Complete Teen Titans Reading Guide -
This is mostly a passion project of mine about The Titans! The general consensus I have seen on this website is that their history is confusing and people don’t know where to start so …. This guide includes ALL pieces of Titans Media.
Even the ones that just include some of the core members on different teams because I want to and related series. I want to be as through and complete on this as possible.
(I dont include the JL: No Justice and ODYSSEY JL(2018) thing when they were taking on their role or something mind numbing along those lines because… its JL & i didn’t really care and frankly who does ? But it’s before the tom taylor titans run so I wanted to preface with that. )
Just to start this is all my opinion and you can really begin wherever you feel like it if you want to!
TEEN TITANS (1966)
before you read the Teen Titans (1966) series you should read
- Brave and The Bold ( 1955) #54 and #60 if you want to read right from the start chronologically!
- Showcase #59 before Roy joins the team
The Original Team of the TEEN TITANS was a series that ran through the 60’s beginning in 1966 - 1973 and had a comeback in 1976. It had 53 issues.
The original series consisted mostly of Robin, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash and Aqualad with many a cameo from other teens.
You can either read the OG Series but its completely optional it’s pretty outdated and silly but it’s a fun ride even then. In my opinion its best to leave for after you have been endeared to the characters.
Teen Titans (1966) reading list.
( Orange = optional ! )
A warning before hand read all these at your own discretion alot of these are very much products of their time, so I feel obliged to put a warning for racism at this point.
Teen Titans #1-20
- The Brave and The Bold #83
Teen Titans #21-31
- Detective Comics #402
- The Brave and The Bold #94
Teen Titans #32-34
- World’s Finest Comics #205
Teen Titans #35-38
- Batman (1940) #241-242
- Brave and The Bold #102
- Teen Titans #39-53
- Brave and The Bold #149 & Showcase Vol.1 #100 after the series ends.
If you really enjoy the Silver Age Teen Titans there are also team-ups in Detective Comics #402 and a small dick & donna interaction Detective Comics #474.
Extras
- Teen Titans Lost Annual
- Doom Patrol #104
- Silver Age Teen Titans (1-4)
- DC Special Series Vol.1 #11
- Adventure Comics #461
- Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular (2021) has a teen titans story!
And a story (worlds oldest teenagers) in the 80 page Flash giant is a silver age styled teen titans story.
Alternatively just read TEEN TITANS : YEAR ONE.
Some issues I recommend from the OG series.
- #5 #23 #12 #38 #53 ( last issue )
NEW TEEN TITANS ERA
NTT is arguably the seminal run and its best an absolute mustread. ( at it’s worst ….)
- DC PRESENTS #26 ( totally optional)
- Tales of the DC Universe #17 (prequel released years after NTT)
- The New Teen Titans Vol. 1
#1-40 + 1-2 annuals
- BEST OF DC #18
- Tales of The New Teen Titans ( #1-4)
- read the 1st annual after issue #25
- annual 2 after #34
By Issue 40 the original series rebrands to
- TALES Of TEEN TITANS
#41-58 + annual 3.
This continues on from the original numbering it runs alongside NTT VOL.2 but was the ‘deluxe book.’
Read annual 3 as Part of Judas Contract before #45!
- NEW TEEN TITANS VOL.2
#1-49 + 1-4 annuals
After issue #12 read annual 1 and then crisis of infinite earths.
- Teen Titans Spotlight (1986) !! 1-21
Extras
- Wonder Woman (1942) #287 read before #16.
- The Official Teen Titans Index (1985)
- Kory features prominently in The Omega Men (1983) #34-35
- Batman and The Outsiders #5
- There’s also..The New Teen Titans (Drug Awareness Specials) at some point it’s its …. Certainly something.
- Action Comics #613-618 is the Cheshire Contract. Roy & Dick have an arc easily found as Nightwing: Old Friends and New Enemies. Which is excellent.
- Secret Origins Vol.2 #46
- Blue Beetle (1986) #11-14 , Supergirl #20 , Vigilante #5, Infinity Inc #45, Hawk & Dove #11-12
NEW TITANS ERA
By this point they remembered that “hey these guys aren’t teens anymore ” and thus renamed it to NEW TITANS . This series started off well enough and quickly devolved into arguably one of the worst runs I ever read.
New Titans #81 is part of War Of The Gods and Annual 7 is part of Armageddon 2001 ( don’t bother ) annual 8 is part OF YET ANOTHER EVENT . Again don’t bother.
