The Teen Titans Are Gone and They Should Stay Gone

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While not the very first group of teen superheroes, the Teen Titans have become the most well-known. DC Comics played a huge role in shaping the idea of teen heroes, starting with Dick Grayson as Robin. Robin quickly became popular, and throughout the Golden Age, other young heroes appeared – sidekicks like Speedy and Wing, and even heroes like the Star-Spangled Kid, who had an adult partner. Over time, more teen sidekicks were created, including Kid Flash, Aqualad, and Wonder Girl. In the 1960s, recognizing the growing influence of youth culture, DC brought these sidekicks together to form their own team: the Teen Titans.

The Teen Titans have always brought together some of the best young heroes, and the team has experienced periods of both success and struggle. Their most popular run came with the New Teen Titans comic book, created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, which became a huge bestseller in the 1980s. The team’s popularity has varied over time, and currently, the Teen Titans are no longer active. Though many fans miss them, I believe disbanding the team is ultimately a positive development for the DC Universe.

The Teen Titans Are a Relic We No Longer Need

The Teen Titans have undeniably left their mark on the superhero world. Arriving when they did, the team highlighted a new wave of heroes. While the initial Teen Titans stories weren’t massive hits, they introduced memorable characters like Omen and paved the way for future iterations of the team. The New Teen Titans comic series was a standout success, and is considered a crucial title from the 1980s. In fact, it may have saved DC Comics, which was struggling to compete with Marvel’s sales since the 1960s. Its impact was truly that significant.

Like all popular trends, the Teen Titans eventually faded from the spotlight. DC Comics attempted revivals, including a team led by a younger version of the Atom in the 90s, but neither stuck. Eventually, the teen hero team concept found a home in Young Justice, which then led to a new version of Teen Titans combining classic members with 90s heroes like Tim Drake, Cassie Sandsmark, Bart Allen, and Superboy. This new iteration was successful for a while and reminded fans what made the team special. Unfortunately, the DC New 52 reboot disrupted that success.

As a critic, I’ve watched DC struggle with the Teen Titans for years, and it all comes back to the New 52 reboot. Honestly, it completely derailed the team, alienating fans and leading to a string of failed attempts to relaunch them. I think the core issue is this: DC’s so fixated on the New Teen Titans version – the one most people know from the popular animated shows like Teen Titans and Teen Titans GO! – that any deviation from that formula just doesn’t land. That successful iteration has become a real burden for the team; they can’t seem to escape its shadow.

DC’s current Titans series features former Teen Titans members as adults, and it’s been a solid read – the previous Titans run during DC Rebirth was especially good. It satisfies fans craving Teen Titans stories. However, the need for a dedicated teen hero team has faded, as most young heroes are now mentored within established hero groups. The Teen Titans were once a vital part of the DC Universe, but their purpose has been served. The iconic members have moved on, and there aren’t enough new, compelling teen heroes to form a new team. While the Teen Titans were fantastic, it’s probably time to retire the concept.

DC Can Do Teen Heroes Without the Teen Titans

DC Comics currently features a diverse range of heroes spanning multiple generations, with experienced figures mentoring younger ones – like the Bat and Flash families. Groups like the Justice Society connect with heroes from past eras, and the Legion of Super-Heroes represent a future generation. With so many options for teen heroes to train and connect with peers, the Teen Titans feel unnecessary. While they were popular in the past, they’ve simply become redundant.

If DC wants to introduce a new team of teen heroes, reviving Infinity Inc. would be a smarter move than bringing back the Teen Titans. The Titans are so iconic that fans have a very specific idea of what they should be, which makes it hard to create a fresh take for a new generation. We already have the established Titans team, and the Legion of Superheroes is returning, so a new Infinity Inc. would fill a unique space. Simply put, we don’t need another Teen Titans team; the classic stories are great and can remain as they are.

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2025-10-31 21:10