Teen Titans #44
Published and © by DC, November 1976
Title: “The Man Who Toppled the Titans”
Synopsis: After an extended hiatus, the Teen Titans come back together thanks to a trap by Doctor Light.
Writers: Paul Levitz and Bob Rozakis
Penciler: Pablo Marcos
Inker: Bob Smith
Review: DC’s first attempt to revive the Teen Titans for the Bronze Age was not nearly as successful as the second relaunch; in fact, this comic might actually be a little painful for fans of The New Teen Titans. While the later Marv Wolfman/George Pérez iteration of the team was built on characterization and excellent art, this slipshod effort is a bit of a mess. The plot leaps around without much attention to logic, and the characterization lacks subtlety. Pablo Marcos’ penciling is a bit improved from earlier work (see review of The Barbarians #1), but his characters still lack solid form.
Grade: C
Second opinion: “A noble effort to update the Titans and make them contemporary to a new generation of readers. … 2 1/2 out of 4 stars.” – Brent Frankenhoff, Comics Buyer’s Guide #1605, June 2005
Cool factor: It’s good to have the Titans back. (But it’d be better in four more years. A LOT better.)
Notable: Teen Titans returns, with the same numbering, after an almost four-year hiatus. … Mal Duncan takes up the mantle of The Guardian.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “I’ve had enough of this kind of teamwork!” – Speedy (because the recovering junkie always knows best!)
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on April 6, 2010.
