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Games On from Wizard #149

Wizard #149 (Mar 2004)

Here an article from Wizard #149 (Mar 2004)

‘GAMES’ ON

Perez/Wolfman to finish 17-year-old Titans project

The creators who wrote the book on the Titans are finally finishing the one book that got away.

In late 2004 or early 2005, DC will release the hardcover Teen Titans: Games, the never-completed original graphic novel by the legendary New Teen Titans team of writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Pérez. Pérez completed 73 pages in 1987 before his busy schedule forced DC to put the project on hold, and nearly two decades passed by before it was revived in late 2003, “For the past 15 years, I've tried to push every Titans editor to revive the project,” revealed Wolfman. “Both George and I felt it may have been the best Titans story we'd ever come up with. And George had done over 70 of the absolute best Titans pages he'd ever draw Wolfman plans to stick with the original script, so expect a flashback featuring a Titans roster with all the regulars from the mid '80s including Nightwing, Donna Troy, Starfire, Raven, Cyborg, Changeling and Jericho—as well as a new framing sequence set in modern continuity and a few extra DVD-style bonuses.

■ RICHARD HO

Source: Wizard #149 (Mar 2004)

New Titans #57, page #6

Frank F writes:

Back in the 90s I had the chance to meet George Perez at a convention in Richmond, Va. I got every issue of Crisis signed by him on the splash page along with my copy of New Teen Titans #2 and DC Comics Presents #26 on the New Teen Titans page. While talking with him I ended up buying one of his original pages. I sold it a few years ago, but do still have pictures of the page. The page was from New Titans #57 and was page #6. The page came with an overlay which is shown in the first picture. The overlay showed Jericho moving into the girl while the normal page is missing that along with some of the words. which you can see in the second photo.

New Titans #57

New Titans #57, page #6

New Titans #57, page #6 (with overlay)

Sonic Youth from Wizard #56

Here an article from Wizard #56 (April 1996)

Wizard #56 (April 1996)

Sonic Youth
by Matthew Brady

IT ALL BEGAN WITH A YOUNG BOY showing a lot of thigh in 1940. That was the year Dick Grayson joined Batman's side as Robin, the Boy Wonder.

Shortly thereafter came a rapid-fire succession of kid sidekicks: The original Human Torch had Toro in the late 1940, while Captain America's Bucky, the Star-Spangled Kid, and the Young Allies showed up in 1941; the Boy Commandos and the Newsboy Legion debuted in 1944; and Superboy made his first appearance in 1945. A new comics sensation had been born: the teenage hero.

According to Denny O'Neil, the editor of DC Comics' Batman titles and Robin's guiding supervisor, these younger heroes served a very useful purpose. "It's always helpful for the hero to have somebody to talk to so he can explain why he's doing what he's doing, and the reader can eavesdrop on this conversation." and having the sidekick be a teen, the adult hero can be more explanatory than they would in a conversation with another adult.

(Excerpt)

TEEN BEAT

“I plan to do it, I look forward to doing it, and the best we can say at this point is that it's going to happen,” said Dan Jurgens, confirming will head a Teen Titans relaunch in the near future, with George Perez inking.

But Jurgens warns fans not to expect any kid with an "R" on his chest, a li'l Amazon princess, or any of the other traditional Teen Titans to be members. “While I have nothing but respect for what Marv Wolfman and George Perez did [in the '80s revival The New Teen Titans], the characters have aged. Nightwing is older. Speedy is older, has a kid and is called Arsenal, while Aqualud may be dead. They've all been through so many changes that to me, the Teen Titans need an entirely new group of kids, so it's going to feature predominantly new characters," Jurgens notes.

Jurgens wants to avoid the "Junior JLA" cliché by keeping Impulse, Superboy, the young Green Arrow and other established young characters out of the mix. "I think if s crucial in a book like this to be able to do a lot of character development, and you can't do that when it's someone else's character," he says. "What I want to do is find maybe one or two existing characters, and then fill the roster with brand-new characters. That way, the stories are all new, the villains are all new, and the direction is unknown so I can surprise the render and really make it something that is totally its own, rather than borrowing piece meal from here and there."

■ M

Source: Wizard #56 (April 1996)

Wolfman leaves ‘Titans’ from Comics Buyers Guide #674

Here an article from Comics Buyers Guide #674 (17 Oct 1986)

Wolfman leaves ‘Titans’

New writers assigned until he returns

Comics Buyers Guide #674 (17 Oct 1986)

DC Comics has announced that writer Marv Wolfman will take a leave of absence from writing Teen Titans “after the consuming redefinition of the DC universe in the 12-issue Crisis on Infinite Earths series and the two-issue History of the DC Universe.”

“I never realized how much of myself I put into Crisis on Infinite Earths,” Wolfman said, “until I set out to write History of the DC Universe. Between those, my move to California, and the re-launch of Superman with The Adventures of Superman, most of my time was spoken for.

“I had to give up something to retain my sanity, so I requested time off from some of my writing responsibilities.” After seven years on The New Teen Titans, Wolfman has, DC said, ‘“willingly stepped aside to rethink the book for a few months, so he can ‘make The Titans better in 1987.’

The DC press release said that Wolfman, while on leave from The Titans, will, “recover, get ahead on The Adventures of Superman, and begin work on future projects.”

Paul Levitz, described by Wolfman as “my choice for filling in,” will script The New Teen Titans beginning with #28 and plot issues #30-#33 with Wolfman.

Levitz will continue to write Legion of Super-Heroes and the Cosmic Boy mini-series. He has written several of DC Comics’ team titles ‘in the past, including a run of Justice Society of America in the "70s.

Teen Titans Spotlight, taking advantage of its format, will be written by a variety of people.

Editor Mike Gold said, “The whole concept of Spotlight lends itself to a ‘roving’ creative team. As we highlight different characters from The New Teen Titans, we'll use completely different creative talents whose styles match the characters featured.”

Teen Titans Spotlight #7 and #8 will highlight The Hawk by Mike Baron, Jackson Guice, and’ Larry Mahlstedt. Issue #9 will focus on The Changeling and ‘The Doom Patrol’s Robotman; it will be written by Paul Kupperberg and illustrated by Dan Jurgens.

Barbara Randall will take over as editor beginning with #10, an issue which will feature Aqualad in a story which will resolve plotlines from The New Teen Titans ‘Hybrid” story. It will be written by John Ostrander and illustrated by DC Comics newcomer Erik Larsen.

Source: Comics Buyers Guide #674 (17 Oct 1986)

DC news briefs from CBG #563 (31 Aug 1984)

News brief from CBG #563 (31 Aug 1984)

DC news briefs

CBG #563 (31 Aug 1984)

The following items are taken from DC press releases:

The Immortal Dr. Fate will be a three-issue offset deluxe reprint series, following the one-shot Man-Bat reprint, according to editor Nick Cuti. The Immortal Dr. Fate #1 will go on sale in October (cover date January), and all issues will include the more recent material considered by fans to be classic tales. The line-up includes the First Issue Special story by Martin Pasko and Walter Simonson; the series that ran in the back of The Flash by Pasko, Steve Gerber, and the art team of Keith Giffen and Larry Mahlstedt; and an origin by Paul Levitz and Joe Staton. All three titles will be 32 adless pages and are expected to feature new wraparound covers. Covers to issues #2 and #3 will be drawn by Keith Giffen.

Don Newton picks up Infinity Inc. around issue #11, leaving his long run on Batman. Newton has also pencilled and inked a six-page “Tales of the Green Lantern Corps” story written by Paul Kupperberg.

Rick Hoberg will become the penciller on Batman beginning with issue #280. Alfredo Alcala remains the inker, Doug Moench the writer.

Paul Smith has pencilled and inked a chapter in the Batman Annual. Another chapter is pencilled and inked by Jerry Ord- way, a third chapter pencilled by Dan Jurgens and a fourth chapter pencilled and inked by Alex Nino (who replaces Kevin O'Neill).

Batman and the Outsiders #15 will be drawn by Trevor Von Eeden, not the announced team of Bill Willingham and Bill Anderson.

Marv Wolfman has written a two-part DC Comics Presents. Part one features Superman and The Forgotten Heroes with part two featuring the inevitable Superman and The Forgotten Villains. Curt Swan pencilled part one.

Tales of the Teen Titans #48 features a fill-in story by Steve Rude, best known for his work on Nexus. Titans ‘9 will have a fill-in story by Carmine Infantino spotlighting Wally West, Francis Kane, and Doctor Light. This allows George Perez to do full pencils for the double-sized Titans #50, featuring Donna Troy’s wedding.

Gil Kane is the artist for Vigilante #12 and #13, Ross Andru will continue to do the covers, Gil Kane will be the artist for the Green Lantern Annual #1, Len Wein writes and edits. Beginning with issue #13,Atari Force will feature a 17-page lead story by Gerry Conway and Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez. The remaining portion of the book will spotlight the individual members. Conway and editor Andrew Helfer will split the scripting, with Helfer already preparing a three-part story featuring Pakrat.

Ernie Colon has been named as inker on the second Firestorm Annual, replacing Dick Giordano, who has other commitments.

Rick Magyar will ink Omega Men #20, the final chapter in Doug Moench’s first storyline, Tod Smith will pencil. Omega Men #21 will feature a fill-in by Sharman DiVono and Alex Nino.

Additional appearances of The Monitor will be in: DC Comics Presents #76, Superman #402 and 402, Action comics #560 and 564, Saga of the Swamp Thing #30 and #31, All-Star Squadron #40, Infinity Inc. #8, Vigilante #14, Tales of the Teen Titans #47, Justice League of America #234, and Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes #317, #319, and #320.

Source: CBG #563 (31 Aug 1984)

Teen Titans Cartoon article in Wizard #136

Wizard #136 (Jan 2003)

Here is a news article from Wizard #136 (Jan 2003)

A 'TOON OF TITANIC PROPORTIONS

Cartoon Network, Kids’ WB! team up for a ‘Teen Titans’ cartoon, slated to bow in 2003

Talk about a titanic acquisition.

Cartoon Network and the Kids’ WB! have teamed up to produce a brand-new, half-hour animated series based on DC Comics’ classic comic property, Teen Titans.

Set to debut sometime in 2003 (premiere date and airing times have yet to be scheduled), “Teen Titans” borrows heavily from the 1980s New Teen Titans era by writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Pérez, notably in the cast, which consists of Robin, the Boy Wonder, Cyborg, Starfire, Raven and Beast Boy (a.k.a.Changeling)

However, while New Teen Titans often dealt with serious teen issues like drug abuse and runaways, the “Teen Titans" cartoon will have the five heroes banding together in a future era to protect Earth from intergalactic strife and interplanetary battles.

“I know they made a lot of changes, both visually and conceptually,” noted Pérez. “But considering how long I've been away from the book and how many changes have been made since Marv and I worked on the series, the idea that they're giving a little tip of the hat by using the characters that Marv and I created...I'm tickled!”

Heading up production on “Teen Titans” will be Emmy Award-winning Producer Glen Murakami, who scored big successes with his work on “Justice League” and “Batman"

Glen Murakami’s great team, we look forward to new Beyond. ‘With the animated series being brought to life worlds of creative magic," said DC Comics President/Publisher Paul Levitz.

For those not familiar with the comic book versions of the young heroes who make up the Teen Titans,check out the rundowns of each character in the call-out captions below!

■ JBL

Source: Wizard #136 (Jan 2003)

George Perez on Who Killed Myndi Mayer from Fantasy Advertiser #107

Fantasy Advertiser #107 (1988)

From APA Interlac 73 (originally from Fantasy Advertiser #107), thanks to Isamu H

When I did "Who Killed Myndi Mayer", no one counted on it being an anti-drug book, by it's very nature. And even when we found out she was an addict, no one criticized her for being an addict. One person said, "if she was an addict, I'd feel sorry for her," they were more concerned that she was a criminal, they thought she was doing criminal acts. The fact that she was an addict, was something "that happens, and unfortunately it was happening to her. She's dead now. Criticizing her because she was an addict, now that she's dead, didn't seem the right thing to do. Also, one person pointed out , and it never really occurred to me in the Myndi Mayer story, which is probably why it showed a message without being as blatant as it could had been: it's one of the rare times in comics that a drug story was done with the victim not a teenager.

She's a forty-year-old woman, obviously a woman who would know better. Doesn't have that same peer pressure a child would have, but still, just as a much a victim. That the drug problem is practically ageless, really.

KG: Sure is.

GP: To me it was such a natural progression of the character, it never occurred to me that I was doing something different, because, again, like the scene with Menalippe, it seemed logical, it just followed through. It never occurred to me that it was unusual.

