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-

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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