There is no denying that Teen Titans continues to be incredibly popular, between the several cartoon iterations, the live-action series, and the many comics, both canonical and non-canonical. In 2019, artist Gabriel Picolo and writer Kami Garcia teamed up to create a new entry in the team's history with Teen Titans: Raven, a young adult graphic novel. The story exists outside of DC's main canon and was a great entry point for those new to the world of comics, and it even teased the expansion of the team with a sneak peek at Teen Titan: Beast Boy. Two books later, fans of this iteration of DC characters finally got what they are waiting for -- the Titans officially taking form. What better way to do that than with one of the team's most popular pairings.

Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven sees the titular Titans cross paths on their journey to meet Slade, who promises to help them with their abilities and find their place in this world as super-powered individuals. After the events of their solo titles, Raven and Beast Boy are both in places where they are not sure who to trust; however, they feel a connection and find more than a confidant in each other as they take on the new threats and find new and old allies.

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At the heart of this graphic novel is a love story that is built on friendship. It's believable that these two would still have each other's back even if there was no romance at play. That being said, there is clearly a romantic attraction between the two, despite being such opposites. The mix of opposites-attract and friends-turned-lovers tropes set up a love story that is not only cute as it slowly builds, but it is also realistic -- despite all the comic book antics that happen.

While there is a superhero conflict at play, the graphic novel is packed full of slice-of-life moments, which may not captivate those looking for a more action-oriented Teen Titans story. Yet, if one is looking for a comic that shows the more human and sweet sides of the heroes, this read will bring a smile to your face. Especially for fans of Picolo's art, which has featured the Titans in more slice-of-life situations before being brought on by DC, this comic is a delight, as that art comes even more to life with Garcia's writing.

Picolo's art has always been a love letter to the Teen Titans, as it imagines the characters in a modern, more casual setting, while also capturing the nostalgia for not just the team, but also those adolescent years. There's a youthful charm to Picolo's art, and that is perfect for a romance between Raven and Beast Boy.

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It's also clear in the art and story that both creatives are huge fans of the characters and property. Their passion for the Titans is contagious with each page. Even for those who are less familiar with the team, they'll be able to feel the love in this book. Plus, and perhaps one of the best selling points of this series as a whole is how accessible it is for those looking for an entry into the comic book world.

One does not have to worry about decades of lore to jump into this series, and even if one isn't aware of Raven and Beast Boy's history in the many iterations of the property, they can still recognize the care they have for each other in this new chapter. Meanwhile, for long-time fans, there are little details, as well as a few teases for the future, that will certainly make one excited to see this team and world grow beyond Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven. 

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