Teen Titans Year One: Preview Is Here!

Karl has posted 3 preview pages of Teen Titans Year One on his blog: "As promised, here are the first three pages of Teen Titans: Year One, issue 1. They were published in the Previews catalogue, which came out today, but in case you haven’t seen it I’m posting them here!"

Prepare to drool.

Click here to see 'em! I have one of the pages to whet your appetite...

Teen Titans #52 Preview

DC has provided Newsarama with another plethora of previews for books shipping this coming week, for this our second part of our October 24th DC preview. They have looks at Gotham Underground #1, The Flash #233 (the debut of new artist Freddie Williams III), a trio of Superman titles including Action Comics #857, Superman #669 and Superman/Batman #41, plus Teen Titans #52, and Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters #2…

Check out the preview here.

Teen Titans: Year One Preview Coming!

Karl Kerschl's blog teases us: "So for all of you folks who actually care about the comics I’m working on, I’ve got a treat for you! Or rather, I’ll have a treat for you very soon, because DC is running the first three pages of Teen Titans Year One in the next Previews catalogue, and as soon as that happens I’ll run them here as well (and maybe some extra stuff too). I can’t wait for this thing to come out so it’ll finally feel real. Right now it just feels like a child I’ve been home-schooling and smothering with the attention of an overzealous parent…

Anyway, it comes out in January. And I realize that Kid Flash’s costume is still wrong in the solicitation image, but it’s in the process of being fixed. I swear."

Words cannot describe how much I am looking forward to this mini. I've seen some of the art - it will knock your socks off. And "yeah" to Karl for fixing Wally's costume!

Tempest's "Dramtic Return"?

What happened to Tempest's "dramatic return"? In the December DC Nation blurb, Dan Didio promised "Tempest's dramatic return to the DCU" (see image). He came back powerless and useless in AQUAMAN: SWORD OF ATLANTIS. The series started a quest for Tempest... but the last issue just hit (#57) and Tempest wasn't in it. He's also not in the upcoming TITANS series.

Dramatic? To quote Princess Bride, "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

Eddy Barrows Titans

a little preview from Eddy's blog...

Eddy Barrows Talks Teen Titans

Sean McKeever announced on ComicBloc that the Brazilian artist, Eddy Barrows, would be the new ongoing artist for TEEN TITANS. Tarcísio of Torre Titã (think Titans Tower: Brazil) contacted Eddy for an informative and entertaining interview. Here's a portion of the interview:

TT: I’d love to see you draw a crossover of Teen Titans and the Classic Titans.

EB: I’d LOVE to draw the classics characters.

TT: Tell us how was your history with the Titans. Were you a Titans fan before you became the artist?

EB: Wow… Good question! I LOVE the Wolfman/Pérez era. This era is so important to me. Everything in that era was amazing. That’s what I want to bring to TEEN TITANS - a little of that spirit - as an artist.

TT: Which character is your favorite?

EB: Well, I love the look of Cyborg. I also like Robin (Tim) in his new style, since its similar to Batman. His gloves are great. I like Superboy too. But Starfire is my favorite, in her classic style (Pérez) (laughs).

Read the entire EXCLUSIVE interview!

Tomasi Talks Nightwing

Comic Book Resources reports: "Tomasi, a former editor with DC Comics before signing an exclusive writing deal with the publisher in April, takes the reigns of "Nightwing" starting with #140 in January.

Tomasi did offer that since Nightwing is such a major player in DCU, that fact in itself would inevitably lead to some fellow do-gooders stopping by from time to time. "I want readers to feel that Nightwing is part of the tapestry of the DCU," explained Tomasi. "I won't be shoehorning guests in just for guests' sake. I'm putting them in because I feel they either serve the story or more importantly to me, the character of Dick Grayson."

