Review: Avengers - The Private War of Doctor Doom

Following their recent victories against Kang and the Squadron Supreme, the Avengers return home and are faced with the task of settling on a new roster. No sooner do they announce their line-up than the once-dead Wonder Man returns to the fold. Then, they must face off against Atlantean menace Attuma in his latest plot to best Namor the Sub-Mariner.

Avengers: The Private War of Doctor Doom collects Avengers #150-156 and Annual #6, and Super-Villain Team-up #9, written by Steve Englehart, Gerry Conway and Bill Mantlo with art by George Perez and John Buscema.

This collection follows the events of The Serpent Crown and almost immediately sees the departure of Hellcat and Moondragon (boo!), as well as Avengers mainstay Thor. With their new roster, the Avengers must investigate the circumstances behind the resurrection of Wonder Man. At the same time the Living Laser is busy plotting his revenge on the Avengers and intends to use the unstable Nuklo to do so. After that, the Avengers are captured by Attuma and are forced to attack Namor’s Hydrobase. When they arrive, however, they discover the base is being run by Doctor Doom and they are swiftly bested by the Fantastic Four foe. In order to defeat Attuma, they must form an uneasy alliance with Doctor Doom.

As a trade, The Private War of Doctor Doom is densely plotted and is continuity heavy with plenty of references to past events. It lacks excitement and depth, as it falls into the rather generic box of “supervillains trying to take over the world using some kind of experimental device.” The collection begins with a tedious re-telling of the Avengers’ rosters’ various origins and then transitions into the re-introduction of Wonder Man. Understandably, his return creates conflict between Scarlet Witch and the Vision since the latter’s brain patterns were based off of Wonder Man’s. While there may be a smidgen of tension between the newlyweds throughout this trade, that’s about it for character development. The dialogue for the Beast is strong and we get some really great action scenes involving Scarlet Witch on a solo mission, but everyone else feels depressingly generic and they all fade into the background over the course of the collected issues. It also feels dated, given the fact that these stories occur during a time period when Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver were canonically viewed as the children of the Whizzer and Miss America.

The highlight of this collection is the art done by George Perez and the late John Buscema. Perez delivers dynamic work that features an active expressiveness, while also showing off his skill at drawing the male form (we get a rather strong panel of Namor flying through the air towards the end). Buscema, meanwhile, has a distinctive moodiness to his style that emphasizes some of the more emotional aspects to these characters. Notably, there’s a series of panels in which the Scarlet Witch is distraught and turns for comfort from the Wasp when she’s given the cold shoulder by her husband.

Avengers: The Private War of Doctor Doom isn’t the most impressive collection of stories featuring Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. It’s an awkwardly plotted series of stories that follow on the heels of Steve Englehart’s remarkable run on The Avengers. Where his stories often included social commentary and soapy interpersonal drama, The Private War of Doctor Doom restores the status quo of paint-by-numbers supervillain conflicts. Attuma and Doctor Doom make for great opponents for the Avengers, but the narrative never attempts to do something new with them. It’s also mildly irritating that Hellcat and Moondragon were written out, since both had been standouts in the preceding trade Avengers: The Serpent Crown. Though we get some notable art from Perez and Buscema, The Private War of Doctor Doom is skippable.

RATING: C-

Review: Avengers - The Serpent Crown

When Hawkeye goes missing, Thor and new Avenger Moondragon must travel into the past in order to recover their arrow-slinging ally. There, they must confront the villainous Kang as he schemes yet again to conquer Earth. Back in the present, the remaining Avengers duke it out with the Squadron Supreme after uncovering a plot by the corrupt Roxxon Oil Corporation.

Avengers: The Serpent Crown collects Avengers #141-144 and #147-149, written by Steve Englehart and illustrated by George Perez.

