Teen Titans v.3 #1

"Teen Titans"

2.50 USD @ September 2003

Written by: Geoff Johns
Penciled by: Mike KcKone
Inked by: Marlo Alquiza
Colored by: Jeromy Cox
Lettered by: Comicraft
Associate Editor: Tom Palmer Jr.
Editor: Eddie Berganza

Quote(s): "Trust me, your genetics way overpower that jerk's through and through -- I'm a clone of the world's greatest hero!" - Superboy

"Genetics don't make you a hero." - Superman

"You think I need more training? Need to be mentored some more?" - Robin (Tim Drake)

"No Robin. I just think you need to see your friends." - Batman

"I final read my history book yesterday. It only took me a few seconds but it seemed like hours. As usual. - Impulse

"How'd you know all that? You read it at super-speed yesterday? And you still remember it? - Flash (Wally West)

"I remember everything I read. Don't you?" - Impulse

"I've been on Earth long enough to know that most authority figures don't deal well with younger heroes. They see them as callow and irresponsible. Potentially dangerous." - Starfire to Wonder Girl (Cassie)

"Because I believe you can make your own decision. No matter your age -- you're no one's slave" - Starfire to Wonder Girl (Cassie)

"And with you two around I'm definitely war-blooded." Beast Boy to Starfire and Wonder Girl (Cassie)

Synopsis: Victor Stone, Cyborg, sent out invitations to the former Young Justice members to join the superhero group, Teen Titans, to do it as a weekend part time activity. Superman gave the invitation to Superboy who was skipping class in Smallville, and placed his secret identity glasses on his face and told him that he had to go back to class. Batman gave an invitation to Tim Drake, Robin, while in the middle of apprehending a couple of criminals, citing that Robin should join the group as he needs to see his friends. In the Garrick household, Jay Garrick and Wally West are having a discussion about Jay wanting Bart Allen, Impulse, to join the Teen Titans. But the Flash, Wally West, is apprehensive as he thinks Bart is not serious enough, but Jay believes in Bart as having the potential to eventually The Best Flash sometime in the future. In Cassie Sandmark's, Wonder Girl's, high school, a senior school official told Cassie's mother want her expelled as her secret identity is now public knowledge and that would cause placing the school in a lot of danger. It did not bode well for Cassie as her anger gets the best of her and she ends up smashing the principal's desk in anger. She left and went to the ladies' rest room, where Starfire suddenly showed up to give her the invitation to join the Teen Titans, against Wonder Woman's wishes. Starfire believed that Cassie can make her own decision, and that she doesn't need Wonder Woman to decide for her.

In the new T-shaped steel and glass building Titans Tower located in of San Francisco Bay, all four former Young Justice members arrived. They were greeted by Beast Boy, but the foursome of Impulse, Superboy, Robin, and Wonder Girl, had an awkward moment and were not really talkative with each other, and appearing to be more apprehensive. As they all went to their room to get some rest as Victor Stone, Cyborg, announced on the intercom that they all must report for orientation and training starting at 8:00 AM Saturday morning the next day, Conner Kent, Superboy, looked behind him to catch a glance of Wonder Girl who seemed to be giving them the cold shoulders.

Unable to sleep that evening and hearing some machine-like noise in the open rest area of the building, Superboy thought it was Cassie who was also awake. He found Robin there typing away at a laptop checking his e-mails. They converse and found themselves asking why they came to the Teen Titans building when they weren't even forced by their mentors to join. Superboy said because they were friends, and Robin somewhat reluctantly agreed, drawing a sarcastic smirk from Superboy. Just then Robin received an e-mail from a computer controller named "Snapdragon." The files were from Cadmus and it contained genetic information about Superboy. Half the genes were from a Kyrptonian, Superman. And the other half is from a human... Lex Luthor.

Comments: I am not familiar with the Teen Titans aside from what is on the internet. It is basically an original group back then that consisted of sidekicks. This version of the team is made up of a some of the veteran team members, and four new recruits Impulse, Superbory, Robin, and Wonder Girl from the now defunct Young Justice team.

I like that Geoff Johns was able to give each individual a distinct voice. Each dialogue from each member has their own distinct characteristic. I can tell the junior members are a tad immature with the exception of Robin, Tim Drake. That should be expected as they are teenagers. And that is what makes this very interesting. These young heroes have super powers, yet they come across as human with their immaturity. By far my favorite character has to be Bart Allen, Impulse. Geoff Johns definitely understands this kid, and Bart juts comes across as funny and it added a light-heartedness in the story. Although, I am surprised that he is not wearing a Kid Flash costume as he was portrayed on the cover page. Missing in this first issue is Raven, and Cyborg is only glimpsed in a voice communication on the building intercom.

I'm looking forward to the team dynamic and how they will interact with each other. There appeared to be a problem with Wonder Girl giving the cold shoulder to the team in the initial meeting outside Titan Towers. Perhaps that will be disclosed in the upcoming issues. And is it me or does Beast Boy comes across as a combination of a player and a pervert on this issue? I'm curious as how his character is going to be portrayed as the story continues. I have a feeling some of the girls in the team will put a beatdown on him. I can't wait to see Raven make her appearance in this series, and see how she's portrayed. So far it's a good first issue and ending a cliffhanger with Lex Luthor as the other human half of Superboy's gene.

