Teen Titans (Comic Book): Difference between revisions

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The most famous team of teenage [[Superhero|Super Heroes]] in [[The DCU]] (but not [[Legion of Super Heroes|the first]]). Often referred to as a "[[Justice League of America|Justice Little League]]," though more often as a "Junior Justice League."

The most famous team of teenage [[Superhero|Super Heroes]] in [[The DCU]] (but not [[Legion of Super-Heroes|the first]]). Often referred to as a "[[Justice League of America|Justice Little League]]," though more often as a "Junior Justice League."

The original series began back in the [[Silver Age]], with a one-shot story in ''[[The Brave and ~~The~~ Bold]]'' #54 (July, 1964), where three [[Sidekick|Sidekicks]], [[Batman|Robin]], [[Aquaman (Comic Book)|Aqualad]], and [[Flash|Kid Flash]], teamed up. The issue sold notably well, and, after a few more tryouts and the addition of [[Wonder Woman|Wonder Girl]] (despite her actually being [[Did Not Do the Research|the original Wonder Woman as a girl, and not a contemporary sidekick]]) and Speedy, became an ongoing series.

The original series began back in the [[Silver Age]], with a one-shot story in ''[[The Brave and the Bold]]'' #54 (July, 1964), where three [[Sidekick|Sidekicks]], [[Batman|Robin]], [[Aquaman (Comic Book)|Aqualad]], and [[Flash|Kid Flash]], teamed up. The issue sold notably well, and, after a few more tryouts and the addition of [[Wonder Woman|Wonder Girl]] (despite her actually being [[Did Not Do the Research|the original Wonder Woman as a girl, and not a contemporary sidekick]]) and Speedy, became an ongoing series.

The book depended heavily on [[Totally Radical]], with [[Fad Super]] villains like the Mad Mod and Ding Dong Daddy and hamfisted attempts to [[Ripped from the Headlines|address the issues of the day]]. Nevertheless, it was lighthearted and fun. Eventually, though, it was cancelled in 1973, brought back in 1976, and re-cancelled in 1978. Altogether 53 issues were published.

In the [[Bronze Age]], the series returned as ''The New Teen Titans'', launched in 1980. Written by Marv Wolfman and drawn by George Perez, this version of the series was the most successful and the most iconic (as well as being the version the [[Teen Titans (~~Animation~~)|animated series]] is most based on). It brought back Robin, Wonder Girl, and Kid Flash, and teamed them up with new characters Cyborg, Raven, and Starfire, along with previously-established character Beast Boy, now renamed Changeling.

In the [[Bronze Age]], the series returned as ''The New Teen Titans'', launched in 1980. Written by Marv Wolfman and drawn by George Perez, this version of the series was the most successful and the most iconic (as well as being the version the [[Teen Titans (animation)|animated series]] is most based on). It brought back Robin, Wonder Girl, and Kid Flash, and teamed them up with new characters Cyborg, Raven, and Starfire, along with previously-established character Beast Boy, now renamed Changeling.

The series moved into [[Darker and Edgier]] territory, and was a trendsetter in that respect; for instance, an early storyline involved them going up against "Deathstroke the Terminator", a paid assassin, and being infiltrated by the [[The Mole|not-so-innocent]] Terra. It was heavily character-based, with lots of conflict, romance, and soul-searching (that occasionally slipped into [[Wangst]]).

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This version was not only popular, but often considered DC's number one title at the time, a rival to the [[X-Men (Comic Book)|X-Men]] (which they eventually [[Intercontinuity Crossover|crossed over with]]), and a major definer of the tropes that came to be recognized as comics' Bronze Age. However, writer fatigue and removal of the book from newsstands to prop up DC Comics' direct market line of books led to it collapsing into boredom and fan apathy. The arrival of a new editor inspired Wolfman to shake up the book, using a subplot involving the mysterious "Wildebeest Society" that went on [[Arc Fatigue|way too long]] and didn't have a very good ending. Fan favorite villain Deathstroke became a good guy, half the roster was slaughtered/turned evil/depowered, popular villain Terra was brought back (as a genetically altered underground dweller who was oblivious to her counterpart's evil history); none of which really helped the book and ultimately led to the Batman editors having their big chance to take back Nightwing from the Titans (Wolfman had the sole rights to him since 1980), to the horror of fans of the book.

