Batman #416 (February, 1988)
"White Gold and Truth"
Writer - Jim Starlin
Penciller - Jim Aparo
Inker - Mike DeCarlo
Letterer - Agustin Mas
Colorist - Adrienne Roy
Editor - Denny O'Neil
Cover Price: $0.75
Once upon a time... one Robin met another. Today we're going to go back in to the early post-Crisis era to check out the first meeting of Dick Grayson and Jason Todd.
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We open on a rooftop with Robin (Jason Todd) gazing into a skylight window. Inside is a cocaine lab with a general assortment of shady folks lingering about. What Jason does not account for is that security is top among this drug den's priorities. He gets sucker-punched from behind and winds up falling through the skylight into the lab below. The baddies, as you may assume, do not take kindly to interlopers.
Luckily, young Jason had himself something of a guardian angel on this night. The rooftop bouncer soon plummets into the lab, thrown in by Robin's predecessor... Nightwing.
Rather than starting a bruhaha, Dick just tells the gang to stand down. He apologizes for Robin's transgression, and tosses a wad of bills at the boss... which should cover all the damages made. He grabs the new Boy Wonder by the elbow and proceeds to drag him out... despite Robin's protests to the contrary.
Ya see, Robin struck this particular den a day too early. There were no drugs in the house... yet. They were set to deliver the following day... at which point, Dick assumes they will bug out and find new digs to process the powder. In other words, Robin screwed up his sting. No Drugs = No Bust. Dick tells Jason to go home and tell Batman how bad he bungled things tonight... then tells him that he will talk to "Bruce" in "the cave" the following day. Jason is shocked to find that this Nightwing knows Batman's secret identity.
The following morning we join Jason and Bruce in the middle of their daily workout. It is here that Bruce informs Jason that Nightwing was in fact his predecessor. Bruce does not appear to be all that thrilled that Dick is going to pay him a visit. Jason heads off to school, and Nightwing arrives in short order. Bruce comments that it annoys him that Dick still appears to treat the Batcave as though it's his home.
Dick and Alfred have a brief reunion before our "main event". I gotta say, it starts out preeeetty chilly.
Nightwing removes his mask, and begins what is perhaps his first true man-to-man talk with the man that raised him. He wants to know why Bruce has enlisted a new Robin. Batman seems incredibly displeased with the conversation right off the bat (pun!). He faces Dick and implies that he owes him no such explanation. It's really quite powerful, and we haven't even gotten to the "big" stuff yet.
Dick reminds him of what they'd been through together over the years, including the time he (Dick) was shot in the shoulder by the Joker. That was the event that kinda knocked some sense into the Batman... where he realized that he was endangering the life of a child in his war on crime.
It was after this encounter with the Joker that Bruce dumped Dick as a partner. To which, Dick decided to finally leave home. With only a bit of cash Alfred had "forced" on him, he went about living life. He enrolled in college, though was unceremoniously asked not to return after only a single semester... he worked with the (old) Teen Titans... he adopted a new identity... and is the leader of the (New) Teen Titans. He's been a rather busy boy since leaving the manor.
Dick continues... he expresses disappointment that Bruce himself never told him about the new Robin, instead he found out while reading the newspaper. Again, he asks why Batman took on a new sidekick... and again, we get no reply.
Dick demands Bruce take off the "damn mask" and tell him why he kicked him to the curb, and then took on another boy sidekick. Man, I hope my commentary doesn't ruin the flow... but, the first time I read this, I got a bit goosebumpy.
Bruce tells him the only reason he "fired" him, was because he'd already learned everything Bruce might have taught him. This really sets Dick off, as it appears as though young Grayson is seeing patterns in Bruce's M.O. where he always hurts the people around him before they have the chance to hurt him.
As for the new boy, Bruce recounts Jason's (post-Crisis) origin... stolen Batmobile wheels and all. He talks about Jay's self-destructive tendencies, and makes the rather bold statement that by taking him in, he just might have saved Jason Todd's life. A-hem, 'fraid I got some baaad news, Bruce.
Dick sees right through this, and calls Bruce out on it.
