Writer & Artist: Art Baltazar
Writer: Franco
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.25
Review by: Russell Hillman

…but first, let’s talk about paper.

This comic is priced at $2.25, and printed on (what appears to be) far lower quality paper than the main DC titles. There are no problems with the printing, and there are still cool colouring effects. If it’s possible to do it for this title, why not do it for others? If you can drop the price from $2.99 down to $2.25, we can buy 4 comics for the price of 3!

Now we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about the comic itself. It’s part of the Johnny DC line of all-ages comics, which includes their cartoon and toy tie-in titles. Tiny Titans stands alone as neither. It’s about the students of Sidekick City Elementary, who bear an astonishing resemblance to various members of DC’s Teen Titans books over the years, except vastly reduced in age. Over several short stories, we get to meet them all.

The stories themselves are simple, and would probably not be too challenging for the majority of younger readers. They deal with everyday things like playing with your friends or meeting the new school principal. Those who are adverse to cuteness in children’s entertainment may wish to steer clear, as this title contains plenty – the Titan girls cheer up an unhappy Plasmus with a gift of a lollypop, and the story about Beast Boy and his new puppy ends with what may well be the cutest single panel of all time.

On the other hand, reading it with an adult eye and a reasonable knowledge of the Teen Titans over the years, it does appear that some of the stories will make more sense if you know what is being referenced, and as such will go over the head of the average child. Although an in-story explanation is given, there are two stories that hinge upon the reveal of a teacher as the father of a cast member – far more amusing if you know who these characters are already.

The fun doesn’t end after the final story. There’s a puzzle, where you can help Beast Boy find his puppy, there’s a pin-up (a piece of promo art from when the title was first announced) and a four page preview of the forthcoming DC Super Friends title, based on the new chunky toy range from Mattel (DC’s answer to the Spider-Man & Friends range).

As stories about kid versions of established superheroes go, it’s not a patch on the better Mini-Marvels strips. However, if you’re a parent, or you don’t mind reading stuff that’s aimed at the very young, this is worth a look, It’s sweet without being nauseating, and it’s fairly low-key fun.