The New Teen Titans #39
Published and © by DC, February 1984
Title: “Crossroads”
Synopsis: Kid Flash leaves the Titans, Dick Grayson stops being Robin and Terra earns full membership as the Judas Contract looms.
Writers (co-plotters): Marv Wolfman and George Pérez
Writer (script): Wolfman
Artist: Pérez
Review: Emotionally, this is an important issue. While the slow build to these big changes involving founding members Kid Flash and Robin veered overdramatic at times, the pay off here is quite strong. But the real emotional impact comes from the increasingly disturbing relationship between Terra and the Terminator. Their partnership already triggered the ick factor back in the day, but the implied sexual nature of their union grows even darker when viewed through a post-#MeToo lens. Terminator is certainly a predator, but Terra is presented as an increasingly uncontrollable force of nature with a deep-seated darkness. Unsettling stuff.
Grade: A
Second opinion: “Excellent.” – Martin Crookall, Fantasy Advertiser #89 and Worlds Collide #9, February 1985
Cool factor: This issue is a master class from artist George Pérez. From action-packed splashes to character moments across the emotional gamut, there’s seemingly nothing he can’t capture on the page.
Not-so-cool factor: Eww, Terminator. Just eww.
Notable: Kid Flash leaves the Teen Titans and Dick Grayson gives up being Robin.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 95¢ Canadian variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.
Character quotable: “Damn them, Terminator. They’re sanctimonious do-gooders. I just wanna kill ’em all.” – Terra, troubled
Editor’s note: This review was written Feb 15, 2025.
