The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans

Last updated
Marvel and DC Present
The Uncanny X-Men
and The New Teen Titans
Xmen titans.jpg
Front cover art for The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans.
Art by Walt Simonson and Terry Austin.
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
Marvel Comics
Format Prestige format
Publication date1982
No. of issues1
Main character(s) X-Men
New Teen Titans
Darkseid
Dark Phoenix
Deathstroke
Creative team
Written by Chris Claremont
Penciller(s) Walt Simonson
Inker(s) Terry Austin
Letterer(s) Tom Orzechowski
Colorist(s) Glynis Wein
Editor(s) Louise Jones
Len Wein

The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans is a crossover comic book published by Marvel Comics which features two teams of superheroes, Marvel's the X-Men and DC Comics' the New Teen Titans.

Contents

Publication history

In 1982, Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans shared several similarities. In addition to high popularity and strong sales, both titles were helmed by respected, established writers, in Chris Claremont (X-Men) and Marv Wolfman (Teen Titans). Given the success of each title, Marvel and DC recognized the sales potential of a jointly published crossover, with X-Men writer Chris Claremont scripting the story and Walt Simonson and Terry Austin providing the art. [1] [2] The comic was lettered by X-Men letterer Tom Orzechowski and edited by X-Men's Louise Jones. Len Wein, the editor of The New Teen Titans, acted as DC's liaison with Marvel on the project. [3]

Plot summary

Seeking to co-opt the near-limitless power of the Source, the evil space tyrant Darkseid continues his efforts to break through the Source Wall, which is depicted as a physical wall for the first time in this story. Thinking that the energy associated with the Phoenix Force can help him penetrate the mysteries of the Source, Darkseid sets into motion a plan to recreate the Dark Phoenix by tapping into the memories of her former teammates, the X-Men, as well as drawing the residue of her power from a variety of sources, and then amplifying that residue, using energy streaming from the rupture of the Source Wall. With his help, Metron had pierced the Wall and his sacrifice effected a small rupture which bled a steady stream of energy. Both superhero teams are alerted to the dangers by the Titans' Starfire, who has knowledge of Dark Phoenix's immense destructive power.

Despite their best efforts, each team is defeated and captured by Deathstroke the Terminator and Darkseid's shock troops. Darkseid brings the Dark Phoenix back to life. Both super-teams work together, freeing themselves and defeating their enemies in a climactic battle. Colossus prevents the gathering of psionic residue at a western mesa and this results in the Dark Phoenix simulation being flawed, and exploiting said flaw enables the two teams to drive a wedge between Dark Phoenix and Darkseid. Professor X and Cyclops convince what is left of Jean Grey's human consciousness that she is being manipulated, and she once again sacrifices herself to defeat Darkseid, repairing all the damage in doing so. What had been Darkseid is now part of the Source Wall, and Metron returns home, whatever he sought having been attained. [4]

Critical response

The Slings and Arrows Comic Guide wrote that "Claremont courageously defies tradition by filling an unbalanced basket of guest stars, and Walt Simonson's first-rate pencils contribute to the finest Marvel/DC co-production." [5] Comics historian Matthew K. Manning calls it "one of the most well-received crossovers of its time — or of any time for that matter." [6] In 2018, Nerdist's Eric Diaz called the comic "still the greatest event comic ever." [7]

Aborted sequel

Despite the success of the project, The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans represented the last new DC–Marvel intercompany crossover for over a decade. A planned "X-Men/Teen Titans" #2, by the Titans creative team of Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, was scheduled for publication near Christmas 1983. [8] [9] [10] X-Men writer Claremont had shared details of future X-Men storylines with Wolfman to facilitate Wolfman's writing of the script. [11] Pérez was slated to draw the much-anticipated JLA/Avengers intercompany crossover due for publication in 1984, which was eventually scuttled due to editorial squabbling between the two companies. Continuing disagreements between Marvel and DC and Pérez's anger over the demise of the JLA/Avengers book [12] resulted in the eventual cancellation of X-Men/Teen Titans #2 as well. [11] Unlike the JLA/Avengers, a good portion of which had already been drawn by Pérez, no artwork was ever drawn for the Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans sequel. It was not until 1994's Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire that DC and Marvel joined forces again in a new publishing venture.

