1st Appearance | Origin Story | Main Publication History | Secondary Publication History | Key Storylines | Media Source Material | Key Issues | Compilations
by snowbi-wan, updated Nov 2019
The TEEN TITANS are DC's teenage superhero group formed from sidekicks and other adolescents. There have been a few different groups bearing the name or something similar, as DC has canceled and relaunched the series (as well as their entire Universe) several times. A team book at its heart, the Teen Titans are an ever-evolving team with a rotating roster where the interactions among the members are just as intriguing as the villains they go up against. The first Teen Titans group from the Silver Age consisted initially of Robin (Dick Grayson), Kid Flash (Wally West), Aqualad (Garth) with Wonder Girl (Donna Troi) and Speedy (Roy Harper) added fairly soon. While initially popular, the series was canceled at issue #43 in 1973 which turned into a nearly 4-year long hiatus with a short-lived Bronze Age revival attempt from 1976-78 (issues #44-53).
The Teen Titans became a bigger hit, however, during their 1980s high-quality relaunch as the NEW TEEN TITANS from Marv Wolfman and George Perez. DC borrowed talent from Marvel which perhaps brought with it some aspects of the then growing success, the Uncanny X-Men. The Teen Titans team appeared in DC COMICS PRESENTS [1978] #26 the month before their self-titled series, NEW TEEN TITANS [1980] launched. The team was slightly older and added the now-enduring fan favorite members of Cyborg, Raven, Changeling (formerly Beast Boy) and Starfire. The peak of this new era was arguably the JUDAS CONTRACT storyline, in which their first recruit, the psychopath known as Terra, betrays the team to its biggest archenemy...Deathstroke. The team becomes the NEW TITANS as the members apparently age out of their 'teens.' Dick Grayson would assume his Nightwing identity during this time period, and he would eventually depart the team. After the ZERO HOUR event in 1994, the roster would be nearly unrecognizable from its 1980's beginnings, and the title would be canceled in early 1996.
Later in 1996, the Teen Titans would relaunch from writer/artist Dan Jurgens with a radically new roster of a teenage Atom (Ray Palmer), Argent, Risk, Joto, and Prysm. This second group (Teen Titans II) were genetic experiments created by the evil alien H'San Natall Empire. These half-human/half-alien Titans faced villains like Dark Nemesis and Haze before sales inevitably slumped, and the series was canceled. As the TEEN TITANS [1996] series was collapsing, some other young heroes in the DC Universe, such as Robin (Tim Drake), Superbory (Kon-El) and Impulse, had formed under the name and title YOUNG JUSTICE. The Titans themselves would relaunch in 1999 with the series TITANS [1999] and a more classic line-up of: Nightwing, Donna Troy, Arsenal, Flash (Wally West), Tempest, Cyborg, Starfire, Argent, Damage, and Jesse Quick. This series would run 50 issues and--along with YOUNG JUSTICE--end, leading into the TITANS/YOUNG JUSTICE: GRADUATION DAY [2003] mini-series, which would serve as the relaunching point for two new series: TEEN TITANS [2003] and OUTSIDERS [2003].
Geoff Johns oversaw the 2003 relaunch of the Teen Titans and spawned renewed interest in the franchise, as the series was also relaunched alongside the new, highly successful Cartoon Network animated, anime-inspired television series, TEEN TITANS. The comic book Changeling would resume using his old name of Beast Boy to match the show. A second ongoing comic book title, TITANS [2008] ran from 2008-2011 alongside TEEN TITANS [2003]. The Titans went through roster and storyline chaos as DC experienced multiple 'Crisis' events and other seemingly, rapid-fire event storylines until DC's NEW 52 publishing-wide relaunch reset the entire DC Universe. A new TEEN TITANS series came out of that relaunch, but it was not able to reclaim its Bronze Age glory. The TEEN TITANS series wase subsequently relaunched alongside a new TITANS series during DC's REBIRTH relaunch. The TITANS HUNT [2015] series and REBIRTH re-established the Teen Titans history and returned the team to a classic--and more popular--line-up.
Cartoon Network's TEEN TITANS show and its successor TEEN TITANS GO! are a couple of that network's most successful shows ever--with nearly universal exposure to the entire Millennial generation. The cartoons owe much to the NEW TEEN TITANS [1980] series from Wolfman and Perez, and--as a franchise as a whole--the Teen Titans show no signs of ever completely disappearing from the DC Universe as long as there are young heroes in it.
The first appearance of a character in comic book form is often the most valuable issue featuring that character. It's a nice place to get started in Teen Titans, if it's within your budget. The Teen Titans has seen several different member rosters in its long publishing history. The following table lists the first appearance of some of the more noteworthy line-ups that kicked off major series.
