DC Source this morning announced:
Featuring a story too big for the regular monthly series, TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1 launches the first set of giant-sized annuals from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. The story is written by Scott Lobdell (TEEN TITANS, SUPERBOY, RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS) and Tom Defalco (LEGION LOST), with art by TEEN TITANS’ regular illustrator, Brett Booth.
Coming this May, the expansive crossover story weaves through several ongoing series – including TEEN TITANS, SUPERBOY and LEGION LOST – and pits the heroes against one another in a chamber of horrors far beneath the surface of Antarctica.
“You know how comics used to have cover copy that read ‘This issue has it all!’… then you’d read the issue and, well, it had some but not all? Well this Annual really does have it all!” promises Lobdell. “We finally get to see the oft-mentioned Colony – where the N.O.W.H.E.R.E. leader named Harvest has been keeping the hundred or so teenagers (did I say hundred?!) for who-knows-how-long. We get to see the Teen Titans in pitched battle against the Legion Lost (You can understand why Red Robin is skeptical about a team of teenagers claiming to come from the 30th Century, and why Tyroc is scratching his head over the existence of a team that – according to the history progs – is still some eight years away from being formed!). Then there’s the introduction of half the roster of the new RAVAGERS series! It has been eight issues since Red Robin threw down the gauntlet to Harvest, and now we’re going to see if the Teen Titans have what it takes to shut down N.O.W.H.E.R.E. once and for all! Yes, there’s a reason why this story could only take place in an annual – because there is just too much story to be contained in one of the monthly books!
“Do I sound excited?! It’s only because I am! And if you think the story is fun – wait until you get a load of the artwork! Brett and Norm and Andrew are firing on all cylinders – and if this isn’t the hottest looking Annual on sale this year, then I will eat my hat! (Of course, I’ll have to buy one first. Who wears hats any more?!)
“And finally, I’d have to say we couldn’t have gotten this Annual going – or the subsequent crossover – without the hard work and always insightful insights of Tom DeFalco, the writer of LEGION LOST. The man has more talent in his little finger than he has in, well, his whole thumb!
“We’re both honored that we’re being entrusted with the first chapter of a story that is going to give birth to the new RAVAGERS series by Howard Mackie and Ian Churchill, and not only because it is bound to be the most talked about new series of 2012! Its also because this is the best part of the DCNu, creators and characters coming together on myriad titles to create some really awesome comic stories!”
Check out TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1, and follow the story through SUPERBOY #9, LEGION LOST #9, TEEN TITANS #9 and THE RAVAGERS #1. It all starts this May, but in the meantime – check out the cover by Booth right here on THE SOURCE.
Skitch Commentary: Looks like DC is really amping things up as they move towards summer. Not sure how I feel about annuals that you need to buy to follow the ongoing series. That said, I’ve been enjoying Teen Titans and Legion Lost quite a bit. I do think Superboy has had some missteps, but I am looking forward to Ravagers (which I am pretty sure will basically be a Gen 13 title).
Project NOWHERE and their designs towards young heroes has definitely been one of the most compelling stories to come out of DC Relaunch, I just hope that DC manages to keep this Annual at a reasonable price point. 4 bucks would probably be about the top of what I would want to spend on this. Even if it’s double pages, DC needs to remember that most comic readers are working under a budget.
This story also suggests to me that there will be more Annuals to come out of DC Relaunch as the year goes on. I just hope that they manage to keep them reasonably priced and stand alone as much as possible.