According to Tomasi, Grayson, who long-served alongside the Dark Knight as the original Robin, has certainly held his own since going solo as Nightwing, "Dick Grayson, in my mind, is at the top of the food chain," explained Tomasi. "As one of many writers lucky enough to script his ongoing adventures, I'm simply approaching him like he's the best at what he does. He's not a second fiddle, he's not a sidekick, he's the hero of our story and he's going to have a bumpy ride, but make no mistake about it he is respected by everyone in the DCU."

Read the whole article.

Titans Swingin' Special Released as "Lost" Annual

At the 2003 Comic-Con International San Diego, DC Comics announced original Teen Titans writer Bob Haney would make a return to the DC property he helped put on the map with a brand new Elseworld's Teen Titans project. The Teen Titans Swingin' Elseworld special would feature art by Jay Stephens and Mike Allred. For reasons never quite made clear, DC has shelfed the book.

The Pulse reported: "Steve tells me Dan Didio and co. decided that the success of the new Titans series shouldn't be jeopardized by our 'weird' story, written by Teen Titans CREATOR Bob Haney. Apparently, the art (pencilled by myself, inked by Doc Allred, and coloured by Laura Allred, with a stunning cover by original Titans artist Nick Cardy) passed muster, but the bigwigs were just too uncomfortable with the story to let it run.

Recently, Newsarama asked Allred about the story:

NRAMA: Now, your name often comes up in connection with the unpublished Teen Titans project you did with DC. Have there been any developments regarding its publication?

MA: Well, I actually had a good phone conversation with (Dan) DiDio about three weeks ago, and it went very well. He was saying that they might be able to release it as a “lost annual.” So, I’m hopeful that that’s what’s going to happen. Fingers crossed.

It’s amazing to me that that book has sat dormant. It’s completely done – completely done. It’s penciled, inked, colored, lettered – there’s a cover by Nick Cardy! There’s no reason in the world this shouldn’t be out – it’s a one-shot! Let it get out there and let people have it!

I do comic books because I love comic books. It’s not just a paycheck. It’s an opportunity for expression and creation and the final performance in this process is for people to see it! And so, there’s this understanding with the publisher that you want to see this on the stand. And for Bob Haney, he’ll never have that. He’ll never see it on the stands, at least not as a mortal being.

It’s frustrating – maybe I have no tact about this. I’m just the inker on the book, for crying out loud! But it’s just not right that this isn’t out there and available to the public. Even if the publisher were to argue that it isn’t a standard story – well, I can’t object to that. It isn’t typical. It’s near insane! But it’s also brilliant in that way.

And the talent involved – the original Teen Titan creators, along with Jay Stephens, who is one of the great talents, who won an Emmy on his cartoon series…and I got to ink it, and Laura colored it, and our son even did some amazing coloring work on it with Laura, and like I said, Nick Cardy did a cover, a wonderful cover…there it is.

Dan told me he’s going to try to make this happen, and I’m hopeful that he can. So, there we are. I’m on the verge of getting people together and picketing with protest signs outside the DC building (laughs), but I’m trying to be cool about this, and reasonable about this. But it’s been…I don’t know how many years since we finished. And I’m just waiting to see it released.

(sighs) I don’t know. It’s one of the things I just don’t get. I hope one day DC does the right thing and puts this book out. It deserves to be seen.

...

Ad it will be - according to the publisher, the Special, now a "Lost Annual," will ship in January. The solicitation for the book now reads:

TEEN TITANS: THE LOST ANNUAL
Written by Bob Haney
Art by Jay Stephens & Mike Allred
Cover by Nick Cardy
Don’t miss the TEEN TITANS LOST ANNUAL, featuring the original Teen Titans: Robin, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, Speedy and Aqualad! Classic Teen Titans writer Bob Haney sends the Titans into space to rescue President John F. Kennedy in this story illustrated by Jay Stephens (The Land of Nod) & Mike Allred (Madman, X-Statix)! Meet new alien races, witness a startling betrayal, and more! It’s a secret space adventure that couldn’t be told…‘til now!
On sale January 9 • 64 pg, FC, $4.99 US

For more on the Special, check out the page at titanstower.com.

