Suggested Reading...

Before there was a Young Avengers there were Teen Titans. The Teen Titans were created way back in 1964 for a storyline in The Brave And The Bold #54. They consisted of Aqua Lad, Robin, and Kid Flash who were the teen aged side kicks of Aquaman, Batman, and The Flash. By the time they were given their own book they had taken on Wonder Woman's little sister Wonder Girl and Green Arrow's side kick Speedy. These five (in modern continuity) are considered the founding members of the team.



The series really didn't have a huge following until The New Teen Titans debuted in 1980. The new roster included founding members Robin, Wonder Girl, and Kid Flash along with newcomers Changeling, Raven, Starfire and Cyborg. This version of the group ended up being DC's best selling book throughout the 80's. It made stars of writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez. During the 90's the book's popularity waned and several different attempts to recapture it's popularity failed.



The series was revamped in 2003 by Geoff Johns and Mike McKone. This version of the team started a new wave of interest and now the book is back in the best selling lists.
I have chosen a few of my very favorite story lines from the 80's to the present. These books have brought me great entertainment!!!

Here are some favorites:

(click photos for links)



The Judas Contract: Marv Wolfman, George Perez; This was the beginning of a more serious tone for the Teen Titans. It is possibly the most well known and critically acclaimed story line in Titans history. The Titans take in a new member named Terra. She becomes very close to them (especially Changeling) and everything seems like a fairy tale. One day things take a terrible turn and the Titans learn every rose has it's thorns. This is also around the time that Dick Grayson stops being Robin and a new hero (Nightwing) is born. This story is really a classic in the eyes of DC readers and creators alike. It is a must read.



The Terror of Trigon: Marv Wolfman, George Perez; This is my all time favorite Titans storyline!!! Raven has been changing for months but no one notices until it is too late. Armageddon is upon us and the only ones who might be able to stop it are the Titans. George Perez's artwork is always awesome, but in this story it is amazing. He manages to give us a vision of Hell that is truly horrifying. I can't really think of anything that is wrong with this collection. I loved every single issue.



A Kid's Game: Geoff Johns, Mike McKone; This is the first story arc in the 2003 revamp of the Titans. I was very suspicious of this and it took me forever to actually read it. When I did I was pleasantly surprised! This story rocks. Cyborg, Starfire and Beast Boy (aka Changeling) decide it is up to them to give the younger generation the guidance and opportunities they once had...but new new generation of heroes is very apprehensive after the very tragic failure of their first attempt at a team (Young Justice). They are also not very supported by each of their individual mentors.



Family Lost: Geoff Johns, Mike McKone; This is the return of Raven AND the return of long time enemy Brother Blood! It is a good story and also a very creepy one. If you are a Raven fan this is a must read.



The Future Is Now: Mark Waid, Geoff Johns, Mark McKone; The Titans are accidentally sent to the future and they don't like what it has in store for them. This is an important pre-Infinite Crisis story. They must figure out how to get home and how to save themselves from a less than happy future existence.



The Insiders: Geoff Johns, Judd Winnick; This is actually a Teen Titans/Outsiders crossover. The teams really haven't worked that closely together since the death of Donna Troy. Now it seems each team has a traitor and the teams must work together to save themselves.



The Death and Return Of Donna Troy: Phil Jiminez, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez; These two story lines are very significant in the history of the Teen Titans. In anothet Titans/Outsiders crossover, Donna Troy (the original Wonder Girl and founding member) was killed in the blink of an eye...little did anyone know that she would return years later with an important message and mission. This is another pre-Infinite Crisis tie-in.



Around the World: Geoff Johns, Tony Daniel; It is one year since Infinite Crisis and there is a whole new Titans team. Is the bleak vision of the future coming true? The new Teen Titans have had many members from all over the world in the past year and now they have discovered there was a traitor among them. They must travel around the world to find all the former members to sniff out the rat, thus saving Raven who apparently is in trouble...again...



In 2003 the Cartoon Network created an animated series version of Teen Titans. It was very popular and I have to admit I love it! It is a perfect blend of Anime and American animation. The stories are geared for children but is it so much fun to watch you really don't notice. I reminds me of when I was a kid and I used to watch Voltron! The above YouTube is an episode of the show. Check out that theme song! Hell Yeah!

Why You Should Be Watching....

SMALLVILLE



Now I have to admit, I have not always been a fan of Smallville. I could barely watch it last season. We have had a very rocky relationship through the years. This season I have been pleasantly surprised! Smallville is back for a sixth season and so far it is my favorite of the bunch!