-THE NEW TITANS
#50 - 130 + 11 annuals
Note that it completely overhauls at 100 so put a pin in that.
- New Titans Sellout Special (1992)
Extras
- running alongside NEW TITANS by 1992 was TEAM TITANS ( #1-25 + 2 annuals ) a series so awful I cannot recommend to you in clear conscience but if your a completetionist ( trust me I get it ) It’s there !
- Deathstroke The Terminator
Not strictly a titans related series but I begrudgingly put it here because they show up in here sometimes and also rose gets her start here. But don’t read more than you have to because its. Such a shitty comic 😭. They have a crossover that goes like this.
New Titans #91
Deathstroke The Terminator #14
New Titans #92
Deathstroke The Terminator #15
(Also Jade bombs Quarac in these pages and that gets mentioned alot later. )
and then another crossover: crime syndicate edition 😒
- Deathstroke #48, NT #122, Darkstars #32, Deathstoke #49, #50 and annual 4.
- Darkstars #26-27 (for donna & kory ‼️) #31,32,34-36
- Green Lantern #57
- Showcase ‘93 (Vic storyline)
- The Flash #4,6 for him and Vic & Donna and #81-83 (to see married sweethearts dickkory 💜 so read before 100th issue)
NEW TITANS (Government Sponsored) ERA
- NEW TITANS : MELTDOWN
The last decaying remains of New Titans walks on like a zombie on acid but by #100 all of the original new teen titans crew is gone ( well most Donna as a Darkstar ect are still there. ) and leave to be replaced by an all new government sponsored Titans team lead by Roy Harper. It feels important enough to point out !
- #0 (zero hour dw.) 100 - 130
They have a crossover called The Siege of Zi Charam which goes like this
- New Titans #124
- Green Lantern (1990) #65
- Darkstars #34
+ extra
- Damage #16 (Damage is one of those series thats optional but if you want more Grant content read this aggressively 90s series)
- New Titans #125
- Showcase ‘95 #8 for an arsenal story called Lian’s Present.
( IF YOU WANT CONTINUITY FOR KORY Showcase ‘94 #11 )
- Secret Origins Annual Vol.2 #3
NT ended with a whole 11 annuals. A lot of crossovers and dip ins to be read side along bur none of its obligation.
DISBANDED ERA
Ok so I am aware that they aren’t strictly Titans series (it happens after NT ends) BUT PLEASE TAKE a minute to read
The Arsenal Special!! Its a short single issue and BRILLIANT !! It informs a-lot of his character later on as well as of course the actual Arsenal Miniseries.
(The Arsenal mini happens chronically after TT 96)
ALSO TEMPEST (1996) a absolute must read also informs basically everything about Garth… just take a minute and read these if you want !!
important stuff happens to Kory in Final Night #1 so thats there too! Also Batman Chronicles #7 because it’s so sweet and is donna & dick platonic soulmates thesis.
(Theres also Kyles GL run which features Donna heavily when they were dating or DC Girl Frenzy Donna Troy special #1 or the whole 1996 NW run but they are more complicated and I am getting a bit off track) thats a whole another comic reading guide 😭.)
-Legends of the DC Universe (1998)
- Wonder Woman (1984) #134-136**
- Green Lantern (1990) #81
- Flash Vol.2 #126, 134 + Flash Plus for Wally & Dick
- DC One Million (uh it’s certainly something for them to do ? 😭)
- Aquaman Vol.5 Secret Files and Origins
** I put it as optional but it is very important to donna.
TEEN TITANS (Take 2 1996)
Ok so in the 90’s DC decided to start the TT from scratch ( huh see how long this’ll last )
This all new team was comprised of 4 half alien teens and a freshly deaged Atom. It didn’t last very long and while I am VERY fond of it (look at my @ and pfp ) AGAIN you don’t HAVE TO read it. Either way I am putting it in the red.
TEEN TITANS (1996)
#1-24
And 1 annual.
(More complete guide because I LOVE THEM)
- Teen Titans (1996) #1-6
- Adventures Of Superman (1987) #547
- Teen Titans #7-11
- Teen Titans Annual 1
- Genesis (1997) #2 its a crossover but they are there
- Superman Vol.2 (1987) #128
- Adventures Of Superman (1987) #551
- Genesis (1997) #3-4
- Teen Titans (1996) #12-16
Robin/Argent DoubleShot #1
Superboy/Risk DoubleShot #1
Supergirl/Prysm DoubleShot #1
Impulse/Atom DoubleShot #1
- Teen Titans #17
New Year’s Evil : Dark Nemesis #1
- Teen Titans #18
- Superman (1987) #134
- Teen Titans #19
- Adventures Of Superman #557
- Superman : Man Of Steel #79
- Superman Vol.2 #135
- Teen Titans #20-24
Extras
-Titans Beat #1
- Superboy and The Ravers #14
- Action Comics #744 & Steel Vol.2 #50 read after issue #18.