Teen Titans #53 Cover [Partly} Revealed

Sean McKeever has teased us with the real-deal partial cover to Teen Titans #53 over at ComicBloc. Wonder what's spooked Blue Beetle?

A Titan Leaves Forever

The Teen Titans solicit for #55 states: "As one Titan leaves forever, Wonder Girl and Robin explore their newfound feelings for each other as Ravager enjoys herself by pitting Blue Beetle against Kid Devil."

A Titan leaves forever? Is it Robin? Wonder Girl? Ravager? Kid Devil? Supergirl? Miss Martian?

Sean McKeever shed some light on this at ComicBloc: " It's pretty much all quiet this issue. (Sorry, action fans.)" and "When Dan [Didio] came on as editor, he and I had a nice talk about the current roster, and it was decided that it was time for one of the team to move on."

Sean also said this about #55: "One thing I can say is that, in a sense, I'm treating #55 like my #1. And, as I've mentioned before, we'll be seeing a focus on individual characters (without forgetting it's a team book) and we'll also be seeing a whole bunch of teen heroes (without it being overwhelming)."

I hope it's Supergirl that's leaving. And I only say that because she has her own series, and she won't get any major plot developments in the pages of TT when she has her own book going.

With an open slot now, maybe Zatara can join?

Titans in January

DC Comics has provided CBR News with their solicitation text and cover images for comics and product shipping in January, 2008.

TEEN TITANS #55
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows & Rob Hunter
Following up the epic “Titans of Tomorrow” storyline, we catch the Titans in a moment of quiet before the next storm. As one Titan leaves forever, Wonder Girl and Robin explore their newfound feelings for each other as Ravager enjoys herself by pitting Blue Beetle against Kid Devil.
And watch out for the introduction of the new Clock King, a modern-day Fagin out to create a villainous team of his own. Fan-favorite writer Sean McKeever continues to deliver his own special blend of excitement and angst sure to keep this book on the top of your must-read pile!
On sale January 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

TEEN TITANS: THE LOST ANNUAL
Written by Bob Haney
Art by Jay Stephens & Mike Allred
Cover by Nick Cardy
Don't miss the TEEN TITANS LOST ANNUAL, featuring the original Teen Titans: Robin, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, Speedy and Aqualad! Classic Teen Titans writer Bob Haney sends the Titans into space to rescue President John F. Kennedy in this story illustrated by Jay Stephens (The Land of Nod) & Mike Allred (Madman, X-Statix)! Meet new alien races, witness a startling betrayal, and more! It's a secret space adventure that couldn't be told…'til now!
On sale January 9 o 64 pg, FC, $4.99 US

TEEN TITANS: YEAR ONE #1
Written by Amy Wolfram
Art by Karl Kerschl & Serge Lapointe
Cover by Kerschl
Writer Amy Wolfram (Teen Titans animated series) joins rising star artist Karl Kerschl (ALL-FLASH #1, ROBIN) for a colorful reimagining of how the Teen Titans came together! See how these teammates bonded, and overcame the sheer awkwardness of being teenagers in this explosive 6-issue miniseries that guest-stars the Justice League of America! You may think you know Robin, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash and Aqualad…but you don’t really know the original Teen Titans!
On sale January 2 • 1 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

WONDER GIRL #5
Written by J. Torres
Art and cover by Sanford Greene & Nathan Massengill
Wonder Girl's in for the fight of her life, and she won't be able to handle it alone! She's going to need a little help from her friends, including Supergirl, Robin, and others, to bring justice down on the people trying to kill her!
On sale January 9 o 5 of 6 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

ROBIN #170
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Chris Batista
Cover by Freddie E. Williams II
With the return of new series writer Chuck Dixon (Robin, Nightwing, Batman) and art by fan-favorite Chris Batista (52, Legion of Superheroes), Robin #170 is the start of a new era no one will want to miss!
After a life-changing battle with Ra’s al Ghul in Nanda Parbat, Robin comes home to Gotham to find there’s a new girl in town, wearing a color he can’t ignore. The new vigilante calls herself Violet, and she steals from the rich to keep for herself…and Robin’s going to find out that’s not all she’s playing for. Plus, the return of an old friend with something to hide!
On sale January 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

