Hypothetically, you're approached by someone who's never read a comic book before. They're interested in the Teen Titans. What single issue or story would you recommend to them?
The Titans are difficult because the team and tone of the book has changed frequently over the years since the first Titans story was published. Most people would be inclined to choose a story ftom the era they like most, and that's perfectly fine.
For me, I'm going to go with "The Dimensional Caper" from Teen Titans #16 from 1966. There are a number of reasons why:
* Most of the villains the Titans fought back then were a joke. Willy Lumpkin should have been able to take them out. This case was different, as an alien Invasion is no laughing matter.
* Each member of the team--even Aqualad somehow--is useful and essential and gets to showcase their unique abilities.
* I first read this story when I was about 7-9 and I loved it then. I reread it as an adult and it still stands up. It's just a really good story.
There are no wrong answers here. However, please talk about why you made the choice you made.
Replies
SINGLE ISSUE: The New Teen Titans #38 ("Who is Donna Troy?"). Reason: Wolfman/Perez's best single issue.
STORYLINE: The New Teen Titans #28-44 + Annual #3 ("Tara Markov/Judas Contract"). Reason: this is where I came in, and if it's good enough for me...
1) Brave & Bold #60 ("The Astounding Separated Man!") This is the mission statement of the team.
2) Teen Titans #50-52 (Titans East/Titans West) practically all of DC's young heroes (that are not in the Legion) in one book. Fascinated young me to no end!
3) New Teen Titans #1-8 (Titans Together!) Hey, if they're going to reading NTT, start at the beginning! Let them earn "Runaways", "Donna Troy" and "Judas Contract"!
I can only choose something from the Wolfman/Pérez heyday; the stuff before then was mostly before my time, and the stories I have read from then were uniformly terrible. I might choose the entire Wolfman/Pérez run, but that's too much ...
I'll go for the single-issue insert in DC Comics Presents #26, as it is meant as an introduction.
"Let them earn 'Runaways', 'Donna Troy' and 'Judas Contract'!"
It's not up to the reader to "earn" the comic; it's up to the comic to earn the reader.