New Teen Titans (vol.2) #1 (August, 1984)
"Shadows in the Dark!"
Co-Creators/Co-Editors - Marv Wolfman & George Perez
Letterer - Todd Klein
Colors - Adrienne Roy
Cover Price: $1.25
Yesterday, I made a statement that I didn't feel great about after hitting "Publish". I said that the Tales of the Teen Titans "newsstand" series was a more enjoyable read than the earliest issues of New Teen Titans (vol.2 - "Baxter").
I mean, any time I reflect on it, those were my actual feelings. However, it's been so dang long since I gave the early Baxter issues a look, that I kinda feel like I could "back it up". And so, today... we're gonna hop right in to the first issue of that Direct Market only series!
That's what we do here... test our preconceptions... and see if they still hold true!
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We open in the Danger Roo... er, outside Titans Tower, where the team is running through some training exercises. Nightwing leads the team as they try and hunt down their newest member, Jericho! This proves to be a bit more tricky than anyone expected... considering Jericho could, with nothing more than eye-contact, body-hop and take control of any of them. And he does just that, starting with Gar!
From here, the Titans shift their focus, and try to figure out a way to expel Joey from Gar. Cyborg blasts him with a "zillion" decibels... but that doesn't quite work... all it does is annoy poor Master Logan. Donna manages to snag Changeling with her lasso... and as Starfire goes in for the catch -- CONTACT -- Joey jumps from Gar to Kory!
It comes down to Cyborg... who, wisely closes his one actual eye, making "contact" impossible. He blasts Starfire with enough voltage to "stun" her... causing Joey to be ejected. Vic then biffs Joey in the chin.
Nightwing hops onto Joey's back, piggyback-style... and Donna wraps them both up with her lasso. It looks like it's all over but the cryin' at this point... but then... Raven shows up! As is usual with her, she's got some dire news... and is in need of aid. Joey uses this opportunity to -- CONTACT -- hop into Raven's body! This doesn't go all that well.
Raven vanishes, leaving Jericho a quivering mess. He begins signing at an unfollowable pace. When he finally gets his wits back about him, he reveals to the team that he felt a great evil inside of her. He wants to help her... which leads the Titans to ask themselves why they hadn't tried reaching out to her of late.
After heading inside, the Titans recount what just occurred. Jericho volunteers to go to Raven's room for a chat... and after a little hemming and hawing, Dick agrees. As Joey leaves the room, Vic suggests that Raven's appearance might be changing. More on that in a bit.
First, we'll follow Jericho. Inside Raven's darkened room, she speaks... kinda in riddles about her "destiny". I mean, we all know this is Trigon stuff, right? It's always Trigon stuff with Raven. She refuses to leave the room without her hood, which kinda backs up Vic's deduction that she's beginning to look different.
After the chat, Raven appears in the Titans meeting room... and quits the team! She doesn't want the team to feel responsible for her anymore. She feels as though she's been more of a hindrance and a liability of late. I tell ya what, she's often a hindrance to my enjoyment of an issue! Anyhoo, her plan is... staying the night at the Tower, and leaving in the morning. The team protests... but, it's no use.
For something completely different... and potentially even more boring than Raven... we shift scenes to Vegan Space, and Tamaran. We learn that thanks to the Omega Men, the war is over. Peace will reign, and it's now safe for Princess Koriand'r to return home. Now, I love subplots... but not that kinda subplot.
Back at the Tower, Gar walks in on Vic while he's screening some old video. Gar giddily asks if it's porn... but, no dice... Vic is actually looking at old Titans footage, footage featuring Raven in particular. Here we see the progression of Raven's appearance. Starting with her softer look early on... to a more severe look... to her current almost sinister appearance!
Elsewhere in the Tower, Jericho sits awake... trying to practice his guitar, however cannot shake his worry over his soon-to-be-departing teammate. He decides to take the situation into his own hands, and visits Raven while she sleeps. What's kinda neat is that he actually "suits up" in his complicated Jericho attire before leaving his room.
Then -- CONTACT -- sorta, I think. Maybe Raven sleeps with her eyes open... maybe Joey just pried one open before hopping. I dunno.
Next stop for Jericho... yawn... the craggy cliffs of Azar. He looks on as Raven is tortured by visions of her mother, and the shouting of... well, duh... Trigon.
Trigon even notices Joey's presence... and figures, "what the hay", and begins torturing him a bit for good measure.
