Titans, Vol. 1: Old Friends

Titans (2008)

by Judd Winick, Ian Churchill (Illustrator)

The Teen Titans, Nightwing, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Starfire, Flash, Raven, Red Arrow, and Donna Troy, must reunite to combat a new threat as Trigon and his sons use their special powers to create animosity betwen the Titans and carry out plans to invade and conquer Earth.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Fantasy

200 pages, Hardcover

First published December 16, 2008

About the author

Judd Winick is an American cartoonist, comic book writer, screenwriter, and former reality television personality known for his diverse contributions to storytelling across multiple media. He first entered the public eye in 1994 as a cast member on The Real World: San Francisco, where he formed a close friendship with AIDS educator Pedro Zamora, an experience that deeply influenced his later work. Winick memorialized their bond in Pedro and Me, a critically acclaimed autobiographical graphic novel that earned several literary awards and became a staple in school curricula.

Winick's career in comics took off with The Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius and continued with major runs at DC Comics, including Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and Batman. His stories often explored socially relevant themes, such as HIV, homophobia, and identity. He was recognized for introducing gay characters and tackling difficult subjects with empathy and clarity. His work on Batman notably included resurrecting the character Jason Todd as the Red Hood, a storyline later adapted into the animated film Batman: Under the Red Hood, for which Winick wrote the screenplay.

Beyond comics, he created The Life and Times of Juniper Lee for Cartoon Network and served as head writer for Hulu's The Awesomes. In 2015, he launched the Hilo series, an all-ages sci-fi adventure inspired by his own children. The bestselling series has been widely praised and is expected to reach its eleventh volume in 2025.

Winick lives in San Francisco with his wife, Pam Ling, also a Real World alum, and their two children. He continues to create heartfelt and imaginative stories for audiences of all ages.

Reviews

[Lost Planet Airman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, apparently I read this in 2014. But here, at the end of 2016, I can find no trace that my library owned this collection -- or any of the pre-New 52 Titans issues. Gone. Apparently from the state of Maryland as well.

Ah, well.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Enjoyable, if not particularly memorable, adventure with an urgent "get the band back together" vibe that jump-starts the story. Raven learns she has siblings . . . and they're absolutely EVIL just like dear 'ol dad! Lots of crunchy action, some good thought boxes (such as Starfire's astute but funny segment that begins with "Human prudishness still baffles me . . ." - while happily cavorting au naturel, of course), and lively dialogue between aged characters that really know one another.

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first issue, while imperfect, was pretty good. At least, I enjoyed Dick and Roy's narratives.

After that... there wasn't much for me to love here. The art was really sexualized and Starfire didn't have internal organs. It felt way more caricature-like than anything else. It seemed odd considering the Titans are pretty big characters. This is art I'd expect from a book about lesser known characters.

So... definitely not a recommend.

[Rylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty meh at times, I really like the Titans especially the original cast of the New Teen Titans from the 80’s so it was nice seeing them all together again. However a lot of the dialogue is less than satisfactory, Roy and Gar talk like frat boys. The art was pretty bad for most of it too especially the way the female characters are drawn. The last two issues were the saving grace because the dialogue and art got infinitely better and saved this book from getting two stars.

[Maureen · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a waste of a great set of characters. It is so much worse when characters you love appear in trash like this. The writing is choppy, the characterization is shallow at best (at times I'd call it character assassination), and the art? Oh god, the art. There are a few different art teams, which isn't terribly unusual, but I found the shift between them more jarring than usual. While I don't have any complaints about Lopez' work on the last two issues in the volume, Churchill and Benitez' work here is just awful. I recognized several panels from The Hawkeye initiative, and there are plenty more just begging for the treatment. I have issues with how the guys are drawn as well. If it wasn't for the last two volumes I would be inclined to give this volume zero stars, but the writing seemed to improve with the art – or maybe it just seemed that way because of the art.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't the original gangsters back together, but it's almost better than that. Wally, Dick, Vic, Starfire, Donna, Gar, Raven, and Roy are brought together by that which usually brings them together: Raven's daddy issues. The Seven Deadly Sins theme might be played out, but the twist Raven gives it is perfect--even deadly and evil, Raven still only trusts the Titans.

