Teen Titans, Vol. 4: Robin No More

Teen Titans (2016)

by Robbie Thompson, Adam Glass, Eduardo Pansica (Illustrator)

The Djinn War has begun! Adam Glass is joined by new co-writer Robbie Thompson (Spider-Man/Deadpool, Spidey, Meet the Skrulls) and new artist Eduardo Pansica (Supergirl) for the Teen Titans’ next thrilling adventure! Trapped in her ring with no escape, Djinn finds herself on the inside looking out as the Teen Titans go hunting for Djinn’s older brother Elias, the only one capable of saving her. But Elias’s dark side is the stuff of legends…and the Teen Titans know he can’t be trusted. With Deathstroke, Lobo, and the Other in their rearview mirror…this team is about to go on their most dangerous mission yet.

Collects Teen Titans #39-47 and Teen Titans Annual #2

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Batman, Superheroes, Comic Book, Fantasy

176 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2021

About the author

Comics writer.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

First up is the Djinn War as her brother has entered the picture and kidnapped her. It gets wrapped up very quickly. Robbie Thompson takes over and the story revolves around Robin. Damian is traumatized after seeing Alfred die at the hands of Bane. He decides the only way for criminals to fear him is to start murdering them. It's actually pretty solid although I don't think Batman does enough considering Damian's his son. Another Teen Titans era ends as the book segues into Teen Titans Academy.

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teen Titans comes to an end once again. With mixed results but ultimately this was one of the better volumes in this entire 47 issue series that was broken up into two different graphic novel lines.

I will say this, Damien going rogue and a more brutal character is risky. For one there’s a section of people who still just hate Damien for taking Tim’s place as robin, or hate him for his “don’t give a fuck” attitude, or just because he’s the son of Batman and people don’t like that either. But me, I really liked Damien. Going from a killer to a superhero was a nice change of pace for a young child and although he is now considered more of a teen, he’s still a kid in my eyes, so watching him revert back to “killer” status was alarming.

But context is everything. After the events of Batman where Alfred was murdered in front of Damien, things for Damien got hard. It’s not easy for an adult to deal with loss but a 13-14 year old? Nearly impossible to know how they’ll deal with it and Damein doesn’t deal with it well.

While Damien is starting to go back to killing the Teen Titans are trying their best to stop him before going too far. On top of that Bruce finds out and now is trying to stop him as well. So basically all hell is breaking loose.

I personally enjoyed the chaotic and pretty sad volume here. We finish up the arc from last book quickly and Thompson takes over writing. While not as edgy it still brings teen characters being well written and fun. The ending was bitter sweet but interesting to see where it goes. While sometimes pacing was a bit fast it worked for the most part. I give this a solid 3.5 but I’ll bump it to a 4.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Djinn is missing, and only by battling her all-powerful brother can the team hope to rescue her! Then, Damian's gone off the deep end, and it's up to the Teen Titans (and Superboy!) to stop him! Plus, when the dust settles, where do we go from here?

I've really enjoyed this run on Teen Titans. The first few volumes were okay, but it got a shot in the arm after issue 20 it really took on a new life. This final volume collects the last few arcs which serve to wrap up what's been going on, as well as set the stage for Teen Titans Academy when that launches later this year.

The Djinn story is a nice culmination of the relationships that have been built up over the run, with Damian, Crush, and Djinn especially getting some closure on how they all feel about each other. The downfall of Damian in the latter issues of the book are also surprisingly good - for such a big Robin plot point to take place in Teen Titans rather than a Batman book shows some confidence in the title, and it plays out pretty well; again, it feeds from everything Damian's gone through lately, and the ending has this unfinished quality that really hammers home that the Titans aren't really together when they're not together (which sounds obvious but you know what I mean). The return of Superboy was well-handled as well I thought, given his previous appearance in the book and how the Titans rejected him.