- A World Without Grown Ups (1998) #1
- Chase #4
- Power of Shazam Vol.1 #41
- The Flash Vol.2 #140
- Arsenal Vol.1 #3
- Titans (1999) #25 (Toni & Isaiah ❤️)
- Adventures of Superman #607 (I LOVE THIS ISSUE)
- 52 (for the Isaiah Cameo ‼️)
JLA/TITANS : THE TECHNIS IMPERATIVE #1-3
Absolute MUST-READ. Literally one of my favourite comics of all time. Also essential because it kickstarts a certain run.
TITANS (1999)
The best run on Titans ( don’t @ me ) It slowly loses momentum after #26 but I still generally LOVED it. Stellar A++ Titans content !!
( you can also read the Beast Boy #1-4 miniseries prequel. But unless you really love Bette and Titans West it’s not worth it.)
TITANS (1999)
#1-50 + 1 annual.
Also TITANS Secret Files and Origins !!! ( ♥️♥️♥️ )
After #14 you can read Titans/Legion Of SuperHeroes : Universe Ablaze (2000) crossover.
EXTRAS
- Aquaman Vol.5 #60 ( PLEASE READ IT ‼️)
- Nightwing Secret Files and Origins (1999) and #63
- JLA : Secret Files & Origins
- The Flash (1987) #159-160, The Our Worlds at War (2001) Special.
- Sins of The Youth Storyline & Superboy Vol.2 #80-81
- Wonder Woman (1984) #162,#165-167,#178,#180,#182.
- Action Comics #781-783
- Adventures of Superman (1987) #618
YOUNG JUSTICE
OK OK NOW I know THIS ISNT A TITANS OR Teen Titans run but this gen WILL eventually become TT 2003 ( 😒 ).
-Young Justice (1998)
If you actually want to read Young Justice heres a rudimentary guide.
JLA: World Without Grownups #1-2
Young Justice : The Secret #1
Young Justice
#1-55 + 1000000 + annuals
Young Justice 80 Page Giant (SO GOOD)
Young Justice Secret Files + YJ Worlds at War , YJ in No Man’s Land and Young Justice: Sins of the Youth. #1-2
POST 2003 ERA
YJ/TITANS : GRADUATION DAY
Oh brother. Ok so I am pretty salty about this whole comic but it’s essential and has some good moments soo yeah read Graduation Day.
OUTSIDERS/TT SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS 1-2 ‼️‼️ please read this after Graduation Day (atleast the first issue the second one before Return of Donna Troy.) It’s heartbreaking and I love it dearly! it’s beautiful!
After the unfortunate events of graduation day the aforementioned YJ Gen ( sans Anita and Greta 😞) and the original NTT Crew ( Vic, Kory, Gar, a deaged Raven ) join to become ->
TEEN TITANS ( 2003)
( I have mixed opinions on this run some think it a masterpiece, some think it awful I generally think it’s…. Fine? Well not fine it has that 2000s shitty characterisation quirks but give it a go…I guess I recommend #2-26.)
- #1-33
[After #33 OYL hits]
OUTSIDERS 2003 -
Ok so this run isn’t really…. a Titans run but it has fantastic Roy and Dick characterisation and KORY JOINS LATER AND SO TECHNICALLY-
#1-33
Read Annual 1 before #46 if you go with the series.
Don’t bother after Batman shows up unless you’re really invested in characters like Anissa or Grace.
there’s also the “Outsiders: Five of a Kind— Nightwing/Captain Boomerang.” Which I’m adding for completions sake and posits Dick to leave after seeing that he & Bruce can’t lead together.
Around this time Infinite Crisis happens. A LOT of Titans die and I feel as though you kinda have to read it ESPECIALLY for one death that will be very relevant and talked about. Also WW3 happens after and the titans are ALSO there and yet another one is killed though no one ever mentions them again.
POST - OYL TT 2003
Ok so I basically consider post OYL TT ‘03 to be a totally different team because… well it is. All of the NTT crew leave and are replaced by a handful of cameos and eventually like Rose Wilson and Kid Devil and because at this point half of the YJ gen is well…dead. It was pretty dire at this point though I find the character interactions endearing. This series remains like that until N52.