Bruce seems incredibly rattled by Dick's call of "B.S." After a moment of silence, he fires back... he claims Gotham is too big a job for just him alone. Again... and this is great... Dick calls him out.
What follows is an amazingly powerful page. Bruce lashes out, smashing a glass table. He finally breaks down and admits... that he brought Jason in because he was lonely. He missed Grayson. Dick reaches out, however is stopped. Bruce asks him to please leave... and so he does.
We jump ahead to the evening. Nightwing is camped out on the rooftop of the new drug den. He is shortly joined by his successor. Dick suggests the two of them team-up on this caper, and even gives Jason his last (and largest) Robin uniform. More importantly, he gives him his phone number. He knows what it's like to be a Robin... and he wants to be there if the kid ever feels the need to talk... or vent.
It isn't long before they witness the drugs being delivered... and then it's time to kick butt. They make extremely short work of the gang members and even partake in some witty banter as they do so.
We wrap up with the Boys Wonder shaking hands and celebrating a job well done. What neither of them notice is they are being watched... by the Batman, who for the first time in this issue, perhaps the first time in a long while... cracks a smile.
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Damn.
Damn damn.
This was one helluva comic book. I mean, I expected it to be good... but to say it exceeded my expectations would be an understatement. This is such a wonderful examination of the Bruce Wayne / Dick Grayson relationship... all leading up to Bruce admitting that he experienced something of an (heh) empty nest syndrome when Robin "flew the coop".
I appreciate there being a contentious relationship between Dick and Bruce. There is that concept that familiarity breeds contempt... and with these two... they were the only other person with which they could relate on a deeper level (in the post-Crisis anyway). On a personal level... you know like there are those times you can joke around with your boss... like you're real pals? Then suddenly something comes up... rank is pulled... and you're back to being a subordinate? That's kind of how I look at Bruce and Dick's dynamic. Bruce can (and will) "pull rank".
Now Dick has grown into his own man. He assembled and leads the Teen Titans... and he's even gone so far as to shed the Robin identity. Not only is he an adult, he is someone that Batman sees as an adult. Having Dick call Bruce out on his BS excuses for taking on another sidekick was such a powerful scene. You'd figure someone as smart as Batman would realize when he can and cannot get away with lying.
The bits between Dick and Jason were also great. You really get that big brother-little brother feel... which I think is the best way to play it. I really like how it seems that Dick feels a measure of responsibility for the welfare of his successor. I dug Dick giving Jason his number... hell, I swear I'd read an entire issue filled with nothing more than a phone conversation between the two of them. You gotta figure they've got a whole lotta Bat-venting swelling up inside of them.
This is definitely one of the best comics I've read since starting this blog... nearly a year ago, jeez! I'm not sure if it's collected anywhere, but as luck would have it... DC's got it up on their digital site. This gets one of my highest recommendations.
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Teen Titans (vol.3) #89 (January, 2011)
"Bruised Egos"
Writer - J.T. Krul
Penciller - Nicola Scott
Inker - Doug Hazlewood
Letterer - Sal Cipriano
Colorist - Jason Wright
Editor - Rachel Gluckstern
Cover Price : $2.99
So, ya say Damian is in charge of the Teen Titans? Nah... never happen.
Today we're gonna discuss an issue from such a bright time in Titan's history... from the criminally short-lived J.T. Krul run. One of the worst casualties of The New 52! initiative. Ever since Geoff Johns left this title, thirty-some-odd issues in, the Teen Titans were put through the wringer. The team routinely fell apart... team members routinely died, sometimes gruesomely bloody deaths... the book just really turned to garbage. J.T. Krul's arrival was like stumbling upon an oasis in the desert. The addition of the ridiculously talented Nicola Scott... and dammit, you've got an awesome Titans run goin'.
Anyhoo... this is the tail end of the pre-Flashpoint Titans where Batman (who is currently Dick Grayson) decides it may behoove young Damian to spend some time with folks closer to his own age. Let's hit it and git it...
