Thursday, March 19, 2026

New Titans #33 Review

 



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


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