The book focused as much on the characters’ civilian identities as their superhero antics, and this combination of drama and action proved to be a surprise success for DC, which was in need of a hit after a disastrous run of cancellations. Wolfman was a generous collaborator, and Pérez felt a sense of ownership of the team as they worked together to revamp existing characters like Beast Boy and Robin, as well as introduce new ones like Cyborg, Raven, and Starfire. Then, a few months into working on The New Teen Titans, he fell in love with the gig. Pérez wasn’t particularly interested in the project, but the offer came with the opportunity to draw Justice League of America as well, so he agreed. In 1980, writer Marv Wolfman offered Pérez a job at DC Comics on The New Teen Titans, a contemporary update of the young team.

But Pérez happily embraced the chance to draw so many of his childhood idols, and channeled his artistic heroes, like Sal Buscema and Curt Swan, to create a distinctive and realistic take on the Avengers. Team books weren’t popular with artists at the time compensation was minimal, and a large cast of characters meant a lot more work. That same year, Pérez began his much-lauded tenure drawing the Earth’s mightiest heroes starting with Avengers #141. More Marvel gigs soon followed, and in 1975 he co-created White Tiger, the first Puerto Rican superhero, with writer Bill Mantlo. His first published work appeared the following year, a two-page Deathlok story in Marvel’s Astonishing Tales #25. He was 19 when he got his start in the comics business, landing a job as artist Rich Buckler’s assistant in 1973. The colorful adventures also offered a respite from the violence of his rough neighborhood, and by the time he was 5, he knew he wanted to be an artist when he grew up. He discovered superheroes at a young age, and comic books helped him learn English.

George Pérez was born in the South Bronx, New York, in 1954, the son of a Puerto Rican couple who had recently moved to the city.

Image: George Pérez, Orzechowski/Marvel Comics

The New Teen Titans by George Pérez