For those of you that don't know anything about the show:



Smallville tells the story of a high school (now college) aged Clark Kent. At the beginning of the series he is sort of nerdy and in love with Lana Lang. He has two good friends: Pete and Chloe. Chloe was invented for the television series but I think DC has officially bought the rights to the character so they can fit her into the comic book universe. While some things from the comic book have been changed for better television I have to say they stay pretty true to the spirit of the Superman story. I think the Chloe character (who is Lois Lane's cousin) was supposed to be their answer for Lois Lane. Then they decided to bring the real Lois Lane into the fold which I thought was going to be a disaster. It wasn't half bad. Smallville's Lois Lane is an outsider who is a little older than the kids we know. She thinks Clark is a doofus (good), she is bored by journalism (until recently), and she has balls of steel. The show has been embraced by the people who have been involved with telling the Superman story over the years. There have been great cameos during the past six years. The ones I remember most are Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder.

The cast has been very good throughout the six years it has been on the air.



Tom Welling plays Clark as a well intentioned good guy. He really makes boy scout types seem sort of hot. He is at his best when discovering a new power. It is funny watching his relationship with Lois. They hated each other for a long time, but now they sort of tolerate each other. He hasn't really learned to fly yet and I hope he doesn't until the end of the series.



Martha and Jonathan Kent were played by very lovable actors Annette O'Toole and John Schneider. Yep, you are right--that is the Lana Lang from the 3rd movie and that is Bo Duke from the Dukes of Hazzard. They manage to make being super moral parents not annoying. Their pep talks always choke me up. It was a real tragedy when Jonathan passed away in the 100th episode.



Lana (who manages to get knocked out more than Giles from Buffy) is sweet and annoying at the same time! I swear I have no idea how this girl doesn't have brain damage! She is played by Kristen Kreuk very well. To her credit, Lana is way less annoying this season.
I think Chloe is the fan favorite even though she isn't really part of the comic book story. She is a go-getter but more of a book worm type than Lois Lane. She is the only remaining friend (Pete left town) that knows Clark's big secret.



Speaking of Lois, Erika Durance rocks as Lois Lane! She is a know it all (who doesn't know that much) and a tom boy, but she's a girly-girl too! I love this interpretation of the character. It is fun watching her discover who we know she will turn out to be.
Everyone loves the way Micheal Rosenbaum plays Lex. He is complex and likeable but also very scary sometimes. This might actually be the first Lex Luthor that isn't a total joke!



We have been through 4 years of Clark in high school and now he has graduated and is sometimes in college. Chloe is working at the Daily Planet in Metropolis as an intern with a newly introduced Jimmy Olsen. Clark was recently sent to the Phantom Zone by a Zod possessed Lex Luthor. Johnathan Kent died last season and Martha is trying to carry on while Lionel Luthor (Lex's dad) comforts her. Lois Lane decides that there are some stories that need to be told to the public (even though she has no concept of spell check). She chooses to go to the local gossip rag after Chloe laughs her out of the Daily Planet. Lex and Lana have decided to become a couple after he got un-possessed. When Clark escaped the Phantom Zone he accidentally let out a few criminals who are as super powered as he is. By the way, they are not all from Krypton, they are from every known galaxy. Now he is having to deal with this mistake. Last (but not least) we have been introduced to Oliver Queen (a former school mate of Lex Luthor) who is a millionaire and has a knack for shooting a bow and arrow. He also has an eye for a certain Miss Lane!



This season has only had three episodes but they have all been good. I really like the additions of Oliver Queen and Jimmy Olsen to the fold. They have just the right kind of energy to balance the regular cast members. Jimmy really likes Chloe and his jealousy of Clark is so funny. Aaron Ashmore (Ice Man's twin brother) is perfect in the role! You get the impression that he would be sort of cool anywhere else in the world. He loves photography but doesn't have the same fearless quality that Chloe and especially Lois has. Oh! By the way, he would like to be called "James". Justin Hartley plays Oliver Queen/Green Arrow. He has just the right amount of cocky to not be annoying. I have high hopes for his story arc.

If you are interested in checking out this season of Smallville you can visit the official website by clicking on the photo below:



You can also just check out the CW's web pages!

Enjoy!

My New Favorite Fluff

Gotham Girls is a really fun web cartoon that ran for three seasons...or I guess you could say 30 episodes. They are really short (maybe 2 or 3 minutes max) cartoons that feature the women of Gotham City.



They are fun and totally interactive! Sometimes you have to complete a task to watch the rest of the episode! I really love the animation...it is very graphic and in your face. Each episode also has a game that goes with it. I think it is perfect for when you just want to zone out for 3 or 4 minutes. The episodes and games can be a little addictive.

(Click Images Below For Links)

Official Website

(only has last ten episodes but has lots of other cool things to read and play)


World's Finest
(all episodes here...but way fewer extras)


I hope you stop by and try it out...but don't say I didn't warn you about the potential addiction! I totally have it in my bookmarks tool bar!

Suggested Reading...

Wonder Woman


OK...so I have to admit...Wonder Woman is my favorite of the big three. I honestly think she is the most problematic and complex of the three of them. I also have very fond memories of watching the television show as a child. Wonder Woman is the bomb. That's all I have to say about that!