With the superstar talent of Englehart and Perez behind it, The Serpent Crown stands as one of the most notable collection of stories from the early Bronze Age Avengers. Set during the Beast’s probationary period with the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, this trade collects two concurrent storylines involving the Avengers’ conflicts with Kang the Conqueror and the Squadron Supreme (AKA Marvel’s “tribute” to the Justice League). It’s a tightly written, dynamically drawn seven issue arc that is packed with character development and incredible action. Englehart’s scripting sets the tone by creating an electric chemistry between the characters and sticking to a set theme of corporate corruption, while Perez’s pencil work fills each panel with expressiveness to match.

There are a lot of developments in The Serpent Crown, which is perhaps what has marked it for collection purposes above many other story arcs for the Avengers from the 1970s. Notably – Captain America re-joins the team after a lengthy leave of absence, Hawkeye departs from the Avengers to pursue a (mostly) solo career out west, and Patsy Walker makes her debut as the superheroine Hellcat. As mentioned previously, it’s also set during the Beast’s early days adventuring with the Avengers, which itself is important as it’s shortly after he turned his iconic blue hue. In fact, it is the interplay between Hellcat and Beast that makes this arc as interesting as it is. The habitually bickering duo is at odds with one another, which adds a layer of humour to their dynamic. Beyond all of that, Englehart and Perez seem to be setting new precedents for the portrayal of women in comic books.

Aside from a questionable line in which Hellcat declares that she’s no “women’s libber,” The Serpent Crown seems to be concerned with the pursuit and control of power when wielded by women. Newcomer Moondragon is unashamed and confident in her incredible psychic gifts. She employs them with a mastery that was often unseen amongst female characters in comic books. In fact, she seems to consider herself an equal to Thor and even questions why he (and by extension her) is “slumming” it with the mortal Avengers. Similarly, Scarlet Witch is seen embracing her status as a true witch and her power set seems to have grown exponentially as a result of this. A key scene in this collection involves Wanda becoming the caretaker for the Serpent Crown and must use her formidable willpower to free herself from its evil influence. Though Vision tries to intervene and “rescue” her, it’s clear that Wanda needs no one but herself to save the day. It’s an internal battle that is portrayed earnestly through Perez’s art and is a moment that is not to be overlooked, though it might be easy to do so given the incredible physical feats accomplished by the men in this book.

As much as we see Moondragon and Scarlet Witch embracing their fierceness, the slightly dippy Patsy Walker still has a ways to go. In fact, The Serpent Crown is very much her story and focuses on her rapid maturation from silly romance heroine to sassy superheroine. Much is made early on about how burdensome Patsy is as she accompanies the Avengers, with some members laying blame on her for their predicament when they are captured by the Squadron Supreme (namely, Vision). Through flashbacks, we see that Patsy lived a relatively unfulfilling life in a small town and that her marriage was disastrous. We learn that she’s always dreamed of being a hero and that she’ll do anything it takes to be one. By the time she finally dons the Cat costume, she’s adamant about dedicating her life to heroism. It’s admirable and her spunk is infectious, though the disdain from her male cohorts (and concern – on Captain America’s part) looms heavily over her. Thankfully, she does appear to prove herself and she’s shown to be quite fearsome in battle (though it’s implied that the suit may be doing most of the work for her).

The Serpent Crown is an enjoyable – albeit dated – read. Englehart and Perez make for a great team, one which suits the tone and aesthetic of the Avengers. As with his previous work on the title, Englehart always adds an angle of social relevance to the book and taps into themes that can be related to even today. His dialogue is satisfactory, though verbose at times, and he has a good grasp on the characters involved. I’m also rather impressed by how he handles the many women present in this collection. It also goes without saying that Perez’s pencils are gorgeous to look at. Given that this represents some of his earlier work, the art is not quite as defined or detailed as it would be later in New Teen Titans or Wonder Woman. There are minor issues with proportions and perspective every now and then. If anything, The Serpent Crown represents a strong showing from an era oft forgotten by comic book fans. Plus – it’s got Hellcat and Moondragon in key roles!