The Titans are awakened by one whopper of a scream... Dick suggests that it wasn't even human in origin. The team rushes into Raven's room, only to find Joey. Raven, has vanished. Joey frantically signs the word "father".
Joey finally regains his composure and explains the whole thing. Dick meekly lectures him about entering Raven's body... but Vic reels him in. The Titans now know what they're up against... however, before they can take the fight to Trigon... they're going to have to find Raven!
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Now, I've never claimed to be the sharpest bulb in the shed... and it's almost embarrassing for me to admit this, but... I never realized that these stories, which would be reprinted for the newsstand in Tales of the Teen Titans about a year later, actually also take place (about a year?) later.
Today's Trigonny issue would go on to appear on newsstands in Tales of the Teen Titans #60 (December, 1985).
Yesterday we discussed Tales of the Teen Titans #45, which had the same cover date as this issue (August, 1984), however, was clearly taking place immediately after The Judas Contract. Gar was still all torn up, and Joey wasn't yet an official member of the team. Here, Gar's back to normal, and Joey has a portrait in the meeting room. I can't believe I never noticed this before... it only makes me wonder... in what order do I usually reread these things?!
Oh well... I suppose that's just something for me to pull my hair out about later... let's get to the story!
It's pretty good! Not sure it was the best choice to launch a new series, but for those already familiar with the team... it's not bad at all! I guess we kinda have to put ourselves back in 1984 to fully appreciate this sort of thing. If you were to venture into a comics specialty store back then, and buy this issue, chances are... you were there for this issue, and would already be familiar with everything going on... and good to go.
I think that sort of thing is lost on us these days. We kinda thumb our noses at "New Number 1's" that don't give a proper introduction to the characters and concepts... given their ubiquity, I suppose that might just be fatigue. That, and getting increasingly tired of being told that "current year" publishers are making efforts to reach the fabled "new" reader... by feeding them the same convoluted stuff that confuses even the most tenured of readers. But, least there's a #1! That'll put somebody's kid through college, right?
Okay, okay, enough of that. Let's look at this, not as a #1... but as any ol' story. The opening, is almost Claremontian in it's format. I couldn't even hazard a guess at how many issues of Uncanny X-Men start in the Danger Room (probably far less than I'm imagining... but, lemme tell ya, it felt pretty often). This gives us the opportunity to see the Titans in action without having to deal with an actual threat. Good stuff!
Now, Raven bores me to tears... but... I gotta say, I love the idea of Vic checking through some old footage to verify his hunch. I gotta wonder if readers of the day had picked up on Raven's appearance becoming more sinister over time. Or if, just like with the Titans, it was so gradual that nobody paid it any mind? Really great subtle storytelling here. This was given rather a long time to "breathe", and the payoff here is pretty wonderful. A great big "A-ha" moment we can all share.
Another thing that bores me to tears... Tamaran. I don't care to see Starfire get married several times, or turned into a slave several times. Have no use for Blackfire... or any of the bug-eyed golden folks on that planet. One thing I can recall about my Titans re-reads... I skip the Titans-in-Space issues! Still, I'm a fan of subplots being peppered though me comics... so, I'm kinda conflicted!
Now before we cut out, let's talk Joey. It's weird... the Titans seem to find him a warm and comfortable presence, right? Well, even as just a lowly reader, I kinda feel the same way about him! There is a sort of serenity when he's on panel... like, I dunno... hopefulness. I find his addition to the team to be a good one... really dig him being around. I feel like his powers might be a bit too convenient at times, but overall, he's a net-positive for the Titans.
Overall for the issue... it's good! Personally, I'm not into the Trigon and Azar stuff, but even with that said, we get some really good interaction between the Titans here... now, it's not quite as soapy (I swear, I type "soupy" first every time) as it's newsstand counterpart, but definitely worth checking out. It's been reprinted a bunch, and is available digitally.
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(Not the) Letters Page:
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Tales of the Teen Titans #45 (August, 1984)
"Old Times, Old Friends"
Co-Creators/Co-Editors - Marv Wolfman & George Perez
Finishes - Mike DeCarlo
Letters - Ben Oda
Colors - Adrienne Roy
Cover Price: $0.75
Here's a fun one... what could be more terrifying than... Terry Long's Bachelor Party?!
Worth noting, this issue doesn't have a story title... "Old Times, Old Friends" was added later for a collected edition. I'm nothing if not completionist, so I'm gonna include it.
