| Marvel and DC Present The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans | |
|---|---|
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics Marvel Comics |
| Format | Prestige format |
| Publication date | 1982 |
| No. of issues | 1 |
| Main character(s) | X-Men New Teen Titans Darkseid Dark Phoenix Deathstroke |
| Creative team | |
| Written by | Chris Claremont |
| Penciller | Walt Simonson |
| Inker | Terry Austin |
| Letterer | Tom Orzechowski |
| Colorist | Glynis Wein |
| Editor(s) | Louise Jones Len Wein |
The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans is a 1982crossovercomic book published byMarvel Comics. It was written byChris Claremont andpencilled byWalt Simonson. It follows ateam-up between two teams ofsuperheroes: Marvel's theX-Men, and theNew Teen Titans of rival publisherDC Comics.
In 1982,Uncanny X-Men andThe New Teen Titans shared several similarities. In addition to high popularity and strong sales, both titles were helmed by respected, established writers, inChris Claremont (X-Men) andMarv Wolfman (Teen Titans). Given the success of each title, Marvel and DC recognized the sales potential of a jointly published crossover, withX-Men writer Chris Claremont scripting the story andWalt Simonson andTerry Austin providing the art.[1][2] The comic was lettered byX-Men lettererTom Orzechowski and edited byX-Men'sLouise Jones.Len Wein, the editor ofThe New Teen Titans, acted as DC's liaison with Marvel on the project.[3]
Seeking to co-opt the near-limitless power of theSource, the alien tyrantDarkseid continues his efforts to break through theSource Wall. Thinking that the energy associated with thePhoenix Force can help him penetrate the mysteries of the Source, Darkseid sets into motion a plan to recreate the Dark Phoenix by tapping into the memories of her former teammates, the X-Men, as well as drawing the residue of her power from a variety of sources, and then amplifying that residue, using energy streaming from the rupture of the Source Wall. With his help,Metron had pierced the Wall and his sacrifice effected a small rupture which bled a steady stream of energy. Both superhero teams are alerted to the dangers by the Titans'Starfire, who has knowledge of Dark Phoenix's immense destructive power.
Despite their best efforts, each team is defeated and captured byDeathstroke and Darkseid's shock troops. Darkseid brings the Dark Phoenix back to life. Both super-teams work together, freeing themselves and defeating their enemies in a climactic battle.Colossus prevents the gathering of psionic residue at a western mesa and this results in the Dark Phoenix simulation being flawed, and exploiting said flaw enables the two teams to drive a wedge between Dark Phoenix and Darkseid.Professor X andCyclops convince what is left ofJean Grey's human consciousness that she is being manipulated, and she once again sacrifices herself to defeat Darkseid, repairing all the damage in doing so. What had been Darkseid is now part of the Source Wall, and Metron returns home, whatever he sought having been attained.[4]
The Slings and Arrows Comic Guide wrote that "Claremont courageously defies tradition by filling an unbalanced basket of guest stars, and Walt Simonson's first-rate pencils contribute to the finest Marvel/DC co-production."[5] Comics historian Matthew K. Manning calls it "one of the most well-received crossovers of its time — or of any time for that matter."[6] In 2018,Nerdist's Eric Diaz called the comic "still the greatest event comic ever."[7]
Despite the success of the project,The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans represented the last new DC–Marvel intercompany crossover for over a decade. A planned "X-Men/Teen Titans" #2, by theTitans creative team ofMarv Wolfman andGeorge Pérez, was scheduled for publication near Christmas 1983.[8][9][10]X-Men writer Claremont had shared details of futureX-Men storylines with Wolfman to facilitate Wolfman's writing of the script.[11] Pérez was slated to draw the much-anticipatedJLA/Avengers intercompany crossover due for publication in 1984, which was eventually scuttled due to editorial squabbling between the two companies. Continuing disagreements between Marvel and DC and Pérez's anger over the demise of theJLA/Avengers book[12] resulted in the eventual cancellation ofX-Men/Teen Titans #2 as well.[11] Unlike theJLA/Avengers, a good portion of which had already been drawn by Pérez, no artwork was ever drawn for theUncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans sequel. It was not until 1994'sBatman/Punisher: Lake of Fire that DC and Marvel joined forces again in a new publishing venture.
The issue, written by longtimeX-Men scribe Chris Claremont and drawn by Walter Simonson, [was]... one of the most well-received crossovers of its time — or of any time for that matter — the team-up was a huge success.
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