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The original presentation of an origin story or a retelling/recounting of it can be a good place to get started with a character or subject. The 'origin' of a superhero is typically the event or circumstances surrounding how they gained their powers and/or began fighting crime. In the case of a team book, a more appropriate origin is how the ensemble first came together. This section lists some key books that give origin material for the original Teen Titans and the New Teen Titans.
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Series beginnings are always great places to get started in comic books. Here is the Main Publication History for Teen Titans comic books. The Titans have had a long publishing history, beginning in the Silver Age and still going strong today.
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This section contains a curated list of some of the best storylines for Teen Titans, any one of which can be a good place to get started. Wolfman and Perez's run from the 1980's is generally regarded as the definitive Teen Titans run. Geoff Johns' run from 2003 usually scores near the top as well. THE JUDAS CONTRACT is likely the most famous Teen Titans storyline, but there are many other great arcs to discover as well. Anything from the list below would be a great place to get started with Teen Titans comics.
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1980 | NEW TEEN TITANS [1980] #1-8 (beginning of Wolfman and Perez's definitive run with the most recognizable roster includes the debut of Deathstroke; this series is a main inspiration for the Cartoon Network animated television series) |
1984 | TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS [1984] #42-44 (THE JUDAS CONTRACT; riveting story is the apex of Wolfman and Perez's run, including Robin assuming his adult identity, Nightwing) |
TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS ANNUAL [1984] #3 | |
1984 | NEW TEEN TITANS [1984] #1-5 (THE TERROR OF TRIGON; Raven's world-destroying father comes to Earth; reprinted in TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS [1984] #60-64) |
1985 | NEW TEEN TITANS [1984] #7-11 (José Luis García-López's short art stint includes the Titans meeting the Titans of Myth) |
1985 | TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS [1984] #53-54 (TRIAL OF THE TERMINATOR) |
1988 | NEW TITANS [1988] #50-54 (WHO IS DONNA TROY?; new revelations of a fan-favorite character revealed) |
1990 | NEW TITANS [1988] #71-80 (TITANS HUNT; watershed team changes, including introduction of new members (the story name, TITANS HUNT, would be reused for a mini-series in 2015 to restore the team's line-up and history for the REBIRTH relaunch)) |
1998 | JLA/TITANS [1998] #1-3 (Devin Grayson's neo-classical relaunch which begins in this mini-series and continues in TITANS [1999] includes, among others, all five original Teen Titans in their adult identities) |
TITANS [1999] #1-4 | |
2003 | TEEN TITANS [2003] #1-12 (beginning of Geoff Johns' popular, modern day run that mixes old and new generations of Titans) |
A key issue can be an acceptable place to get started with Teen Titans, but they are more of a collector's checklist, as they can carry high price tags. There have been many Teen Titans on the team roster, but not all are as popular or memorable as others. The following list includes the first appearances of some of the most iconic Teen Titans members and villains, some of which pre-date the formation of the Teen Titans group itself.
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In modern comic publishing, it's common (and expected) for individual comic book issues to be collected into compilations of trade paperbacks and/or hardcovers, as well as other special compilations. Unlike the individual source issues, the collected editions typically stay in print for long periods and are less 'collectible.' If individual issues are out of reach or are not of interest to you or if you just need reading copies, the following collected editions of Teen Titans comic books are the most recent in-print editions and are the perfect alternative to get started right away with Teen Titans. The following compilations are presented in a chronologically-based suggested reading order with softcover editions before any hardcover editions (unless the only in-print editions are hardcover--these are integrated into the softcover list).
The Teen Titans have a long publishing history with many series, and there is still a lot of material in print. Short of reading everything in chronological order as presented in the list below, any of the 'VOL 01' volumes below could be an excellent place to get started with the Teen Titans. Wolfman and Johns' runs are two perennial fan favorites.