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We open with Aqualad arriving at Titans Tower, with a rapidly declining Tula in his arms. They're both having a heckuva time breathing... and are in desperate need of some fresh water. They take an endless elevator ride down to the Titans' pool, however collapse before making it into the drink.
We shift scenes to a shady arms deal goin' down at some old warehouse. Gar has taken the form of a wildcat and is looking on from above. After the deal is done, he pounces! There's something different about young Garfield today, we'll get into that shortly.
The baddies decide to flee... and I can't say that I blame them, especially after Gar shifts into a porcupine and nestles in one of their... uh, "pusses". Yee. Unfortunately for the would-be smugglers, they run right smack into Cyborg!
Gar then takes the form of an elephant... and charges at the lead baddie. Despite his pleas, Gar just keeps pushing... crushing the fella... even crying as he does so. Vic rushes in to pull Changeling off... and remind him that Titans don't kill.
Then, we get a pretty amazing scene. Gar just unleashes all of his frustrations on Vic. We're in the shadow of The Judas Contract at this point... Terra just died. Gar, having been smitten with the traitor, would've loved to have someone to talk to about his feelings after the dust settled. Turns out, none of his Titanic pals were around for him. Not even his supposed "best pal", Vic Stone! Vic gives some halfhearted excuse about being "too busy" because his grandparents were coming for a visit... which sounds so lame. Gar give the ol' "I know where I stand" line, and flies off. Loved this page!
Speaking of Vic' grandparents, they've just now arrived to Vic's ramshackle apartment. These codgers are a hoot. Love the way they're depicted here. Anyhoo, Vic ain't home... so, Maude picks the lock with her "lucky" hatpin. Before Vic heads home he tries calling Gar at Dayton's via a payphone... not sure why he didn't just call from home, but whattayagonnado? He's informed by Jeeves that Master Logan hasn't checked in yet. We can see that there is a guest at Dayton's with a heavy English accent.
Then... we're off to Terry Long's Bachelor Party... and it's a rather packed house! I mean, (best man and brother) Barry Long does it up right! Seems everyone besides Dick Grayson and Terry himself are three sheets to the wind even before the giant stripper-filled cake is rolled in!
During the strippery festivities, Dick scoots off to sit by himself. He is soon joined by Terry, who gives him his "guide to ogling"... it's basically "it's okay to look", a motto he surely carries with him into the classroom. Ya know, I poke fun at Terry's creepiness quite a bit (perhaps too much), but I rather enjoyed this scene. I like the idea of Terry and Dick becoming friends. Maybe I'm just a sucker for soap-opera.
Meanwhile at Paradise Island, Donna is having a sorta-kinda Bachelorette Party... which is more like her trying to get permission to marry from Queen Hippolyta... and in so doing, relinquish her powers. She's asked if she "loves" Terry... a question she... sidesteps. I'm not sure what it is, she never seems to plainly say "I love him". Weird. Anyhoo, Hippolyta gives the thumbs up... but doesn't take her powers from her. In fact, she is presented with a new pair of bracelets from her sister Wonder Woman, showing that she is of "two worlds" and "welcome in both".
Over at Manhattan College, Raven is heading home from class. She's chatted up by some dude named Steven... who tells her that he feels great when he's in her presence. Ya see, Raven might unwittingly be using her empathic powers here... something she is aware might be a possibility... so, she tries to keep her distance. She's picked up by Joey... and they share a moment of "mutual kindness" on the ride home. Raven is summoned to Titans Tower by someone she never expected to hear from again... she bugs out, leaving behind a book on sign language, which fills Joe's heart with happiness.
Back at the Tower, we see that she was summoned by... former sorta-squeeze, Wally West. He (and new squeeze, Fran) found Aqualad and Tula dryin' out on the ground. Right now though, they're in a special tank, and Nightwing is trying to get them rehydrated.
Next, we get another great little exchange. Wally wants to know why nobody told her that Terra died! He's upset that he couldn't attend her funeral... after all, she sorta took his "spot" on the team! The Titans are keeping her turncoatedness hush-hush here... and their reasons for doing so, are up for debate, I suppose... we'll talk more about that later. Kory changes the subject back to the Aqua-teens.
Dick deduces that there is a strange chemical in the lungs of the Aquas... and is repeatedly flushing it out of their systems. After a few tries, the Aquas begin to stir. Once they're outta the tank, they share their story. Turns out, they were swimmin' outside of the hustle and bustle of Atlantis... and were in the proximity (and wake) of a terrific explosion!
