The Teen Titans have been one of DC’s biggest teams for years, with the group of youthful heroes largely considered second only to the Justice League. Still, there are some who might not be well-versed in their stories. Others might faintly recognize them from their now classic cartoon from the early 2000s. Regardless of their level of familiarity, there are tons of classic Teen Titans comics capable of turning anyone into a fan.
From the old-school to more modern stories, these comics act as a lesson on Teen Titans continuity and their unique place in the DC Universe. Others remove continuity obstacles, providing more straightforward ways to enjoy the characters. Thus, even readers who know nothing about DC’s youthful heroes can come away wanting to learn more about them.
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10 Teen Titans: Earth One Vol. 1-2
Written by Jeff Lemire, Art by Terry Dodson
The Teen Titans: Earth One series radically altered the team, namely by doing away with its sidekick characters entirely. Instead, the book characterized them as essentially an updated version of Wildstorm’s Gen13. On the run after their developing powers reveal a government experiment, these Titans are much different from what is generally expected.
These books are the perfect titles for those who have no pre-defined image of the Teen Titans. Likewise, those wanting more of a sci-fi teen drama instead of a superhero book are also in luck, and the lack of mentors/sidekicks keeps the series from being bogged down by legacy.
9 New Teen Titans Vol. 1
Written by Marv Wolfman, Art by George P?rez
The beginning of the seminal run on the team, the first volume of New Teen Titans is the perfect primer for newcomers. It introduces the then status quo of the team while quickly seguing into a new group of Titans. Said heroes have now gone on to become major DC characters.
For fans who only know the Titans from the cartoon, this book will ease them into the true version of the characters from the comics. Likewise, they’ll be introduced to less recognizable titans such as Donna Troy, the first Wonder Girl. Most importantly, this is a great place to start instead of the more dated Silver and Bronze Age material.
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8 The Judas Contract
Written by Marv Wolfman, Art by George P?rez
“The Judas Contract” is one of the most pivotal and acclaimed Teen Titans stories ever. Revealing the betrayal of Terra, it’s seen as the team’s equivalent to Marvel’s “Dark Phoenix Saga.” It also informed adaptations such as the 2003 Teen Titans cartoon.
For those who’ve seen the animated feature, “The Judas Contract” is a great look at how the comics originally handled the material. Terra’s villainy was intentionally an inverse of the “innocent young hero” trope, and it still works from this angle. The story also gives a glimpse into the somewhat unstable and insecure life of Beast Boy as well, proving how troubled he was beneath the jokes.
7 Titans Hunt (1990)
Written by Marv Wolfman, Art by Tom Grummett, Al Vey, Adrienne Roy, John Costanza and Jonathan Peterson
The classic “Titans Hunt” storyline came about 10 years after the debut of New Teen Titans. It featured the team attacked from all sides, with the perpetrator someone close to their ranks. The climax and the story as a whole defined the direction the book took from then on. It also helped to transition Deathstroke the Terminator/Slade Wilson into a more antiheroic role.
“Titans Hunt” is great for those who might only know the more comedic tone of the Teen Titans cartoon. This story sees familiar characters in far higher stakes, all while the world falls apart around them. It’s the perfect look into how dark their stories can get and a worthy reversal of their adventures a decade beforehand.
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6 JLA/Titans: The Technis Imperative
Written by Devin Grayson and Phil Jimenez, Art by Phil Jimenez
As the name suggests, “The Technis Imperative” featured members of both the Titans and the Justice League. The crux of the story is the disappearance of former Titans, alerting both superhero teams. Eventually, they come to blows due to another Titan being responsible for the entire ordeal.
“The Technis Imperative” is a great look at the now adult “Teen Titans” and how they developed. Far from being a “Junior Justice League,” they weren’t afraid to stand up to their former mentors. Anyone looking for Titans who’ve truly graduated need not look any further.
5 Titans: Then & Now
Written by Dan Jurgens, Art by George P?rez, Gregory Wright, Digital Chameleon, Patrick Martin, Richard Starkings, Comicraft and Eddie Berganza
The “Then & Now” story arc was an obvious attempt to launch a new team of Teen Titans lead by The Atom. This incarnation brought in classic Titans to team up with the newbies and uncover a threat that tied them all together.
The series was well-received but somewhat overlooked due to lacking more familiar Titans. Thus, it’s perfect for those who don’t know much about the team. The story ends up portraying a lot of the team’s legacy in an accessible way, thus getting newer readers up to speed.
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4 Who is Donna Troy?
Written by Marv Wolfman, Art by George P?rez
“Who is Donna Troy?” is one of the most acclaimed stories in New Teen Titans, although it’s not an epic superhero brawl. Instead, it’s a mystery-based drama that sees Robin helping Wonder Girl/Donna Troy discover her origins. In doing so, it did far more with her character than the Wonder Woman comics ever did.
“Who is Donna Troy?” is a great story for even those who don’t like superhero action. It’s a poignant, character-driven tale that cements the sibling-like friendship of Robin and Wonder Girl. Making this drama as important as any fight, it’s emblematic of New Teen Titans as a whole.
3 New Teen Titans: Games
Written by Marv Wolfman, Art by George P?rez
Released decades after their run ended, New Teen Titans: Games was a self-made love letter to the Woflman/P?rez New Teen Titans. Pitting the Titans against a new villain that uses New York as a twisted game board, the book perfectly recreated the feeling of the classic run. It also released at a time when the New 52 was erasing a lot of old-school continuity.
For those who want to get a glimpse of what made the Wolfman/P?rez era so great but don’t want to wade through the entirety of their run, Games is a great microcosm. It’s essentially an Elseworlds story, so it’s easy to digest without knowing a lot about continuity. Conversely, it’s now a bittersweet reminder of the Titans’ heyday after the passing of the run’s legendary artist.
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2 Teen Titans by Geoff Johns, Vol. 1
Written by Geoff Johns, Art by Mike McKone and Tom Grummett
The relaunch of Teen Titans by Geoff Johns is considered one of the team’s best runs and second only to the classic Wolfman/P?rez comics. Combining classic members with heroes who “graduated” from Young Justice, it featured returning threats amid a rift between the current Titans, the former members, and the Justice League.
The strong roster makes it possible for nearly anyone to find characters they recognize. The run ties into past legacy while also treading forward in surprising ways. The main element that makes it easier to recommend for new fans, however, is that it’s simply more modern and not as dated as New Teen Titans.
1 Teen Titans Young Adult Graphic Novels
Written by Kami Garcia, Art by Gabriel Picolo
Written by Kami Garcia, the Teen Titans Young Adult graphic novels were not typical superhero fare. These modernized takes on the characters focused more on them in normal high school settings, feeling more like a Webtoon series than a typical comic book story featuring the team. The first of the series focused on a Goth-esque Raven, with a later book exploring her relationship with Beast Boy.
There’s no better Teen Titans book for non-superhero fans than the Kami Garcia series. They’re a great entry point for those unaware of the characters, while also presenting an attractive new take for fans of the cartoon. Conversely, they show how easily iconic DC characters can be taken in radically different but still fitting directions.
For those unfamiliar with the Teen Titans or who only know about the 2003 cartoon, there are several great comic books that will turn them into fans. Read More