RATING: B

Review: Supergirl Volume 2 - Girl in the World

After meeting an enigmatic young woman named Siobhan Smythe, Supergirl discovers that her new friend is hiding a dark secret -- that Siobhan's father is the villainous Black Banshee. Tragically, this mystical foe may be too much for the Maid of Maid to handle.

Supergirl Volume 2: Girl in the World collects Supergirl #8-12 and #0, written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson with art by George Perez and Mahmud Asrar.

After fighting off the Kryptonian warriors known as the Worldkillers, Supergirl is once again confronted by authorities. Thankfully, she's saved by Siobhan Smythe. This punk rocker becomes Supergirl's first ally and serves as an ambassador for the titular heroine. This is the first person aside from Superman that is able to understand Kryptonian and she begins Supergirl's process of acclimatizing to Earth's culture. Beyond her narrative function, Siobhan is a fun character who lightens the tone of the book. Most interestingly, however, is the fact that she's revealed to be the Silver Banshee. Once a classic Superman foe, the Silver Banshee is re-imagined here and made to be a hero. The antagonist is instead Siobhan's father, which was a very interesting choice especially given his creepy character design.

Green and Johnson do a great job of building a world around Supergirl. It enables her to become more grounded and provides her with the perspective she needs as to what she's fighting for. They are also to be applauded for adding magic into the mix. The sequence in which Supergirl faces off against the Black Banshee on a mystical plane is executed well and adds visual variety to the battles we see in this book. It's also worth noting that Siobhan and her brother Tom are excellent supporting characters. In addition to Siobhan's infectious attitude and status as the Silver Banshee, her brother's positioning as a potential love interest for Supergirl makes this cast really workable and loveable. That's why it's so disappointing when they're discarded so quickly from the narrative (don't worry they don't get killed off!).

On top of the main narrative of the series, Girl in the World collects issue #0. This story recounts Supergirl's last few hours on Krypton from the perspective of her father Zor-El. This glimpse into the character's family life is fascinating and shows Zor-El as someone who is willing to do anything to protect his daughter. The issue also helps to fill in some holes regarding plot points that were brought up earlier, but also brings up a new set of questions. As such, it does the task of both satisfying readers and teasing them at the same time.

With this collection, Supergirl continues its reign as one of the most captivating titles in DC Comics' The New 52 stable. The Black Banshee arc is a total page-turner and the inclusion of the Smythes as temporary supporting characters is a brilliant choice. Green and Johnson keep readers on the edge of the seat not only through intense action scenes, but through cliffhangers and subtle mysteries as well. Beyond the impeccable writing and tone of the book, Asrar continues to impress with his art. He knows how to masterfully set a scene and illustrates such a wide variety of settings. All in all, Supergirl Volume 2: Girl in the World is a satisfying read and will no doubt convert quite a few people into fans of the Maid of Might.

Rating: A-

Top 20: Best Wonder Woman Stories, Part 2

From ancient witches to vengeful gorgons, Wonder Woman has battled some of the most unbelievable threats over the course of her illustrious career. This Amazing Amazon has proven her worth time and again in incredible stories that rival that of her contemporaries Superman and Batman. 

Picking up from part one, here is the second half of the top 20 greatest Wonder Woman stories.

10. Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia
 Written by: Greg Rucka
Illustrated by: J.G. Jones

In this modern Greek tragedy crafted by Greg Rucka, Wonder Woman is duty-bound to protect a young woman named Danielle Wellys. When she discovers that Danielle is responsible for the murder of a group of sex slavers, Wonder Woman must do battle against Batman as he attempts to bring Danielle to justice.

The Hiketeia is a brilliant example of the complexity of Wonder Woman's character. She is bound by ancient traditions that often conflict with modern laws and rights, which puts her at odds with some of her allies. Aside from that, The Hiketeia serves as a reminder that Batman is far from invincible and the Amazing Amazon is always ready to put him in his place (under her stylish red and white boots).

