BRONZE AGE MINUTE: Tales of the New Teen Titans #4

DC; September 1982
Cover by George Pérez

Title: “Starfire”
Synopsis: On a camping trip with the other Titans, Koriand’r reveals the secrets of her traumatic, alien past.

Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciler: George Pérez
Inker: Ernie Colón

Review: This issue, wrapping up a miniseries featuring the back stories of the newest New Teen Titans, is the best of the run. Starfire’s origin story helped establish her as a complex character, one whose dual nature as lover and fighter is more compatible than at odds. There’s no shortage of horrific moments in Koriand’r’s past, and there’s a dark sexuality to this issue that remains creepy today. The story loses a little power by being told in flashback, but it’s still quite strong. And the George Pérez art is some of the best the Bronze Age has to offer.

Grade: A

Second opinion: “Yes, how nice it is to see George Pérez finally established and concentrating on something he so obviously cares about.” – Kevin McConnell, Amazing Heroes #13 (July 1982)

Cool factor: An entire issue of George Pérez drawing Starfire.

Notable: The back cover features the last installment of the era’s famous Dungeons & Dragons advertising serial, drawn by future Elementals creator and Fables writer Bill Willingham.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a 75¢ Canadian variant of this issue.

Character quotable: “Eyes in, Salad-head. She only has eyes for Dick.” – Cyborg (talking about Starfire and Robin, of course)

A word from the artist/co-creator: “… Starfire was definitely created for pure sex. The fact is she’s sexy, she enjoys sex, and she makes no bones about it.” – George Pérez, The Comic Times #3 (November 1980)

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