[Chris Browning · Rating 1 out of 5]

Staggeringly ugly in terms of art (it’s like the worst excesses of the nineties never stopped) and not much better in writing. The dialogue is intended to zing but thuds to the ground, stubbornly refusing to take part. The malevolent demon feels not very scary and his silly children even less so. The whole thing is a mess and reminds me YET AGAIN why I was always a Marvel reader growing up

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting storyline as Ravens family are the 7 deadly sins. It reintroduces all the characters well, and is a good starting point for those not familiar with them.

[Michael Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big fan of the Titans I am trying to read as much of them as I can. This book has really set me up for the rest of the series.

The team have not been working together for a while but with the death of a Titan in training and someone seemingly hunting Titans down they must come together again to find out what is happening. This get deep and the family of one of the Titans proves to be the enemy.

Nightwing, Flash, Donna Troy, Starfire, Cyborg, Raven, Arsenal and Beast Boy team up again for a adventure that can only get you wanting more.

I loved this book and felt it was engaging and exciting with added mystery.

[Daniel Sevitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheap pickup. This is from a relaunched version of the the original team circa 2008. It isn't terribly good. It's mostly just a rehash of the Titans from their heyday. Dick and Kori are still the sexiest couple in comics, Gar is still a pain in the arse. Raven is still angst-ridden and Donna still doesn't have much of a personality. Also, Trigon, seriously? The original Trigon stories had genuine peril. This fails utterly to recreate any of that tension. The boobs are too big and the stakes are too low. Nostalgia ain't what it used to be.

[Sean · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, this was rubbish. First off, a large chunk of this is drawn by Joe Benitez who delivered some of the worst panels in superhero comics' history. The plot of the story was ludicrous. It begins with a death for the sake of death. Then transitions into overly powered baddies that just miss. The team gets back together for "reasons" then deal with an old foe. It turns silly and then lame. Full of plot holes. Utter disappointment.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barely scratched the three star barrier. Winnick is usually a writer I can trust, and I like the OG titans, but this opening arc is a retread of a lot of the Trigon plots of old, and more deus ex magical artifacts saving the day. I did enjoy a little of the interpersonal stuff between Dick and Kory, but some of this cast are just filling panels at best. Very cheesecake art at times too, very 2008.

[Debbie Ginsberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, Winick does a much better job with his own material than writing established superheroes. The story was enjoyable, but it seemed like he struggled to come up with an ending that really connected to the beginning. Also the art was so absurd in places, I laughed out loud. Really, concentrate on storytelling and not dramatic poses and the comic will flow much better.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up because I really liked Winick's Superman. This had an okay conceit. Raven has siblings and Trigon is going to use them to Take Over The World. But first: kill anyone who was or is a Titan. Ia!

But I couldn't get past the costumes. They were so garish, impracticable, and sexualized that even even though I was reading a comic book, they took me out of the story.

[Alethia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's always weird seeing the teen titans in a different light. Not a bad book, though maybe a little confusing and shaky on the plotline

[READERS RETREAT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Story Line

[Hiago · Rating 3 out of 5]

eu morro muito como o Dick eh cachorro

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this trade overall. Dick Grayson in his blue Nightwing suit WITHOUT the mullet or rat-tail is a win in any comic. I liked getting to see the former Teen Titans working together again after having gone their separate ways. It was really interesting to see how they came together again after they grew up and made such different choices. I could have done with less Starfire but that's my personal hang up. Basically someone is after anyone who has ever been a Teen Titan and the Titans and Teen Titans need to figure out who is out to get them and stop them before any more young heroes fall. Raven's father, the demon Trigon, returns and we see her struggle with that. Raven's character is just awesome throughout the book. You see her love for Gar and his for her. You see that Raven has put immense faith and trust in her friends. I like seeing that. Everyone needs friends and family who support them, even the daughter of a demon. I also appreciated seeing Donna Troy. She's a great comic character who is not getting enough love right now. I wish we'd seen more of the Best Friendship between Wally and Dick. They are canonically best friends and either they're growing apart now or Winick didn't feel like dealing with it. Whatever the case, I really enjoyed reading this one.