The art's a little more on the sketchy side since Javier Fernandez takes over for most of this volume - Eduardo Panscica sees out the Djinn Wars arc before departing, while Jesus Merino does a few fill-in issues as well. Teen Titans has always been big and bold in the art department with Bernard Chang and Panscica doing most of the heavy lifting, but the artists brought in to finish it off make their mark with the time they have.

Teen Titans is over (again), but all is not lost. While this volume may signal an ending, the story is not yet done, and given the way that this closes down one status quo and sets up the next, I'm excited to see where we go now.

[Christian Zamora-Dahmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Djinn's arc was real nice. It had Adam Glass' perfect rhythm and narrative. The second arch, led by Robbie Thompson took a different turn and gave us a stereotypical Robin, and everyone else fell to the background. I don't know why Glass left the book, but it definitely marked the death of this run. He created this team, and understood deep down each character, their dynamics, and was one of the few writers that managed to make Damian interesting without turning him into a basic one dimensional brat. All of that is gone now. I guess the Pandemic took this book with it, and it's sad because it was real good.
I have a few issues left before the end of the series. Having someone else, other than Glass, writing this farewell is sad.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

An odd ending to a mostly enjoyable series.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teen Titans: Robin No More picks up where the previous volume left off, collecting the last nine issues (Teen Titans #39–47) of the 2016 on-going series with Teen Titans Annual #2 and collect seven stories, some of which are interconnected.

"Djinn Wars" is a three-issue storyline (Teen Titans #39–41) centers on Djinn as the Teen Titans faces her brother – Elias with a supporting character of Jakeem Williams, who has a connection to the djinns, and apart of the Justice Society of America.

"Broken" and "Fear" are two interconnecting one-issue storyline (Teen Titans #42–43) has the Teen Titans investigation a murder that Damian Wayne as Robin has committed – Brother Blood as they face the Church of Blood and Damian Wayne gets revenge on KGBeast for what he did to his brother Dick Grayson, which cumulates in the termination of the Teen Titans by Bruce Wayne as Batman in "Cross Roads" (Teen Titans #44) and Damian Wayne giving up the mantle of Robin in "I Was Robin" (Teen Titans Annual #2).

"Loose Ends" is a two-issue story (Teen Titans #45–46) who has Damian Wayne as Robin leaving the team and Crush taking on the leadership of the team they face Gizmo and eventually Joystick, who has the powers to control people. There are cameo appearance of Jason Todd as Red Hood and Jonathan Kent as Superboy. The series ends with "Freshmen" (Teen Titans #47) as the broken team are lead by Damian Wayne to Titans Towers where the Teen Titans would be trained by the older generation – the original Teen Titans.

Robbie Thompson (Teen Titans #39–47 and Annual #2) and Adam Glass (Teen Titans #39–41) penned this trade paperback. For the most part, it was written rather well. Thompson has continued the intriguing storyline of the Teen Titans taking a proactive and darker side to justice. Damian Wayne as Robin has committed a cardinal sin in the vigilante business – murder in order to continue his ill-conceived mission to spread fear in the hearts of criminals the way Batman supposedly never has. Glass-Thompson story about the djinn is a nice backstory to Djinn and her brethren, which seems like an outlier story to the rest of the trade paperback.

Eduardo Pansica (Teen Titans #39–41, Annual #2), Javier Fernández (Teen Titans #42, 44–45, 47), and Jesús Merino (Teen Titans #43 and 46) penciled the trade paperback. The penciling styles of each artist are rather distinct and make the artistic flow of the trade paperback rather chaotic. Fernandez brings his nicely sketchy, Pansica does nice work in the annual and the first story, likewise Merino pencils in a modern manner that is apropos to the trade paperback.

Overall, this particular Teen Titans series is written rather well, it can be nicely divided into two sections – the first written by Benjamin Percy and the later run written mainly by Adam Glass. Percy dealt with the trails and tribulation of Damian Wayne as Robin – the youngest, but most capable member of the team leading the team is his abrasive manner. Glass' run has a disillusioned Teen Titans as they go through an ill-advised, but interesting darker route in dealing with villains and justice – where the ends justifies the means.

