When there’s trouble you know who to call, Teen Titans! – Puffy AmiYumi
We all watched the 2003 animated Teen Titans on Cartoon Network back when it was good. As a fan of the show growing up, I’d like to introduce new readers to its run back in the ‘80s.
Members of The New Teen Titans consisting of Robin/Dick Grayson, Cyborg/Victor Stone, Beast Boy/Garfield Logan, Wonder Girl/Donna Troy, Kid Flash/Wally West, Starfire/Koriand’r & Raven embark on various adventures like recruiting a mysterious girl named Terra who has the power to manipulate Earth’s terrain, square off with Starfire’s sister Blackfire, they also face off with power hungry priest Brother Blood and the titular team know each other by revealing a distinctive origin story.
DC Finest have recently republished The New Teen Titans issues #21-32 and previous material including each team member’s origin story as detailed in “Tales of the New Teen Titans.” Anyway, I have one legitimate reason why I wanna share my opinion on DC Finest’s latest entry.
A live-action Teen Titans movie set within James Gunn’s DC Universe is currently in development. I always wanted to see my favorite female superhero, Raven on the big screen. “Teen Titans Go to the Movies” doesn’t count. I wanna see the real Raven. Hopefully, somebody with full potential might do the character justice. Just find the right actress who looks the part. One more thing, Starfire’s getting her own animated series set outside James Gunn’s universe.
Today’s review contains no SPOILERS.
Strong & Weak Aspects
Strong: Marv Wolfman did a decent job writing every issue.
George Pérez’s unique artwork style felt immersive. My eyes were glued to every panel.
Action Sequences display our heroes using their powers to combat enemies.
Chemistry between team members serve as the main highlight.
Pacing felt natural. Wasn’t a slow burn. I was hooked right from the get-go.
Primary Themes within #21-32 (main issues) are Trust, Teamwork, Identity, Consequence & Betrayal. Each one’s handled maturely.
Random Thoughts
- Every time I read dialogue from the team, I can already hear voice actors from the OG cartoon.
- In a future convention, I’d like to have a selfie and autograph combo of Raven herself, Tara Strong. I regret not doing it at Fan Expo Dallas 2023. I was new to going to fan conventions back then. I learned my lesson. Someday, it’ll be a dream come true.
- Like the OG cartoon, I ship Raven & Beast Boy. Despite being polar opposites, they’re meant for each other.
Here’s a comprehensive list from DC Finest’s latest entry. Combine ‘em altogether, you get 21 issues in one package for $39.99 plus sales tax. More bang for your buck. If you prefer reading DC Universe Infinite in digital format. Remember to take notes.
- The New Teen Titans #21-32 (main plot)
- The New Teen Titans Annual #1 (a galactic battle between the team and Blackfire)
- Tales of the New Teen Titans #1-4 (origin story per issue)
- The New Teen Titans: Drug Awareness #1-3
- Action Comics #536 (Superman and the team cross paths helping each other)
Terra in the Night features significant moments within the DC Universe.
- Tales of the Teen Titans #1-4 delves deep into the origin stories of Cyborg, Raven, Beast Boy & Starfire. We already know about Dick Grayson’s past.
- Brother Blood makes his debut in #21.
- Starfire’s sister, Blackfire makes her debut in #23. Hynden Walch also voiced the latter in the OG cartoon.
- Terra herself shows up in #26.
- Thunder and Lightning appear in #32.
- Annual #1 has an epic battle between Starfire & Blackfire.
- The New Teen Titans Anti-Drug Awareness #1-3 is a collaboration between DC, the Keebler Company and Ronald Reagan’s drug awareness campaign, “Just Say No.” It centers on The Protector/Jason Hart serving as a substitute for Robin. He and the team battle a drug dealing crime ring. Robin wasn’t present due to being licensed in a Saturday morning cartoon. Probably, “Super Friends.”
Weak: I know this is before the animated 2003 cartoon, but Terra isn’t a nice girl. She’s abrasive towards the team.
The Final Verdict: A-
DC’s Finest Terra in the Night’s a near-perfect storyline. Although Terra can be a pain in the rear, at least I enjoyed good parts like the team dynamic, Marv Wolfman’s artwork, origin stories and significant moments listed above. If you’re curious to read Terra in the Night along with other previous material, add it to your DC Finest Collection. Definitely worth $39.99 plus sales tax. Don’t forget to read DC Finest’s other Teen Titans themed book, “The Judas Contract.”
