Hi Anons. I'm sorry for such a long time away. Work has been kicking my ass. That being said, I do now have some time. So here we go.Here are the previous threads:https://desuarchive.org/co/thread/149478500/https://desuarchive.org/co/thread/149495814/https://desuarchive.org/co/thread/149542385/https://desuarchive.org/co/thread/149563797/https://desuarchive.org/co/thread/149590800/https://desuarchive.org/co/thread/150067377/
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>>150389901Sorry you're missing my autism, but I generally don't have that much to say about this. In general, I think that while the Vega System stuff was really good, this sort of thing is a lot more where Wolfman's heart was and the thing that gives the Titans its unique vibe (especially when it was starting off). In contrast to the Justice League, where it was much more concerned with the big threats, the Titans were basically more into espionage and mystery stories.Likewise, I think that Wolfman was doing this stuff, especially after the vega system stuff as a way of showing the variety of tone he could give the book.
>>150389943But you are not missing my signature, being a crap storytimer.
>>150389943The tamaran stuff was so reviled (especially after the #13-25 V2 stuff) that outside a single annual design solely to widow Starfire, Marvel never fucking touched the Tamaran/Vegas shit until the final five issues of the NTT run.
>>150389961But yeah, it's quite interesting that one of the first real stories of Terra being a member of the Titans is a mystery about identity and motive with links to HIVE.
>>150389975Really? I must admit, I really enjoyed it and it seems that a few other people did too seeing as we got an Omega Men series.
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>>150390033Honestly, something about Slade that I think a lot of the modern incarnations miss is the whole "man of wealth and taste".
>>150390046Anyway, this whole story of Terra in the Titans and comparing it to to the adaptations is quite interesting. While the movie is absolutely shit, that New 52 movie is probably the most accurate one (although still absolutely dog shit). But yeah, it's sorta interesting reading this section of the Titans cause you can really tell imho that despite Terra turning into a middle finger to Kitty Pryde, Wolfman and Perez were really still developing her and trying to figure her out.
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>>150390101Anyway, this whole story of Terra in the Titans and comparing it to to the adaptations is quite interesting. While the movie is absolutely shit, that New 52 movie is probably the most accurate (although still absolutely dog shit). Honestly, it's one of my big compliants and the reason I fucking love Priest Terra, is that they get Terra wasn't some "perfect innocent girl", but absolutely screwed up even before Slade got his hands on her.But yeah, really appreciate the foreshadowing. The only one who doesn't greet Terra at her party is Dick. Although not perfect foreshadowing (as Wally is greeting Terra and not a part of the Titans at the time of Judas Contract), it is sorta a neat hint as to what will happen come Judas Contract.
>>150390131But I think that the Judas Contract, despite being a horse that is kicked to death especially in modern times has a lot of really interesting subtext that the prior page hints at. As much as its meant to show how Terra is a bratty child who lacks much of the personal heroism required to be a hero, it also has a delicious piece of subtext, that she is so akin to the core six that they can't see her red flags.
>>150390171Honestly, it's one of my big complaints about people revisiting the Judas Contract and the reason I fucking love Priest Terra, is that he got Terra wasn't some "perfect innocent girl", but absolutely screwed up even before Slade got his hands on her.
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>>150390224Also, in general, this is something I very much like and I kinda dislike adaptations the whole "Terra was actually into Gar". The whole dynamic was that he saw something in Terra that was absolutely not there and couldn't get the hint that she didn't feel that way about him.
>>150390238Fuck.Also, Wolfman you can't keep getting away with this! Terry is not interesting!
>>150390259But yeah, building on what I said about Terra being the "shadow" of the core six. Something that I think is really interesting is how she reflects the Titans during her time with them. I don't know how intentional it is, but it is a very interesting piece of subtext.
What do I mean by reflecting the Titans? Well, think about it.Cyborg - Both were experimented on without their consent which in turn gave them their powers.Donna Troy - A mysterious past that doesn't quite add up and a question of "where do I belong".Starfire - A princess who was exiled from her homeland.Changeling - The use of humor to cover up their insecurities and feelings of self-loathing.Raven - A girl used as a weapon by an older man and views herself as "evil" (although unlike Raven, Terra doesn't seem to mind her nature).She even reflects Wally to a degree, with the two of them being these caustic figures within the team wondering if they fit in or belong on the Titans. However, there is one member of the Titans who she reflects the most and it is genuinely the most interesting piece of subtext, especially considering the direction the Judas Contract goes in. I have hinted at it before, but I am talking about Nightwing/Robin.
