The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans
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| Marvel and DC Present The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans |
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 Front cover art for The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans. Art by Walt Simonson and Terry Austin. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics Marvel Comics |
| Format | Prestige format |
| Publication date | September 1982 |
| Number of issues | 1 |
| Main character(s) | X-Men New Teen Titans Darkseid Dark Phoenix Deathstroke |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Chris Claremont |
| Artist(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 DC Comics and Marvel Comics, and features two teams of superheroes, DC Comics' New Teen Titans and Marvel's X-Men.
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[edit] Publication history
In 1982, the Uncanny X-Men and the New Teen Titans shared a lot of similarities. Besides high popularity and strong sales, both books were helmed by respected, established writers, in Chris Claremont (X-Men) and Marv Wolfman (Teen Titans). Both titles featured strong character development and a young core of rookie heroes struggling with teenage angst and its attendant problems, all wrapped up in a superhero context.
Given the best-selling success of each title, Marvel and DC recognized the high sales potential of a jointly-published crossover book. While the issue is creatively directed from a Marvel perspective, the final product does justice to both companies' characters.[citation needed] X-Men writer Chris Claremont scripted the book, and he made sure to handle the Titans as faithfully as he did his familiar team of mutants. Claremont's portrayal of the two groups' interaction comes off quite smoothly, particularly the flirting between the X-Men's Kitty Pryde and the Titans' Changeling (as he was then known).
Walt Simonson and Terry Austin provide the dynamic art, successfully capturing the look and feel of both teams. The book was lettered by usual X-Men letterer Tom Orzechowski, and edited by the X-Men's Louise Jones. Teen Titans's Len Wein acted as DC's liaison with Marvel on the project.
[edit] Plot summary
Seeking to co-opt the near-limitless power of the Source, the evil space tyrant Darkseid is continuing his efforts to break through the Source Wall. 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. 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 taking Darkseid, Dark Phoenix, and Deathstroke in a climatic battle. 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.[1]
[edit] 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."[2] Comics historian Matthew K. Manning calls it "one of the most well-received crossovers of its time - or of any time for that matter."[3]
[edit] Aborted sequel
Despite the success of the project, The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans represented the last 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 in Christmas 1983.[4][5] X-Men writer Claremont, in fact, had shared details of future X-Men storylines with Wolfman, to facilitate Wolfman's writing of the script.[6] Artist Pérez was also slated to draw the much-anticipated JLA/Avengers intercompany crossover, also 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,[7] resulted in the eventual cancellation of X-Men/Teen Titans #2 as well.[6] (Unlike the JLA/Avengers book, a good portion of which had already been drawn by Pérez, no artwork was ever done on the The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans sequel.) It wasn't until 1994's Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire that DC and Marvel joined forces again in a publishing venture.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans #1 (Marvel and DC, 1982)
- ^ Plowright, Frank, editor. The Slings and Arrows Comic Guide, vol. 2 (Top Shelf Production, 2003).
- ^ Manning, Matthew K.; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1980s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. 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."
- ^ "Titans Tower," New Teen Titans #29 (March 1983).
- ^ "Titans Tower," New Teen Titans #38 (January 1984).
- ^ a b Wolfman interview, Amazing Heroes #50 (Fantagraphics, July 1984).
- ^ O'Neill, Patrick Daniel. "Career Moves" (Pérez interview), Wizard magazine #35 (July 1994).
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