Does anyone remember who Dr. Light is? He used to be a villain of Superman, and Superman is perhaps the most powerful super hero in the DC universe. Some of you may wonder then, “Why have the Teen Titans had such an easy time kicking him around all this time?” That is to say, if he gave Superman a hard time, how is it that a bunch of teenage Sidekicks deal with him so effortlessly? Well the answer is very sinister. It seems that Dr. Light has been brainwashed and used as a sort of test dummy for the Titans to train with. But now he has broken free somehow and is crazier than ever.

In issue #21, he captured the Green Arrow and called the Titans out, saying that if anyone else came, the Green Arrow was dead. The only problem is that the Titans still think Dr. Light is a losery pushover. Dr. Light proceeds to disagree by handing them their butts.

I know I have said it before, but I must repeat that the Artwork by Mike McKone (penciler) and Marlo Alquiza (inker) uses the standard style of today’s comics, yet improves on it. The amount of detail and expression of motion is seldom rivaled in any of the comics that sport the same style. Their use of shading and lines makes it look like a sort of hybrid between the new mainstream comics and the old. Not to mention the awesome old school cover seen above. All of this is heightened by the impressive, classic coloring by Jeremy Cox.

Geoff Johns (writer) has created quite an intriguing story. His Dr. Light is so evil and so crazy that I have come to respect Dr. Light as a villain where once I did not. It seems that the JLA has finally stepped over their own boundaries and have done something that is actually evil. But Dr. Light also hints at something even more sinister inside the JLA. He asks Green Arrow if he was the only one, or maybe some other heroes actually got in the way and had to be “taken care of.” Maybe the JLA were so afraid that the Teen Titans might take over that they have been keeping them in check with the same brainwashing techniques. Maybe even some JLA members as well… Whatever the truth is, the wronged Dr. Light is now so insane and full of hatred that he wants nothing more than to avenge himself or die trying. Which he may not do because he handily defeats the current Titans with only a little effort. He even steals their light based powers and uses them against the Titans. Even more frightening is the fact that he is so full of hatred that he uses it to overwhelm Raven.

I cannot wait for issue 23, because it’s going to be Dr. Light versus all of the Teen Titans, and I mean all of them. Everyone who has ever been a Titan and is still alive shows up, but Dr. Light doesn’t look worried.

-Fumanchu