NIGHTWING #140
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Rags Morales & Michael Bair
Cover by Michael Bair
Guest-starring Batman & Robin! A new era of Nightwing begins from writer Peter Tomasi (Black Adam: THE DARK AGE, Light Brigade) and the incredible art team of Rags Morales and Michael Bair (Identity Crisis)!
When the bodies of nefarious villains and fallen heroes begin to disappear from their final resting places, Dick Grayson is drawn into a mysterious, life-altering adventure!
On sale January 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

THE FLASH #236
Written by Mark Waid and John Rogers
Art by Freddie Williams II and Doug Braithwaite
Cover by Williams II
The stunning conclusions of feature story arc "The Wild Wests" - with art by fan-favorite Freddie Williams II (ROBIN) - and the backup tale "Fast Life"! The newest Flash family faces a last stand in Keystone - but in this spectacular climax, we find they've been here before, once upon a time on the world that sheltered them!
On sale January 16 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

TEEN TITANS GO! #51
Written by J. Torres
Art by Todd Nauck & Lary Stucker
Cover by Nauck
Introducing Geo-Force! He's Terra's big brother and he looks like big trouble! What happens when he thinks the Teen Titans are the enemy? Find out in"The Secret Origin of Terra"!
On sale January 23 o 32 pg, FC, $2.25 US

COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS #17-13
Story by Paul Dini
Story consultant Keith Giffen
Scripts by Tony Bedard
Art by Pete Woods and Tom Derenick
Covers by Woods
It's all-out war as the Challengers find Ray Palmer — and so does everyone else! The fate of a universe hangs in the balance, as heroes and villains from across the multiverse face betrayal and death with Earth as their battlefield!
Plus, more DC Villains origin backup stories, including Harley Quinn!
COUNTDOWN 17 on sale January 2 • COUNTDOWN 16 on sale January 9
COUNTDOWN 15 on sale January 16 • COUNTDOWN 14 on sale January 23 • COUNTDOWN 13 on sale January 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE #6
Written by Adam Beechen & Justin Gray
Art by Allan Goldman & Julio Ferreira and Fabrizio Fiorentino & Adam DeKraker
Cover by Eddy Barrows & Oclair Albert
The enigmatic Healers — aliens sent to Earth to stop the spread of Lady Styx's infection — have tagged Animal Man as patient zero. Can Starfire save him before they cut him open for dissection? Also, Forerunner's adventures continue as she runs afoul of the Thanagarian battle fleet.
On sale January 30 • 6 of 8 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Meeting Room UPDATES

Just finished some updates to reflect recent events. Added some info about Loren's brother Greg Jupiter to Loren Jupiter's page. Completely revised Duela Dent and Talon pages to reflect the shockers revealed in Countdown Presents: The Search for Ray Palmer: Crime Society #1. Also added a sub-section about Earth-Three on their pages. Lastly, added Jai & Iris West to Wally's Family page.

Welcome to Snarkytainment

I've been writing and posting my various mini-rants on TV, movies, comic books and entertainment at various places over the web. And the more I posted, the more people would tell me, "you should post this stuff somewhere."

Welcome to "somewhere."

Expect a sly sarcastic eye on all things media-related. So sit back and enjoy a slightly snarky look on entertainment. That's snarkytainment.

Please visit and post! And if you like what you read, please spread the word.

TITANS Ongoing Series: The Facts

right: preliminary cover to TITANS #1!

