The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans

Supercbbox| title=Marvel and DC Present
The Uncanny X-Men
and The New Teen Titans
comic_color=background:#8080ff


caption=Front cover art for "The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans". Art by Walt Simonson and Terry Austin.
schedule=
format=Prestige format
publisher=DC Comics
Marvel Comics
date=September 1982
issues=
main_char_team=New Teen Titans
Uncanny X-Men
past_current_color=background:#ff9275
writers=Chris Claremont
artists=Walt Simonson
pencillers=
inkers=Terry Austin
letterers = Tom Orzechowski
colorists=Glynis Wein
editors = Louise Jones, Len Wein
creative_team_month=
creative_team_year=
creators=

"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 Uncanny X-Men.

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. "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' Beast Boy.

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 co-edited by the "X-Men's" Louise Jones and the "Teen Titans's" Len Wein.

However, 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, until 1994's "Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire".

Plot summary

The evil space tyrant Darkseid is continuing his efforts to break through the Source Wall so that the power of The Source can give him dominion. 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. ["The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans" #1 (Marvel and DC, 1982)]

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." [Plowright, Frank, editor. "The Slings and Arrows Comic Guide", vol. 2 (Top Shelf Production, 2003).]

ee also

*Teen Titans (comics)
*X-Men
*Marvel vs. DC
*Intercompany crossover

References