The Other History of the DC Universe #2

9.1

Critic Rating

10 Reviews
7.0

User Rating

28 Reviews
Writer John Ridley
Artist Giuseppe Camuncoli
Cover Price $6.99

Before the New Teen Titans, there were the original Teen Titans. In the tumultuous 1970s, in an America that was very different than today but in many ways all too familiar, the trials and tribulations of these young heroes were witnessed by two of DC's first Black superheroes: Karen Beecher-Duncan, better known as Bumblebee, and Mal Duncan-even if their versions of events are often at odds. And across that decade, they fought for their seats at the Titans' table while joining the battle against injustice.
The long-awaited miniseries written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Let It Fall) and beautifu more

Reviews (10) User Reviews (28) Rate / Write A Review

CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top

  • 10

    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles

    Jan 26, 2021

    The lettering from Steve Wands is important here as he largely sticks to a yellow font for Karen and a black font for Mal to ensure their voices are clear. Read Full Review

  • 10

    Kabooooom - Matt Morrison

    Jan 26, 2021

    With this second chapter, The Other History of The DC Universe continues to impress and be required reading for anyone who fancies themselves a fan of DC Comics or an expert on comics' history. Even I learned some things from this book and it should go without saying you should check this out if you're a Teen Titans fan. Read Full Review

  • 10

    Dark Knight News - Kendra Hale

    Jan 29, 2021

    The writing and the art in this series is way above par, but it's the subject matter that makes it so important. Seeing these stories come to life from the point of view of characters who were actually there, is a true learning experience. While it's heavy, it's an essential read, in my opinion. It's humbling, and gives a new level of respect to certain members of the DCU. Read Full Review

  • 10

    Major Spoilers - Matthew Peterson

    Feb 01, 2021

    This comic is remarkable, well-drawn, well-written and well-researched.And frankly, it's well overdue. Read Full Review

  • 9.5

    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield

    Jan 26, 2021

    Teen Titans has always been a troubled franchise, with many retools and rough periods, and this issue somehow puts that all together in a devastatingly powerful emotional journey for two characters who finally get their moment in the spotlight. Read Full Review

  • 9.4

    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally

    Jan 26, 2021

    Camuncoli and Cucchi bring some beautiful imagery into this issue. The art is very reminiscent of the time the story is set in, but there is a unique look and feel to it that makes the pages pop with engaging visuals. Read Full Review

  • 9.0

    Graphic Policy - Brett

    Jan 26, 2021

    The Other History of the DC Universe #2 is another fantastic and amazing issue. The series is calling out the failures of DC Comics' history and the issues with its narratives. It's impressive the publisher would do this at all. The fact it's all at such a high quality is such a treat. Each issue feels like it's a college level course in DC comic history. Time for all of us to get schooled. Read Full Review

  • 9.0

    COMICON - Olly MacNamee

    Feb 01, 2021

    The history of the Teen Titans is recounted by Malcolm and Karen Duncan. As you would imagine, both have differing memories of the past, but both can be sure of one thing: tokenism and subconscious racism was rife in the DCU. A great alternative take on DC Comics history and culture with on and off the page. Read Full Review

  • 7.0

    ComicBook.com - Chase Magnett

    Jan 27, 2021

    The Other History of the DC Universe remains an engaging project with a complex reimagining of comics canon and history merged together, but the style of illustrated prose is quickly becoming a burden as the concept's novelty wears off. Read Full Review

  • 7.0

    Bleeding Cool - Hannibal Tabu

    Jan 29, 2021

    The rise and fall of the Titans set against the backdrop of the 1970s and 1980s provides a lot of ground for this title to cover, but small foibles slow down the action.  Read Full Review

USER REVIEWS Back to Top

  • 10

    WhistleBlower

    Jan 26, 2021

    Deep, thoughtful, and introspective examination of DC's history. Racists are apparently mad that the writer is black. A shame.