Related Research Articles

<i>Crisis on Infinite Earths</i> Limited DC comic crossover series

Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 1985 to 1986 American comic book crossover series published by DC Comics. Written by Marv Wolfman and pencilled by George Pérez, it was first released as a 12-issue limited series from April 1985 to March 1986. As the main piece of a crossover event, some plot elements were featured in tie-in issues of other publications. Since its initial publication, the series has been reprinted in various formats and editions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Byrne (comics)</span> American comic book writer and artist

John Lindley Byrne is a British-born American writer and artist of superhero comics. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on many major superheroes; with noted work on Marvel Comics's X-Men and Fantastic Four. Byrne also facilitated the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics's Superman franchise with the limited series The Man of Steel, the first issue of which featured the comics' first variant cover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Claremont</span> American comic book writer

Christopher S. Claremont is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his 16-year stint on Uncanny X-Men from 1975 to 1991, far longer than that of any other writer, during which he is credited with developing strong female characters as well as introducing complex literary themes into superhero narratives, turning the once underachieving comic into one of Marvel's most popular series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justice League</span> Group of fictional characters of DC Comics

The Justice League, or Justice League of America (JLA), is a group of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The team first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #28. The team was conceived by writer Gardner Fox as a revival of the Justice Society of America, a similar team from DC Comics from the 1940s which had been pulled out of print due to a decline in sales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teen Titans</span> DC Comics superheroes

The Teen Titans are a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, frequently in eponymous monthly series. As the group's name indicates, the members are teenage superheroes, many of whom have acted as sidekicks to DC's premier superheroes in the Justice League. The original team later becomes known as the Titans when the members age out of their teenage years, while the Teen Titans name is continued by subsequent generations of young heroes. First appearing in 1964 in The Brave and the Bold #54, the team was formed by Kid Flash, Robin, and Aqualad (Garth) before adopting the name Teen Titans in issue 60 with the addition of Wonder Girl to their ranks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Pérez</span> American comic book artist and writer (1954-2022)

George Pérez was an American comic book artist and writer, who worked primarily as a penciller. He came to prominence in the 1970s penciling Fantastic Four and The Avengers for Marvel Comics. In the 1980s he penciled The New Teen Titans, which became one of DC Comics' top-selling series. He penciled DC's landmark limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths, followed by relaunching Wonder Woman as both writer and penciller for the rebooted series. In the meantime, he worked on other comics published by Marvel, DC, and other companies into the 2010s. He was known for his detailed and realistic rendering, and his facility with complex crowd scenes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marv Wolfman</span> American comic book writer

Marvin Arthur Wolfman is an American comic book and novelization writer. He worked on Marvel Comics's The Tomb of Dracula, for which he and artist Gene Colan created the vampire-slayer Blade, and DC Comics's The New Teen Titans and the Crisis on Infinite Earths limited series with George Pérez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Len Wein</span> American comic book writer and editor

Leonard Norman Wein was an American comic book writer and editor best known for co-creating DC Comics' Swamp Thing and Marvel Comics' Wolverine, and for helping revive the Marvel superhero team the X-Men. Additionally, he was the editor for writer Alan Moore and illustrator Dave Gibbons' influential DC miniseries Watchmen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mutant Massacre</span> 1986 Marvel Comics storyline

"Mutant Massacre" was a 1986 Marvel Comics crossover storyline. It primarily involved the superhero teams the X-Men and X-Factor. The solo hero Thor, the New Mutants, Power Pack and Daredevil crossed over for an issue each in their own comic books.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dark Phoenix Saga</span> Marvel Comics X-Men storyline