All in all, Teen Titans: Robin No More is a good conclusion to a comparatively strong series – one of the better Teen Titans series that has recently been published.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thus we come to the end of another Volume of Teen Titans. With the surprise ending, I hope this means we will be seeing a much stronger "Titans" title coming. Because, though I have mostly liked this series, it's been a bit of a "Robin show" lately...
This huge Volume breaks down easily into three storylines. Highlights:
- Djinn Wars - With Djinn trapped in her own ring, and her brother (the first genie) Elias keeping the ring, obviously the Teen Titans are stepping in to help. The only way to Djinn is through a backdoor of Purgatory, which means the team has to die and go to Hell. (This part is pretty sweet!) Meeting up with her (after a few slight snags) their bond as teammates is strong enough for Djinn to override her "Master" and not only free herself, but all the other genies under Elias' control. Djinn leaves the team, but has found her freedom.
- Robin No More - In the last Volume, Robin's secret jail was discovered and all the criminals were let out. Robin, thinking that he needs to take things a step further, kills Brother Blood, and sets off after the other criminals. He tries to convince the team to join him, but they can only see what he is doing as murder. Eventually, Batman steps in, disbands the team and tries to shut Damian down. Ripping the "R" from his uniform, he quits being Robin and vanishes, not untraceable.
- Clean up and future - Damian continues to evade their searching, but despite the team being disbanded, they continue to work together, rounding up all the criminals they let get away. Their efforts have been noticed by Nightwing, who at the end, invites them to join the Titans at Titans Tower.

Overall, a good Volume, but I'm looking forward to the future of the team being a bit less Robin-centric.
Recommend.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

thank the gods it's over.

i knew i was testing my own capacity for masochism when i decided to read all of damian's major appearances given how... uneven his characterization has been over the years, but this teen titans run tested my endurance like nothing else. and now it's finally over.

there were a few issues in this that would have been pretty good in isolation if i ignored the surrounding context and like one or two lines of dialogue reminding us of that context, but i'm just so glad i'm finally done with this title. damian on the titans should have been a slam dunk, see the dc animated movies if you don't believe me, but instead we got... this.

good riddance.

[Kurt Lorenz · Rating 3 out of 5]

39-41, Djinn Wars, ☆☆☆
42-44 + Annual 4, I Was Robin, ☆☆☆☆☆
45-47, Loose Ends, ☆☆☆

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the stories co-written by Glass are good, the new writer Thompson just plays off of Glass's stories. It seems repetitive and lacks focus. Another Titans book bites the dust.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Lots of reading + no time review = Knee-jerk reactions!*

This book took me a while to read because, once I hit the point where Damian wasn't going to quit being Robin, I didn't want to read it anymore. The Bat Family has been through a lot, and Damian the most of anyone... So, yeah, I feel for this teen who has had everything going against him and who, prior to this volume hasn't fallen back on his old, murderous ways. I mean, from a character development standpoint, I get why they're doing what they're doing. Knowing that you were at fault for the death of a loved one and seeing them murdered in front of you? Yeah... I can see why a kid who saw that and also had a strong desire already to fight against the evils of the world would turn to murder. It doesn't help that he also lost his sort-of girlfriend. But... I also feel like Damian has tried so hard for so long... I don't want to see him become what his Ra's and Talia wanted. I want to see him be a hero more than anti-hero because I can't help but feel this kid deserves that. I don't know... I'm curious what they do next, now that Damian has apparently disappeared. And I'm curious what is next for the Teen Titans, as it seems that Nightwing will be playing a strong role in guiding the team. And the first volume touched a little too closely to actual religious beliefs for it to be just fun... I mean, it was fine. I wasn't offended or anything. (Mostly because life's too short to be offended. lol) But... meh. So, I guess when I think about this graphic novel as a whole, my best reaction is... *sigh.* Batman, you should have reached out to your son sooner. Should have told him you loved him sooner. (I mean, I know the world's been ending and such, but....) I don't know. I hope the Bat Family can pull through this.... And I just realized for a knee-jerk reaction, this was quite long, but... what can I say? This graphic novel kind of hit me hard. It left me wondering if some of my favorite characters are in good hands... which is not a good feeling to have. It's one thing for a writer to make you feel emotions, but to wonder if the writer is going to treat a character with dignity... well, that's a little worrisome. Still, I get what's going on. I get that maybe this is just a road bump in Damian's larger development. I just hope that the writers remember that we enjoy rooting for our heroes, rather than against them.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume is a little less than it could be because it actually had too much in it. This book ends the Teen Titans book and segways directly into Teen Titans Academy. With that said, this probably should have been two smaller graphic novels as it looks consolidated to wrap everything up into trade paperback form rather than story driven. The Dijon War is over almost as quickly as it starts, and we are then onward to a heavy focus on one of Grant Morrison's biggest editions to the DC Universe...Damian Wayne aka Robin.