Titans
[ongoing monthly series]
writer: Judd Winick
artist: Ian Churchill
Editor: Eddie Berganza

Launch: Early 2008
Who's On the Team: Nightwing, Starfire, Flash, Red Arrow, Cyborg, Raven, Donna and Beast Boy.
Who's NOT: Jericho and Tempest

Winick on the book's tone: There is a way of storytelling that is lighter but not trite. Read back any of the original [NEW TEEN TITANS] stories and all the time the stakes are life and death, but at the same time there's a lightness to them because of the cameraderie. We're trying to emulate that sense of them not waiting around in the Tower for the bad guys to show up, but instead that when an individual on the team is going through something the rest of the team would rally around them.

TEEN TITANS GO! Keeps Going

From J Torres' Blog: "After weeks (months?) of speculation, and a buzz both online and at comic conventions this summer, the good news "officially" came out in this week's DC Nation column. I have been told that I can now confirm that Teen Titans Go will continue its present monthly schedule until issue #54. This brings us to April 2008. After that point, the series is supposed to continue but perhaps (note: perhaps) in a different format and most likely at a different frequency (bimonthly? quarterly?), but we don't know yet what that new release schedule will be.

In any case, you did it. You saved the comic book from cancellation. Yay, TTG fans!

And now might be a good time to send in those thank you cards and letters to Dan DiDio, Jann Jones, and Paul Levitz :)"

Teen Titans Movie: Dream Casting UPDATE

From IGN.com: Screenwriter Mark Verheiden was at Comic-Con to talk about his various impending projects, including the recently announced Teen Titans live-action movie from Warner Bros. "It's not light and frothy," he says. "It's not silly. I want to play the characters so they feel real to us, not like people we can't understand. And I think Nightwing is a great character for that. I love the Perez-Wolfman stuff, so we're definitely looking at that, but I don't really want to get into who the team we're picking is yet," he says.

While the roster or casting has not been divulged yet, that doesn't stop us fanboys from playing casting agent. So who should play who? Well, let's assume the cast contains the elements from the classic Wolfman/Perez run of NEW TEEN TITANS. Here at titanstower.com, you won't only see our picks, but you'll see each of them in their "hair and make-up screen test" thanks to photoshop.

Click on the images to enlarge!

Jake Gyllenhaal as Nightwing: Dick Grayson is the most pivotal role in the Teen Titans. Since the movie is going with Nightwing, you'd need a confident and charismatic leader-type. But to play Dick Grayson, the actor needs to be slightly insecure and emotive. Jake Gyllenhaal (DONNIE DARKO, THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, ZODIAC) is more than up to the task. He's played everything from a troubled teen as Donnie Darko – to a obsessed detective in ZODIAC. Combine all his experience, and you've got an awesome Nightwing!


Olivia Wilde as Donna Troy: It's not easy finding someone to play Donna Troy. You need an actress that is believable as a gorgeous ass-kicking amazon in one scene – and then a down-to-earth gal next door in the next. Olivia Wilde (THE O.C., THE BLACK DONNELLYS) is stunningly beautiful but she's also a charismatic actress as well. As Alex Kelly, she made Marissa's sapphic storyline sing on The O.C.; And as Jenny, she injected heart on THE BLACK DONNELLYS. She'd be wonderful as Wonder Girl.

Justin Hartley as Kid Flash: Wally West was always a good-looking corn-fed kid from Blue Valley, Nebraska. Justin Hartley (PASSIONS, SMALLVILLE, AQUAMAN) has that All-American look with a hint of charm. Hartley is no stranger to playing hero, having portrayed both Green Arrow and Aquaman. I think he's got the looks and acting experience to fill Kid Flash's running boots.


Chris Evans as Speedy: The Titans' ace archer is all about attitude – and Chris Evans (FANTASTIC FOUR, CELLULAR, NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE) has got it in spades. His portrayal of hotshot Jonny Storm shows that Evans would make the perfect Roy Harper. Physically, Evans even looks like Arsenal pulled directly from the comic book pages.

Matt Dallas as Aqualad: Hailing from Atlantis, Aqualad was always the sensitive outsider among his more colorful counterparts. Matt Dallas (KYLE XY) has played a similar role as the emo enigma on ABC Family's KYLE XY. Give the guy some purple contacts and you've got your Garth.