Ultimately the book was cancelled, but within a year was relaunched, consisting of an [[Plot-Relevant Age-Up|aged-down]] Atom and a bunch of new characters, but it wasn't very successful (to the point where poor Risk became [[C List Fodder]] to the extreme with the morbid running gag of losing limbs to Superboy-Prime). And [[Fanon Discontinuity|let's not even talk]] about ''Team Titans'', a group of future-sent teens.

Ultimately the book was cancelled, but within a year was relaunched, consisting of an [[Plot-Relevant Age-Up|aged-down]] Atom and a bunch of new characters, but it wasn't very successful (to the point where poor Risk became [[C-List Fodder]] to the extreme with the morbid running gag of losing limbs to Superboy-Prime). And [[Fanon Discontinuity|let's not even talk]] about ''Team Titans'', a group of future-sent teens.

At this point, the idea of the Teen Titans split two ways. A late 90s series just called ''Titans'' lasted quite a while (and featured most of the original team ''and'' the 1980s successful team, plus a few new characters), but was never a big seller, and eventually delved into some truly horrific storytelling by Jay Faerber (the "Jesse Quick sleeps with her mother's fiancee" storyline). The other idea took the original idea of a band of teenage heroes and [[Sidekick|sidekicks]], and became ''[[Young Justice (~~Comic Book~~)|Young Justice]]''. The former tended even more toward the soul-searching of ''New Teen Titans'', while the latter went through mostly lighthearted adventures and character-based comedy.

At this point, the idea of the Teen Titans split two ways. A late 90s series just called ''Titans'' lasted quite a while (and featured most of the original team ''and'' the 1980s successful team, plus a few new characters), but was never a big seller, and eventually delved into some truly horrific storytelling by Jay Faerber (the "Jesse Quick sleeps with her mother's fiancee" storyline). The other idea took the original idea of a band of teenage heroes and [[Sidekick|sidekicks]], and became ''[[Young Justice (comics)|Young Justice]]''. The former tended even more toward the soul-searching of ''New Teen Titans'', while the latter went through mostly lighthearted adventures and character-based comedy.

About this time, the ''[[Teen Titans (~~Animation~~)|Teen Titans]]'' animated series premiered. After it became popular, the [[Powers That Be]] decided they wanted a ''Teen Titans'' comic that resembled the show. Thus, both ''Titans'' and ''Young Justice'' were cancelled, and the more marketable characters from the latter were brought together with the more nostalgic characters from the former in the miniseries ''Graduation Day'', which led into a relaunch of ''Teen Titans'' written by fan favorite [[Geoff Johns]].

About this time, the ''[[Teen Titans (animation)|Teen Titans]]'' animated series premiered. After it became popular, the [[Powers That Be]] decided they wanted a ''Teen Titans'' comic that resembled the show. Thus, both ''Titans'' and ''Young Justice'' were cancelled, and the more marketable characters from the latter were brought together with the more nostalgic characters from the former in the miniseries ''Graduation Day'', which led into a relaunch of ''Teen Titans'' written by fan favorite [[Geoff Johns]].

This series was reasonably popular, but involved several changes in characterization which annoyed long-time fans. For instance, the [[Fun Personified]] character, Impulse, was shot in the kneecap (with ADD curing bullets, as many disgruntled fans have quipped) and suddenly became Kid Flash, a more intelligent and serious character than before (although he ''did'' retain some of the humor that made him popular in the first place), and the modern version of Superboy was [[Retcon|retconned]] into having [[Lex Luthor]]'s DNA and worrying about [[In the Blood|turning evil because of it]]. Meanwhile, the [[Tomboy]] Cassie Sandsmark was stripped of her original personality and made [[The Chick]], only to soon be turned into a raging bitch while the book itself bent over backwards trying to present her as a "perfect" leader and as pure as the original Wonder Girl. Generally, the ex-''Young Justice'' characters were on the receiving end of this, being made [[Darker and Edgier]] as an attempt to invoke the ''New Teen Titans'' days.

