DC Comics; October 1980
Cover by Jim Starlin

Title: “Between Friend and Foe!”
Synopsis: An alien entity in search of power steals Green Lantern’s ring and identity, then turns his eye on Superman.

Writer (plot): Jim Starlin
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciler: Starlin
Inker: Steve Mitchell

Review: There’s a whiff of a cool story here – but just a whiff. Jim Starlin brings his cosmic scope to DC, but fails to reach the heights of his classic Marvel work. This slight, silly story is plagued by plot holes, while Steve Mitchell’s angular inking overpowers the pencils. Subpar for Starlin.

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Title: “Where Nightmares Begin!”
Synopsis: A confused Robin finds himself mysteriously shifting through time to team with his future teammates: the new Teen Titans!

Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciler: George Pérez
Inker: Dick Giordano

Review: It’s a bit rough, but Marv Wolfman and George Pérez already have their signature Titans’ storytelling dynamic on display here.

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Title: “Whatever Happened To Sargon The Sorcerer”
Synopsis: A troubled Sargon comes out of retirement when Matter Master tries to steal the Ruby of Life.

Writer: Bob Rozakis
Artist: Jose Delbo
Inker: Kim DeMulder

Review: The more important question? Who cares what happened to Sargon? A Silver Age-style throwback featuring a Golden Age character.

Grade (for the entire issue): B

Cool factor: Three words: New. Teen. Titans.
Not-so-cool factor: That lead story isn’t up to Starlin’s lofty Bronze Age standard.

Notable: First appearance of the new Teen Titans, including Cyborg, Raven, and Starfire.

Character quotable: “Starfire? Cyborg? Raven? A new Titans? None of this makes sense.” – Robin, boy wonder and confused time-traveler

Creator quotable: “Most new books were cancelled after only six issues, so it wasn’t that farfetched to believe that the Titans would be a fun ride for a few months before once again going off into comic book limbo.” – Writer/co-creator Marv Wolfman, on the mindset going into the launch of The New Teen Titans (from the “Preface” to The New Teen Titans Archives Vol. 1, November 1998)

Copyright ©2016 Off the Wahl Productions, all rights reserved. Each week, T. Andrew Wahl takes a look at a Bronze Age Fantastic First. For more reviews like this one, check out Wahl's website, SequentialReaction.com.