"The Dark Phoenix Saga" is an extended X-Men comic-book storyline published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Byrne, the storyline first appeared in X-Men #129. It focuses on the superhero Jean Grey and the cosmic entity Phoenix Force. The storyline commonly refers to the story in Uncanny X-Men #129–138 of Jean Grey's corruption by the power of the Phoenix and the Hellfire Club, the destruction she causes, and ultimately her death. Sometimes included is Jean Grey's assumption of the Phoenix power and the repair of the M'Kraan Crystal in Uncanny X-Men #101–108.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metron (character)</span> Comics character

Metron is a fictional antihero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bronze Age of Comic Books</span> Early-70s-to-80s era of comic books

The Bronze Age of Comic Books is an informal name for a period in the history of American superhero comic books, usually said to run from 1970 to 1985. It follows the Silver Age of Comic Books and is followed by the Modern Age of Comic Books.

<i>JLA/Avengers</i> Crossover published in prestige format by DC Comics and Marvel Comics

JLA/Avengers is a comic book limited series and crossover published in prestige format by DC Comics and Marvel Comics from September 2003 to March 2004. The series was written by Kurt Busiek, with art by George Pérez. The series features the two companies' teams of superheroes, DC Comics' Justice League of America and Marvel's Avengers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Grummett</span> Canadian comics artist and penciller (born 1959)

Thomas Grummett is a Canadian comic book artist and penciller. He is best known for his work as penciller on titles such as The New Titans, The Adventures of Superman, Superboy, Power Company, Robin, New Thunderbolts and Heroes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Leonardi</span> American comics artist (born 1957)

Rick Leonardi is an American comics artist who has worked on various series for Marvel Comics and DC Comics, including Cloak and Dagger, The Uncanny X-Men, The New Mutants, Spider-Man 2099, Nightwing, Batgirl, Green Lantern Versus Aliens and Superman. He has worked on feature film tie-in comics such as Star Wars: General Grievous and Superman Returns Prequel #3.

Notable events of 1982 in comics.

The Comics Buyer's Guide (CBG) magazine administered the annual Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Awards from 1982 to circa 2010, with the first awards announced in issue #500.

References

  1. Brownfield, Troy (September 18, 2009). "Friday Flashback: Uncanny X-Men and the New Teen Titans". Newsarama. Archived from the original on August 4, 2013.
  2. Jensen, K. Thor (January 19, 2011). "The Most Universe-Shattering Comic Book Crossovers". UGO Networks. Archived from the original on August 4, 2013.
  3. Marvel and DC Present Featuring The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans at the Grand Comics Database
  4. Claremont, Chris  ( w ), Simonson, Walt  ( p ), Austin, Terry  ( i )."Apokolips...Now."Marvel and DC Present Featuring The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans,no. 1(1982).
  5. Plowright, Frank, ed. (2003). The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide - 2nd Edition. Marietta, Georgia: Top Shelf Productions. ISBN   0954458907.
  6. Manning, Matthew K. (2010). "1980s". In Dolan, Hannah (ed.). DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 199. ISBN   978-0-7566-6742-9. The issue, written by longtime X-Men scribe Chris Claremont and drawn by Walter Simonson, [was]... one of the most well-received crossovers of its time — or of any time for that matter — the team-up was a huge success.
  7. Diaz, Eric (2023-05-24). "Why the X-Men/Teen Titans Crossover Is Still the Greatest Event Comic Ever". Nerdist. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
  8. "Titans Tower," The New Teen Titans #29 (March 1983).
  9. "Titans Tower," The New Teen Titans #38 (January 1984).
  10. Brown, Jonathan (August 2013). "The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans: The Breakfast Club of the Comics Crossover". Back Issue! (66). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 68.
  11. 1 2 Wolfman interview, Amazing Heroes #50 (Fantagraphics Books, July 1984).
  12. O'Neill, Patrick Daniel (July 1994). "Career Moves". Wizard (35).