They were then attacked by the... yawn... H.I.V.E. Before the scuffle, however, Tula realized that she can no longer breathe! The Aqua-teens hitched a ride on a pair of whales to get as far away as possible.
At this point, Dick's heard enough. He's all "suit up, Titans... even you, Wally!", to which, Wally says "nope". It's okay though, Jericho will come along on this adventure... despite not officially being a Titan just yet.
We wrap up with Wally and Fran leaving Titans Island... and learning that any time Wally uses his powers, he is left in terrible pain. He refuses to tell the Titans about that, because he sees it as "his problem". Meanwhile, the team has loaded into the T-Sub, and is headed for the... yawn... H.I.V.E.!
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Okay, shocker... I loved this! This kind of issue has the perfect... to me... "formula" for making comics. In only 23 pages, we bring several subplots up to speed, and introduce a threat. Everything feels like it's building to something... and actual "pay off", and not just a neat 'n tidy six-issue trade paperback.
Let's take a look here... using our mutant ability of hindsight.
We've got Gar dealing with his emotions... a plot that will bubble along until, one of my personal favorite issues... and perhaps part of the reason this blog exists, Tales of the Teen Titans #55.
Vic's grandparents showing up... which will lead to a pivotal Cyborg story arc in the pages of Tales of... before it becomes a reprints-only mag.
The Terry and Donna Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties... which are obviously leading up to the milestone Tales of the Teen Titans #50.
There's Raven trying to get a better grip on her powers... Joey working his way onto the team... Wally's speed-induced maladies... that English-accent visiting Dayton's. I mean, all of this... and we haven't even touched on the actual cover story yet! I hate using the word "perfect" to describe, well anything.... but this is the format I love my comics in. Probably why so much of my fandom is informed by New Teen Titans and X-Men comics.
Now, let's dig a bit deeper.
I wanna start with... Terra. It could be argued that the Titans are keeping her death "virtuous" in order to protect her family and legacy. Seems silly to keep Wally in the dark about this, but, we'll get to that. Part of me feels like they're keeping this all "mum" because it... I dunno, makes them look bad for allowing a traitor into their midst. Early on in the issue, Vic more or less says just that:
"None of us wanted to talk about Tara. We were all so naive. We believed her because why shouldn't we believe?"
Sure, the Judas Contract changed the dynamic of the Titans... it affected their worldview and forced them to "grow up" a bit. I gotta say, I love the idea of each Titan dealing with the reveal... but not sharing their feelings with each other. It's more powerful this way... it's just a festering ball of doubt and regret... which none of them are equipped to put into words.
I like the idea of Wally being this strange outsider among his friends. That feels very real to me. Right after High School... like literally, two days after graduation, my family moved across country from New York to Arizona.
I didn't get back "home" until about a year later... and, it was at that point that the realization hit me... people's lives actually go on without me! What nerve, right? It was a tremendously tough pill for me to swallow. I didn't have the emotional intelligence or maturity to realize that my friends wouldn't just slip and fall into molten amber awaiting my return.
Wally's reaction to seeing his old friends is similar to the way I felt: "Wanna hear something funny? I felt like a stranger. I'm gone three months and the whole group's different. They sure didn't waste any time replacing me." Definitely a tough pill to swallow... and the kind of uneasiness I still have sometimes, even all these years later.
The pre-Wedding scenes were pretty great, despite my allergy to T. Arthur Long. I said it during the synopsis, but I really dig the idea that Terry and Dick would become pals. I found it a bit funny that he was the only Titan present, but considering the other two fellas are A) green, and B) mostly machine, I guess I understand. There was something about that panel, where Terry and Dick are laughing (included above). For whatever reason, that one panel really drove home what a family these folks have become.
It's funny... if I were to have a single complaint about this issue... it's the cover story! H.I.V.E. is tremendously dull to me... always has been, probably always will be. The idea that the Titans are headed back into battle with them... does nothing for me. Aqualad and Tula... ehhhh, they've just never really been that big of a part of "my era" of Titans, so, I can pretty much take them or leave them.
Overall though... despite my boredom with H.I.V.E., this was a wonderful issue. I find it interesting that this came out around the same time as New Teen Titans (vol.2) #1 (the Baxter Series), and, if you ask me, is head and shoulders above that one in enjoyability. As mentioned above, this issue has been collected... it is also available digitally.
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Baxterrific Letters Page:
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New Teen Titans #20 (June, 1982)
"Dear Mom and Dad"
"A Titanic Tale of Titans' Tomfoolery!"
