill a page as Dick muses on his life. The
rectangular panels and regular shapes reinforce the repetitive nature of Dick's
life. The teammates gather each morning before the wall windows for coffee and
conversation. When villains attack, they burst through the windows to attack
the teammates in the place they call home.
Adriano Lucas lavishes a palette of bright and cheery colors
on Dick's journey of contemplation. Yet, like the symbol on his costume, blue
dominates New Titans #33. The teammates gaze out upon blue towers beneath a
blue sky. They fight villains and eat pizza within the blue interior.
Blue-tinged shadows adorn the characters in Old School panels separated by
lines of white space. Yet as the art imbues the story with a classic appeal,
pink, purple, and yellow light move across the coffeemaker as the heroes return
to it with their logo-adorned mugs.
Tom Napolitano places uppercase black letters in white
balloons. White uppercase letters in black boxes with blue outlines convey Dick
Grayson’s thoughts. The letters grow bold for intonation and swell for raised
voices, while music notes and large white lowercase letters slink through the
air. Yet amid all the crashing, booming, and shaking, words in fractured boxes
with lightning bolt arrows play on Dick’s concerns about his future among the
Titans. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, we love what we do so much that we forget about
our need for renewal. While Dick Grayson loves what he does, he worries about
getting into a rut. As Dick begins to feel trapped by routine, he seeks a means
of escape in New Titans #33.
Rating 9.6/10
To look inside see my preview of New Titans #33.
To look inside the previous issue, see my preview of Titans #32.
