Teen Titans and Outsiders Secret Files and Origins

    (DC, 2005)
™ and © DC Comics, Inc.

These Secret Files and Origins specials have become increasingly more common—and increasingly less special. They generally contain a few stories intended to give new readers a quick catch-up or to fill in gaps that happened between panels. DC seems to be straying from its mandate, since there may be not enough basics for newcomers but too much exposition for regulars.

The volume starts with a Donna Troy catch-up and segues immediately into a Titans-Outsiders team-up. The transition is probably more seamless than intended, since the title of “I am Donna Troy” appears on its first page and the title of “Teen Titan Hunt” appears on its last page. If this is intentional, why make them two stories at all?

The profile pages focus heavily on the villains, but there are useful hero stats, such as an explanation of who, exactly, Shift is supposed to be. The most fun comes from “Who’s Your Daddy?” in which Harlequin taunts other villains by not being straightforward with her sire’s identity. It’s cute but it’s not enough.

— Jack Abramowitz
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  • 1
    #1
    Oct 2005
    Cover: $4.99
    W: Adam Beechen, Chris Castallo, J. Torres, Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir, Mike McAvennie  ·  A: Darryl Banks, Paco Medina, Tony S. Daniel, Todd Nauck, Ian Churchill, Kevin Nowlan, Carlos d’Anda, Pasqual Ferry, Daniel Acuña, Matthew Clark, Cliff Chiang, Gene Ha, Rags Morales, George Pérez
    8 copies from $2.98