09. The Fist of Flame,
Wonder Woman v1 #201-202
Written by: Dennis O’Neil, Samuel R. Delany
Illustrated by: Dick Giordano

In this mod era adventure, Wonder Woman forges an unlikely alliance with Catwoman in order to procure an ancient artifact known as the Fist of Flame. After an initial cat fight (pardon the pun), the pair band together to defeat the forces of the villainous Lu Shan.

Of all of the mod era adventures, this one stands out as one of the most unique and ambitious. It blends globe-trotting 007-style intrigue with science fiction to create a memorable read for this time period. On top of that, it provides a rare team-up between two of DC Comics' most iconic heroines. I'll admit this choice is 100% biased since the story (as all were from this era) is quite problematic by today's standards.

08. Rise of the Olympian, 
Wonder Woman v3 #26-33
Written by: Gail Simone
Illustrated by: Aaron Lopresti

When an unstoppable menace known as Genocide threatens to destroy everything Wonder Woman holds dear, the Amazing Amazon is pushed to her limits and must go further than she's ever gone to bring down her foe.

In general Gail Simone's run on Wonder Woman was a satisfying read, but "Rise of the Olympian" managed to be an exceptional story from that era. Simone simultaneously created an incredibly terrifying villain and crafted an epic befitting of Wonder Woman's stature.

07. Gods of Gotham, 
Wonder Woman v2 #164-167
Written by: Phil Jimenez, J.M. DeMatteis
Illustrated by: Phil Jimenez

After the Greek Gods of terror, discord, and fear take possession of Gotham City's most dangerous criminals, Wonder Woman and Batman team up to stop this divine threat and rescue Harley Quinn.

By and large, Wonder Woman's supporting cast is often overlooked by the comic community. However, this four part adventure put them at the forefront and used Batman's cast to create an interesting comparison between the two "families." Beyond that, it proved that Wonder Woman's baddies are exponentially more dangerous than Batman's (just saying).

06. The Witch on the Island, 
Wonder Woman v2 #18-19 
Written and Illustrated by: George Perez

While touring Greece with her friends Julia and Vanessa Kapatelis, Wonder Woman is captured by the devious Circe and is marked for death by the witch.

As far as Wonder Woman villains go, Circe is arguably the most dangerous. In this introductory arc, her origin is detailed and she makes a rather big impact on the Amazing Amazon's life. From this point onwards, Circe would be treated as Wonder Woman's arch nemesis and would show up in nearly every succeeding major storyline.

05. The Medusa Saga, 
Wonder Woman v2 #196-213
Written by: Greg Rucka
Illustrated by: Drew Johnson

After penning a best-selling memoir, Wonder Woman comes under fire from the media for her beliefs and is targeted by the insidious Veronica Cale. To make matters worse, Circe resurrects the monstrous Medusa and pits her against the Amazing Amazon.

Often considered one of the best Wonder Woman writers, Greg Rucka outdid himself with this epic. This grouping of issues are an informal continued narrative held together by the presence of Veronica Cale, Circe, and Medusa. Rucka shows off his knowledge of the character rather well over the course of these issues and he rightly focuses on her status as an ambassador.

04. The Legend of Wonder Woman Volume 1: Origins,
Written and Illustrated by: Renae De Liz

As a mysterious darkness begins infecting Paradise Island, the young Amazon Princess Diana dedicates herself to finding its cause. This eventually leads her to America, where she takes up arms alongside the singer Etta Candy to fight the Axis during World War II.

The Legend of Wonder Woman is a colourful and whimsical retelling of Wonder Woman's origins that places an emphasis on the power of sisterhood. It is gorgeously illustrated and features some truly creative reimaginings of the Wonder Woman mythos.

