The New Teen Titans #19
Published and © by DC, May 1982
Title: “The Light Fantastic!”
Synopsis: Doctor Light accidentally unleashes lethal incarnations of Vishnu and turns to the Teen Titans for aid. Also: Hawkman!
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciler: George Pérez
Embellisher: Romeo Tanghal
Review: New Teen Titans continues its run of done-in-one adventures with this one-off featuring a clash with Doctor Light and a pantheon of Hindu deities. Above average but not spectacular, this Marv Wolfman story takes a little time to deliver character moments before settling into a sock-’em-up fight fest against visually interesting adversaries. George Pérez’s art is excellent, as usual, featuring strong character work and excellent fight choreography. As a whole, this issue is fine Bronze Age fun but lacking a little weight. It feels like time for this iteration of the Titans to embark on their next multipart adventure.
Grade: B+
Second opinion: “This story has it all: action, adventure, humor, characterization, mythological overtones, and lots of teamwork.” – Jim Kingman, Comic Effect #25, Winter 2000
Cool factor: George Pérez plus pantheons almost always equals something cool.
Not-so-cool factor: It’s hard to square this pathetic version of Doctor Light with the psychotic rapist he would become.
Character quotable: “Good heavens! Those things are trying to kill me. What ingratitude!” – Doctor Light, not yet so dark
Editor’s note: This review was written May 11, 2023.
