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