03. The Witch & The Warrior,
Wonder Woman v2 #171, 174-176
Written and Illustrated by: Phil Jimenez

After Wonder Woman's arch nemesis Circe turns every male citizen of New York City into animals and unleashes an army of female villains to hunt them down, Wonder Woman enlists the aid of every known heroine on Earth to stop the wicked witch.

Aside from this being hands-down the best Wonder Woman vs. Circe story around, Phil Jimenez uses this arc to re-introduce the Perez-era character Vanessa Kapatelis to readers as well as a new Cheetah. This narrative acts as a beautiful tribute to the George Perez run and proves to be an excellent example of just how dangerous Circe can be.

02. The Princess and the Power,
Wonder Woman v2 #1-7
Written by: George Perez, Greg Potter
Illustrated by: George Perez

In this origin story, Princess Diana of Themyscira competes in a contest that earns her the right to travel to "Man's World" to battle the evil forces of the God of War. This unassuming Princess subsequently becomes the superheroine known as Wonder Woman and she brilliantly takes down Ares before he can unleash World War III upon the world.

This arc would serve as the beginning of George Perez's legendary run on Wonder Woman. It re-introduced the character for a new generation of readers and helped to revitalize the franchise. The supporting cast at this time was incredible and the stories were woven with the intricate narratives from Greek mythology. 

01. A Day in the Life, 
Wonder Woman v2 #170
Written by: Phil Jimenez, Joe Kelly
Illustrated by: Phil Jimenez

As part of a new assignment, intrepid reporter Lois Lane follows Wonder Woman around for one day in an attempt to uncover the Amazing Amazon's dirty laundry. Even though she initially sets out to write a cynical expose, Lois quickly discovers that the truth about Wonder Woman is that she's flawlessly imperfect.

Perhaps it's my own bias for Phil Jimenez speaking, but this single issue stands as the greatest Wonder Woman story ever told. In the pages of this one comic, Jimenez and co-writer Joe Kelly sum up the character so brilliantly and poignantly that it is sure to move even the most cynical of readers. Wonder Woman is more than just a superhero and this story celebrates that by showing that she is Gloria Steinem, Diana Princess of Wales, Marie Curie, and Angelina Jolie all wrapped up in a star-spangled one-piece.

Top 20: Best Wonder Woman Stories, Part 1

As far as superheroines go, no one is as iconic as Wonder Woman. Introduced in 1941, this Amazing Amazon has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of people with her incredible adventures. Personally speaking, I've been reading Wonder Woman's comics since I was a kid and have devoured as many issues as I can. As such, I've developed an affection for the character.

Presented here are the 20 greatest Wonder Woman stories (that I've read). Whether you're a hardcore Wonder Woman fan or new to comics, there will be something for everyone here. 

Sit back and experience the wonder...

20. The Twelve Labors,

Wonder Woman v1 #212-222
Written by: Len Wein, Cary Bates, Robert Kanigher, Eliott S. Maggin, Martin Pasco
Illustrated by: Curt Swan, Irv Novick, John Rosenberger, Dick Giordano

Like Hercules before her, Wonder Woman undergoes a series of trials to prove her worth to the Justice League after an extended absence from the team.

This ten issue arc is a varied display of Wonder Woman at her finest. Over the course of this narrative, the members of the Justice League observe the Amazing Amazon as she takes down such threats as the nefarious Mars and the devious Dr. Cyber. While "The Twelve Labors" varies in quality, it features some beautiful art and does a great job of showcasing not only Wonder Woman, but the other members of the League as well.

19. The Wrath of Dr. Cyber,

Wonder Woman v1 #178-182
Written by: Dennis O'Neil
Illustrated by: Mike Sekowsky

When Wonder Woman's lover Steve Trevor is murdered, the Amazing Amazon must hunt down his killer. There's only one problem -- her fellow Amazons have left the mortal plane to replenish their magics, leaving Wonder Woman without her powers. Now fully mortal, Diana becomes a master martial artist and takes off in pursuit of Steve's murderer.

During the 1960s, sales for Wonder Woman's title plummeted and Dennis O'Neil was brought on to revitalize the comic. He brought the character into the mod era without her powers and transformed her into somewhat of a James Bond (in cuter outfits of course!). In this first arc, Diana proves just how badass she can be without powers and she comes up against one of the coolest villains from the Silver Age (Dr. Cyber). For fans of the Sean Connery 007, these issues should be right up your alley.

18. War of the Wonder Women,

Wonder Woman v1 #204-206

Written by: Robert Kanigher, Cary Bates

Illustrated by: Don Heck

After the death of her mentor I-Ching, Diana returns to Paradise Island. Before she can reclaim her title of Wonder Woman, she is challenged by the mysterious warrior Nubia. It is soon revealed that Nubia is Diana's twin, but was kidnapped by the God of War when she was an infant. Now an adult, Nubia has returned, but is she friend or foe?

The introduction of Nubia is fraught with a lot of problematic elements that come across as racist. This three issue arc should be picked apart and critiqued within an inch of its life. At the same time, it's an important and noteworthy arc due to the fact that it introduces (arguably) the first black superheroine in comics. Nubia establishes herself as a complex and conflicted character who is a worthy rival to Wonder Woman. This arc is notable for the beginning of Diana's career with the United Nations as well, which was a great way to bring the character into the Bronze Age of Comics.

17. The Queen of Fables,

JLA #47-49

Written by: Mark Waid

Illustrated by: Bryan Hitch

When the Queen of Fables is released from an ancient mystical tome, she comes to believe that Wonder Woman is her most hated foe -- Snow White. She puts the Amazing Amazon in a deep slumber and it is up to her teammates in the Justice League to save her.

Even though Wonder Woman is most closely associated with Greek mythology, the usage of fairytale lore works remarkably well within the context of a Wonder Woman story. It also brilliantly subverts the archetypes as well, proving that the Amazing Amazon doesn't truly need a bunch of white knights to protect her.

16. The Circle,

Wonder Woman v13 #14-17

Written by: Gail Simone

Illustrated by: Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson, Ron Randall

With Themyscira left without Amazons following a war with America, the island is invaded by the forces of Captain Nazi. A newly resurrected Queen Hippolyta and her estranged daughter must fight them off, while also contending with the return of an Amazonian cabal that once plotted to kill Diana.

Gail Simone was joined by superstar artist Terry Dodson for this opening arc to her impressive run on Wonder Woman. This tale adds layers to the Wonder Woman's backstory without compromising what makes it so unique. It's also got a lot of action with the right amount of humour and heart that has become a trademark for Simone's work.

15. Chalk Drawings,

Wonder Woman v2 #46

Written by: George Perez, Mindy Newell

Illustrated by: Jill Thompson

In this sobering one-off issue, George Perez and Mindy Newell explore suicide and the emotional impact it leaves behind. While Wonder Woman may be used to battling demons and super villains, the idea of someone taking their own life leaves the Amazon with a much different perspective on human life.

During the Perez era, Wonder Woman faced many real world issues and saw first-hand how self-destructive people could be. While he'd dealt with abuse and drug addiction in previous story lines, this issue in particular remains especially relevant in today's climate of high suicide rates among teenagers.

14. A Star in the Heavens,

Wonder Woman v3 #24-25

Written by: Gail Simone

Illustrated by: Bernard Chang

In this two-parter, Wonder Woman heads to Hollywood in order to act as a consultant for a movie based on her life. Things go from bad to worse when the Queen of Fables shows up to sabotage the production.

It's been a long-standing joke that Wonder Woman had never had a live-action theatrical film of her own. Writer Gail Simone takes that head on and uses these two issues to explore the very real problems of the depiction of women on film. It's clever and witty, while still being quite critical of the film industry. At its core, this two-parter is Simone giving the middle-finger to every film exec who thinks Wonder Woman needs to be changed in order for audiences to love her.