Source: bsky

Biblioteca DC: Nuevos Titanes de Marv Wolfman, George Pérez coming in 2025

Panini Comics plans on reprinting New Teen Titans under their Biblioteca DC line, promising two titles per month. The first month (for January 2025) will be Biblioteca Superman and Green Lantern de Geoff Johns.

DC Comics editorial plan of 2025

posted by Vic, Feb 3, 2025

Biblioteca DC - Os Novos Titãs n° 1 (Mar 2008)

We were looking forward to knowing the final plan of Panini Comics for the titles of DC Comics And the truth is that our expectations have been widely exceeded because we did not expect such a solid start and a plan that, a priori, will satisfy many readers, since they collect demands of all kinds and, surely, speculators will not have liked to take advantage of the lack of reissues to bleed people in the second-hand market.

But what counts here is that DC Comics arrives in Spain by the hand of Panini from April, with a staggered release that adds new series and formats every 30 days, although we will start with staples and rustrigras that will collect the current series. It should be borne in mind that in Panini they intend to cut the distance with the USA, which with this plan is 6 months away, and spend it 4 months away, which is much better.

At first glance DC Comics' editorial plan is really powerful, contenting all kinds of readers for the number of lines, formats and titles that await us in the coming months. You have no doubt that 2025 is going to be DC Comics in Spain, especially given the great quality that most of the editorial's regular series have been treasured since D.C. Dawn arrived. But apart we have a good assortment of material that Panini will recover and that is of an outstanding quality (I will play the game of marking in bold, in the lists, the titles that seem to me of higher quality, it is a subjective thing, so I ask you for understanding and, if you see that I have left some good title to score, I invite you to comment on the comments).

BIBLIOTECA DC. This line will publish two monthly collections:

BIBLIOTECA SUPERMAN The character's post-Crisis stage, starting from John Byrne's Man of Steel miniseries. Open series. Volumes of about 160 pages, with offset paper in rustic with flaps.

GREEN LANTERN DE GEOFF JOHNS The complete stage written by this author, along with cartoonists such as Carlos Pacheco and Ivan Reis, with all their crossovers and events. Volumes of about 160 pages, with satin paper in rustic with flaps.

In the future, this line could host titles such as Keith Giffen's Justice League, J. M. DeMatteis and other authors, New Titans of Marv Wolfman, George Perez and other authors, Wonder Woman by George Perez, Green Arrow since 2001 or Batman and the Outsiders.

Teníamos muchas ganas de conocer el plan definitivo de Panini Cómics para los títulos de DC Comics y lo cierto es que nuestras expectativas se han visto ampliamente superadas porque no esperábamos un arranque tan sólido y con un plan que, a priori, satisfará a muchos lectores, puesto que recogen demandas de todo tipo y, a buen seguro, no habrá gustado a los especuladores que se aprovechan de la falta de reediciones para sangrar a la gente en el mercado de segunda mano.

Pero aquí lo que cuenta es que DC Comics llega a España de la mano de Panini a partir del mes de abril, con un lanzamiento escalonado que añade series y formatos nuevos cada 30 días, aunque comenzaremos con grapas y rustrigrapas que recogerán las series de actualidad. Hay que tener en cuenta que en Panini pretenden recortar la distancia con los USA, que con este plan está a 6 meses vista, y pasarla a los 4 meses de distancia, lo que es mucho mejor.

A primera vista el plan editorial de DC Comics es realmente potente, contentando a todo tipo de lectores por la cantidad de líneas, formatos y títulos que nos esperan los próximos meses. No os quepa duda de que 2025 va a ser el año de DC Comics en España, especialmente habida cuenta de la grandísima calidad que atesoran la mayoría de las series regulares de la editorial desde que llegó el Amanecer de DC. Pero es que aparte tenemos un buen surtido de material que Panini recuperará y que es de una calidad sobresaliente (voy a jugar el juego de marcar en negrita, en los listados, los títulos que me parecen de mayor calidad, es algo subjetivo, así que os pido comprensión y, si veis que me he dejado algún título bueno por marcar, os invito a comentarlo en los comentarios).

BIBLIOTECA DC. Esta línea publicará dos colecciones mensuales:

BIBLIOTECA SUPERMAN La etapa post-Crisis del personaje, partiendo de la miniserie Man of Steel de John Byrne. Serie abierta. Volúmenes de alrededor de 160 páginas, con papel offset en rústica con solapas.

