Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by George Pérez; Romeo Tanghal; Todd Klein; & Adrienne Roy
Cover Art by George Pérez
SUMMARY:
Published for August 1983 by DC Comics, this issue is part of the vintage New Teen Titans storyline famously known as “The Judas Contract.”
Deathstroke the Terminator (aka Slade Wilson) has accepted a contract to destroy the Titans. This issue is entitled “Endings … and Beginnings!” Celebrating malcontent Terra’s 16th birthday, the Titans are in a quandary as to whether or not they should trust her with their secret identities.
While a troubled Kid Flash (Wally West) edges closer to early retirement, Wonder Girl (Donna Troy) contemplates Professor Terry Long’s marriage proposal. Cyborg (Victor Stone) simmers over his rejection by distressed ex-girlfriend Sarah Simms. Robin (Dick Grayson) reconsiders aiding New York City’s District Attorney Adrian Chase (pre-Vigilante) on one of his mob-related cases.
When Deathstroke publicly taunts a deadly trade, Terra impulsively races off to confront him. Starfire, Changeling, Cyborg, & Kid Flash are unaware of the endgame that Deathstroke is playing. The team’s mole is shockingly revealed.
Note: This lead-in into New Teen Titans Annual # 2 would also help launch a spin-off: Vigilante, starring Adrian Chase as DC’s mid-80’s costumed anti-hero answer to Marvel Comics’ Punisher.
REVIEW:
Writer Marv Wolfman & artist George Pérez certainly deserve kudos for this knock-out issue. The aptly designed cover of a ruthless Deathstroke blasting through a seemingly blissful Titans group portrait proves true. Holding up exceptionally well after more than thirty years, Wolfman’s sophisticated storytelling equals Pérez’s timeless visuals.
Considering the spot-on Titans chemistry equals, if not surpasses, writer Chris Claremont’s X-Men of that era, this is the classic New Teen Titans! The only oddity is Cyborg & Wonder Girl resemble and act far more like mid-twentysomethings instead of teenagers. The same applies to Kid Flash, Starfire, & Robin. Only Changeling & Terra even plausibly pass for teenagers, but let’s leave this discrepancy as Wolfman’s creative license.
With the Wolfman/Pérez tag-team at the top of their game, New Teen Titans # 34 is a DC Comics gem.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There is a Titans Tower letters-and-answers column and synopses of upcoming DC titles for mid-May 1983. The one-page Meanwhile … column talks about current DC Comics news, including the company’s ongoing negotiations to acquire Charlton Comics’ Captain Atom; Blue Beetle; the Question; Nightshade; etc.
Also included is a short obituary for DC inker Frank Chiaramonte.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars