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We open at the Silicon Valley Tech Expo. There is a young man with a hoodie... and strange circular burn marks on his head. He is joined by a man in a suit, who appears to be his handler. At one of the exhibits, a man is giving a demonstration on robotics... which, for whatever reason seems to rub our hoodie-wearing friend the wrong way. He grabs him by the wrist... which somehow allows him to make the robo-pieces levitate... and the man falls limp.
Meanwhile at Titans Tower... the gang meets, the new boss? Batman, who is now Dick Grayson, has decided to drop off his new Robin, Damian Wayne so that he can learn both the value of being a hero... and working as a member of a team. He, of course, assumes he's there to lead the team... which is great. Right out the gate, he threatens to "fire" Beast Boy... unless he ever comes across the need for a talking chipmunk, that is!
It should go without saying that Damian is something of an unwelcome presence at the Tower this day. Kid Flash and Ravager joke about his diminutive stature... which nearly causes an all-out brawl. The tension is only diffused when Bart nyoinks his Robin-a-rang away.
Cassie pulls Batman out into the hallway to "talk". She really isn't feeling this new team member, and... perhaps projecting a bit... claims not to be the Bat-babysitter. Dick pleads his case... which, honestly... shouldn't even be necessary. I mean, if Dick Grayson talks to you about Titans business... you kinda just take him at his word, right? Cassie ultimately relents, and Dick drops the tot... much to Damian's dismay. He feels as though he's being punished for something or another... though Dick assures him this is all in his best interest. Ravager overhears the exchange, and razzes the Boy Wonder a bit for it.
What follows is a brief cameo introducing an incoming character. Seems there's something of a tradition among Titans creators, where they get to introduce new members. For Krul it's Solstice. She actually makes it into The New 52! version, although she hardly resembles this bright, shiny, hopeful version.
Back at the Tower, the Titans are engaging in a bit of R 'n R... all except Cassie and Damian. Cassie is busy following up on some research with the help of the Justice Society of America's Dr. Mid-Nite, and Damian is... ya know, brooding.
Brooding, until he notices a bit of a hub-bub going down at a nearby Silicon Valley convention center. Wondy gathers the troops, and Raven 'ports them into the thick of things... but not before we have an interesting exchange on parentage between Robin and Ravager. Their dynamic during this era is a ton of fun.
At the Tech Expo, the Titans confront their spotty-headed man. Robin runs directly at him without thinking... and almost gets splatted on the floor for his impetuousness. Gar shifts into a pterodactyl and pulls who we believes to be an innocent bystander out of harm's way... but we astute readers will recognize him as the hoody-guy's handler.
The baddie unleashes a burst of energy. He then uses his powers to form all of the wreckage robotage into a swarm of insects.
This manages to keep the Titans busy for a bit... however, the distraction is enough for Raven to sneak up behind the baddie and 'port him to her "safe place".
While there, they have a bit of a heart to heart. The young man introduces himself as Barney. Raven assures him he has no need to fear, and that he doesn't need to be alone ever again... finally earning his trust. So of course, when they return to the real world... Robin socks him right in the mush.
Which proves to be a pretty bad idea indeed... Barney bursts with energy before fleeing into the San Francisco sky.
When the dust settles, the Titans stand around Damian with "Smooth moves, ex-lax" looks on their face, while the lad looks bewildered. To be continued...
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I get so mad reading these issues... just knowing that we are less than a year away from DC flushing it all down the turlet. This was such a great time for the Titans! We had an amazing creative team in Krul and Scott, and... man, we had the history. The characters had bonds to one another... there was lineage... inter-connectivity... just a great cohesive little corner of the DC Universe.
When this initially came out, I was still a bit on the fence about our young Damian Wayne. It wasn't until I saw him jawing with the Titans that I really got him. I love his back and forth with his new teammates here... threatening to toss Beast Boy off the team, and telling Ravager he'll take her other eye... so good! The very fact that he walks into Titans Tower and just assumes he's there to lead the team is amazing. The big "reveal" that Damian would join the team (in Teen Titans #88) was great as well. Maybe I'll get to that one someday.
Upon rereading this, I was a bit disappointed when the team jumped into action. I was hoping for more of the interpersonal stuff at the Tower... however, the action half of this book is absolutely vital to setting the stage for Damian's learning a thing or three about what it's like to be a part of a team. Loved the ending!