  • 10

    Batman Jones

    Jan 29, 2021

    I feel sincerely sorry for anyone that can't enjoy this series, because they are missing out on something truly special. Something I would call exquisite without concern for hyperbole. It's especially rewarding for a fan like me that grew up in the 70s, reading the relevant Teen Titans run and the issue of JLA where Black Lightning is offered and declines membership. Each issue has had as much to say about the JLA and the Teen Titans as about the titular characters and it's just so well done. And Jefferson, Karen, and Mal aren't being written "out of character," as another user reviewer here said. That's impossible. They never had any character to be "written out of." They were cardboard cutouts. (What passed for "character" with thes more

    + Like Comments (1)
  • 10

    Psycamorean

    Jan 31, 2021

    This is a very well written series that makes me care about characters that I've otherwise never had any reverence for. The fact that it's *a lot* of reading may turn some people off, but it manages to tell an interesting story that calls back to history without just repeating it.

  • 10

    UxasIs

    Apr 27, 2021

    He did it again...

  • 10

    Spacey Medicine

    May 18, 2021

    So many words.

    + Like Comment
  • 9.0

    C.V.R. The Bard

    Jan 31, 2021

    Ridley tells the tale of how Afro -American couples are percieved, with the woman respected over the man , no matter what he does for he and his woman - as Willie Lynch had championed for in that infamous letter. I thought the Titans couldn't have lost any more cool points with me after TTG. I thought wrong. Treated Malcolm like a slave and a token , and didn't even go to his wedding. Shit, I'm glad Roy got killed in Heroes in Crisis after reading this ! And what DID happen to Aqualad ? Thought I was going to be reading a book on Kitana, and was blessed with this - and I don't believe in blessings. I may never watch a Ridley movie, but I don't need to. The man hasn't lost his pen since his days at DC. Ridley has done it again. - Aud more

  • 8.5

    Antenovial

    Jan 26, 2021

    Other History remains a title that won't be for everyone. It's simply not a classic superhero book. Mal and Karen narrate their lives as if they are writing into their diary or telling a family member about some turbulent years of their life. That narration style offers a unique insight into DC's long publishing history that doesn't shy away from addressing the creative decisions that screwed over the Teen Titans, while addressing these decisions as in-universe choices. The minimalistic art fits the narration. It seems old but in a good way.

  • 5.0

    REYNARD

    Jan 26, 2021

    Extremely well-written and well drawn, but Ridley writes everyone so out of character just for the sake of the plot that it hurts the work immensely.

    + Like Comments (1)
  • 4.0

    Maud Benjamin

    Jan 26, 2021

    Boring as hell.

  • 4.0

    KFuqua

    Feb 02, 2021

    I really think it's a shame.... I've been reading comics for a very long time and I've been around for when Black Lightning was first introduced and for when Mal and Karen got involved with the Titans. I loved all of it and this series just put a spin on it that I did not enjoy at all and it actually took away from these characters.

  • 1.0

    Sup3rsa1yan1990

    Jan 26, 2021

    Of course the BLack screenwriter can ONLY write about black characters

    + Like Comment
  • 10

    Bruno Mael

    Jan 28, 2021

  • 10

    Justin Ray

    Feb 01, 2021

  • 10

    Batmanman

    Feb 17, 2021

  • 10

    wing81

    May 26, 2021

  • 9.0

    Watchtower022

    Feb 09, 2021

  • 9.0

    KittyNone

    Mar 12, 2021

  • 8.5

    tonpas1989

    Jan 28, 2021

  • 8.0

  • 7.5

    Swanktub

    Jan 26, 2021

  • 7.0

    Nikita14

    Sep 15, 2021

  • 7.0

    Adsun22

    Nov 25, 2023

  • 4.0

    SenpaifenixJäger

    Jan 26, 2021

  • 4.0

    Merlyn

    Jan 26, 2021

  • 3.5

    Silver Rocket

    Mar 05, 2021

  • 3.0

    Kaseladen

    Jan 26, 2021

  • 3.0

    JHugh

    Feb 11, 2021

  • 1.0

    TheBest

    Jan 28, 2021

Reviews for the Week of...

March

11 4

February