The First 10 Teen Titans Members, Ranked By Legacy

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Most people think of the Teen Titans as the group that became popular in the 1980s, but the team actually started much earlier. The first Teen Titans appeared in 1964 in The Brave and the Bold #84, and they were originally a team of sidekicks. The idea was to feature the younger companions of famous heroes like Batman, Flash, Wonder Woman, and Green Arrow, creating a team of heroes that younger readers could relate to.

Here is a look at the first 10 heroes to join the Teen Titans, ranked by their DC Comics legacy.

10) John Gnarrk

In a 1971 issue of Teen Titans (#32), Kid Flash and Guardian traveled to the Stone Age and encountered a young caveman named Gnarrk. A fight between Gnarrk and Guardian resulted in Gnarrk’s death, which drastically changed the future when Kid Flash and Guardian returned. They went back again to save him, successfully preventing the timeline from being altered, but accidentally brought Gnarrk with them to the present. Surprisingly, the Teen Titans were able to train Gnarrk to adapt to modern life, and he became a member of the team. He didn’t have any powers besides being incredibly tough. It was later revealed that Gnarrk had died, as he was the only Titan absent from Donna Troy and Terry Long’s wedding.

9) Omen

Omen, whose real name is Lilith Clay, first appeared in Teen Titans #25 in 1970. She was a young teenager who discovered she had magical abilities at age 13. This discovery included learning she was adopted after reading her parents’ thoughts, which led her to run away and search for her biological parents. After a period of homelessness, she sought out the Teen Titans, impressed them with her powers, and became a member. She even briefly led her own team, Titans West, on the West Coast. Sadly, Omen was killed in Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day #2 when an android resembling Superman broke her neck. However, she was later brought back in the New 52 continuity and rejoined the Titans in that universe.

8) Guardian (Mal Duncan)

Mal Duncan first appeared as Guardian in Teen Titans #26 back in 1970. Though he didn’t have any superpowers, he earned a spot with the team after winning a boxing match against a gang leader and saving the Titans. Initially feeling unworthy, he later discovered and used a strength-boosting exoskeleton originally belonging to the first Guardian. He eventually married Bumblebee and left the superhero life, but the two later returned to action, with Mal adopting the name Vox. He once again became Guardian during the New 52 comics series.

7) Duela Dent (Joker’s Daughter)

There have been two versions of the character Duela Dent, but the one who joined the original Teen Titans came from Earth-3. She first appeared in Batman Family #6 as the Joker’s Daughter, and later pretended to be the daughter of several other villains, including Catwoman, Scarecrow, Riddler, and Penguin. When she sought to join the Teen Titans, she used the name Harlequin and claimed she wanted to make up for her father’s misdeeds. She showed up at Donna Troy’s wedding and was later killed by the Monitor, who revealed she wasn’t from this world. It was then discovered that her father was a heroic version of the Joker, and she had been raised by the Riddler Family on her home Earth.

6) Aqualad (Garth)

Two characters have been known as Aqualad, both of whom have been members of the Teen Titans. Most people recognize Jackson Hyde, who also appeared in the animated series Young Justice. However, the original Aqualad was Garth, a founding member of the Teen Titans who later became known as Tempest. He first appeared in Adventure Comics #269 as Aquaman’s sidekick. Aquaman even adopted Garth, making him part of the Atlantean Royal Family. Years after his time with the Teen Titans, Garth went on to join the Justice League of America.

5) Hawk & Dove

Hank and Don Hall, known as Hawk and Dove, were among the first members of the Teen Titans. They first appeared in Showcase #75 as a crime-fighting team built on opposing forces: Hawk embodied war and chaos, while Dove represented peace and order. This balance was central to their dynamic. They crossed paths with the Teen Titans while investigating the same criminals and later became full-time members. Though they eventually retired, they rejoined during the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a time when Dove tragically died. Their story continued with a new Dove, Dawn Granger, taking on the mantle, ensuring their heroic legacy lived on through Hawk.

4) Speedy

I’ve been a long-time follower of the Teen Titans, and honestly, Speedy’s story always struck me as the most difficult. He was one of the very first members, but his path to heroism was never easy. He started as Green Arrow’s sidekick, Speedy, but he struggled with addiction, and it sadly led to Green Arrow distancing himself. It was tough to watch, but he did manage to turn things around. Still, his journey has been a real rollercoaster – he’s gone by names like Arsenal and Red Arrow, and he’s walked the line between hero and villain more often than most of the other Titans. It’s a complicated story, but ultimately, I admire his resilience.

3) Donna Troy

Several characters have taken on the name Wonder Girl, but the original, Donna Troy, is widely considered the best. First appearing in The Brave and the Bold #60, she was trained by Wonder Woman and became a powerful hero in her own right. As a key member of both the original and the New Teen Titans – the team most fans know today – Donna Troy played a vital role in many iconic stories, including her memorable wedding issue which reunited almost every past Titan in one comic. Throughout her history, Donna Troy has cemented her place as a beloved DC hero, standing among the company’s most legendary characters.

2) Kid Flash (Wally West)

As a lifelong comic fan, let me tell you, Kid Flash – or Wally West – is a huge deal. He wasn’t just on the original Teen Titans, he actually became the Flash for a whole generation of us! Barry Allen was considered gone for over ten years, so Wally was the Flash in our minds. Honestly, when the New 52 reboot basically sidelined him, it felt like a real disservice. And then to have him involved in a storyline where he was a murderer? That was a terrible blow to a character who deserves so much better. Wally West is truly one of DC’s greatest heroes, and he deserves all the respect in the world.

1) Robin

Dick Grayson truly stands out as the most iconic member of the Teen Titans. First appearing in 1940 as Batman’s partner, Robin, he’s been a major DC Comics hero for decades. He helped form the original Teen Titans alongside Wally West and later became their leader, adopting the name Nightwing. Beyond his time as Robin, Dick has even stepped into the role of Batman and led the Justice League. When it comes to the Teen Titans, no other hero has had a more lasting impact than Dick Grayson.

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2026-04-05 22:14