Actually... strike that... loved the entire thing! This really felt as though it was going to be a Titans Renaissance... and honestly, if not for The New 52!, I bet it would have been. Krul's writing here is spot-on, and Nicola Scott... c'mon, she's just a gift. Definitely among my top comics artists going today. Criminally cut short... but immensely enjoyable while it lasted. Definitely recommended.
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New Teen Titans #1 (November, 1980)
"The New Teen Titans"
Writer & Co-Creator - Marv Wolfman
Penciller & Co-Creator - George Perez
Finisher - Romeo Tanghal
Letterer - Ben Oda
Colorist - Adrienne Roy
Editor - Len Wein
Cover Price: $0.50
Ya know, I was gonna cover that Lex 2000 book today... but, I think by now we're all kinda spent on the election thang. Let's just have some fun instead, eh?
The only sorta-kinda political comment I'll make is... I hope the election went the way you wanted it to...
Now let's get right down to it!
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We open with Robin holding a golden woman... okay, I'm not gonna pretend I don't know who these "New" Titans are... you know who they are, I know who they are. Let's start over... We open with Robin holding a fallen Starfire while surrounded by Cyborg, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash, Beast Boy Changeling, and Raven. Their little collective is surrounded by frog-faced alien creatures.
We then shift to what is labeled as an "epilogue"... but I have a sneaking suspicion Marv meant "prologue"... anyhoo, Starfire is fleeing from those same frog-faced aliens. One refers to her as Koriand'r... however, she corrects him... it's Princess Koriand'r. She loads her bronze bod into an escape pod, and zooms off... but to where?
We now join Dick Grayson, who is sleeping at the Wayne Foundation building. He is having a nightmare featuring the old Teen Titans... alongside some New Teen Titans. He wakes up with a shout, and before he can shake the sleep from his system, he sees a woman in a long cloak standing at the foot of his bed. This of course, is Raven. She has need of him. Him, and... the Teen Titans.
She hands him a phone... which has already been dialed. On the other end... Wally West. Dick tells him what's up, but Wally just ain't feeling a return to the superhero lifestyle. He's currently a full-time college student, and here we learn that Dick has dropped out of school. Dick hangs up, and Raven says she'll "handle Kid Flash", and suggests he find Wonder Girl. He suits up, and walks past a very dapper looking Bruce Wayne (complete with ascot and pipe!) before heading out.
Robin hops on his motorbike and follows Raven's soul-self directly to Donna Troy. She is standing in the wreckage of the building that Wonder Woman found her in all those years ago. This is a plot point we discussed during Who is Donna Troy?. She recounts her origin... which at this point, wasn't nearly as convoluted as it is these days.
Dick arrives... which startles Donna, so much so that she takes a swing at him. Once she realizes that it's the Teen Wonder, she pulls back. As they catch up, they notice a dog... with green skin hanging around. It's Beast Boy Changeling!
They reconnoiter for a bit, and before long a suited-up Kid Flash arrives on the scene with a new resolve. The Raven-effect is in full-force. The foursome decide to bring the band back together and help their new caped friend.
We shift scenes to Newark City College in Newark, New Jersey. We watch as an incredibly athletic young man performs feats of amazing... well, athleticism. He is pleading with his coach to allow him to rejoin the team... after all, he's an Olympic-level athlete. The Coach says it's not in the cards, and our man lowers his hood. Half of his head is comprised of steel... why it's our old friend, Victor Stone... Cyborg! After the Coach shuffles off, Vic gets a visit from Raven.
Shortly, the rest of the Titans arrive, and Raven gives them their mission. Or she's about to, when she notes that their final member has not yet arrived. She sends the Titans to the United Nations Plaza to meet the threat head-on... and whattaya know, it's the frog-faced alien menace!
We get a few pages of a fight, and the Titans handily take down the green guys. Raven's soul-self heads off toward the nearby Secretariat Building in search of their final member... she cannot find her. Of particular interest, Robin calls attention to Raven taking off during a fight... but Wally is quick to stand up for her.