13. Strangers in Paradise,

Wonder Woman v2 #37-40

Written by: George Perez, Mindy Newell

Illustrated by: Chris Marrinan

When the Amazons open their island paradise to outsiders for the very first time in centuries, the Goddess of Discord uses her Golden Apples to turn everyone against each other. It's up to Wonder Woman and intrepid reporter Lois Lane to stop this Goddess from behaving badly.

If there's one thing that Perez did well, it was incorporating Greek mythology into Wonder Woman's stories in a seamless way. He did so impeccably in this four-parter, as the Goddess Eris unleashed her fury upon the Amazons and their mortal guests. It was also a chance to see Lois Lane outside of her role as Superman's love interest.

12. The Serpent and the Amazon,

Wonder Woman v1 #274-278

Written by: Gerry Conway

Illustrated by: Jose Delbo

On a day like any other, Wonder Woman meets an environmental activist named Debbie Domaine. This meeting proves fateful as Debbie is subsequently kidnapped and transformed into the evil Cheetah in order to kill the Amazing Amazon. The terrorist organization known as Kobra is revealed to be behind this plot and Wonder Woman must do everything within her power to stop them.

The Golden Age and Silver Age weren't terribly friendly to Wonder Woman. The thinly plotted stories often featured goofy villains and woefully racist caricatures, while the character herself got tied up or bound in nearly every issue. Thankfully, the Bronze Age brought on a tougher and more competent Wonder Woman. These four issues demonstrate that perfectly and serve to introduce a much more interesting Cheetah to readers. These issues also get props for addressing environmental concerns.

11. The Savage Moon,

Wonder Woman v2 #28-35

Written by: George Perez

Illustrated by: Chris Marrinan

When the Cheetah pilfers Wonder Woman's golden lasso, the Amazing Amazon embarks on a globe-trotting adventure to recover her stolen weapon. In the process, she stumbles upon a long lost tribe of Amazons… and they're none too happy to see her.

One of the most fascinating things George Perez did during his time on Wonder Woman was introduce the Bana-Mighdall faction of Amazons. They were a splinter group of Amazons who chose the way of war instead of peace, living in the sand-swept deserts of east Africa. Their contrast to the Amazons on Diana's homeland was fantastic and it served to really give the character further perspective into her heritage.

Part two can be found here: https://divas-femmes-fatales.blogspot.ca/2014/07/top-20-best-wonder-woman-stories-part-2.html

Review: The New Teen Titans Omnibus, Volume 2

After two years on The New Teen Titans, Marv Wolfman and George Perez had a bonafide hit on their hands. With their unique cast of characters and thrilling stories, this dynamic duo faced the challenge of keeping readers engaged and helping their creations to grow. The New Teen Titans Omnibus: Volume 2 collects Wolfman and Perez's third and fourth years on the title. In this magnificent oversized volume, the Teen Titans face off against deadly aliens, betrayal, and growing up.

While the first volume in this series featured stories of varying qualities, this collection is a genuine page turner. In the first arc, the Titans come up against the threat of the sinister Brother Blood. As far as villains go, Blood is terrifying and seemingly unstoppable. Wolfman and Perez carefully tackle the subject of cults and religion with this character, as well as the influence such factions have on the media and youths. However, it is not Brother Blood that stands as the most menacing villain in this collection. That honour goes to Starfire's sister Komand'r. In the most thrilling adventure available in this volume, Komand'r kidnaps her sister and subjects her to the most inhumane tortures imaginable. Dubbing herself Blackfire, Komand'r manipulates her allies and establishes herself as one of the Titans' greatest enemies. All of this leads towards one of the most epic battles ever witnessed in comic books. At the climax of this arc, Starfire and her sister face off in a duel to the death. It is bloody, violent, and solidified Starfire's status as a true survivor.

