Teen Angst

With all of the chaos that has befallen the Titans characters recently, I looked at a pitch I was thinking of sending in a couple of years ago for a Teen Titans: Year One mini-series. This was written right after Infinite Crisis. Now, there was a Year One series for the Titans a short while back, but this would be different. My “hook” would involve delving into how the original five Titans start off as almost funhouse mirror reflections of the characters they would evolve into. For example, most of the outside world views Robin as the constantly punning sidekick to the Caped Crusader (Holy wisecracks, Batman). But, at the time I wrote this, he was the dark, and brooding Nightwing. Wonder Girl functions as the team’s den mother. She is always offering a shoulder to cry on, but she is a mess inside- always questioning her true nature, while encouraging others to follow their own. In the original Titans series she did not get a “real name” until over twenty issues into the run. Yet, now that name (Donna Troy) is all she goes by. In the brilliant New Teen Titans #20 (Dear Mom and Dad), we see that Wally writes letters to his loving, and supportive parents. But, once he got his own ongoing, his folks became flaky jerks. Another key aspect of Wally’s portrayal in the New Teen Titans, was that he wanted to retire from being a hero, and become a normal college student. So, how bizarre is it that he would be the first Titan to actually make it to the big leagues as his mentor’s successor? Garth, of course, should be the most powerful member (in terms of strength, and political prestige), but he became almost a joke. And, Roy starts off as a rebellious troublemaker, only to become the most responsible by taking care of his daughter (that is until the gift that was Cry For Justice).

I wrote a heck of a lot of stuff for this “project”, but I thought I would share my character profiles here (since I think they are pretty spot on):

Titans Together: Teen Titans Year One

By John Conlon

This series would update, and refresh, the origin and first adventures of the Teen Titans. The goal is to give these tales a “New Earth” twist, and provide a look at the team that is rich with irony and pathos- given the complex character development the members have endured over the years. Here are some character templates that will provide the launch point for this examination:

Robin, The Boy Wonder (Real Name: Dick Grayson)- The laughing, fighting, young daredevil. He used to wow them under the Big Top. Now, thanks to the Batman’s tutelage, the whole world’s his stage. Despite their radically different styles, the Dark Knight, wishes to salvage whatever childhood he can for the orphaned acrobat. So, he allows him to crusade in bright colors, and quip and pun in the face of danger. It is with great eagerness that Robin joins the Titans. He’s anxious to hang out with other kids who fully embrace the fun and thrill of adventure. But, being the most skilled and cerebral of the group comes with a price. When the others turn to him more for guidance than kinship, he’ll have to grow up even faster than his role as junior partner required. Will he sacrifice the joys of youth in order to evolve from the world’s greatest sidekick to the world’s greatest leader?

Wonder Girl (Real Name: Unknown)- She is a mystery, even to herself. A fractured mind in the body of a teen goddess. She claims to be one of the mythical Amazons, and she has the raw power to back it up. So, why does her own memory call her a liar? Her motherly wisdom and instincts speak of one who has lived before, not just a mere thirteen years. Her dreams are plagued with visions of burning slums, warring planets, ancient gods, and cosmic entities. Is she destined to be the team’s nurturer, or the harbinger of their destruction?

Kid Flash (Real Name: Wally West)- Of all the members he would seem to be the most together, and indeed the most blessed. After all, unlike his orphaned teammates, his parents are alive and well. The other male Titans are great guys, but they are too consumed with trying to please their mentors. While, the Flash is a good role model, Wally not only doesn’t live with him, he has no desire to follow in his footsteps. He suspects that Robin, Aqualad, and Speedy will all adopt the identities of the men that trained them one day, but if his powers were to fade tomorrow, he’d be just fine. Maybe one day he’ll leave the race behind. Maybe one day he’ll graduate college and settle down in placid Blue Valley, just a few doors down from the mom and dad he writes to everyday he’s away. And, who knows? Maybe one day his parents just might love him back.

Aqualad (Real Name: Prince Garth)- Under the waves he is absolute royalty. The future heir to three quarters of the Earth. He’s worshipped by subjects throughout the Seven Seas. Every denizen of the deep, whether they be citizens of fabled Atlantis, the fairest mermaids, or great beasts bow before him. Even on land, he is the strongest of the male Titans. So why beneath his surface, does his heart sink? Though he has been bred to rule, the detective is wiser about air-breather culture. Though he shares her noble background, and a once hidden heritage, the princess rejects his offers of help. Though the archer wields a weapon that would be less than useless in his realm, Harper’s jests seek to belittle him. And, though the speedster’s mentor was the first to show Aquaman kindness, the younger Flash shares none of his commitment to legacy. Could it be, that the prince is simply out of his element?

Speedy (Real Name: Roy Harper)- He learned it all from Oliver Queen. The uncanny marksmanship, the great right cross, and the superb tracking skills. But, did he learn it ALL a little too well? The contempt for authority, even when represented by the Boy Wonder. The cutting remarks aimed to wound the strongest guy on the team, in order to mask his own insecurities. The urge to compete with the small town boy from Blue Valley, for the romantic affections of the Amazon- knowing he’ll probably love her, and leave her. Is the decision he makes, to decline full-time membership in the group he just founded, the first in a lifetime of self-destructive choices? Or, is it one made to spare the fledgling group?