The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans
Encyclopedia
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
.
(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. 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.
, 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
.
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 deal with Darkseid.
and George Pérez
, was scheduled for publication in Christmas 1983. X-Men writer Claremont, in fact, had shared details of future X-Men storylines with Wolfman, to facilitate Wolfman's writing of the script. 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, resulted in the eventual cancellation of X-Men/Teen Titans #2 as well. (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.
Intercompany crossover
In comic books, an intercompany crossover is a comic or series of comics where characters published by one company meet those published by another...
comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
and Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
, and features two teams of superheroes, DC Comics' New Teen Titans and Marvel's X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
.
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 ClaremontChris Claremont
Chris Claremont is an award-winning American comic book writer and novelist, known for his 17-year stint on Uncanny X-Men, far longer than any other writer, during which he is credited with developing strong female characters, and with introducing complex literary themes into superhero...
(X-Men) and Marv Wolfman
Marv Wolfman
Marvin A. "Marv" Wolfman is an award-winning American comic book writer. He is best known for lengthy runs on The Tomb of Dracula, creating Blade for Marvel Comics, and The New Teen Titans for DC Comics.-1960s:...
(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. X-Men writer Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont is an award-winning American comic book writer and novelist, known for his 17-year stint on Uncanny X-Men, far longer than any other writer, during which he is credited with developing strong female characters, and with introducing complex literary themes into superhero...
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
Kitty Pryde
Katherine Anne "Kitty" Pryde is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #129 and was created by writer-artist John Byrne....
and the Titans' Changeling
Beast Boy
Garfield Mark "Gar" Logan, known as Beast Boy or Changeling, is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics...
(as he was then known).
Walt Simonson
Walt Simonson
Walter "Walt" Simonson is an American comic book writer and artist. After studying geology at Amherst College, he transferred to the Rhode Island School of Design, graduating in 1972. His thesis project there was The Star Slammers, which was published as a black and white promotional comic book...
and Terry Austin
Terry Austin (comics)
Terry Austin is an American comic book artist, working primarily as an inker. He is best known for his work embellishing John Byrne's pencils on The Uncanny X-Men from 1977–1981.-Early life and career:...
provide the dynamic art, successfully capturing the look and feel of both teams. The book was lettered by usual X-Men letterer Tom Orzechowski
Tom Orzechowski
Tom Orzechowski is an award-winning comic book letterer, primarily known for his work on Uncanny X-Men. Over the course of Orzechowski's career, he has lettered something on the order of 6,000 pages of Chris Claremont's scripts.-Early career:In 1968, when Orzechowski was 15, he met a group of...
, and edited by the X-Men's Louise Jones
Louise Simonson
Louise Simonson, born Mary Louise Alexander , is an American comic book writer and editor. She is best known for her work on comic book titles such as Power Pack, X-Factor, New Mutants, Superman: The Man of Steel, and Steel...
. Teen Titans's Len Wein
Len Wein
Len Wein is 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...
acted as DC's liaison with Marvel on the project.
Plot summary
Seeking to co-opt the near-limitless power of the SourceSource (comics)
The Source was a metaphysical concept created by writer/artist Jack Kirby for his Fourth World series of comic books. It first appeared in New Gods #1, .-History:...
, the evil space tyrant Darkseid
Darkseid
Darkseid is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 and was created by writer-artist Jack Kirby....
is continuing his efforts to break through the Source Wall
Source Wall
The Source Wall is a fictional structure in the . The wall lies on the edge of the known universe, in the Promethean Galaxy. Beyond the wall lies what is known as the Source, a cosmic essence or being that is the "source" of all that exists. The wall is theoretically passable. However, all those...
. 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
Starfire (comics)
Starfire is the name of several fictional comic book characters published by DC Comics. The most prominent Starfire is Koriand'r, the fourth character to use that name...
.
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
Jean Grey
Jean Grey-Summers is a fictional comic book superheroine appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. She has been known under the aliases Marvel Girl, Phoenix, and Dark Phoenix and is best known as one of five original members of the X-Men, for her relationship with Cyclops, and for her...
's human consciousness that she is being manipulated, and she once again sacrifices herself to deal with Darkseid.
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."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 WolfmanMarv Wolfman
Marvin A. "Marv" Wolfman is an award-winning American comic book writer. He is best known for lengthy runs on The Tomb of Dracula, creating Blade for Marvel Comics, and The New Teen Titans for DC Comics.-1960s:...
and George Pérez
George Pérez
George Pérez is a Puerto Rican-American writer and illustrator of comic books, known for his work on various titles, including Avengers, Teen Titans and Wonder Woman.-Biography:...
, was scheduled for publication in Christmas 1983. X-Men writer Claremont, in fact, had shared details of future X-Men storylines with Wolfman, to facilitate Wolfman's writing of the script. Artist Pérez was also slated to draw the much-anticipated JLA/Avengers
JLA/Avengers
JLA/Avengers is a comic book limited series and crossover published in prestige format by DC Comics and Marvel Comics from September 2003 to May 2004. The series was written by Kurt Busiek, with art by George Pérez...
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, resulted in the eventual cancellation of X-Men/Teen Titans #2 as well. (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.