The New Teen Titans issue #27 – January 1983 (DC Comics) [Comic Book Spotlight Review of the Day]

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The Teen Titans take on the scourge of the streets and an issue showcasing the teenage drug problem, prostitution problem, teenage pregnancy problem in America during the early ’80s (and still a problem today).


TITLE: The New Teen Titans vol. 1, issue #27

YEAR: January 1983

COMPANY: DC Comics

Writer/Co-Creators/Artist: Marv Wolfman and George Perez

Embellisher: Romeo Tanghal

Letterer: Ben Oda

Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Editor: Len Wein


“The New Teen Titans” issue #27 is part two of the “Runaways” storyline and the first issue features how teen runaways were being recruited into drug circles and prostitution.

Meanwhile, a teen boy is seen bloodied and dying in Victor’s apartment.

As Raven is able to save the boy from death, we learn that he is the brother of the boy that was killed (in the last issue).

We then see how more teen runaways and prostitutes are enticed to make more money and from the last issue, we see one of the pregnant teens, Elizabeth, who was a prostitute and now living in a runaways home, is able to stand on her two feet and hopefully return home.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for her pimp to make her think that she is loved and he will take care of her.

As District Attorney Adrian Chase gives the Teen Titans the rundown of a major drug operation happening and assisting them is Roy Harper (a.k.a. former Titan, Speedy) and how the drugpushers have all these teens working for them to deliver drugs.  They are all warned if they run or try to steal from the packages, they are as good as dead.

But it doesn’t take long for the Titans to show up but in the process people are killed, innocent kids are among the tragedy and we see what happens to some of these kids and how the cycle just continues.

It’s a fitting conclusion and while the Teen Titans would be used for good considering the group’s popularity, even doing an anti-drug PSA in the early ’80s and also collaborated with Keebler for a three-issue anti-drug comic series in cooperation with the President’s Drug Awareness Campaign, the never-ending cycle is a problem that not even the Teen Titans can fight alone.

While a fascinating story, it was no doubt out of the norm of what was featured on any Titans book and you get to see more of Victor’s aggressive side, dealing with the scourge of the streets.

But overall, the “Runaways” two-issue storyline was solid and it’s important to note, the reason why this book is thicker this issue is because it comes with a lengthy story of Atari Force (16-pages) and a segue to promote the Atari videogame.


 

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