***Contains Spoilers***
The Team Titans series is a peculiar chapter in the world of DC Comics, a 24-issue run that kicked off as a spin-off from the Armageddon 2001 event. It centers around a group of time-displaced heroes from a dystopian future sent back in time to assassinate the son of Donna Troy, who is fated to become the tyrannical Lord Chaos. With a core team of characters like Nightrider, Kilowatt, Mirage, Redwing, Battalion, and a second Terra, the series combines grim, bloody storytelling with high-stakes time-travel drama. It starts with intrigue but ultimately suffers from lackluster execution and diminishing relevance due to major DC crossover events like Zero Hour.
I’ll admit, I went into this series skeptical, but there were aspects I genuinely enjoyed. The team lineup, though not iconic, had its charm. Characters like Nightrider, with his vampiric vibe, and Kilowatt, with his electricity-based powers, stood out as uniquely gritty compared to traditional Titans rosters. Mirage and the second Terra were compelling additions, especially given their roles in the broader Titans mythology. The darker tone and bloodier action also set Team Titans apart, making it grittier than its mainstream Titans counterparts.
The connection to Armageddon 2001 is one of the series’ more interesting twists. Waverider, the catalyst for that event, peeks into Dick Grayson’s future, indirectly setting the stage for the Team Titans’ mission. This tie-in gave the series some narrative weight, as did the subplot with Donna Troy, who ends up powerless and housing the team after they succeed in taking down Lord Chaos. I also appreciated how the story bridged Armageddon 2001 to Zero Hour, with the shocking twist that Monarch—revealed as the villain behind Zero Hour—was the unseen manipulator of the Team Titans all along. That revelation gave the series a larger sense of purpose, even as its standalone stories faltered.
Unfortunately, despite some bright spots, the Team Titans series is ultimately a slog. The stories are largely forgettable, failing to capitalize on the compelling premise and the characters’ unique backstories. While it has a darker edge, the writing doesn’t elevate it above other grim ’90s comics that felt like they were chasing trends rather than innovating. Most of the arcs lack staying power, and I struggled to stay engaged over the series’ 24 issues.
The final nail in the coffin is Zero Hour, which erased all the Team Titans members from existence, save for Terra and Mirage. While DC’s continuity reboots are nothing new, this one effectively rendered the series meaningless. Investing time in a group of characters, only for them to be wiped from canon, made the entire run feel like a wasted effort. It’s a shame because the groundwork for something memorable was there—it just never quite came together.
Team Titans had potential, with a gritty tone, a fascinating mission, and ties to major DC events like Armageddon 2001 and Zero Hour. It’s also important for the development of Donna Troy and the second Terra. But the weak storytelling and the ultimate erasure of most of the team leave it feeling hollow. I liked parts of it but wouldn’t read it again. 2 stars.
Feature Image Team Titans #7 cover art by Phil Jimenez