Gail Simone tweeted earlier this week that Lobdell and Booth’s Teen Titans was a “different take” on the concept.

Boy, was she right, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

Without spoiling the book, I’ll just say that the whole silver age concept of heroes and sidekicks fighting crime together is…not what it once was, and that one change makes for a compelling start to this series. And it’s not even the only change to be found here, as each of the three characters introduced are slightly different from their former interpretations. There is enough similarity, however, to keep existing fans satisfied, while welcoming new readers into the fold.

This is a solid introductory issue, all across the board. Some of the dialogue was a bit clunky in places, almost as if Mr. Lobdell was trying too hard to make this a TEEN Titans book, but this is no grave sin. For the most part, the dialogue was crisp (if a bit predictable), and the plot was fun.

The art, on the other hand, is just gorgeous. The colors pop off the page, and the characters just come to life under the guidance of Brett Booth’s pencils. Yes, the book is drawn in the big, loud superhero style, and yes, sometimes the faces don’t register emotion clearly, but these are small things. I loved, loved, LOVED the art on this book.

There is one thing, though: while Superboy (also by Lobdell) isn’t prerequisite reading, it would certainly inform what goes on in this book, not merely for the first issues, but beyond. That’s ok, though, because both books are solid entries in the DCnU.

As a huge Tim Drake fan, I am both relieved and excited that he is in good hands.