Recently, the series has been revamped again, introducing new [[Legacy Character|Legacy Characters]] (such as ''[[Sailor Moon]]''-esque Miss Martian), and attempting to be both [[Lighter and Softer]] (for example, bringing Wendy and Marvin from ''[[~~Super Friends~~]]'' into the DCU) and [[Darker and Edgier]], killing off even ''more'' characters (such as the aforementioned Wendy and Marvin, at the hands of a murderous devil dog version of Wonder Dog, no less). Such gore-filled editorial mandates led to writer Sean McKeever to quit the book in protest, and things have spiraled still further down the drain, to such an extent that DC has reunited the 80s New Teen Titans into their own book "Titans" (''again'') to offshoot the sucking of the main book. Alas, "Titans" somehow managed to suck even more, and, after two years of dismal and declining sales, the various team members have been 'graduated' to the Justice Leage, 'demoted' to the Teen Titans or, in at least one case, been the unfortunate and unwilling recipient of a [[Dethroning Moment of Suck (Darth Wiki)/Comic Books|Dethroning Moment of Suck]]. "Titans" was now about a Deathstroke-lead team of villains, while the simultaneous run on "Teen Titans", by comic newcomer Felicia Henderson, had few champions, even amongst the most rabid fans.

Recently, the series has been revamped again, introducing new [[Legacy Character|Legacy Characters]] (such as ''[[Sailor Moon]]''-esque Miss Martian), and attempting to be both [[Lighter and Softer]] (for example, bringing Wendy and Marvin from ''[[Superfriends]]'' into the DCU) and [[Darker and Edgier]], killing off even ''more'' characters (such as the aforementioned Wendy and Marvin, at the hands of a murderous devil dog version of Wonder Dog, no less). Such gore-filled editorial mandates led to writer Sean McKeever to quit the book in protest, and things have spiraled still further down the drain, to such an extent that DC has reunited the 80s New Teen Titans into their own book "Titans" (''again'') to offshoot the sucking of the main book. Alas, "Titans" somehow managed to suck even more, and, after two years of dismal and declining sales, the various team members have been 'graduated' to the Justice Leage, 'demoted' to the Teen Titans or, in at least one case, been the unfortunate and unwilling recipient of a [[Dethroning Moment of Suck (Darth Wiki)/Comic Books|Dethroning Moment of Suck]]. "Titans" was now about a Deathstroke-lead team of villains, while the simultaneous run on "Teen Titans", by comic newcomer Felicia Henderson, had few champions, even amongst the most rabid fans.

Around the start of 2011, J.T. Krul took over writing the main book, with fan-favorite Nicola Scott on art, and so far, their run has been fairly well-received. Both Titan books were cancelled in August; these were replaced in September with a single book, written by [[Scott Lobdell]] and drawn by Brett Booth, as part of DC's [[New 52]] relaunch. The starting line-up consists of Red Robin, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, and Solstice, along with with two new characters, Skitter and Bunker. Superboy starts out as an enemy under control of N.O.W.H.E.R.E., an organization devoted to capturing, controlling, or killing young metahumans. He eventually [[Heel Face Turn|joins the Titans]] after they save him from dying at the hands of his creators. This leads into The Culling, a crossover with [[Legion Lost]], during which both groups face off against N.O.W.H.E.R.E.

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** Bombshell, literally.

* [[Brainwashed and Crazy]]: Virtually every Teen Titan has succumbed to this trope at least once

* [[Canon Dis Continuity]]: Several beloved Titan stories (Who is Donna Troy?, The origin of Lilith) were rendered null and void by [[Crisis On Infinite Earths]]..