The narratives that follow Starfire and Blackfire's battle in space lead up to the much-loved "The Judas Contract" storyline. This four-part tale of suspicion and betrayal changed the status quo for the Teen Titans. The Titans had recently invited the young hero known as Terra into their ranks, not knowing that she was a mole planted on the team for Deathstroke. As Wolfman and Perez peeled back the layers of the character, it became evident that Terra was one of the most unfeeling and psychotic figures ever depicted in the pages of a comic book. It was a stroke of genius for the creative team and made The New Teen Titans one of the most groundbreaking comic books of all time. Beyond that, "The Judas Contract" is notable for Dick Grayson becoming Nightwing and Wally West giving up his title of Kid Flash.

The New Teen Titans Omnibus: Volume 2 is a must-have for any comic book fan and is especially necessary for lovers of Starfire. This collection is a non-stop thrill ride with surprising twists and turns. The characters are intricate and complex, which makes them incredibly relatable. Perez's art is gorgeous and expressive, making this not only a great collection of stories but also an artistic masterpiece. Do not pass up on a chance to read these stories, they're influential for a reason.

Rating: A-

Buy your copy on Amazon today.

Review: The New Teen Titans Omnibus, Volume 1

As far as dynamic duos in comic books go, Marv Wolfman and George Perez are easily within the top ten. Their legendary run on The New Teen Titans re-invented the way readers looked at sidekicks and was the primary influence for the Teen Titans cartoon from the 2000s. The New Teen Titans Omnibus Volume 1 collects the first two years of their run, giving fans a chance to read these adventures from the very beginning. In this oversized hardcover collection, the Teen Titans are re-assembled after an invasion of the alien race known as the Gordanians. Starfire, Raven, Cyborg, and Changeling join mainstays Robin, Wonder Girl, and Kid Flash to form the “new” Teen Titans.

The first two years of their adventures are chronicled here in fresh, new colours and features them facing off against the likes of Deathstroke, the Brotherhood of Evil, and the demonic Trigon. For the most part, Wolfman and Perez were still finding their feet. Many of the villains in this compilation are too colourful and too zany to be taken seriously. Wolfman and Perez also have a tendency to overdramatize. Cyborg is overly angsty and is incredibly antagonistic towards his teammates. It makes him incredibly unlikable. Similarly, Changeling’s flippant attitude becomes rather grating after a while. Even the sweet romantic overtones of Kid Flash and Raven's interactions are all but ruined by messy lashings of melodrama.

However, there are moments of brilliance here. Starfire and Raven are the runaway stars of the Teen Titans. Starfire’s attitude and impulsivity make her incredibly compelling, while Raven’s compassion and tragic backstory are gripping. Standout stories include the Titans’ battle against Trigon, as well as their desperate attempt to rescue Wonder Girl from the clutches of the Titans of Myth. Another thrilling adventure sees them facing off against the Fearsome Five, who prove to be an incredibly dangerous band of miscreants. There's even a crossover with the Justice League of America here! Also included are the origin stories for the four new recruits. As can be expected, Starfire and Raven’s origins are the best of the bunch. In fact, Starfire's origin story is arguably the most harrowing and multifaceted story in this collection.

There’s no denying that every Teen Titan fan should own this collection. It is essential reading that features some of the most iconic adventures the Titans have had to date. The art is stunning and dynamic, while the characters are captivating. The only fault with this compilation is the variance in quality. Any stories that focus too heavily on Cyborg or Changeling tend to be much less interesting than those that spotlight the other Titans. While this could largely be a personal preference, Wolfman and Perez’s work is at its strongest when the women are placed at the forefront. Lastly, readers will want to be aware of the age of these stories. They’re from the early-‘80s and have a different aesthetic than contemporary works. The writing is fuller and the art can be a little gaudy at times. That said, consider yourself lucky if you manage to get your hands on this big honkin’ textbook of a collection!

Rating: B