Editor’s note: This review was originally published on Feb. 9, 2009.
THE NEW TEEN TITANS #38
(Cover by George Pérez)
Published and © by DC, Jan. 1984
[Buy from Mile High]
“Who Is Donna Troy?”
Synopsis: In preparation for her wedding, Robin attempts to help Donna (Wonder Girl) Troy learn who she really is.
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciler: George Pérez
Inker: Romeo Tanghal
Review: Much like the Claremont/Byrne team did on X-Men, Marv Wolfman and George Pérez made their bones on The New Teen Titans by developing a roster of characters readers could really care about. With “Who Is Donna Troy?,” the Titans creative team take it to another level. Wolfman’s script is tight and emotionly charged, and Pérez’s visual pacing of the story is near perfect. The story not only fleshes out Wonder Girl’s origin, but also marks another step in Robin’s journey to adulthood — and out from under the Batman’s shadow. It’s powerful material that holds up well. A classic.
Grade: A+
Second opinion: Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition).
Cool factor: The cinematic approach of the opening and closing sequences is particularly striking.
Not-so-cool factor: Later efforts to revisit this story really muck up the Donna Troy character.
Character quotable: “It may be a little late, Donna — but welcome home.” — Hank Evans, one understanding dude
Collected in: The New Teen Titans: Who Is Donna Troy? TPB [Buy from Mile High]
My absolute favorite single issue of New Teen Titans
Why was this missed out of New Teen Titans Omnibus Vol 2 it has everything else up to issues 44 but misses this issue can anyone explain.
Wow, I hadn’t seen the Omnibus yet. That’s a major disappointment, as that issue was included in the original solicitations. Poking around the internet, it appears DC has told retailers it will now be included in Vol. 3.
This was the final full-length appearance of Dick Grayson as Robin (he abandoned that identity the next issue), although he only appears in costume for a few panels. He definitely goes out with a bang, doing great detective work to solve the mystery of Donna’s past. Donna’s overwhelming happiness was infectious. I always got a warm feeling in my heart when she would tell Dick how much she loved him. Starfire notwithstanding (also loved seeing her and Dick together), I would have wished that Donna ended up with Dick instead of the completely uninteresting schlub, Terry Long.