I think you're right. Around the end of Geoff Johns' Teen Titans run, I remember there was a simultaneous series in the stands titled, Titans. It was by Judd Winick. I'm not sure, but I kind of recall some negative backlash on that particular run.

Why is it there is a lot of fanboy hate for Judd Winick and the other former Bat-Universe writer, Devin Grayson?

I'd actively avoided any and all WS titles even though some of them had very nice art.

Their reputation was, bad story, pretty pictures.

When they came under DC's wing, I bit, and this was the first issue I read and loved it.

The Authority has had their ups and downs but I've loved them since.

Went back and read the previous Stormwatch series that directly inspired The Authority and was very impressed with them too. They were collected in paperback.

Ellis, and IIRC, Moore wrote them.

Defenders #1

0.20 USD @ Aug 1972

"I Slay by the Stars!"

Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Sal Buscema
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Letterer: Artie Simek
Editor: Stan Lee

Synopsis: The story opened with the Hulk walking in a forested area outside New York City, when a falling Namor landed from the sky, disturbed his peaceful walk. Hulk recognized the unconscious Namor as a friend from previous encounters, but failed to wake him up due to a barrier preventing him from touching Namor. Hulk remembered Dr. Strange in a previous encounter, and perhaps a "doctor" can help revive his friend, even though he was a bit trepidatious because Dr. Strange had the general public hate Hulk in their last encounter. Nonetheless Hulk leapt his way to NYC to go to Dr. Strange's household. The Hulk's presence in the street caused a public commotion full of fear. Dr. Strange who was in the middle of meditation was bothered by the commotion outside his home and went to investigate. He found the Hulk whose presence spread public fear amongst the populace. Upon seeing Dr. Strange, the Hulk was going to attack and smash him, but remembered he needed the mystic's help regarding the comatose Sub-Mariner. And at that point, Dr. Strange whisked the Hulk and himself via an invisibility and levitation spell to get Hulk and himself to the Sub-Mariner.

In the nighttime forested area of New Jersey, Dr. Strange deciphered Namor is enclosed in an unknown mystical barrier. Then the villain, Necrodamus made his presence known, and he narrated how Namor came to be enclosed in a mystical barrier, and that he wanted all three superheroes to be in his presence. In one hour, when the stars aligned, Necrodamus planned to sacrifice the Sub-mariner to his masters, the Undying Ones. This prompted Dr. Strange to act and utilize his magic powers, and the Hulk to smash against the barrier Both to no avail. Dr. Strange casted a time stopping spell to give them precious time to act. As Dr. Strange tried to magically help the Sub-Mariner, Namor's "entombed" body sings underground absorbed by the soil acting as a sponge of some sort. Dr. Strange and the Hulk go to a cavern nearby to go beneath and find Namor, and they encountered the grotesque Demon of the Dark. Hulk was happy to see the demon as he was itching to punch something, and Hulk smashed the demon into unconsciousness. The two pressed on deeper into the cavern. And they finally arrived in a sacrificial altar where Necrodamus was holding a dagger prepared to sacrifice Namor to his master, the Nameless Ones. Necrodamus transformed and is reborn as a huge muscle bound humanoid behemoth. He and the Hulk battle with him stabbing Hulk in the chest with the mystical dagger he was going to use on Namor. Meanwhile, Dr. Strange is trying to mystically free an unconscious namor. He changed the air into vapor inside Namor's mystical barrier, and Namor's eyes opened, and he powers out of the barrier and Namor is free. It's just in time as he sees Necrodamus plunged the mystical dagger in Hulk's back thus sending the green goliath to his knees and eventually to fall face down on the ground. Namor goes on the attack against Necrodamus. And Necrodamus overpowers Namor and with added strength due to the stars aligned is about to stab Namor in the neck. Dr. Strange tried to grab the stabbing hand of Necrodamus as the Hulk changed into Bruce Banner. Suddenly waking, Banner throws himself at Necrodamis neck trying to prevent Necrodamus from stabbing Namor in the neck. Necrodamus must complete the sacrifice while the stars are aligned. And a moment later, they disalign and his transformed existence loses power and he dissipated. The trio of superheroes were lucky here.

Dr. Strange tried to find out how Namor came to be entombed and unconscious and how did he fell from the sky, dropped by the mage, Necrodamus. Namor answered him stating it wasn't Necrodamus's doing, but that of the Silver Surfer. Dr. Strange ended this issue stating that the Defenders must search for the Solver Surfer to get to the bottom of this.

Comments: It is nice to read a comic book way prior to the age of political correctness. Dr. Strange comes across as a bit elitist, and borderline arrogant and bossy in attitude here. He's ordering the Hulk around like an underling and it doesn't sit well with the Hulk. I find myself hoping that the Hulk gets to punch Dr. Strange some time in the comic book, but it will not happen as this is a newly formed team book. Too bad. He also somehow elected himself as the group leader at the issue's end ordering they must find the Silver Surfer.