* [[Canon Dis Continuity]]: Several beloved Titan stories (Who is Donna Troy?, The origin of Lilith) were rendered null and void by [[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]..

** Judd Winick threw out all of Geoff John's work to redeem Jericho and bring him back to life.

** The post-''[[Flashpoint (Comic Book)|Flashpoint]]'' completely erased the Teen Titans from history, per the latest from New York Comic-Con.

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* [[Catgirl]]: The late Pantha

* [[Cerebus Syndrome]]: ...and back. The 1980s were the good kind of "Angst-ridden super-heroes", so much that they (along with the X-Men) pretty much ''defined'' the trope for comic books, but even that got bad after a point. Various other runs have fallen into this as well.

* [[C List Fodder]]: It's a comic series made up mostly of teenage characters, many of them forgettable. They may as well have bullseyes on their heads. Pantha, Baby Wildebeest and Bushido were casually murdered by Superboy-Prime in one page of ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'', and Risk got his arm ripped off (which later became a running gag). Their "Hall of the Dead" is now ridiculously huge, featuring Kole, Aquagirl I, the aforementioned trio, Kid Devil and half a dozen others.

* [[C-List Fodder]]: It's a comic series made up mostly of teenage characters, many of them forgettable. They may as well have bullseyes on their heads. Pantha, Baby Wildebeest and Bushido were casually murdered by Superboy-Prime in one page of ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'', and Risk got his arm ripped off (which later became a running gag). Their "Hall of the Dead" is now ridiculously huge, featuring Kole, Aquagirl I, the aforementioned trio, Kid Devil and half a dozen others.

* [[Continuity Snarl]]: Donna Troy's origin (and Donna herself) is the most well-known of these. The short version is that she used to be Wonder Woman's sister growing up after being adopted by the Amazons, and later became a super-hero. The [[Crisis On Infinite Earths]] converted her to actually debuting ''first'' (on a team full of ''sidekicks'') because George Perez wanted to have a "rookie" Wonder Woman in the new continuity.

* [[Continuity Snarl]]: Donna Troy's origin (and Donna herself) is the most well-known of these. The short version is that she used to be Wonder Woman's sister growing up after being adopted by the Amazons, and later became a super-hero. The [[Crisis on Infinite Earths]] converted her to actually debuting ''first'' (on a team full of ''sidekicks'') because George Perez wanted to have a "rookie" Wonder Woman in the new continuity.

* [[Cousin Oliver]]: Danny Chase

* [[Cute Mute]]: Jericho. He had his throat slashed as a child, and thus was mute for his entire tenure on the team. Arist George Perez created the character solely to flex his artistry chops, and outright forbade writer Marv Wolfman from ever giving the character thought bubbles, meaning everything about Jericho had to be portrayed through his facial expressions and body language. Amazingly, Jericho became a rather successful [[Casanova]] in-universe despite his communication handicap.

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** This happened to Kid Devil when he joined the series. He was originally a much goofier sidekick that used high tech devil pajamas and originated from the Blue Devil series, known for its very fun tone. Between then and his time as a Titan, he made a deal with Neron to become a real devil, and a lot of angst came with it when things didn't turn out they way he liked. It is slightly averted in his case, as Eddie's personality didn't change much, just his appearance and situation.

* [[Dating Catwoman]]: Speedy and Cheshire, Changeling and Terra

* [[Deal ~~With~~ the Devil]]: Kid Devil

* [[Deal with the Devil]]: Kid Devil

* [[Did Not Do the Research]]: The major complaint against Felicia Henderson's work on Teen Titans. She gives a ''unique'' interpretation of the characters [[Out-of-Character Moment|that just aren't consistent with the portrayal of their personality in past issues]].

