5 Teen Titans Comics Every New Reader Should Check Out

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During the 1970s, Marvel Comics connected with young readers better than DC Comics because its characters felt more human and less like untouchable gods. Meanwhile, DC was leaning into more lighthearted, comedic stories, which caused them to lose some fans. A turning point came in 1980 when Marv Wolfman returned to DC Comics after working at Marvel. He partnered with George Pérez, and together they revitalized the Teen Titans, creating a team that felt as grounded and relatable as anything Marvel was producing. The Teen Titans and the various teams that spun off from it have remained incredibly popular ever since.

The Teen Titans comics have consistently been among DC’s strongest titles, and here are five essential storylines for anyone just discovering the team.

5) New Teen Titans: “Friends and Foes Alike”

Let me tell you about a real gem from the early days of New Teen Titans – issue #13, titled “Friends and Foes Alike.” What I loved about this one was how it showcased a fantastic Titans lineup – Cyborg, Kid Flash, and Robin, under Dick Grayson – and then had the guts to throw them into a team-up with the wonderfully weird Doom Patrol. Seriously, any DC book is better with the Doom Patrol involved! The story itself sends our heroes to the Ugandan jungle, where they stumble upon the Doom Patrol and, naturally, end up battling the villainous duo of General Zahl and Madame Rouge. It’s a fun, classic superhero romp that really highlights what made those early Titans comics so special.

This issue features Starfire entering a competition on Paradise Island, while Beast Boy struggles with losing control following an injury. It’s a fantastic read, showcasing Marv Wolfman and George Pérez at their creative peak, crafting heroes who truly stood out in the DC Universe for their time.

4) New Teen Titans: “Who is Donna Troy?”

The comic book series ‘Who is Donna Troy’ focuses on Wonder Girl and explores her deep connection with Dick Grayson, highlighting their shared history as crime-fighting partners. Fans familiar with the Teen Titans only through animated shows might not realize how crucial Donna Troy was to the team’s origins and significance within DC Comics. This issue is essential reading for anyone wanting to truly understand Wonder Girl’s character.

In issue #38 of New Teen Titans, writers Marv Wolfman and George Pérez explored the mysterious beginnings of Wonder Girl, Donna Troy. Donna grew up not knowing her true identity, having been rescued as an infant by Wonder Woman and raised on Paradise Island. Her friend, Dick Grayson, steps in to help her uncover her past. The story is a moving look at the strong bonds between the Teen Titans, highlighting their unwavering support for one another – a defining characteristic of the team.

3) Teen Titans: “Family Lost”

The ‘Family Lost’ story arc was a major plotline that unfolded early in the history of the Teen Titans, beginning with the launch of Teen Titans Vol. 3 and lasting for the first twelve issues. This storyline, written by Geoff Johns in 2004, brought the team back together, but with some key differences. Raven returned from death in a new form, but was being manipulated by Brother Blood, and Rose Wilson had joined forces with Deathstroke as the Ravager.

After really enjoying Young Justice, I jumped into this Teen Titans run, and while the team lineup was a bit different, it was a great place to start if you weren’t familiar with the earlier stories. Geoff Johns is always reliable, so the writing was fantastic, and it was cool to see new faces join the Titans – Superboy (Conner Kent), Kid Flash (Bart Allen), Wonder Girl (Cassandra Sandsmark), and Tim Drake as Robin, to name a few.

2) New Teen Titans: “The Judas Contract”

As a huge Teen Titans fan, I always say “The Judas Contract” is the story that defines the team for me. It originally ran across issues 42 through 44 of Tales of the Teen Titans, and it’s a real gut punch because it involves a betrayal from within. It’s also awesome that this story got the DCAU treatment – it’s one of their best animated movies, even though the lineup was a little different. The core team – Nightwing, Starfire, Raven, Wonder Girl, Beast Boy, and Cyborg – were all there, along with Jericho and Terra. And it’s Terra’s turn to the dark side that really makes this storyline unforgettable.

This story was a truly groundbreaking moment in comics. The betrayals were perfectly shocking, marking the point where Dick Grayson transitioned from Robin to Nightwing, and Wally West retired as Kid Flash. Deathstroke firmly established himself as the Titans’ ultimate enemy, and this storyline is widely considered one of DC’s best from the early 1980s.

1) New Teen Titans #1

If you’re new to the Teen Titans and want to start reading from the beginning, the best place to start is with The New Teen Titans, which began in 1980. While the Teen Titans existed in the 1970s, they were originally known as a team of sidekicks. This series allowed them to become independent heroes. Robin grew from a well-known sidekick into a capable leader, and Kid Flash and Wonder Girl also continued as members.

What really made this series special was the introduction of Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy (then known as Changeling), and Cyborg – the characters who would become so strongly associated with the Teen Titans. This series was incredibly important for DC Comics, as Marv Wolfman and George Pérez created something truly innovative and turned the Teen Titans into one of their biggest successes of the 1980s.

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2025-11-28 22:13