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Cover | Release Month | Series / Number / Storyline | |||
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Quick View | Dec 2017 | TEEN TITANS: THE SILVER AGE [2018-TPB] VOL 01 CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Nov 2018 | TEEN TITANS: THE SILVER AGE [2018-TPB] VOL 02 CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Sep 2014 | NEW TEEN TITANS [2014-TPB] VOL 01 CURRENT PRINTING (Wolfman's fan-favorite run) | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Apr 2015 | NEW TEEN TITANS [2014-TPB] VOL 02 CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Sep 2015 | NEW TEEN TITANS [2014-TPB] VOL 03 CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Jan 2016 | NEW TEEN TITANS [2014-TPB] VOL 04 CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Jul 2016 | NEW TEEN TITANS [2014-TPB] VOL 05 CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Feb 2017 | NEW TEEN TITANS [2014-TPB] VOL 06 CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Aug 2017 | NEW TEEN TITANS [2014-TPB] VOL 07 CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Dec 2017 | NEW TEEN TITANS [2014-TPB] VOL 08 CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Aug 2018 | NEW TEEN TITANS [2014-TPB] VOL 09 CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Mar 2019 | NEW TEEN TITANS [2014-TPB] VOL 10 CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Apr 2020 | NEW TEEN TITANS [2014-TPB] VOL 11 | UNAVAILABLE | $12.99 | |
Quick View | May 2018 | TITANS: TOTAL CHAOS [2018-TPB] CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Mar 2017 | TEEN TITANS BY GEOFF JOHNS [2017-TPB] BOOK 01 CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Feb 2018 | TEEN TITANS BY GEOFF JOHNS [2017-TPB] BOOK 02 CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | May 2019 | TEEN TITANS BY GEOFF JOHNS [2017-TPB] BOOK 03 CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Sep 2018 | TITANS [2018-TPB] BOOK 01: TOGETHER FOREVER CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Sep 2012 | TEEN TITANS [2011-TPB] VOL 01: IT'S OUR RIGHT TO FIGHT CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Jun 2013 | TEEN TITANS [2011-TPB] VOL 02: THE CULLING CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Dec 2013 | TEEN TITANS [2011-TPB] VOL 03: DEATH OF THE FAMILY CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Jul 2014 | TEEN TITANS [2011-TPB] VOL 04: LIGHT AND ARK CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Feb 2015 | TEEN TITANS [2011-TPB] VOL 05: THE TRIAL OF KID FLASH CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Mar 2015 | TEEN TITANS GO! [2014-TPB] VOL 01: PARTY, PARTY! CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Jul 2016 | TEEN TITANS GO! [2014-TPB] VOL 02: WELCOME TO THE PIZZA DOME CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Jan 2017 | TEEN TITANS GO! [2014-TPB] VOL 03: MUMBO JUMPLE CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Dec 2017 | TEEN TITANS GO! [2014-TPB] VOL 04: SMELLS LIKE TEEN TITANS SPIRIT CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Nov 2018 | TEEN TITANS GO! [2014-TPB] VOL 05: FALLING STARS CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Nov 2019 | TEEN TITANS GO! [2014-TPB] [VOL 06]: WEIRDER THINGS CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Sep 2016 | TITANS HUNT [2015-TPB] CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Mar 2017 | TITANS [2016-TPB] VOL 01: THE RETURN OF WALLY WEST CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Sep 2017 | TITANS [2016-TPB] VOL 02: MADE IN MANHATTAN CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Jul 2018 | TITANS: THE LAZARUS CONTRACT [2018-TPB] CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Feb 2018 | TITANS [2016-TPB] VOL 03: A JUDAS AMONG US CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Sep 2018 | TITANS [2016-TPB] VOL 04: TITANS APART CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Feb 2019 | TITANS [2016-TPB] VOL 05: THE SPARK CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Jun 2019 | TITANS [2016-TPB] VOL 06: INTO THE BLEED CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Jun 2017 | TEEN TITANS [2016-TPB] VOL 01: DAMIAN KNOWS BEST CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Feb 2018 | TEEN TITANS [2016-TPB] VOL 02: THE RISE OF AQUALAD REBIRTH CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Oct 2018 | TEEN TITANS [2016-TPB] VOL 03: THE RETURN OF KID FLASH CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Apr 2019 | TEEN TITANS [2019-TPB] VOL 01: FULL THROTTLE CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Oct 2019 | TEEN TITANS [2019-TPB] VOL 02: TURN IT UP CURRENT PRINTING | Go to Amazon | ||
Quick View | Mar 2020 | TEEN TITANS [2019-TPB] VOL 03: SEEK AND DESTROY | UNAVAILABLE | $12.99 | |
Quick View | Jun 2020 | TEEN TITANS/DEATHSTROKE: THE TERMINUS AGENDA [2020-TPB] | UNAVAILABLE | $11.04 |
If you've enjoyed non-comic media for Teen Titans, this section describes the comic book source material for some of the most popular non-comic media. Teen Titans have an extremely popular animated television series and have had an equally well-received associated animated film, TEEN TITANS GO! TO THE MOVIES, but they have not yet starred in a live-action film (although much to Robin's consternation, Cyborg had a fairly significant role in the DC's JUSTICE LEAGUE movie).