I'll drop my autism about the Robin stuff.
>>150390400Fuck!
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>>150390548My autism is probably dropping next post.
>>150390582Actually no, this is a fantastic reveal and I want to talk about it for a bit. While I think that they were still trying to figure out Terra's deal, this aspect of the Judas Contract is the part that all adaptions don't get. The dramatic irony. We know that Terra is working from Deathstroke from the word go. The question is how and if the betrayal will occur. It's kinda why Judas Contract is still superior to so many other traitor storylines. Because the question and tension not "who is the traitor", it is actually "will Terra go through with the betrayal".
Anyway, autism drop about Terra and Nightwing.Dick was a circus boy, who may have been poor but was raised in a loving family. In contrast, it was inferred and then made text by stuff like Priest's Deathstroke that Terra was a princess (who may have been a bastard) who despite the opulence of her upbringing was raised in a mostly unloving environment. While both lost their families it is implied that Terra was chased away from hers, rather than losing them through violence like Dick. Both were "turned" into something more, but while Dick trained for his power and it is all natural, Terra's great strength powers came from experiments which iirc she did not consent to. Dick was trained by Batman, becoming the protege and brother/son figure while Terra is merely turned into a weapon by Deathstroke. Dick is considered a great hero whereas Terra is considered well... pure evil (at least in the context of Judas Contract).Hell, there is even the matter of their outfits and personalities. Terra's costumes are earth tones whereas Dick's colours, even after he becomes Nightwing, are bright. Likewise, in this era of the Titans, it is clear that Dick is an emotionally repressed mess, where it takes a lot for him to admit to his attraction to Starfire and open up. In contrast, Terra is very much the party girl who has no filter and is later quite open with her sexuality, pursing Slade quite openly. Again, I don't know if this was entirely intentional, but it is a very, very interesting piece of subtext and I think Wolfman/Perez were somewhat aware of the contrast, because of Dick's role in Judas Contract.Anyway, I'm gonna take a break for a bit cause I need to grab something to eat.
Bumping for OP so thread doesn't die
>>150390775Thanks anon. I'm back. I'll do this annual and call it a day.
But yeah, this issue sees the debt of Vigilante who goes to star in his own series. This actually ties into something that I think really benefited this era of DC quite a lot, which is how editorial was unafraid to make the world seem big which was spinoffs/major characters could be born from books not called "Batman/Superman/Justice League".
But yeah, this is the part about Vigilante that I think is really interesting. As I've said before, Vigilante feels more like Dick's Harvey Dent then he does another version of Batman and while there are obvious parallels to Bruce's backstory, this origin story very much feels like a twisted retelling of what happened to Harvey Dent.
>>150390902Fuck, and I continue to let my autism get in the way of my storytimes.
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>>150391032Also maybe it's just me, goddamn the monks are utter monsters and pricks to Raven and Arella.
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But yeah, you can really how badly decompresion has hurt comics here. There is so much happening in this annual and it's great... and then you compare it to modern stuff, where so little actually occurs so that you buy the TPB for a story which would've once taken one issue to tell.OG Ultimate Marvel must pay for its crimes.
Sorry I am not talking and spewing my autism, but I want to get this done as fast I can due to the length of this annual. I'll be doing a storytime later this week, and I'll be more of my autistic self.
Anyway, second to last page and after this we're done for the day. If any anons have any comments or questions, I'll try to answer them next thread.
And done for the day. Hope any anon who read really enjoyed this. I'll be back later as I have a bit less work on my plate this week.
yeah bumping for the OPhopefully it lasts till morning so i can actually pick out scenes to talk aboutI always point to this as one of the stories that showed how Nightwing can be a bit of a bastard when he wants to. He was breaking rules and doing things that, while commonplace for Batman characters in the 00s, 10s, and today, were still decidedly un-heroic in 1983.
>>150390667Did you ever read tamaranorbust's posts about Terra? Lots of autism there, but she reached a similar conclusion about Terra: That she and Deathstroke were a dark reflection of Batman and Robin.
>>150391767Oh yep, where she decided Terra was a schizo "Fight Club" Tulpa that Dick made up to cope with being raped by Bruce. She should hope no one like Tom King steals that in the future.
>>150389975Go away Didio or Johns and get better bait.