They have crossovers with Red Robin aswell as Wonder Girl Vol.2.
#33-100 + annuals
Extras
- DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES READ TERROR TITANS. Unless you really love Rose..( like me..) utterly abysmal book.
- Raven (2004)
- Shazam V.2 before #32
- The Flash (1987) #209-211, after identity crisis #214-215
- Green Arrow (2001) #46 ,#49-50
- Identity Crisis (this is unfortunately really important to Tim and also has a nice dickkory moment, albeit very brief. However. It’s fucking terrible.) read after #19
- Gotham Central #34
- Supergirl Vol.5 #2,3 (terrible book represents basically everything i hate about 2000s comics)
- Nightwing Vol.2 #107
- OUTSIDERS/TT SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS #2
- RETURN OF DONNA TROY ♥️♥️♥️ !!!! Excellent, MUST READ !!!!
After issues #27 of Outsiders and #28 of TT
- Nightwing Vol.2 #114 (after #28 of outsiders) #117
- Firestorm Vol.3 #19-20
- TEEN TITANS : COLD CASE - seriously don’t read this if you don’t have too.
- TERRA ( Yes I will put this here I don’t care)
- TEEN TITANS : Spotlight on Wonder Girl.
- Outsiders/Checkmate
- Teen Titans/Legion Special (2004) after #16
- Wonder Girl Vol.2
TITANS EAST SPECIAL !!
DC SPECIAL: CYBORG #1-6
I really like this mini!
TITANS (2008)
After all the bullshit THEY ARE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN YAY !!!!
Too bad there’s so much shit going on OUTSIDE of the Titans that ends up fucking over the characters. E.G Bruce dying so Dick has to go be Batman and …. Hell . Fucking Rise Of Arsenal. If you know what happens in that book well the short version is that Roy ends up relapsing and going down a much darker mindset.
Series swings between being really good and being a mischaracterising MESS.
#1-23 + 1 annual.
By Titans #12 the Deathtrap crossover starts it goes like this.
TITANS #12
Vigilante #5
Teen Titans #70
TITANS #13
Vigilante #6
But eve why did you put its end at issue 23 when I know for a fact that it goes on for #38 issues ????
Oh boy.
Titans : Villains for hire Special #1 before #24
TITANS ( 2008 ) : VILLAINS FOR HIRE.
So at issue 23 DC had the genius idea of taking the Titans and …. turning them into a mercenary and hitman group lead by Deathstroke himself ( why ? I wish I knew.) Filled out with hitmen and villains and …. Roy who was now really dark and #edgy . Whatever it was bad and a wannabe secret six.
#23-38
- #41-#60 JLA Vol. 2.
It isn’t a strictly Titans team obviously but it feels wrong not to add it here. i adored it!
Teen Titans : Blackest Night 1-3
Teen Titans : Brightest Day
However they’re was almost light at the end of the tunnel …. Jericho ( Joey Wilson yes he IS ALIVE ) seemed to have plans to assemble a new TITANS team and reunite their family and Roy well it seemed he was on a path to redemption he was almost there close to moving to recovery and healing and he could do it with— —,
N52. POST FLASHPOINT ERA.
The N52 was bad, isnt a particularly outrageous statement but IT WAS EXTREMELY bad in relation to the Titans. Bluntly put, it’s all gone and the only team that has ever existed and called themselves that was a random team with dickkory on it and the current TT. Most of the fab five are dead, demoted or like a baby. None of it is very good. Wally doesn’t exist, Roy exists for Jason Todd, Donna is like evil or something, kory……….
- TEEN TITANS N52
They have 2 series. Read at your own peril they’re better if you pretend that the characters aren’t supposed to be … like the characters that they are. (Scott lobbell shouldn’t of been allowed to touch a pen) Raven isnt as bad as she could’ve been so I will give it that. But Lobell is a sexual harasser so if you are going to read it, try and 🏴☠️.
- Teen Titans (2011)
- Teen Titans (2014)
There is also RHATO (2011) which I only add because they vaguely alludes to some kind-of titans team and they have Roy and Kory. But I tell you from the bottom of my heart that this book is so abysmal ESPECIALLY if you cared about Roy and Kory at all. Truly just terrible and not worth anyones time (also written by Lobell) I will never touch this shit again.
-STARFIRE (2015)
Kory got her own solo book which is…hm. Of everything they could do with a kory solo book. It was bland and imo mediocre but hey give it a try.
