The New Teen Titans Annual #1
Published and © by DC, 1982
Title: “Final Conflict!”
Synopsis: The war between the Omegans and the Citadel rages on as Starfire and Blackfire duel to the death on Tamaran.
Writers (plot): Marv Wolfman and George Pérez
Writer (script): Wolfman
Penciler: Pérez
Embellisher: Romeo Tanghal
Review: Much like Chris Claremont’s galaxy-spanning Brood Saga over at Marvel (see review of Uncanny X-Men #166), Marv Wolfman’s epic sci-fi ambitions ultimately fall short due to the limitations of the monthly comics format. There’s just too much world-building to do in too little space: multiple worlds and races, political shenanigans, a religion based on a living god. That’s a novel’s worth of material crammed in four slim issues. Working better is the visceral fight to the death between Starfire and Blackfire. And, of course, there’s George Perez’s stunning art; he’s a perfect fit for this type of story.
Grade: B+
Second opinion: “Maybe I’m being too sensitive on behalf of people who don’t need any protection, but I don’t care to see women in bondage, particularly in idealized shiny metal bonds. I don’t like to see innocent teenage girls tortured. And most of all, I’m not exactly ecstatic to find all this in a popular Code-approved superhero comic aimed at people from 10 years upward.” – Christine Padgett, BEM #36, 1982 … “Much ado about nothing. Grade: B-” – Tom Joyner, Comic Informer #7, January-February 1983 … “Epics are fine; silly, overextended, baffling epics or not. … 1 out of 5 stars.” – Comics Coast to Coast #3, 1982
Cool factor: That’s another striking George Pérez cover. (That happens a lot on The New Teen Titans!)
Notable: Includes pin-ups of Kid Flash, Robin and Wonder Girl by George Pérez.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a $1.25 Canadian variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “The time for talk is long over. I’ll only be satisfied with your death!” – Starfire (and she’s the good sister!)
Editor’s note: This review was written March 11, 2024.