Writer/Co-Creator - Marv Wolfman
Artist/Co-Creator - George Perez
Embellisher - Romeo Tanghal
Letterer - Ben Oda & John Costanza
Colorist - Adrienne Roy
Editor - Len Wein
Cover Price: $0.60
I'm not sure we ever discussed this here... what's everyone's stance on Marv and George being listed as "co-creators" here? I mean, I get that they put this team together (and created three of the members from scratch), but... I dunno. Does that mean that anyone who takes over a title... and creates a few new characters should be listed as the "creator"?
As I write this, Adam Glass is writing Teen Titans (vol.6)... and has added a handful of newbies to the roster. Should he then be listed as "creator"? I dunno... I don't really have strong feelings either way, just one of those things that stuck out at me this morning.
Let's get into it... and see what Kid Flash's got cookin' with his... personalized No. 2 pencils!
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This entire issue is framed as a letter Wally is writing to his folks back in Blue Valley. This was, of course, pre-Crisis... so, he still had his loving and supportive parents... whatta concept, right? Anyhoo, after muddling over what it means to have a "normal life", he begins with a story about Cyborg and Gar in the sewer tracking down a new baddie (and an old friend of the blog), the Disruptor! The villain seems a bit uncomfortable about having to "take out" the Titans... but does anyway.
After hearing the screams of the "disrupted" Gar, Vic rushes over and bursts through a wall to confront the 'Ruptor. Unfortunately for him, he is easy pickin's for disruption himself.
With Gar and Vic on the ground, the Disruptor blasts a rusted water pipe and floods the sewer... hoping to drown the two Titans. His big mistake, however, is leaving before the deed is done. Gar manages to get to his feet... shape-shifts into a lobster, and fishes Vic out of the drink.
Wally's story shifts to discuss another recent event in Titan-town... Vic Stone's nineteenth birthday. It's quite the scene... though, the only non-Titan to show up is... Terry Long. Whoopy! Oh, of note... we find out that he is (allegedly) 29 years old. Donna jokes about him being "middle-aged". Welllllll, I'm afraid we from the future have some bad news. Wally writes a bit about his feelings for Raven.
Robin is too busy fretting over the Disruptor to truly celebrate... Donna is too busy fretting over not knowing when her birthday even is, to actually celebrate. Definitely a hallmark of this era, dropping little breadcrumbs like this... Donna's worries would eventually be paid off a year and a half later! Love it!
Later that night Wally heads to the roof to get some air. Through a pair of binoculars, he watches Donna fly in the distance... when suddenly... disrupted! She plummets into the drink below, while the Disruptor performs the fabled double-fist pump!
Wally speeds off to save his teammate... and whips up a tornado to throw at the baddie. Well, Wally gets disrupted too... he winds up blasted by his own whirlwind! Convinced he's killed two more Titans, the Disruptor heads off to a Rolls-Royce.
Inside the car, we meet the Disruptor's daddy... Don Rickles! Wait, no... it's actually "Brains" Beldon, a goofball who only appeared once prior to this... some twenty years before, when he tangled with Batman. He's dismissive of his son's "accomplishments", because even this jackass can tell ya, they ain't dead til you see the body! Heck, these days... even then!
While the Beldons chat, Wally is able to pull Donna to safety. He gets a good look at the Rolls, and decides to follow it to its destination... all the way out to the Hamptons! Wally lurks outside a window of the Beldon estate, and listens in. Turns out, "Brains" is trying to earn his way into the H.I.V.E.'s "seventh seat". In order to make this happen, he's tasked his son with killing the Teen Titans. Hell, if he could succeed where freaking Deathstroke failed... Brains should just be given the keys to the H.I.V.E.!
Wally's heard enough, and bursts through a wall to confront the Beldons. He kayos a bodyguard, however, gets "disrupted" by an incredulous Disruptor... after all, he would'a swore that Kid Flash was already dead! Next thing we know, Wally's all tied up.
While he's technically "disrupted", that (somehow) doesn't mean he can't perform some super-speed feats. And so, he twiddles his fingers to send his emergency "sonic boom" toward Titans Tower. Yeah, okay. It reaches it's destination... and boy howdy, it's a blast!
It doesn't take long for the Titans to react. Using Vic's in-body computer sensor, they're able to track the boom's trajectory all the way into the Hamptons. You'll never guess how they make their entrance... yup, bursting through a wall! Sure happens a lot, don't it? The Disruptor is beside himself... after all, he "killed" at least three of these colorful home invaders!
