***Contains Spoilers***
The second volume of The New Teen Titans (1984-1988) by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez started with a bang, maintaining the strong character-driven narratives that made the original series a hit. The run explores personal and cosmic stakes, with Raven’s ongoing battle against her demonic father, Trigon, being a central thread early on. Over the course of the first 49 issues, the team faces cults, hybrids, and personal dilemmas while new faces, like Danny Chase, join the fold. The run concludes with the Wildebeest arc, which signals a slow decline in quality but provides a reasonably satisfying conclusion to the volume.
Wolfman’s gift for building layered characters remains the highlight of this series. Raven’s struggle with Trigon’s influence was gripping and emotionally complex, setting the tone for the run’s strongest moments. The story wasn’t just about battles but about identity, family, and the pull between light and darkness. I also appreciated how Wolfman delved into the fractured psyche of characters like Mento, whose obsession with the Doom Patrol’s hybrids added a creepy, tragic edge to the series.
Jericho’s portrayal was another surprise. Despite his quiet, introverted nature, he was written as a charming ladies’ man, and while this trope is a bit dated, it added some levity to the series. The Brother Blood arc, while overly long, added depth to the Titans’ rogues’ gallery and underscored the danger of cult-like devotion. This storyline is foundational to Titans lore and remains one of the more memorable challenges they’ve faced as a team.
By the end of this run, the series started to feel like an “episode of the week.” The standalone adventures, while fun, lacked a sense of cohesion and momentum that earlier arcs had. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it made the run feel less essential and more like a chore to finish toward the end.
The addition of Danny Chase as a team member was another downside. His snarky, know-it-all attitude and lack of chemistry with the core Titans made him feel like an awkward, unnecessary addition. I understand Wolfman wanted to bring in a fresh dynamic, but Danny simply didn’t click for me—and I doubt I’ll warm up to him in later stories.
Finally, while the Wildebeest arc had some intrigue, it didn’t feel like a strong finish. The story lacked the emotional weight and high stakes of earlier arcs, leaving the series to fizzle out rather than end with a bang.
Overall, The New Teen Titans Vol. 2 is a solid continuation of the team’s adventures, filled with strong character moments and compelling challenges. However, the uneven pacing, overstretched storylines, and less-than-stellar additions to the roster keep it from being truly great. I’m glad I read it, as it deepened my appreciation for the Titans as a whole, but it’s not a run I see myself revisiting too often—a respectable 3 stars.
Feature Image The New Titans #1 cover art by George Perez
Keep NewToComics.com running with a donation or shopping with through our affiliates—your support helps maintain the site and continue guiding new readers into the world of comics!