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Teen Titans (2003) #4
Teen Titans, Vol. 4: The Future is Now
Cyborg, Starfire, and Raven plan to train the next generation of heros--Robin, Superboy, Impulse, and Wonder Girl--but their efforts are threatened by evil villains.
224 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2005
7 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
About the author
Geoff Johns
2,710 books2,407 followersGeoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 12, 2011
I haven't read much with the Teen Titans, but The Future Is Now was a lot of fun, so I'll definitely be on the lookout for more! It's more like two (or three) stories instead of just one story arc, so it makes this thing kind of thick for one volume.
The first story has the Titans going into the future to help The Legion fight against the Fatal 500. I love Legion of Superheroes, so I thought this was good stuff.
The second (or continuation of the first) story has the Titans flung back/forward ten years into their own future. There they discover that (for the most part) their future selves are now the Dark Titans. Led by Robin, these Dark versions of the Titans have turned most of America into a police state, for the good of the people. The Titans must fight their older selves to return to the past/present, and hopefully stop whatever event caused this change.
The third story introduces Speedy to the Titans, and deals with the fallout from Identity Crisis. I loved Identity Crisis, so it was fun to see the ripple effect hit the Titans!
The first story has the Titans going into the future to help The Legion fight against the Fatal 500. I love Legion of Superheroes, so I thought this was good stuff.
The second (or continuation of the first) story has the Titans flung back/forward ten years into their own future. There they discover that (for the most part) their future selves are now the Dark Titans. Led by Robin, these Dark versions of the Titans have turned most of America into a police state, for the good of the people. The Titans must fight their older selves to return to the past/present, and hopefully stop whatever event caused this change.
The third story introduces Speedy to the Titans, and deals with the fallout from Identity Crisis. I loved Identity Crisis, so it was fun to see the ripple effect hit the Titans!
March 16, 2013
The first half of this book, with the time traveling plots, feels rushed. I fully admit that I might like the part with the Legion better if I knew anything at all about the Legion. But it just seemed like it was over so fast, almost like it was a mandated crossover that the writer was just getting out of the way. Likewise the "ten years later" part of the crossover, featuring a very dark future version of the heroes. It felt like a bit of an author tract against dark-for-the-sake-of-being-dark comics. Which, point taken, but others have done it rather better.
Things improve in the second half, where the book devotes itself to dealing with the fallout from Identity Crisis. First, Tim dealing with and then a newly dangerous Dr. Light, adding in all the extra baggage of . I'm honestly surprised that Teen Titans was the book to tackle these issues, but I'd say they did a fairly good job of it.
Things improve in the second half, where the book devotes itself to dealing with the fallout from Identity Crisis. First, Tim dealing with and then a newly dangerous Dr. Light, adding in all the extra baggage of . I'm honestly surprised that Teen Titans was the book to tackle these issues, but I'd say they did a fairly good job of it.
September 14, 2020
I'm starting to enjoy Johns Titans a bit more, but it isn't without problems.
I dunno why Legion has such a huge following, I tried a few of their books, and all were dull. This is the same. I didn't like the Teen Ttitans/Legions crossover. They were boring characters, not really interesting, and it got wrapped up way too quickly.
Then we jump into a actual interesting story where the Teen Titans basically meet their future selves. This is both exciting and fun, with the differences being large for some characters, while not so much for others. What I liked is their future selves all seemed believable, which isn't always the case with future storylines. But this storyline was great and was nice to see where James Tynion got his idea from for his detective comics run.
The last few issues deal with the fallout of secret identity storyline. Mostly focused on Tim losing his father in a rather touching issue of friendship and needing help. We also get a storyline on Doctor Light and he's one creepy motherfucker. I really liked what they did here and the surprise ending leads into some major events later down the line.
This is easily the best storyline so far in the series. Give me more of this please. Johns was able to craft a compelling story for everything after Legion.
I dunno why Legion has such a huge following, I tried a few of their books, and all were dull. This is the same. I didn't like the Teen Ttitans/Legions crossover. They were boring characters, not really interesting, and it got wrapped up way too quickly.
Then we jump into a actual interesting story where the Teen Titans basically meet their future selves. This is both exciting and fun, with the differences being large for some characters, while not so much for others. What I liked is their future selves all seemed believable, which isn't always the case with future storylines. But this storyline was great and was nice to see where James Tynion got his idea from for his detective comics run.
The last few issues deal with the fallout of secret identity storyline. Mostly focused on Tim losing his father in a rather touching issue of friendship and needing help. We also get a storyline on Doctor Light and he's one creepy motherfucker. I really liked what they did here and the surprise ending leads into some major events later down the line.
This is easily the best storyline so far in the series. Give me more of this please. Johns was able to craft a compelling story for everything after Legion.
