Suggested Reading...

Before there was a Young Avengers there were Teen Titans. The Teen Titans were created way back in 1964 for a storyline in The Brave And The Bold #54. They consisted of Aqua Lad, Robin, and Kid Flash who were the teen aged side kicks of Aquaman, Batman, and The Flash. By the time they were given their own book they had taken on Wonder Woman's little sister Wonder Girl and Green Arrow's side kick Speedy. These five (in modern continuity) are considered the founding members of the team.



The series really didn't have a huge following until The New Teen Titans debuted in 1980. The new roster included founding members Robin, Wonder Girl, and Kid Flash along with newcomers Changeling, Raven, Starfire and Cyborg. This version of the group ended up being DC's best selling book throughout the 80's. It made stars of writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez. During the 90's the book's popularity waned and several different attempts to recapture it's popularity failed.



The series was revamped in 2003 by Geoff Johns and Mike McKone. This version of the team started a new wave of interest and now the book is back in the best selling lists.
I have chosen a few of my very favorite story lines from the 80's to the present. These books have brought me great entertainment!!!

Here are some favorites:

(click photos for links)



The Judas Contract: Marv Wolfman, George Perez; This was the beginning of a more serious tone for the Teen Titans. It is possibly the most well known and critically acclaimed story line in Titans history. The Titans take in a new member named Terra. She becomes very close to them (especially Changeling) and everything seems like a fairy tale. One day things take a terrible turn and the Titans learn every rose has it's thorns. This is also around the time that Dick Grayson stops being Robin and a new hero (Nightwing) is born. This story is really a classic in the eyes of DC readers and creators alike. It is a must read.



The Terror of Trigon: Marv Wolfman, George Perez; This is my all time favorite Titans storyline!!! Raven has been changing for months but no one notices until it is too late. Armageddon is upon us and the only ones who might be able to stop it are the Titans. George Perez's artwork is always awesome, but in this story it is amazing. He manages to give us a vision of Hell that is truly horrifying. I can't really think of anything that is wrong with this collection. I loved every single issue.



A Kid's Game: Geoff Johns, Mike McKone; This is the first story arc in the 2003 revamp of the Titans. I was very suspicious of this and it took me forever to actually read it. When I did I was pleasantly surprised! This story rocks. Cyborg, Starfire and Beast Boy (aka Changeling) decide it is up to them to give the younger generation the guidance and opportunities they once had...but new new generation of heroes is very apprehensive after the very tragic failure of their first attempt at a team (Young Justice). They are also not very supported by each of their individual mentors.



Family Lost: Geoff Johns, Mike McKone; This is the return of Raven AND the return of long time enemy Brother Blood! It is a good story and also a very creepy one. If you are a Raven fan this is a must read.



The Future Is Now: Mark Waid, Geoff Johns, Mark McKone; The Titans are accidentally sent to the future and they don't like what it has in store for them. This is an important pre-Infinite Crisis story. They must figure out how to get home and how to save themselves from a less than happy future existence.



The Insiders: Geoff Johns, Judd Winnick; This is actually a Teen Titans/Outsiders crossover. The teams really haven't worked that closely together since the death of Donna Troy. Now it seems each team has a traitor and the teams must work together to save themselves.



The Death and Return Of Donna Troy: Phil Jiminez, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez; These two story lines are very significant in the history of the Teen Titans. In anothet Titans/Outsiders crossover, Donna Troy (the original Wonder Girl and founding member) was killed in the blink of an eye...little did anyone know that she would return years later with an important message and mission. This is another pre-Infinite Crisis tie-in.



Around the World: Geoff Johns, Tony Daniel; It is one year since Infinite Crisis and there is a whole new Titans team. Is the bleak vision of the future coming true? The new Teen Titans have had many members from all over the world in the past year and now they have discovered there was a traitor among them. They must travel around the world to find all the former members to sniff out the rat, thus saving Raven who apparently is in trouble...again...



In 2003 the Cartoon Network created an animated series version of Teen Titans. It was very popular and I have to admit I love it! It is a perfect blend of Anime and American animation. The stories are geared for children but is it so much fun to watch you really don't notice. I reminds me of when I was a kid and I used to watch Voltron! The above YouTube is an episode of the show. Check out that theme song! Hell Yeah!