***Contains Spoilers***
JLA/Titans is a three-issue miniseries that serves as a bridge between the post-DC One Million Justice League era and the reformation of the Titans in 1999. The story kicks off with a mysterious attack on the JLA’s moon base, by none other than a moon-eating Cyborg, and quickly escalates into a clash between the Justice League and every Titan past and present. At its core, it’s a nostalgia-fueled battle of ideologies—Titans’ loyalty versus JLA’s calculated approach—framed around a high-stakes threat to the world.
What I appreciated most about JLA/Titans was its exploration of relationships. Seeing Wally attempt to forge a friendship with Kyle to rekindle the Hal Jordan/Barry Allen bond was a nice thread, and the moment where Wally chooses the Titans over the JLA (while Kyle picks the JLA) felt like a defining moment for the budding friendship. It added depth to their dynamic and emphasized Wally’s unwavering connection to the Titans. Another standout was the emotional intensity when Beast Boy (Garfield Logan) called out to Cyborg, breaking through to his humanity. Moments like this captured the heart of the Titans as a family—a team that doesn’t abandon its own, no matter the odds.
The story also did an excellent job recapping the history of the Titans. From the original Teen Titans to the less-beloved “Team Titans” era, it was fascinating to see so many former members brought into the fold, even if only briefly. It felt like a celebration of the team’s legacy, which, combined with its emotional core, made it a meaningful prelude to the 1999 relaunch. Additionally, I enjoyed the thematic contrast between the Titans and the JLA. The Titans’ emotional, hopeful nature—refusing to leave a member behind—stood in stark contrast to the JLA’s colder, mission-first approach, and the story didn’t shy away from showing the strengths and flaws of both philosophies.
That said, this wasn’t a story I loved overall. I don’t typically enjoy “good vs. good” conflicts, and this was no exception. The battle between the JLA and the Titans felt contrived, and while the character moments shone, the central conflict didn’t engage me. Cyborg’s attack on the moon base had a lot of spectacle, but it didn’t land emotionally until the end, when his humanity was restored. As much as I enjoyed the historical recaps, the narrative often felt like it was trying too hard to include everyone, which made the story feel overcrowded and chaotic at times.
In the end, JLA/Titans is a nostalgic, character-driven story that will resonate most with longtime Titans fans. While it didn’t fully work for me as a cohesive story, it set the stage nicely for the 1999 Titans series and delivered a few memorable moments. I’ll probably revisit it for the emotional beats and historical callbacks, but it’s not a must-read for casual fans. 3 stars (liked it and plan to reread).
Feature Image JLA/Titans #1 cover art by Phil Jimenez, Todd Klein and T. Horie