Adam Glass was doing the writing before this volume but is joined by Robbie Thompson. I have never truly known the details of co-writing, but it is of note that Robbie Thompson's name gets top billing on the cover, while is second within the first few issues within this collection. After those issues, when the book transitions to more Robin focused, we have Adam Glass off the book and Robbie the sole writer. I don't know if this was a transition system, but it does seem to work for this book. There are a ton of cameo characters in this book, which adds the flavor I enjoy in a superhero book!

[Evan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed, but not surprised. I kind of saw the writing on the wall with the previous TPB of this run, and while this actually wraps up the plotline(s) set up by the previous books, it's also just such a mess. The art is super inconsistent, not just from issue-to-issue but from panel-to-panel. The emotions and character decisions swing wildly back and forth. And the entire latter half of this trade is an on-and-off-again for the team as it really ultimately becomes a Robin book (completely with Bat-family cameos) and about the future of that character. Oh well. I got a lot of issues of Crush, so I'm not mad I read it.

The worst part, though, is that Robbie Thompson and Adam Glass, famous for being Supernatural writers, shoehorned a lame Supernatural reference in here. Come on, guys! Have some shame!

[Sarospice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Damien goes on a bender because he saw Alfred die. I was really hoping the rest of these Teens would've said F U Robin, and voted Superboy in as their new leader, cause as faux badass as they all act they obviously are followers. Maybe that's Damien's real issue. He formed a team of millennials and then got frustrated trying to get them to do anything.... Other than Kid Flash, doubt we'll see any of these characters again. Some cool art.

[Joseph Dinas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! A lot of it was same plot as one of the DC direct to streaming movies, currently on HBO (not saying which one). But it was still very emotional and sarcastic and fun. You are also routing for the 5 of them because they have a strong sense of goodness. I have read the previous issues and everything still made enough sense. Might read what comes after this at some point as well.

[Kris Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please let Damian get some good therapy, I don't like where he is going!

In this final volume to the latest incarnation of the Teen Titans: the team must come to terms with past choices, Robin makes a final betrayal, and Batman forces the team to disband.

But not all is lost, as in the final issue Titans Tower!

[Will Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This volume is in two parts: Djinn War and Robin No More. The first was wrapped up a little too fast, in my opinion. But Robin No More was enjoyable to read Damian's mental anguish and decisions after seeing one of the people closest to him die.

[Shahista44 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the various character pop ins from members of the batfam. The ending was good, but not wow. Wish we got to see a better development for Damian in terms of his relationships. I do get his pov of wanting to kill the criminals and why he disagrees with Batman.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like they finally got to something they've been trying to get at for years with Robin's break. It's about time.

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robin struggles with fear and grief…and hurting others as he struggles.

And superhero fights.

[Pa_tr0_clus · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

lol not everyone just popping in to say hi and be concerned about Damian and then promptly moving on and solving nothing

[Keegan Schueler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wraps up all of the teen titans storylines in a nice way along with great Damian story smacked in there.

[Alyssa Springer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just ok for me. I prefer the old cast of Titans.

[Thomas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish after that first arc.

[Nicholas Knudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really hated to see this series end