Comics Cavern

Despite my general disdain for ’80s nostalgia, I have been re-reading several DC comics from that era, since it was a period of creative greatness and bold changes at the company. The kind of time, sadly, we haven’t seen in comics for a very long time. In fact, the ’80s were such a definitive period for DC that just about every book they’re currently publishing - aside from the occasional bizarre re-interpretation of Jack Kirby’s Fourth World epic - is rooted in the plots and character arcs from series like the original Wolfman/Perez New Teen Titans.

I recently commented on how much I’m enjoying re-reading that series in particular, and how remarkably well it holds up all these years after it was first published - arguably more so than even the classic Claremont/Byrne X-Men books being published at the time (let the arguing begin!). In that post, I couldn’t help but point out the amusing image above - by Curt Swan, filling in for a deadline-swamped George Perez - of Kid Flash getting intimately acquainted with Trigon during the Titans’ first run-in with Raven’s Pops.

However, I can’t help but think there’s something missing from that panel. Anything as dramatic as a face-first crash into a demon’s boy parts should be accompanied by something; a descriptive caption, a great sound effect (SPLORTCH!), or maybe some witty battle-banter from Wally:

“Hey guys, you know how Raven keeps saying we wouldn’t want to know too much about where she comes from? Well, I can confirm she’s at least half right!”

So, if you were in Marv Wolfman’s shoes, or at his typewriter, or old 1981 computer or whatever he used to script New Teen Titans Vol. 1 #5, what would you have added?

Send me ([email protected]) some text to perfect the panel, and the winner - or, if I get enough great submissions, winners - will get their names published along with their winning submission. And, as with the Comics Cavern Search Query of the Day, winners will have the opportunity to plug their blog, or e-book, or one-man off-Broadway show or whatever. Just nothing violent or hateful - unless it’s against something deserving violence or hate, in which case I’ll think it over.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s see some submissions!

© 2009, Comics Cavern. All rights reserved.

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It’s great to be fast, but you’ve gotta learn control - and you’ve gotta know when to slam on the breaks. It’s all well and good racing into battle, but it’s a lot less glamorous when you slam face first into the big red demon’s loincloth.

That looks like it hurts - I’m only grateful New Teen Titans Vol. 1 scribe Marv Wolfman spared us the description of the demonic aroma!

And yes, despite my distaste for ’80s nostalgia in general, I have indeed been re-reading the original Wolfman/ Perez New Teen Titans series that kicked off in 1980. Aside from the occasional dated references - such as Changeling’s comparison of Starfire to Loni Anderson - the series was a timeless classic, and a landmark career high point for both creators - and for creators of this high caliber that’s really saying something.

I should note, however, that Jerry Ordway Curt Swan provides the art for Kid Flash’s close encounter with Trigon’s nards depicted above – George was pencilling the Titans AND the Avengers at the time, the poor guy was bound to have deadline problems every now and then. And what a fortuitous deadline to miss – in an alternate universe, George drew this issue, and was doomed to spend the rest of his life at convention signings, begrudgingly fulfilling fans’ requests for sketches of his legendary “When Wally met Trigon” panel.

UPDATE/CORRECTION Sept. 26, 2009: I’ve been schooled on my comics history by no less than Mr. Wolfman himself, who pointed out that the artist on this issue (New Teen Titans Vol.1, #5) was not Jerry Ordway, but the legendary Curt Swan. Thanks for setting me straight, Marv!

© 2009, Comics Cavern. All rights reserved.

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