The New Teen Titans Annual #2
Published and © by DC, 1983
Title: “The Murder Machine”
Synopsis: The Titans’ battle with mobster Anthony Scarapelli comes to a head, but final resolution comes from a new character – Vigilante!
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist (layouts): George Pérez
Embellisher: Pablo Marcos
Review: This annual is a tricky one to grade. As usual, Marv Wolfman and George Pérez deliver plenty of well-choreographed action wrapped in a healthy dose of superhero melodrama. But their solid storytelling is undermined by the introduction of some seriously B-list new characters. The Vigilante is a Punisher knockoff (who was already an Executioner knockoff), but trades the skull emblem for a track suit and ski goggles. Spear is a Mr. T look-alike who, well, chucks spears (yikes). Bazooka shoots, you guessed it, a bazooka … and chews bubblegum (wow). Not the creative team’s best new characters.
Grade: B+
Cool factor: There’s a LOT going on in this jam-packed annual.
Not-so-cool factor: Still getting over Spear and Bazooka.
Notable: First appearance of Vigilante and Cheshire.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a $1.25 Canadian variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “Adrian Chase is dead. I am … the Vigilante!” – The Vigilante (not the Punisher)
Editor’s note: This review was written July 22, 2024.