February 11, 2017
This series started off when Superboy and Wonder Girl were trying to enjoy some alone time together but a giant wormhole opens and sucks Superboy to...the future!! After about two seconds (for Cassie), Superboy returns with a daunting message and sporting a new look. The Teen Titans come together and are pulled into the future to help the Legion on Superheroes fight off the Fatal Five(hundred). A lot of action later and the Teen Titans are thrown back into the past, but not their present...They find themselves ten years into their future, facing off against themselves!! The Titans are shocked by what they see and learn and are determined to fix it and return home. Perosnally, I felt this was kind of like the Justice League (animated series) episode where the JLA went into an alternate reality and they saw their darkest selves. Overall, it was a good series that showed that the Teen Titans really can and are making a difference and keeping the world a better place!
Turns out there were like four more comics I had to read!! Well, I read them and there was one that was part of a bigger story line that spans throughout the DC universe and the others were about an old foe that had come back and is tougher and will be harder to beat than he ever was! I am a little sad that the events of the first part of this series was only really mentioned in passing but I did like the last comic and how we saw the team (and others) all working together. Plus the Teen Titans gain a new member (after losing one) which is pretty cool and it's someone that I haven't read too much about but have watched on TV shows before (see Smallville and Arrow to know what I'm talking about - and yes, Thea is based on Mia!). Overall, I liked both story lines in this series, I only wish that they were connected by more than just a throw away comment here and there!
Turns out there were like four more comics I had to read!! Well, I read them and there was one that was part of a bigger story line that spans throughout the DC universe and the others were about an old foe that had come back and is tougher and will be harder to beat than he ever was! I am a little sad that the events of the first part of this series was only really mentioned in passing but I did like the last comic and how we saw the team (and others) all working together. Plus the Teen Titans gain a new member (after losing one) which is pretty cool and it's someone that I haven't read too much about but have watched on TV shows before (see Smallville and Arrow to know what I'm talking about - and yes, Thea is based on Mia!). Overall, I liked both story lines in this series, I only wish that they were connected by more than just a throw away comment here and there!
May 30, 2019
Superboy & The Legion (#16+Special). It's a lot of fun seeing Conner with the Legion (linking to his appearances in "The Legion"), and the Titans just add to the fun. However, this battle against the "Fatal Five Hundred" ends up being somewhat shallow because it's mainly a big fight. [3+/5].
Tomorrow Titans (#17-19). One of Johns' most iconic arcs drops the Titans ten years in the future, where they learn that they've become grim, gritty, and humorless monsters. It's a great story, seeing the Titans confronting the worst in themselves, and a fun future to escape [5/5].
Hunting (#20). The first repercussion of Identity Crisis has Tim mourning the death of his father ... or rather not really doing so. It's a great character piece that measures the difference between him as Batman-in-training and him as Titan [4+/5].
Lights Out (#21-23). The other shoe from Identity Crisis drops here, with a newly dangerous Dr. Light assaulting the Titans. Light is great, as is the intro of new Titan Mia, who quickly wins the heart of the Titans and the readers. The fight with Light, despite its delightful return of several old friends, goes on a bit too long [4/5].
Tomorrow Titans (#17-19). One of Johns' most iconic arcs drops the Titans ten years in the future, where they learn that they've become grim, gritty, and humorless monsters. It's a great story, seeing the Titans confronting the worst in themselves, and a fun future to escape [5/5].
Hunting (#20). The first repercussion of Identity Crisis has Tim mourning the death of his father ... or rather not really doing so. It's a great character piece that measures the difference between him as Batman-in-training and him as Titan [4+/5].
Lights Out (#21-23). The other shoe from Identity Crisis drops here, with a newly dangerous Dr. Light assaulting the Titans. Light is great, as is the intro of new Titan Mia, who quickly wins the heart of the Titans and the readers. The fight with Light, despite its delightful return of several old friends, goes on a bit too long [4/5].
October 16, 2018
Essa história dos Novos Titãs me lembrou a primeira história deles que eu li, um crossover com a Liga da Justiça, em que todos integrantes da Liga enfrentam todos os integrantes dos Titãs. Na verdade, na verdade, a primeiríssima história dos Titãs que eu li foi a última história da então Turma Titã, que reunia todos seus membros para enfrentar o Capitão Calamidade, isso em uma revista da EBAL da Mulher-Maravilha e que era da minha tia. Nesta edição aqui, os Titãs reúnem todos os seus membros para enfrentar um Doutor Luz sem bloqueios após a saga Crise de Identidade. Mas antes disso, nos deparamos com a versão adulta dos Titãs, que substituiu, no futuro, uma Liga da Justiça destroçada pela Crise Infinita. Então ler esse encadernado bem do momento em que parei de comprar essa fase dos Titãs de Geoff Johns e Mike McKone foi muito bom. Me lembrou porque eu gostava tanto dessas histórias e, por contenção de gastos tive de deixar de lê-las. Mas ainda considero a fase de Johns a sehunda melhor, depois da de Wolfaman e Pérez, sendo seguida bem de pertinho no terceiro lugar a fase de Devin K. Grayson e Mark Buckingham. Titãs é vida! =)
May 14, 2022
Not Geoff Johns at his peak. It’s kind of funny, though, the Titans material was probably some of the first stuff he workshopped (having famously written a fan letter about Lex Luthor being the human DNA Superboy had in him), that first thrust at building up the legacy of the DCU. This volume includes the Legion (a short saga that doesn’t make much effort at spotlighting the Legion itself, which is a tall order anyway), a future version of the Titans, and a sequel to Identity Crisis, while also nodding to Johns’ own impending Infinite Crisis (material that found him on surer footing, and ironically that treated Superboy in a fairly cavalier fashion; of all his past work Johns seems least sentimental about this run, and that started almost immediately, although the character who gets the best material is Bart Allen, even though Johns has also never attempted to integrate him into any of his Flash material; his whole legacy with the character is in his Titans work).