Turns out, the Titans are no match for the Disruptor's disruptions... and they're taken out with relative ease. Then... well, if you're familiar with the New Teen Titans, you probably know what's coming next... yeah, the Disruptor gets "Ravened".
While she's "inside" she learns that they're not all that different in some regards. They both certainly have "daddy issues". Anyhoo, when she's through with him, he's left a blubbering mess. "Brains" knows the his H.I.V.E. aspirations just went up in Azarian smoke.
Next we come to the inspiration for Wally's missive to his folks. After the dust settled, Michael "Disruptor" Beldon took the fall for his father. So, yeah... "Brains" remained a free man, despite being the, uh "brains" of the operation. We see a prison visit between the Beldons, where Brains calls his son a failure and embarrassment for squashing his hopes of joining the H.I.V.E. Michael says all he's ever wanted was his father's love.
Wally reflects on just how important it is for him to have parents who love him. Well, Wally... enjoy it while it lasts, my friend... cuz I'm 'fraid we've got some bad news for you too. We wrap up with Wally deciding not to post the letter... but deliver it in person.
That's the end of the story, but... we're not done yet! What follows is... a bizarre little story. We meet Igor Igorigorigorivich... a mad scientist who is looking for a world to conquer. Using his super-computer, he is able to peek into Earth-Prime (that is, our Earth... sorta), where there are no superheroes to thwart his plans. All of the heroes of Earth-1 are just comic book characters there.
Meanwhile, on Earth-Prime... Marv Wolfman and George Perez are running late on their latest issue of New Teen Titans (maybe that's why this issue came up a couple of pages short...). Anyhoo, they check in with editor, Len Wein for some ideas... however, while Len is, uh, hugging a stuffed panda... Marv and George are zapped outta sight.
They wind up on Earth-1, inside Igor's lab. George is happy that he doesn't have to draw something this elaborate... nyuk nyuk. The Mad Scientist asks them for information about how to beat the Teen Titans... and Marv is super-quick to spill the beans.
Before he can, however... the actual Teen Titans... burst through the wall! Marv is instantly apologetic for agreeing to sell them out. Sadly, Donna doesn't squint in his direction and say, "Terry...?" What a missed opportunity.
Igor sics a bunch of robot stooges (literally... their names are Mo, Lar-E and Kur-Le) on the Titans. Things look dire until Marv and George discover a great big button on the wall, with the sole purpose of "roasting" the Mad Scientist.
After the Titans and the creative team "meet", Marv and George are returned to Earth-Prime... and now, they have a story to tell!
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Man, Marv and George sure didn't mess around when it came to giving you content for your cash! This is one of those "quieter" issues, and man alive... they did not skimp on story. This would fill, at the very least, four "current year" issues.
For all that we get... is it any good? Sure was! Really enjoyed this revisit. Not only because it depicts Wally's "real" family life, but because of just how fun and family-like the Titans team was during this time.
The Disruptor was well handled in his introduction here. Dig the idea of him targeting the Titans in order to gain his father's approval... and even better, how tragic it is that it never comes. Heck, even after taking the fall for the old man, he's still referred to as an embarrassment! I guess ol' Michael Beldon will get the last laugh though, considering it's because of him the "New Titans" era draws to a close. Gotta say, I dug the juxtaposition between Wally's relationship with his folks and Michael's with "Brains", which I suppose was the entire point of the issue.
The "Who is Donna Troy?" breadcrumb was well appreciated. I really miss this method of storytelling... just little subplots bubbling in the background, waiting for the right time to boil to the surface. It makes the pay-off all the more satisfying, and it's something that is sorely lacking nowadays.
The lead-off story... pretty great stuff. My only misgiving is, same as it ever was, the Raven-riffic climax. I feel like they go to this well a bit too often. Have the Titans "on the ropes", only for Raven to do her empathic hoo-doo, and save the day. Ehhhh.
The back-up, was arrrrright. Silly fun, which ya need sometimes. I kinda dig that even as a silly throwaway, we can still make a case for it being canon... at least in the pre-Crisis DCU anyway. Not the only time we've covered DC playing around with the concept of Earth-Prime "characters" winding up in the comics... decently fun stuff.
Overall, a great soapy issue of New Teen Titans... and one well worth your time. It's been collected a bunch, and is available digitally.
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Letters Page:
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Interesting Ads:
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