Summer Glau as Raven: Raven is distant, moody and has a terrible secret. Summer Glau (FIREFLY, THE 4400) played each of those emotions to perfection as the complex River Tam on FIREFLY. Glau's got the same ballet-dancer build as the empathic Titan, but also can shift from scary to scared in an instant. In short, the perfect Raven.

Jessica Biel as Starfire: Starfire's a super-sexy alien with a bad temper. Jessica Biel (7th HEAVEN, BLADE: TRINITY, THE ILLUSIONIST) already looks the part. And her action-star turn as Abigail Whistler in BLADE: TRINITY shows she has what it takes to play the alien powerhouse.


Gaius Charles as Cyborg: For Cyborg, look no further than actor Gaius Charles (FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS), who plays Brian 'Smash' Williams on the NBC drama. He's got the look and acting ability to play the tragic half-teen half-machine.


Shawn Ashmore as Beast Boy: With Beast Boy, it’s not all about the comedy. Underneath the joking exterior, there’s an insecure hero. For that, you need an actor to do the lighthearted stuff and also the weightier stuff. Shawn Ashmore (X-MEN, EARTHSEA) is no stranger to lighthearted heroes, having played Bobby Drake in all three X-MEN movies. His sweet scenes with Kitty Pryde and Rogue also show that he’s got the chops to give the Terra storyline the emotional depth it needs.


Michelle Trachtenberg as Terra: She's the super-powered Lolita that rocked the Titans' world. Michelle Trachtenberg (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ICE PRINCESS, EUROTRIP) has shown her ability to shift from cute n' cudly to angsty n' confused. To play Terra, the actress needs to be believable as a smart-mouthed ingenue and later, a terrorizing teen tart. I think Trachtenberg would rock as Terra.


Justin Timerlake as Jericho: OK, for the portion of you saying "Wha?", calm down and hear me out. And for the portion of you that know what a great idea this is: are you feelin' me? The traits shared by both Timberlake (ALPHA DOG, BLACK SNAKE MOAN) and the mute Joesph Wilson are many: Both Justin and Joey are sensitive, expressive artists that women find sexy. Timberlake also looks like the Titans' mute hero - look at some older images and you'll see that both guys have the blond afro going on. With some movies under his belt now, the singer-actor would do justice to the Wilson kid that done good. And if you're STILL concerned, just remember that you won't even hear Timberlake utter one line of dialogue.


Adam Baldwin as Deathstroke: Baldwin (FIREFLY, ANGEL, CHUCK) is no stranger playing amoral mercs; He spent a full season as the jerk-merc Jayne on FIREFLY. His turn as the slick Marcus Hamilton in the last season of ANGEL shows that Baldwin can also do cool and cunning as well. Artist George Perez commented that he wanted Slade to be sexy and debonair -- that's something else Baldwin can provide. His seduction of Terra should be believable. The tricky thing with Slade Wilson is that you need to buy him as a sexy-charming-smart-killer. And Baldwin is a rare actor that can do all of that.


Stephanie Romanov as Addie Kane: Romanov (ANGEL) spent five years playing icy, sexy, mostly-evil Wolfram & Hart lawyer Lilah Morgan on ANGEL. Her attitude and edge would be perfect to play the tough-as-nails ex-wife of Deathstroke, Adeline Kane. I can imagine her shooting Slade's eye out as I type this... Wow, the comic book Addie never looked so good!


Nick Stahl as Grant Wilson: What's a Teen Titans movie without Deathstroke? And what's a Deathstroke origin without the Wilsons? Grant Wilson is the one that started it all with his ill-advised contract with the evil H.I.V.E. organization. Nick Stahl's (BULLY, TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES) intensity is perfect for the chip-on-his-shoulder Wilson gone wrong. If you don't believe me, just watch the brutal BULLY and you'll see Stahl is perfect as the first Ravager.