Titans: Old Friends earns 3 Fairies for a great story about some great friends.

[Maja Kron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically someone is killing off several titans, and Raven plays a pretty important role in this story

Great story, and it wasn't confusing which I've found some comics to be. I haven't read much DC comics at all so I don't know much about the characters, but I liked them in this one, though I've heard some were very unsatisfied with that aspect of the story. As I said, I loved the plot and I became quite sad when I finished it, I would've loved to read some more.

My only complaint is that the artwork changed frequently, in like every issue or something like that, I believe, and I'm not too fond of that. Sometimes the images were great and sometimes not so much.

But I definitely recommend you to read this if you want to read some DC comics, because they give you all the names of the characters and they don't really mention another story without explaining it a bit somehow, so you still kind of get the idea of what they're talking about. So pick it up if you feel like reading some comics!

[Roy Gloeckl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this series, seeing my team all grown up. It started off cool but it went to hell fast. So much was happening in other books that I had no idea what was going on for much of the latter half. It finally tapered off and followed a group of villains that Slade put together. *Yawn*

Between this and the Teen Titans series that was running alongside it, I realized that, while this is my favorite DC team, they need to branch out. It seems like they are always dealing with the same stuff. Slade (and/or his family members) was behind it! Oh, or Trigon (or his minions/family)! Maybe Brother Blood (or his family). I do get tired of the "brother/sister/cousin/child/stepson of another hero/villain thing, too.

Here's hoping the New 52's reboot of Titans can avoid this crap.

[marisa]

Yeah so I have never read a comic in my entire stinkin life. But Charlie's gf got me some and I decided to read them and I figure it's a good quick way to bump up my goodreads challenge.
Still I have no idea how to rate these. Like....bc I've never read any others to judge them by. And it's so different than what I read. And I don't know if I will get into comics but some of them do seem fun. Because the 12 year old in me still really likes superhero people.
But still I am just not gonna rate it. I liked it? But I don't know what I'm doing
I didn't care for the art in this one and all and don't get me started on how annoying the female super hero costumes are.
But I liked Raven. She almost reminded me of my mc so...

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun team book with a nod to the past that you don't have to really know perfectly.
The overall I get from this is almost like getting back together with your old friends when a mutual friend dies -- you weren't planning on ever really getting back together, content with just exchanging Christmas cards, but this brings you back to town to see everyone and realize how much you miss them.

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A hit-and-miss story. The art, even in the issues by the same artist, is inconsistent. It is nice to see these characters together again, but some of their behaviors didn't seem to fit - but it could be that I am not up on all of the current developments.

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story with amazing artwork makes this one of the best graphic novels that I have ever read.

[Extreme · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nostalgic alright, despite me having little to none Titans background knowledge except the animated series. Having Raven, Beast Boy & Cyborg in there was good enough for me.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I like the basic premise of this more than the finished product.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the characters, enjoyed the story, but hated how the artwork changed from issue to issue. It's jarring, and some of the artwork is flat out awful. Wish it would have been more consistent.

[Asy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raven es uno de mis personajes favoritos en el mundo de DC, por eso amé la primera parte del segundo volumen de Titanes. Espero ver más de su relación con Beast Boy. Ambos son increíbles.

[Courtnee Howell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have flowed a bit better. Like, I'm still trying to figure out what Powerboy's deal was.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

The original TT (From the 80's) are back minus a few member.