Starfire’s Forgotten Series Has Everything I Ever Wanted as a Cartoon Network Kid
For millennials, like myself, who grew up with the Teen Titans cartoon, it had a massive impact on us - especially characters like Starfire. Some of us are still hoping that the series can come back in some way. Of course, if Teen 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 for my 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.
Starfire Is an Unofficial Teen Titans Follow-Up for Fans of My Favorite Titan
Starfire by Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Emanuela Lupacchino, and Elsa Charretier
Growing up watching Teen 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 hitter and 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.
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She was a fantastic role model and one of DC's greatest heroes, so when I got into comics, I wanted more Starfire. Unfortunately, the pickings were slim for a Starfire solo series, and as a newer comic reader, I was intimidated to turn a comic series like Teen 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 2015 by 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, Starfire is 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.
Starfire and Harley Quinn Made 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 to Starfire, but there 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, but Starfire's humor got me, and it will also appeal to fans of Harley Quinn.
Humor is subjective, but Starfire's humor got me, and it will also appeal to fans of Harley Quinn. More specifically, it will appeal to fans of the New 52 Harley Quinn run, also by Conner and Palmotti, which is one of Harley Quinn's best comics to date. Both series treat the characters maturely, which will appeal to those who grew up with their appearances on cartoons like Teen Titans and Batman: The Animated Series.
Harley Quinn was introduced in Batman: The Animated Series in 1992, and Cartoon Network's Teen Titans aired 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 that Conner 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
While the 2015 Starfire series 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 Starfire by 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 than Starfire's new Teen Titans title, Teen Titans: Starfire by 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' origins to suit the plot. Since Teen 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 ongoing Titans title by John Layman and Pete Wood, available now from DC Comics.
The YA Teen Titans series also feels like it'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, this Teen Titans YA 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, but what I love the most are the characters. Looking at my favorite Teen Titans episodes - 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 seeing Starfire and Raven become closer friends, and I love having an episode dedicated to romantic drama. With the Teen Titans YA 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.
The Teen Titans graphic 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 2015 Starfire series. It's exactly what I was looking for as a Starfire fangirl. Plus, I love seeing superheroes deal with slice-of-life issues, and Starfire does 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 of Starfire.
Starfire is available now from DC Comics.
- Created By
- Marv Wolfman, George Perez
- Cast
- Hynden Walch
- First Appearance
- Teen Titans
- Alias
- Koriand'r
