For millennials, like myself, who grew up with theTeen Titanscartoon, it had a massive impact on us - especially characters likeStarfire. Some of us are still hoping that the series can come back in some way. Of course, ifTeen Titans Go!is not what you’re looking for after the original Cartoon Network show, fans of that show can turn to the comics, which is what I did.
More specifically, I was in the market for a good Starfire series. To my surprise, though, she has not had many solo outings. While there are a few young adult books, when it comes to Earth-0, Starfire is often in ensemble comics, various one-shots, or generally in another heroes' series, like Blue Beetle or Nightwing.
However, there is a solo series formy favorite Teen Titan, and it is written by none other than the writers who tackled the first Harley Quinn comic I ever read: Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti.
StarfireIs an UnofficialTeen TitansFollow-Up for Fans of My Favorite Titan
Starfireby Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Emanuela Lupacchino, and Elsa Charretier
Growing up watchingTeen Titans, the character I related to the most and loved the most was Starfire. I found her hilarious, especially when it came to her trying to figure out Earth culture. Plus, I related to her optimism and her dedication to her loved ones.While aggressively cheerful at times, Starfire is a heavy hitterand a force to be reckoned with. Seeing a female superhero who could be equal parts ray of sunshine and a powerful badass meant a lot to me as an elementary school kid.
I Can’t Believe DC Just Brought Back A 20-Year-Old Teen Titans Mystery We Never Got The Answer To
DC has brought a major Teen Titans mystery that the show never answered back into the spotlight 20 years after its initial introduction.
She was a fantastic role model and one of DC’s greatest heroes, so when I got into comics, I wanted moreStarfire. Unfortunately, the pickings were slim for a Starfire solo series, and as a newer comic reader, I was intimidated to turn a comic series likeTeen Titans, especially since that was a team that went back decades and had more than a few iterations by the 2010s. Thankfully,the perfect Starfire series for me hit the shelves in 2015by Conner, Palmiotti, Emanuela Lupacchino, Elsa Charretier, and more.
In her 2015 solo series, Starfire tries to understand who she is beyond the Titans, so she moves to Florida. On top of figuring herself out, making new relationships, and helping the community, Starfire has a few nasty creatures and villains to take down. Because this story is about Starfire figuring herself out beyond the Titans,Starfireis a clean jumping on point for new readers. Along with that,the story follows a more adult Starfire, so for those who grew up with the character from the Cartoon Network series, it’s like she grew up with us.
StarfireandHarley QuinnMade Me a Life-Long DC Fan
Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti Wrote for the Iconic Characters
Also, with an adult Starfire, some of the series' themes are more mature as well, which I loved. There are classic superhero elements toStarfire, butthere are also slice-of-life elements. Starfire is navigating her relationships, friendships, and work, making her incredibly relatable - and hilarious - even when she is a warrior princess from another world. There are cute visual gags where Starfire is trying to decipher what certain Earth phrases mean, and we also get to see Starfire try to wrap her head around human customs that are more mature.
Humor is subjective, butStarfire’shumor got me, and it will also appeal to fans of Harley Quinn.
Humor is subjective, butStarfire’shumor got me, and it will also appeal to fans of Harley Quinn. More specifically, it will appeal to fans of the New 52Harley Quinnrun, also by Conner and Palmotti, which is one ofHarley Quinn’s best comicsto date. Both series treat the characters maturely, which will appeal to those who grew up with their appearances on cartoons likeTeen TitansandBatman: The Animated Series.
Harley Quinn was introduced inBatman: The Animated Seriesin 1992, and Cartoon Network’sTeen Titansaired in 2005. For kids who grew up with the shows, they were adults by the time the comics came out amidst DC’s New 52 initiative, and the characters must have felt like they had aged with them. Plus, it’s clear thatConner and Palmiotti are fans of these characters and their animated counterparts, so it was easy for me as a fan of both to fall in love with these series.
Starfire Has a Few Titles Outside DC’s Main Continuity, But She Deserves Even More
Starfire Has Two Major Young Adult Titles Now Available
Whilethe 2015Starfireseries is her only solo series that takes place in the DC’s main continuity, there are other places fans can turn to for their Starfire fix, especially if you’re a fan of Young Adult stories.I Am Not Starfireby Marikio Tamaki and Yoshi Yoshitani features an adult Starfire as a single mother, but the story is more about her daughter, a goth girl living in the shadow of her mother and trying to be her own person. The book also tackles their complicated relationship, painting Starfire as an imperfect mother but relatable adult.
However, for those who want a Starfire story where she’s the star, look no further thanStarfire’s new Teen Titans title,Teen Titans: Starfireby Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo. This is the fifth book in Garcia and Picolo’s YA series, and each book often centers on one or two team members,shaking up the Teen Titans' originsto suit the plot. SinceTeen Titans: Raven,these books have been bestsellers - and for good reason. They treat the Titans as teenagers first and heroes second, which is why they’re relatable to all ages.
Starfire also makes significant appearances in the current ongoingTitanstitle by John Layman and Pete Wood, available now from DC Comics.
The YATeen Titansseries also feels likeit’s targeting fans of the Cartoon Network show, with the Titans' lineup so far primarily featuring the Titans from that series. Also, as a YA series, it’s going for a similar demographic while also appealing to the original fans of that series years ago. In fact, for myself, thisTeen TitansYA series expands on what I loved the most about that cartoon, which are the relationships and friendships between the Titans.
Like the Cartoon, Starfire’s Comics Embrace the More Human Side of the Alien Princess
From Romance to Slice-of-Life
Yes, I love the superhero elements in the cartoon, butwhat I love the most are the characters. Looking at myfavoriteTeen Titansepisodes- like “Puppet King,” where Starfire and Raven swapped bodies, and “Date with Destiny,” where Robin is forced to go to prom - the more relatable, human elements of those episodes stand out. I love seeingStarfire and Raven become closer friends, and I love having an episode dedicated to romantic drama. With theTeen TitansYA series leaning into the slice-of-life genre, it’s scratching the same itch that the cartoon did.
Enough With the Romance, DC: Starfire Deserves More Than Just Love
Don’t get me wrong, a well-crafted romance arc can be great, but it’s long overdue for Starfire to shine in a solo series that goes beyond love.
TheTeen Titansgraphic novel series is the best recommendation I can give for someone who wants something in the vein of the cartoon. However, for those who want a series that puts Starfire front and center, look no further than the 2015Starfireseries. It’s exactly what I was looking for as a Starfire fangirl. Plus, I love seeing superheroes deal with slice-of-life issues, andStarfiredoes just this. It’s also a great intro to comics for fans of the Cartoon Network series, and afterward, they can go deeper into the Teen Titans' long DC history for more classic iterations ofStarfire.