We jump to an apartment in the East Village. Through the skylight, we can see our Princess Koriand'r laying in a bed. A young couple is tending to her wounds while she babbles away in her strange alien language.
The fella who is tending to her turns out to be one Grant Wilson. Yeah, as in Deathstroke's other son... the one without the buttered-popcorn head. By all appearances, his relationship with his girlfriend Carol is quite contentious. She accuses him of cheating on her with several gals... and also calls him out for hanging around some bad apples... who I'd have to assume are bee-themed villains. As they argue, the frogmen invade!
Lucky for all involved, the Titans are hot on their tail. A battle ensues... and in quite close quarters. The frogmen swipe Starfire and flee... leaving a miniature black-hole behind to suck our heroes in. By some crafty teamwork, including Donna's golden lasso... nobody gets yanked into the void.
With a job... kinda done, the Titans prepare to leave. Grant is quick to inform them that they, ya know... destroyed his home. Robin gives him a somewhat dismissive answer and tells him he'll be compensated. This seems to trigger something in our ravaging pal.
We find that Starfire is being held captive on the lead frog-man's space ship. Apparently this young lady has a lofty price on her head, and has fallen through their fingers at least once before. Shortly, Raven deposits the Titans on board... then vanishes in search of a computer. Robin again calls attention to that fact... annnnd, Wally again defends her, this time with a bit more 'tude.
Another battle ensues, and the Titans make really quick work of the alien menace. During the fight, Vic and Raven are attending to the busted on-board computer system. Robin rescues Starfire as Gar is summoned by Raven to help.
Gar arrives at Vic's side. He is needed to attach a wire deep within the computer console. He shifts into the shape of a mouse, and does his best rodent electrician impression. Soon as that's done, the Titans take their leave.
Just in time for... the ship to explode! Whoa, that's pretty hardcore. Gotta wonder how many frog-faced aliens perished in the blast... at the very least, one called Weezak. Now, what would Batman say, Dick?
We wrap up with the Titans deciding to make their teaming arrangement permanent. Raven informs them that there is much work for them to do. Off on the periphery is our pal Grant Wilson... and a member of the H.I.V.E. discussing the very destruction of our New Teen Titans.
--
Now this is a loaded issue, innit? A great one, as well!
It seems that many Titans fans I've chatted with over the years feel that this volume took about a year (or two) before finding its feet. I'm not sure I'm totally on board with that assessment. I'll concede that there were a few weak ones in the pre-Terra issues, but overall I really dug it. This initial offering from Marv and George does a great job of setting the table for an amazing run.
It's been a long time since I've read this issue, but it feels like slipping on a comfortable pair of shoes. Here we have several disparate individuals melding into a fine oiled machine of a team within mere pages. It may seem unnatural... and the best part of this is... it's sorta supposed to be. We've got the ultimate wild card in Raven... an empath, who can ya know... kind of effect the way folks act. Just look at her effect on Wally West... this actually becomes a really cool story point later on.
Sticking with the Raven-effect for just a bit... it's pretty telling that she was somehow able to pull this team together to begin with when by all appearances none of them appeared to be terribly interested from the get-go. Like I said... a lot of this is actually addressed... and it's pretty great.
We also get the first appearance of Grant Wilson... the Ravager! I'd completely forgotten he was in here... I would've sworn he first appeared in the next issue... which, *grumble grumble* is the only issue of New Teen Titans that I am still missing. He doesn't seem nearly as menacing as I remember either... just some punk dude with a chip on his shoulder. It's amazing to consider what a seminal moment in not only Titans history, but DC Comics history this all winds up becoming... and all by chance!
If I were to pick any nits... and ya know I gotta... it's gonna be my classic DC complaint... the bad guys. Some frog-faced aliens don't really rock my socks... not that I'm all that hot on Trigon either, but I'd much rather them face a big threat right out of the gate.
Overall... if you're a Titans fan, you've probably already read this. If you somehow haven't, yeah... definitely do so. It's been collected a bunch of times, and should not be too terribly difficult to come by. Hell, you could probably stumble into a decent "reader" copy for under $10.
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(Not the) Letters Page:
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