Namor was catatonic in the entire issue except for the last few pages. This was just a major extended action scene from a quarter of the issue in, up to the end of the issue. But there are some good character building moments in the Hulk's and Dr. Strange's characters. Hulk come across as a rebellious young tweener who doesn't like to be told what to do, while, the elitist Dr. Strange comes across as a know it all. He still kept calling the Hulk, monster throughtout the issue, citing the Hulk not as a team mate, but as a mindless being to be led around. By the Eye of Agamotto, I'd like to see the Hulk really bitch slap Dr. Strange, but this will not happen in a 1970's canon book in the Marvel Universe.

All in all a pretty straight forward introduction to have three members together in one issue. I just have to say that there three and if you add the Silver Surfer would be the most powerful team on Earth. Forget about the X-Men and Avengers. It's going to be demons and magic that would be the only antagonists to take four unearthly level heroes together. We can't have Batroc the Leaper or some other less powerful villain take on these four. Heck the Hulk is even too much for the entire Avengers. I hope Steve Englehart can come up with other storylines that doesn't involve demons in the future as opponents as that can eventually become tiresome.

Power-Man & Iron Fist #50

0.35 USD @ April 1978

"Freedom!"

Writer: Chris Claremont
Artists: John Byrne & Dan Green
Lettering: Denise Wohl
Colorist: F. Mouly
Editor: A. Goodwin

Synopsis: Luke is thrown a penthouse party by his lawyer to celebrate his clearance of all charges. In the party are NYC's elite along with his friends, Danny Rand, Misty Knight, and Colleen Wing. Danny Rand asked Luke Cage that he finally legally changed his name to Luke Cage. Luke narrated his origin of how Power-Man came to be, going to prison for something he didn't do, scientific experiment giving him invulnerable skin, his escape from the prison, etc. As he and Danny are talking, a woman name Claire, apparently Luke Cage's girlfriend here, just broke up with him unable to accept Luke's dangerous job as a superhero for hire. This prompted Misty to ask if he needed a shoulder to cry on. And suddenly two antagonists, Stilleto and Discus broke through the wall crashing the party. They were there to bring in Luke Cage to "justice." A battle ensued with the two villains and Power-Man and Iron Fist. In the ensuing melee, Iron Fist saved Misty Knight and pleaded with her to stay away from the battle. Misty defended herself citing she's not a helpless woman, but is a cop. She did stay out of the battle but not happy about it. Colleen jumped into action and landed a front kick to the face on one of the two villains. Cage meanwhile prevented and innocent woman from getting crushed, but did not recognize Cage's effort as she was more concerned that she broke one of her expensive fingernails done in the salon. Before going back into the melee, Cage stole a French kiss on this elite woman. The battle ended outside the penthouse, and in the snow Iron Fist flipped and fell into one of the roofs below. He crashed into an indoor swimming pool. Meanwhile the two goons tried to make their escape as they did not envision encountering this much trouble to bring in Luke Cage. As Misty Knight and her partner, Detective Rafael tried to arrest the two villains, Stilleto fired and hit Detective Rafael in the chest. Enraged, Misty pulled her Magnum and shot Stilleto in the shoulder and fell to the ground. Misty walked to Stilleto at point blank and drew the gun to blast the villain in the face point blank. Luke Cage jumped between the face and bullet and saved the villain's life. An angered Misty was dismayed she fired immediately with her emotions getting the best of her. Iron Fist notice Detective Rafael getting up as Stilleto hit his badge and was not mortally wounded as initially thought. The issue ended with the Heroes For Hire team chatting away and having a small talk.

Comments: I loved the art of John Byrne. It's clean and clear throughout with the visual story matching the narrative story. You can just "read" the story based on the illustrations without reading the dialogue and you can go back and read the dialogue and you'll come up with the same story. It's the 70's and I love Misty Knight's and Colleen Wing's portrayal here that they are no ladies in distress. They can take care of themselves in action. Luke's dialogue still oozes 70's Blaxploitation somewhat. But then again that's how he was written in the 70's. The dialogue can be a bit dated, but it works for the story. And Clarement and Byrne were ahead of their times. The party involved NYC's elite, but also feathured men and women of color. In the 70's that's almost unheard of, as it doesn't progress to this until about the mid to late 90's. Sweet Christmas, I have a feeling I'm going to read more issues of this new series.

Thanks. I'll go check it out. A "Mr. Fixit" Grey Hulk as part of a team, now that's going to be a handful. This persona of the Hulk was really menacing. And more entertaining. 

That's the Grey Hulk and I really do not know anything about the Grey Hulk and neither the Red Hulk too. I just too fond with the Green Hulk and I never, ever heard of The Order and I hated that Dr. Strange and Namor looks too. I used to like the Defenders and after reading it for awhile ... I stopped and that's why I have too many issues with them ... The Defenders.

Nice Review of Power Man & Iron Fist #50. I just dig the art of this book!