Teen Titans Spotlight #16
In "Second Thoughts," the Teen Titans face a chilling psychological rift when Albert Michaels, caught between his scientific mind and the volatile Atomic Skull persona, nearly destroys S.T.A.R. Labs. As Thunder and Lightning grapple with the aftermath, Dr. Damalis pushes them toward therapy—using a mysterious drug that plunges Lightning into a dream of attack, where Thunder feels his pain and pulls him away. A cryptic voice urges Dr. Damalis to eliminate them both, and when she calls Frances Kane with a single word—“Rumpelstiltskin”—the line between ally and weapon blurs. Written by Tony Isabella and illustrated by Chuck Patton, with inks by Al Vey and colors by Shelley Eiber, this 1987 issue features a haunting cover by Jerome Moore and Dennis Janke.
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At S.T.A.R. Labs, a bolt from Dr. Damalis' lab startles Thunder and Lightning. Albert Michaels, overcome by his Atomic Skull persona, nearly destroys the lab and almost kills Frances Kane (Magenta). Dr. Damalis says "Goldilocks" to him and he changes back to Dr. Michaels. She convinces Lightning to try some psychotherapy, injecting him with a drug. As he dreams he is being attacked, Thunder feels his pain and takes him away. A voice instructs Dr. Damalis to kill Thunder and Lightning. She calls Frances Kane and says "Rumpelstiltskin" and Frances, as Magenta, asks, “Who do you want me to kill?"
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).