As Starfire Gears Up For an Overdue Comeback, DC Better Include the Hero's Best Allies
The DCU does not just have highly-anticipated live-action films up its sleeve, but cartoons - like the upcoming Starfire. DC Studios recently announced that there will be two new animated series: My Adventures With Green Lantern and Starfire. The latter focuses on the titular warrior princess as she escapes her home world of Tamaran, where she was a princess turned slave in the comics.
Starfire is no stranger to animation, and her usual team is the Teen Titans, as pointed out by Variety on X. While it's likely that Starfire will meet her fellow Titans and join the team, especially with James Gunn planning to produce a Teen Titans film as part of the new DCU, her supporting cast for Starfire will include some more obscure comic characters, like Fern, Crush, and Amethyst.
Of the four characters mentioned in the reported details about the new animated series, only one - Fern - does not have a titular series for herself, but the others do, and readers can check out these comics before Starfire's premiere.
3 Starfire by Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Emanuela Lupacchio, and Elsa Charretier
Starfire's Solo Series Delivers a More Mature Koriand'r for Fans of Teen Titans
When looking for a Starfire solo series, there are not many in the DC main continuity. Of course, there are some young adult graphic novels, like Teen Titans: Starfire, which shook up Starfire's origins to suit that universe. However, when it comes to an in-continuity Starfire series, look no further than Starfire by Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Emanuela Lupacchio, and Elsa Charretier. In it, Starfire tries to figure herself out outside the Titans, which leads her to Florida, where she becomes a quirky-yet-helpful member of the local community while putting a few bad guys in their place.
Yes, Raven Had a Hard Life, But Another Titan Carries an Even More Tragic Backstory
Tragic backstories aren't uncommon for DC characters and while some might assume Raven has the darkest childhood, that's not nearly true.
This series is not an origin story for Starfire, but it is one of the most fun explorations of her character in comics, and Starfire is made for those who grew up with the 2003 Teen Titans cartoon. This comic book is almost like the cartoon's spiritual successor, giving fans a fun, more mature Starfire. Also, based on the little that's known about the upcoming Starfire cartoon, it seems to have a similar tone to this comic series, which is also akin to the humorous tone of Harley Quinn's Max series.
2 Crush & Lobo by Mariko Tamaki and Amancay Nahuelpan
Crush's Relationship with Her Father Lobo Is Far from Ideal
Crush is a fairly recent character, having debuted as a member of the Teen Titans in 2018. She eventually became a significant member of the team, just like Starfire. Also like Starfire, Crush is originally from outer space, but she was raised on Earth by a human couple, as opposed to her birth father, Lobo, who has a much more storied history in DC Comics and is far from the ideal father figure. Lobo and his daughter, Crush, starred in an explosive miniseries by Mariko Tamaki and Amancay Nahuelpan.
A member of a contemporary iteration of the Teen Titans - where Starfire herself first appeared - Crush debuted in 2018's Teen Titans Special #1 by Adam Glass, Robson Rocha, Daniel Henriques, Sunny Gho, and Rob Leigh.
Though she shared a title with her deadbeat dad, this series is undeniably Crush's. This miniseries takes place after Crush quits being a Titan, and, to make matters worse, while things with her girlfriend are going rough. Trying to run away from all her problems, Crush decides to confront Lobo, who's locked away in an intergalactic prison. Like Starfire's solo series, this comic is unapologetically fun. Plus, Starfire's cartoon can take a page from Crush & Lobo, as the comic explores the chaotic and creative corners of DC's cosmic side.
1 Amethyst by Amy Reeder
With Amethyst by Her Side, Starfire Won't Be the Only Princess
Amethyst - one of DC's most magical and underrated heroines - is also set to travel the cosmos with Starfire, and her origin is a strange mix of both Starfire's and Crush's. Like Starfire, Amethyst is a princess from a far off world known as Gemworld. However, like Crush, she was raised on Earth, unaware of her true identity until she was a teenager and began to develop powers. Furthermore, where Starfire and Crush embrace the more sci-fi side of DC's cosmic corners, Amethyst embraces the fantastical and magical elements of other worlds.
With Amethyst set to be a key player in the new series, it's clear that Starfire is determined to be an epic animated adventure where anything is possible.
While Amethyst has been around since the 1980s, she was reintroduced to the DC Universe as a member of Young Justice, and she starred in a self-titled miniseries by Amy Reeder in 2020. In it, Amethyst returns to her kingdom on Gemworld to celebrate her 16th birthday, but her kingdom and people are missing. In order to figure out what happened, Amethyst must explore what remains of Gemworld, leading to a fantastical epic for the princess steeped in magic and mystery. With Amethyst set to be a key player in the new series, it's clear that Starfire is determined to be an epic animated adventure where anything is possible.
Starfire, Crush & Lobo, and Amethyst are available now from DC Comics.
Source: Variety
- Created By
- Marv Wolfman, George Perez
- Cast
- Hynden Walch
- First Appearance
- Teen Titans
- Alias
- Koriand'r
Starfire, also known as Princess Koriand'r, is a key member of the Teen Titans and originates from the planet Tamaran. With her bright, energetic personality, she is known for her fierce loyalty, optimism, and strength in battle. Starfire is one of the most powerful Titans, possessing the ability to fly and shoot energy blasts from her hands.
- RELATIONSHIPS
- Robin (love interest), Blackfire (sister)
- Alliance
- Teen Titans
- Race
- Tamaranean
- Movies
- Teen Titans Go! To The Movies, Justice League vs. Teen Titans, Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans, Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse
- TV Shows
- Teen Titans, Teen Titans Go!
- Video Games
- Teen Titans
- Franchise
- Teen Titans
- POWERS
- Flight, Starbolt energy projection, Super strength, Enhanced agility, Longevity
- HISTORY
- Starfire escaped to Earth after being enslaved by the Citadel, meeting the Titans and joining the team. Over time, she became a fierce protector of her friends, known for her naivety about Earth customs but also her bravery in battle.
- NAME
- Koriand'r (Starfire)
- Age
- Around 16 in Teen Titans
- Height
- Approximately 6'0" (183 cm)
- Comic Books
- Teen Titans #1
