The Teen Titans are among the top-tier teams in comic book lore, even though they didn’t start it all – precursors like the Legion of Superheroes and the X-Men came first. However, many believe that the Teen Titans stand out as the best. They made their debut in the late 1960s, featuring some of the greatest sidekicks ever seen in comics – Dick Grayson, Aqualad, and Wally West. Over time, they were joined by other sidekicks such as Donna Troy, Speedy, and more, along with new members like Bumblebee, Herald, Lilith, Hawk, Dove, and Gnarrk. Unfortunately, this original team eventually disbanded, but the 1980s saw the emergence of a very popular version of the Teen Titans – the New Teen Titans – consisting of Grayson, West, Troy, Beast Boy, and new teen heroes like Cyborg, Starfire, and Raven.
Back in the ’80s, I was utterly captivated by “New Teen Titans,” penned by Marv Wolfman and illustrated by George Perez. This DC comic ruled the era, even giving Marvel’s “Uncanny X-Men” a run for its money in terms of sales dominance. The New Teen Titans were the stars of that time, but their glory days seem like a distant memory now. Over the years, these heroes have regrouped under various names, but they’ve never recaptured the magic they had when they were the New Teen Titans. It’s a bit of an enigma, but it’s also a mystery with a solution waiting to be unraveled.
The New Teen Titans Are a Hard Act to Follow, Even for the Titans
The comic book, titled “New Teen Titans“, was exceptionally unique, with its foundation being the exceptional creative team. Marv Wolfman, a lifelong comics enthusiast who landed a job at DC, had penned two issues of the original Teen Titans in the late ’60s. Given his history, few could have been better equipped to revive the team. Over the years, Wolfman honed his writing skills, and this growth significantly contributed to the success of “New Teen Titans“.
George Perez was equally crucial. Not only was he considered the greatest comic artist of his generation, surpassing even John Byrne, but he had also previously worked on books like Avengers. Beyond his artistic prowess, Perez was an accomplished writer in his own right and proved to be the ideal collaborator for Wolfman, helping take “New Teen Titans” to new heights.
Moving forward, the team was a crucial aspect. Dick Grayson, Donna Troy, and Wally West, who were outstanding sidekicks for years, were eager to step into the limelight after spending long periods in their mentors’ shadows. Beast Boy had immense potential, while the characters crafted by Wolfman/Perez, such as Cyborg, Raven, Starfire, Terra, and subsequent members like Jericho, were designed to carry tales of teenage heroes for years. Notably, Deathstroke emerged as the formidable villain the team required to advance, demonstrating their true prowess. Additionally, antagonists including Blackfire, Brother Blood, and Trigon presented challenges that pushed the team beyond their limits.
Ultimately, the tales were outstanding. Over time, comics have significantly evolved, with even early ’80s books exhibiting marked differences. However, New Teen Titans consistently pushed the boundaries of comic narrative, introducing weighty themes and character development. Dick Grayson matured into the leader he was destined to be and found his individual identity as Nightwing. Donna Troy was perpetually seeking her past. Wally West grappled with issues related to his powers and his life’s trajectory. Raven battled her inner darkness. Cyborg struggled with the loss of his humanity. Starfire served as a beacon of light, capable of overpowering anyone. Terra was a hidden traitor, Jericho dealt with being Deathstroke’s offspring, and Beast Boy was the younger brother with a penchant for women. This diverse group of characters led to thrilling, introspective stories that allowed them to evolve and transform. Additionally, they boasted “The Judas Contract,” a narrative considered among the greatest comics ever created.
The groundbreaking series, known as New Teen Titans, revolutionized DC comics, paving the way for future prosperity. Characters from this team are among the most cherished in comic book history, and it’s reasonable to expect any new Titans release would be met with great enthusiasm. Nevertheless, while many incarnations of Titans have been well-received, none have reached the extraordinary success that New Teen Titans achieved. Upon examining the history of New Teen Titans, it’s not difficult to understand why – just because something is groundbreaking once, it doesn’t guarantee it will be able to do so again. While Titans is frequently excellent – the current run of Titans has been particularly impressive – it still falls short when compared to New Teen Titans.
The New Teen Titans Were a Revolution but the Titans Aren’t
The groundbreaking “New Teen Titans” series left a lasting impact with its captivating character development. Wolfman and Perez crafted a unique masterpiece that combined the elements of superhero drama with exceptional writing and visually stunning, intricate, and aesthetically pleasing artwork. It was truly incomparable, and no future “Titans” series can hope to match its greatness. Despite the excellence of the “Titans,” it will always fall short of the brilliance that was “New Teen Titans.
The issue lies in the fact that DC doesn’t seem open to creators expanding and evolving the Titans characters as Wolfman and Perez did with New Teen Titans. They explored the boundaries of the characters, allowing them to grow and transform. However, nowadays, growth and transformation don’t seem to be a priority, particularly in team books featuring classic characters. The Titans will inevitably feel like a watered-down reiteration of the New Teen Titans, which is essentially their fate. Despite the potential the team has, they’ll always play second fiddle to their predecessors.
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2025-03-01 07:12