The Books:
(click on titles for links)


Gods and Mortals: George Perez, Greg Potter, Len Wein; After Crisis on Infinite Earths George Perez and Greg Potter decided to rebuild Wonder Woman from the ground up. They started at issue #1 and from the beginning of Wonder Woman's life. I remember getting the first issue of this title in 1987. I was blown away...they completely made a Wonder Woman that was relevant to the times. Of all these books I would say this one is probably the most influential in how we view Wonder Woman today. This is a must have.



The Contest: William Messner-Loebs, Mike Deodato Jr; This story is straight up scandalous! Princess Diana is challenged for the role of Wonder Woman and she looses! This is probably one of the most controversial runs in the second series of the Wonder Woman title. I think the John Byrne run was the most! The art work is what was shocking this time. They took the world of WW to a place we definitely hadn't seen before! The absolute opposite of Perez's very virginal version of the character.

Paradise Found: Phil Jimenez; This is the saddest story in the past 20 years of the character. The majority of the story is about the relationship between Diana and her mother Hippolyta. It is a story that teaches us what a true hero is.



JLA: A League of One: Christopher Moeller; This is actually a JLA book but the focus is Wonder Woman. It is a stand alone story about WW being faced with a decision that could destroy her team. The art work is gorgeous. I love this book.


The Hiketeia: Greg Rucka, J.G. Jones, Wade Von Grawbadger; Wonder Woman and Batman have the strangest relationship ever! This is a story about a centuries old ritual which Wonder Woman becomes involved with. Unfortunately a key player in this ritual is wanted by Batman!



Mission's End: Greg Rucka, Ron Randall; This is a companion piece to Sacrifice (a book I mentioned in the Superman suggested reading section). It is also the last few issues of the second series. Wonder Woman's mission in the patriarch's world has failed. She is a wanted criminal and her home (Themyscira) has vanished forever. She is at her lowest point. I think the story telling is great. It isn't my favorite art but it is important in the history of the character.

There are many Golden Age stories (not to mention stories from the 60's and 70's) that are worth picking up. I may go back and pick a few for each of the big three in the future. I really wanted to focus on the last 20-30 years of each of the characters.

Enjoy!

Suggested Reading...

Since CZ started the ball rolling with his Batman suggestions, I decided I would do a post for the other two members of "the big three". First up:

(click titles for links)

Superman


The Books:


Superman For All Seasons: Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale; This is where the idea for Smallville came from. It's a great read and we get a glimpse of what the transition from farm boy to Superman was like.


The Death Of Superman: Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, Louise Simonson, and Roger Stern; Wow. They really did it. They killed Superman...and he was dead for a while. It was because of this book that Batman was able to say the bitchiest line of 2006, "Let's face it 'Superman'...The last time you really inspired anyone was when you were dead."


Superman/Batman vol 2: Supergirl: Jeph Loeb, Michael Turner; The Supergirl we had grew up with had basically been written out of continuity. The great people at DC had decided to revive her with a modern twist. This is a fun origin story that really captures the relationships between the big three...all of them have major roles. I love Michael Turner's art. Some people laugh at the impossible figures but I think his work has definite personality.


Superman: The Man Of Steel: John Byrne, Dick Giordano; When the original crisis happened in the late 80's the big three got makeovers. This is the John Byrne version of the Superman story. It is a little dated now but I remember it being awesome as a kid!


Superman: Sacrifice: Greg Rucka, Mark Verheiden, Gail Simone; This is the storyline that jump started the Infinite Crisis phenomenon. Superman is mind controlled and ends up hurting almost everyone he cares about. Wonder Woman makes a decision that changes the DCU forever. Read it.


Superman: Birthright: Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu, Gerry Alanguilan;This is the final (and I guess definitive) version of the Superman origin story. It brings Supes to the 21st century. I love this book.


Give them a chance...they are worth it!

Why You Should Read...

Manhunter

This is really "the little book that could"! It has consistently been one of the poorest selling comic books for DC. I ADORE THIS BOOK !!!

Kate Spencer is a feisty prosecutor who is disgusted by the lack of justice when dealing with super villains. After one of her cases goes badly she decides to take justice into her own hands. She manages to obtain several abandoned costume pieces from various super villains and heroes. She becomes Manhunter and serves her own style of justice! This book also has one of the most interesting and diverse cast of supporting characters ever!

This poor title has really been through the ringer! After the "one year later" event happened (all DC titles fast forwarded forward one year) we found that Kate had become a defense attorney. She was now defending the very super villains that she was against before. The book actually got cancelled this year...but after many letters to the VIPs of DC and a very organized campaign by fans, DC chose to extend the title for five more issues. Now we are getting a new five issue arc starting in December. It will involve Kate acting as defense Attorney for none other than Wonder Woman.

I urge anyone who may come across this post to go out and pick up this title. There is a collection of the first six issues you can buy HERE. The second Manhunter trade paper back will be out soon. The writing is awesome, the art is awesome, it is all just awesome! Read it! You should also check out this page too (for all sorts of Manhunter info including how you can help save the book)

I have also decided to show you a preview of Manhunter's new story arc to wet your palette with! Click for larger versions.