REBIRTH ERA!
- TITANS: HUNT
-TITANS VOL.3.
is exactly what I wanted in the first half and then falls on it’s ass and burns like a trash fire. Tell me if my standards are too low or high as my hopes.
-#1-36
Justice League : No Justice- happens around this time and it was trying to create a new status quo ( uh-huh DC AGAIN ). But you already know from my ramble at the start about that shit.
Teen Titans Special #1
TEEN TITANS VOL.3 (2016)
1-47 + 2 annuals
Has a Special & Teen Titans : Endless Winter.
( also as your reading this read JL #54-55 for context in TT #27 )
“Yeah, sure put the 11 year old in charge. ”
THAT IS NOT DAMIAN I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. The series starts with Damian leading alot of the OG NTT guys like Kory and Vic + Ace and then it later just becomes Damian + Emiko + Ace and a couple other guys like Crush.
Drowned Earth happens ( not important) but it happens at #28. They have a crossover.
TEEN TITANS / DEATHSTROKE : Terminus Agenda ( it’s a vol.)
- Young Justice (2019) 1-20
This is also a thing. No, I don’t want to talk about it.
- TITANS : Burning Rage
#1-7
- Titans Academy
Kindof dips into the show 2003 stuff with red X so you may be a bit confused but it’s fun to an extent.
#1-15 (ongoing)
- TITANS United #1-7
- DARK CRISIS : YOUNG JUSTICE #1-6
- TITANS : BLOODPACT #1-7
I love both of these, Bloodpact in particular and it gives me Dickkory back aswell !! Good story and stellar art !! ( Lucas Meyer my GOAT)
NIGHTWING #100 - 104
To explain what is going on.
- TITANS (2023) Ongoing #1-?
- Titans : Knight Terrors.
Also TITANS:BEAST WORLD & Beast World Tour I guess 🤷♀️
Mid at best and I am being kind. #1-4
- Tales Of The Titans
A miniseries but so far the best Titans content we have gotten IN A WHILE . ♥️ ( sorta…..kory..)
#1-4
Extras-
(ones I didn’t know where to put)
- New Teen Titans GAMES !
stellar art, a standalone (?) dubiously canon graphic novel by Marv Wolfman and George Perez!
-TITANS AND NTT CONVERGENCE.
worthwhile and exactly what’s on the tin ! Love these, gave a happy ending to the Post Crisis universe!
- Teen Titans : Smallville
I am the only person who has ever known this comic existed. Its so ass and has nothing to do with the actual titans comics but oh my days does anyone remember this anyone can anyone
- The Young Justice (2011) & YJ Targets
All based on the YJ Cartoon which I don’t care about and frankly I am only including because the word young justice is in their title.
- Teen Titans Earth:One
really cool raven design.
- Teen Titans : Worlds Finest.
wonderful art by Dan Mora. Story is meh.
- DC PRESENTS THE UNCANNY X-MEN AND NTT CROSSOVER.
This food is so fucking good Lois.
- TITANS : Paper Scissors Stone
Virtually nothing to do with titans but I remember liking it!
- Theres also Teen Titans : Beast Boy & Raven & Robin & Starfire AND Beast Boy loves Raven & Robin but they are very much show-2003 based comics and I hate them soso bad.
- The Teen Titans 2003 show comics and TTG comics
- TEENY & TINY TITANS
#1-50 (2008) ,#1-6 (2014)
Tiny Titans/Little Archie #1-3
So cute. 😭 I adore these.
OTHER MEDIA -
- TEEN TITANS ( 2003 THE TV SHOW )
A solid adaptation of … most of the characters. Just please don’t go into this show and come out expecting the same from the comics. Did a lot of good for Terra’s character and influences ALOT of public perception. Just … don’t be annoying about the comics after watching this. Also argent is from new Zealand in this ? I’ll take it!
- TEEN TITANS GO
YES IK IK BUT ITS AN ADAPTATION AS WELL. DON’T COMPLAIN.
- TITANS ( TV SHOW)
….I wouldn’t recommend this show too anyone EXCEPT Titans fans who want more content of the team it’s….it’s an experience. ( FUCK YOU FOR DOING THAT TO DONNA )
- Beast Boy (TV SHOW)
very recently released, surprisingly decent art.
- TO BE RELEASED: STARFIRE (TV SHOW) & TT MOVIE.
Feel free to question me if I have forgotten any I don’t have spectacular memory lol. (probably forgotten some useless event again)
Happy reading !!
