Teen Titans was originally a comic book published by DC Comics. They made
their first appearance in Brave and the Bold #54 in 1964. They were envisioned
to be a junior version of the Justice League, a team composed of teen
sidekicks. The original members were Robin, Aqualad, and Kid Flash with
Speedy and Wondergirl joining soon after. Their membership would change
through the years with members coming and going.
Although there have not been a lot of shows based on the Teen Titans,
the members of that team have made been featured on several shows. Most
notable is Robin (Richard 'Dick' Grayson) whose first media appearance
was in the 1939 serial 'The Batman'and in it's sequel The New Adventures
of Batman and Robin in 1949. He would next appear on the 60's, campy,
live action show 'Batman'. Robin was played by Burt Ward from 1966 to
1969.
The first animated appearance of the Teen Titans was in the Superman/Aquaman
Adventures in 1967. The Superman/Aquaman adventures series would feature
shorts starring various characters from the DC Universe. The Titans minus
their leader Robin starred in three 7 minute animated shorts. The episodes
were The Space Beast Roundup, Operation Rescue, and The Monster Machine
A few Titan members would also appear co-starring with their mentor's
on the Superman/Aquaman Adventures. Kid Flash (Wally West) appeared with
the Flash (Barry Allen) in several adventures. While Aqualad fought everything
from undersea injustice to terrors from beyond, alongside Aquaman. In
all he appeared in 36 animated shorts with his mentor.
Robin made his first
animated appearance in the 1968 show The Batman/Superman Hour (previously
the Superman/Aquaman Adventures.) With Batman and Robin growing in popularity,
the show was re-titled in the following season, becoming The Adventures
of Batman and Robin. It was cancelled one year later. The next show to
feature Robin came about in 1973, it was called SuperFriends . That show
was cancelled in the following season.
In 1976 Wonder Wonder played
by the super hot Lynda Carter aired on CBS. Appearing in a few episodes
in the first season was her sister Wondergirl. Wondergirl (played by Debra
Winger) was named Drusilla and her character was different than the character
in the comics whose real name was Donna Troy she also had a different
origin story.
1977 brought about the return of Robin in not only one but two shows.
The first was the All New Superfriends. Hanna Barbera realized what a
mistake it was to cancel Superfriends back in 1973 and brought it back
to the tube. Robin would be part of the Superfriends until its cancellation
in 1985. Although the name of the show would change through the years
(The All New Superfriends, Challenge of the Superfriends, Superfriends,
The All New Superpowers Show, and Galactic Guardians) , Robin would be
a mainstay throughout. The second show Robin appeared on in 1977 was the
New Adventures of Batman. The New Adventures of Batman was to also undergo
several name changes. The first was to the Batman/Tarzan Adventure hour,
then a season later Tarzan and the Super Seven, and a year later it would
turn into Batman and the Super Seven. Burt Ward returned to his Robin
role in 1979 in 'Legends of the Superheroes'. This live action show featured
many heroes other than Robin and was reminisent of 'The Challenge of the
Superfriends', there were only two of these specials made.
In the year 1980 Marv Wolfman and George Perèz introduced the New
Teen Titans to the comics world. Taking some old members like Robin, Wondergirl,
Kid Flash and the Changeling (Beast Boy.) They also introduced some new
members Raven, Cyborg, and Starfire. This comic was in the top ten best
selling comics list for most of the early eighties. It was only a matter
of time before they made it to TV.
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The final year of the Superfriends cartoon (called at that time The Superpowers
Team: Galactic Guardians) featured the introduction of Cyborg to the Superpowers
team. Even though Robin had been with the Teen Titans since its inception
for over 20 years, this was the first time in media he was shown side
by side with another Titan.
In 1992 Batman the Animated series premeired. This was an updated version
of Batman that was true to the comic book. on the series Robin (Dick Grayson)
was a college student who would help Batman from time to timeand would
appear in a few episodes. In the third season Batman the Animated series
was re-named The Adventures of Batman and Robin and Robin was given a
larger role. This series ran until 1995 and had in total 85 episodes.
Two years later a new series called The New Batman Adventures came to
the tube. This series aired with Superman The Animated Series under the
name Batman/Superman Adventures. The New Adventures of Batman continued
the story from Batman the Animated series. On this new series Dick Grayson
hung up his mantle of Robin and assumed a new name of Nightwing. In the
comic books Robin also became Nightwing and had leadership of the Teen
Titans for many years.
A new kid assumed the title of Robin. A troubled youth named Tim Drake.
Tim Drake would be Robin for the entirety of the series which ended in
1999. Tim Drake's Robin also appeared on an episode of Static Shock. The
end of his career would be shown on the year 2000 direct to video release
'Batman Beyond: The Return of the Joker'
Bringing us to the present with the series Teen Titans. Teen Titans features
a group of teenagers and as the commercial goes fighting for truth, justice
and a slice of pizza. Teen Titans uses a animation syle with a strong
anime influence. Although it is touted as a series for younger kids, it
is also intelligent enough for adults. Showing that you do not have to
"dumb" down a series in order to make it interesting for the
whole family.
Starfire, Cyborg,
Beast Boy, Raven and Robin as the leader make up the team. Starfire is
a newcomer to Earth who has the power of flight and is able to shoot bursts
of energy called starbolts. She also has a sister with similar powers.
Although she is naíve about many Earth customs she is a stout fighter
and true to her teammates. Fellow teammate Raven has mystical abilities
that have not been fully explored as yet. She is able to move objects
around and form objects by reciting a spell she too can fly. Her powers
also seem to be related to her emotional state, which would explain her
calm, dour demeanor. Beast boy has the ability to turn himself into any
animal he can imagine. This includes prehistoric dinosaurs. He also brings
humor and comedic relief to the team.
Cyborg is as his name implies half-human, half-machine. His abilties include
super strengh, and is able to produce sonic blasts. He also has many attachments
on his body with which enhance his ability. He is gruff with his teammates
but beneath that gruff exterior is a Titan that would sacrifice much for
his teammates. Robin the team leader is an above average athlete. Highly
intelligent and well versed in several fighting techniques. What is not
known about this Robin is who is he. Is he Tim Drake or some other character?
What is known about him is that he is driven, almost to obsession to fight
for justice. Also that he considers Batman his father or a father figure.
He is fiercly loyal to his Titans as well.
The Titans operate out of their headquarters the 'Titans Tower' on an
island next to an unknown city. Much of the Titans history is unknown
and from what the creators of the show would have you believe it will
stay like that. What is known is that Teen Titans is an excellent fun
show which leaves you wanting more from week to week.
It bodes well for the Titans that the series has been renewed for next
season. As for merchandise expect everything from toys to DVD's to be
hitting the shelves soon. There is also a comic based on the TV show called
'Titans GO!'.
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