* [[Distaff Counterpart]]: Miss Martian (for [[Martian Manhunter]]) and Bombshell (for [[Captain Atom]])

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* [[I Just Want to Be Special]]: Kid/Red Devil, to such an extreme that he made a deal with Neron to have powers. It is one of his defining character traits and is the motivation for almost every decision he makes.

* [[Infant Immortality]]: Averted. Sweet Jesus, how it is averted. The only three living children of the Titans are Jai and Iris West, and Mirage's daughter Julienne. And even then, the West twins were brought back from the dead, and Julienne is the product of rape.

* [[Innocent Fanservice Girl]]/[[Shameless Fanservice Girl]]: Starfire flip-flops between the two. On top of her having no nudity taboo and [[~~Stripperific|~~stripperific]] outfit, she learns languages through physical contact. Apparently any type of contact will do, but she ''deliberately'' chooses kissing as it's "more fun".

* [[Innocent Fanservice Girl]]/[[Shameless Fanservice Girl]]: Starfire flip-flops between the two. On top of her having no nudity taboo and [[stripperific]] outfit, she learns languages through physical contact. Apparently any type of contact will do, but she ''deliberately'' chooses kissing as it's "more fun".

* [[Irishman and A Jew]]: Kid Devil, possibly.

* [[Irishman and a Jew]]: Kid Devil, possibly.

* [[Jive Turkey]]: Cyborg talked like a bit of [[Shaft]], and a bit of "normal educated human being". He spoke some words (like "Lissen/Listen") a bit funny for the most part. Before him was Mal Duncan.

* [[Kid Hero]]: At least the original version of this team. By the Marv Wolfman era, most members had reached college age, but there was still room for teenagers (like Beast Boy and Terra).

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* [[The Power of Legacy]]: In the original Judas Contract arc, the other Titans gave Terra a hero's funeral, a statue in their hall, and told everyone (including her half-brother, Geo-Force) that she died a hero. The truth was that she was [[The Mole]] and [[Evil All Along]].

* [[Public Exposure]]: Mirage used her illusion powers to disguise herself as Starfire and pose naked for a men's magazine. Starfire was not amused when she found out.

* [[Put On a Bus]]: Nightwing was put on one towards the end of the New Teen Titans run.

* [[Put on a Bus]]: Nightwing was put on one towards the end of the New Teen Titans run.

** The final issue before JT Krul's run ended with half of the then-current Teen Titans being written out of the book.

*** With the Flashpoint reboot, all of the Titans save for Cassie, Tim, Connor, Kiran, and Bart are now gone. Furthermore, even the villains are now on a bus, as Scott Lobdell has announced that his run will not feature a single existing Teen Titan villain. Rose Wilson is kind of an exception, but her origin has been changed around.

* [[Red Shirt]]: Kole was created specifically for this purpose. Wolfman was obligated by his fellow creators to kill one off ''his'' characters for the [[Crisis On Infinite Earths]] because ''they'' all had to kill of people they were using for it. He ended up kind of liking her in the end, but a deal's a deal, and he didn't have to wipe out any major character.

* [[Red Shirt]]: Kole was created specifically for this purpose. Wolfman was obligated by his fellow creators to kill one off ''his'' characters for the [[Crisis on Infinite Earths]] because ''they'' all had to kill of people they were using for it. He ended up kind of liking her in the end, but a deal's a deal, and he didn't have to wipe out any major character.

* [[Religion of Evil]]: Brother Blood's Church of Blood.

* [[Ret Canon]] - Following the ''One Year Later'' [[Time Skip]] from ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'', Beast Boy donned his costume from the cartoon and Raven donned a similar costume to the one from the cartoon (modified to include a bird symbol and leggings). A future incarnation of Cyborg has blue plating similar to his cartoon self. A series of Titans East teams also appeared, but only the third bore any resemblance to the cartoon's version, the first (whose ranks include the aforementioned future Cyborg) being from the future and freedom fighters against [[Future Me Scares Me|their old teammates]] and the second being [[Psycho Rangers]] set up by Deathstroke.