Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
New Titans Annual #6 – “Starfire’s World” – Marv Wolfman/Paris Cullins, Curt Swan, Tom Grindberg/Al Vey
This one starts on Tamaran, with the Citadel forces attacking the planet and demanding the eldest daughter from each ruler’s house. Starfire’s father turned her over, but another ruler preferred to send his daughter (Xyannis, who is Karras’s sister) out in a rocket to avoid her being enslaved, kinda like Superman. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans Annual 6, Legion Annual 1”
New Titans #71 – “Beginnings … Endings … and (We Promise) New Beginnings” – Marv Wolfman/Tom Grummett/Al Vey
This one starts with the Titans returning from a mission against someone named Flashfire. They discuss Troia’s recent nightmares and say farewell as she and Terry head off to Greece (which means this intro takes place before Wonder Woman 47). The Titans part ways, but plan to get together for a party at a restaurant later. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans 71, Legion 13, Suicide Squad 47”
New Titans #70 – “Clay Pigeons” – Steve Erwin/Will Blyberg
This is a Deathstroke solo story about him getting involved in politics in the (fictional) South American country of San Miguel. Deathstroke is hired by an arms dealer and rebel sympathizer named Ramon Trujillo to destroy some weapons the government planned to use against the rebel forces. Without their weapons, the government is forced to release the rebel leader Jorge Zaxtro, a champion of the poor (and an old friend of Trujillo’s) who’s been in prison for twenty-five years. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans 70, Legion of Super-Heroes 12, Suicide Squad 46”
New Titans #69 – “House of Cards” – Barbara and Karl Kesel/Steve Erwin/Bob Smith
Last issue, the Joker put together a new Royal Flush Gang to work for him, but what none of them realize is the “Joker” is really the Gambler tracking them into doing his bidding. Wanting to prove how great he is, Danny Chase let himself get recruited by Ten to join her own band of street thieves (colourfully referred to as Ten’s Little Indians), but the Gang figured out Danny is a friend of the Titans. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans 69, Legion 11, Suicide Squad 45”
New Titans #68 – “New Deal” – Barbara and Karl Kesel/Steve Erwin/Bob Smith
This one starts with the Royal Flush Gang preparing to work for the Joker. The Royal Flushers have kinda gone downhill in the last few years: Queen is an alcoholic, Jack a fading gigolo, King and Ace (who’s human now, not a robot) are pulling small-time robberies to get by, and Ten is making like Fagin, using a gang of street kids as thieves. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans 68, Legion 9, Suicide Squad 43”
New Titans #67 – “If Looks Could Kill” – Marv Wolfman, George Perez/Tom Grummett/Al Vey
Last issue, Raven told Jericho she was dating Eric Forrester, the studly asshole the Titans met at STAR Labs a while back. Raven hasn’t banged him yet and Forrester seems very understanding about it, but we saw him leaving a dead woman’s body in his room last issue, so I’m thinking Raven’s first time might be her last if she bangs him. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans 67, Legion 8, Suicide Squad 42”
New Titans #66 – “Fatal Attraction” – Marv Wolfman, George Perez/Tom Grummett/Al Vey
This one starts with most of the Titans at a dinner party to celebrate Terry Long publishing his mythology paper (finally). Dick is absent (circus business) as are Jericho and Raven … which leads to speculation that they might be on a date together. We see Jericho and Raven and both of them do have romantic assignations—but not with each other. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans 66, Legion 7, Suicide Squad 41”
New Titans #65 – “Déja Vu” – Marv Wolfman/Tom Grummett/Al Vey
This one starts with Tim Drake going to see Dick Grayson, asking if he’ll train him to be Batman’s new partner. Dick starts by taking him to the park where they spend the entire day sitting across from a carousel. Tim figures it’s a lesson in patience (which is partly true), but when Dick asks him to describe every kid who rode the carousel in the last seven hours, Tim realizes the real lesson is about observation … and he hasn’t been very observant. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans 65, Legion 6, Suicide Squad 40”
New Titans #64 – “Scourge” – Marv Wolfman/Tom Grummett/Al Vey
Last issue, the Titans were attacked by some of the strange were-creatures they’ve been trying to find. Raven and Jericho were both wounded and the other Titans are worried, since victims of the were-creatures usually turn into mindless slaves. Starfire pursues the werebat who wounded Raven, but has to stop to rescue an innocent bystander, allowing the creature to escape (although she does blast a rapist, thinking he was the werebat). Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans 64, Legion 5, Suicide Squad 39”
New Titans #63 – “Into the Darkness” – Marv Wolfman/Tom Grummett/Bob McLeod
This one starts with Deathstroke (aka Terminator) breaking into Gar (Changeling) Logan’s room and holding a knife to his throat. Deathstroke isn’t there to threaten Gar, just to let him know that he has reasons for trying to kill Lanier and his lycanthropic friends (as we saw last issue). Gar tells the rest of the Titans, who are at the hospital where Troia is recovering from a lycanthrope attack. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans 63, Legion 4, Suicide Squad 38”