GREEN LANTERN DE GEOFF JOHNS La etapa completa escrita por este autor, junto a dibujantes como Carlos Pacheco e Ivan Reis, con todos sus crossovers y eventos. Volúmenes de alrededor de 160 páginas, con papel satinado en rústica con solapas.

En el futuro, esta línea podría albergar títulos como La Liga de la Justicia de Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis y otros autores, Nuevos Titanes de Marv Wolfman, George Pérez y otros autores, Wonder Woman de George Pérez, Green Arrow desde el año 2001 o Batman y los Outsiders.

Source: via-news.es

DC Raises Prices to 75¢ newsclipping from Comics Scene #11

Here a news article from COMICS SCENE #11 (Sep 1983).

DC Raises Prices to 75¢; Adds New Titans & Legion Titles

COMICS SCENE #11 (Sep 1983) George Perez and Marv Wolfman will be doing two Teen Titans stories a month for a year, starting next spring.

In late April, Paul Levitz, vice-president of Operations, made two announcements affecting the entire DC line and its publishing goals. The first announcement wasthe expected price rise, coming with December cover-dated books, shipping in August. All of DC's 60¢ titles will increase to 75¢ and switch from newsprint to the popular, whiter Mando stock now in use across the industry. At present, DC only employs it for annuals and anniversary issues.

The other announcement concerned two new titles, to be printed in the Baxter-format now used for Camelot 3000 and The Omega Men. Comics featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes and New Teen Titans will premiere next spring alongside the Mando titles. For the first year, there will be two sets of Titans stories, while tentative plans call for the Mando Legion book to carry reprints.

After the first year, the Mando titles will begin reprinting the stories from the Baxter books, which will begin with new titles and numbering from #1. DC makes the analogy between publishing a book in hardcover and then a year or so later, following with a softcover edition at a cheaper price. In this case, the $1.25 Baxter comics will present stories that, a year later, will show up in the 75¢ Mando companion titles.

If successful, more books will use this format of secondary titles featuring reprints from the Baxter comics, increasing the number of DC publications without necessarily doubling the workload. A third book is already being planned, but its title has not been announced.

This move represents a refocusing of DC's interest in the non-returnable/direct-sales market.

Both Mando and Baxter titles will be made available in the comics shops while an announcement will be made in the DC comics about the upcoming changes.

Titans’ creative team Marv Wolfman and George Perez have rearranged their schedules, clearing the decks for a full-year's worth of new Titans stories in both books.

If the Legion Mando book goes reprint, Levitz and Keith Giffen will prepare framing sequences.

As for the price hike, the usual economic factors were cited, including increased costs for printing at World Color Press. The soles surviving giant-sized comic, G.I. Combat, will increase its price to $1.25 while the Best of DC Digest will remain unchanged at $1.25. Next year’s annuals have not been priced although this year's crop now costs $1.50.

Reaction around the industry to the increases remains mixed although Marvel and Archie have said they will hold their prices at 60¢ for as long as possible.

Source: COMICS SCENE #11 (Sep 1983)

Titans: Games over 25 years in the making

New Teen Titans: Games (8 Aug 2017)

I was looking through Comics Scene #24 (Feb 1992) to see if there was any George Perez-related items I could use and saw this quote about New Teen Titans: Games. The book actually didn't come out until 25 years later.

Marv Wolfman: “It's about 120 pages, and George Perez has drawn 80 pages of it,” he says. “When he finishes it, I will dialogue it, and I sure hope it’s soon! It's going to be a flashback now; after George is done, he’s going back to add a beginning and ending section with the new characters, because it’s not the same group now. It'll be the only time that George has done the new characters, and it'll also be the last time we'll see the old ones. It’s a great story. I can’t wait—the first 80 pages are gorgeous! It’s some of the best work George has ever done.”

With all of his Titans projects, the runaway success of Deathstroke, the Terminator and the various mini-series and one-shots, Marv Wolfman does feel he’s overworked, “But I always feel that way,” he laughs. His fans will be happy to hear that his workload won't cause him to drop any titles.

“I may not pick up other stuff, or do all of the connected series,” he says. “I'm not writing the Cyborg two-parter, though I did sit down with Len Wein and work out the story's parameters. I see no need to drop anything. I'm doing exactly what I enjoy,” smiles Marv Wolfman. “When I have my cerebral hemorrhage, then I'll think about it.”

Source: Comics Scene #24