July 2, 2025
Book number 3 in the roadmap, and this one’s another grounded one! And in fact, probably the most grounded I’ve read so far! So this takes place a week after the events of Identity Crisis, and it follows some of the aftermath the young heroes have been dealing with. Geoff Johns does a great way of showing the new team dynamic, the balance between being kids and heroes, and I’ve gotta say, I absolutely love the way he writes Tim and Connor. Loving the entire team really, even members I thought I wouldn’t. This storyline was just pure FUN, and I’m very excited to read more from this run and from the whole Identity Crisis aftermath. Peak Teen Titans right here.
8.5/10
8.5/10
June 5, 2019
Počtvrté ze tří DCKK Geoff Johns - a opět dělá ty samé chyby. Naťukne zajímavé téma, aby ho shodil supráckou mlátičkou a nijak nezavršil; místo prací s charaktery posílá na scénu nové a nové postavy, a tvoří barevný guláš. Titáni se docela dali, tuctový zapomenutelný průměr.
June 3, 2017
4.5/5
August 30, 2022
I like Geoff Johns’ writing and Ivan Reis art as much I did on their Aquaman run but the time travel stuff was a bit confusing with who was who.
December 3, 2024
3.5/5
I like the Legion of Super-heroes but the crossover wasn't interesting. Likewise, I've seen the 'hero meets alternate dark future self' thing a few times by now, done better than here too.
The second half, featuring the addition of the Mia Dearden Speedy (who I like), and Dr Light following the realisation of his Identity Crisis mind wipe, was much stronger and so brought my rating up.
I like the Legion of Super-heroes but the crossover wasn't interesting. Likewise, I've seen the 'hero meets alternate dark future self' thing a few times by now, done better than here too.
The second half, featuring the addition of the Mia Dearden Speedy (who I like), and Dr Light following the realisation of his Identity Crisis mind wipe, was much stronger and so brought my rating up.
April 26, 2016
Ok, this one definitely had some nice qualities (the time travel and the TT seeing themselves in the not-so-distant future) against some lesser parts in the story (first part with the legion felt a bit rushed).
All in all a decent read and the ending sure keeps you on the edge of your seat.
All in all a decent read and the ending sure keeps you on the edge of your seat.
February 5, 2017
I wasn't a fan of the Legion stuff, but the Titans seeing what their future could be like was pretty cool. And the final 3 issues in the book (the fight with Doctor Light) are so far my favorite in the series. I love Speedy from the Green Arrow comics, so it was great that they incorporated her into this series.
July 14, 2020
Reasonable comic collection - could have been clearer
Being out of touch of this franchise didn't make this easier but the plot involves Dr. Light in confrontation with various groups of the Teen Titans from past,. present and future. I didn't find the story terribly clear but the artwork was nicely done and colourful. Generally it was an enjoyable experience - no regrets!
Being out of touch of this franchise didn't make this easier but the plot involves Dr. Light in confrontation with various groups of the Teen Titans from past,. present and future. I didn't find the story terribly clear but the artwork was nicely done and colourful. Generally it was an enjoyable experience - no regrets!
June 5, 2025
Un storyline intéressante ou l'on commence à apercevoir un peu les prémices des sujets qui vont devenir de plus en plus important au fil de la série, à savoir la place des jeunes dans la société, le besoin de reconnaissance, la crainte de reproduire un schéma pré tracé.
Des thématiques intéressantes qui pour l'instant ne sont que survolées.
Voir les Titans du futur est intéressant et cela se lit très bien, dommage que cela soit encore McKone au dessin, mais malgré tout il y a quelques passages pas trop mal réussit.
Des thématiques intéressantes qui pour l'instant ne sont que survolées.
Voir les Titans du futur est intéressant et cela se lit très bien, dommage que cela soit encore McKone au dessin, mais malgré tout il y a quelques passages pas trop mal réussit.
June 23, 2020
Lots to take in, but an enjoyable read.
Read
October 14, 2020I love time traveling stories and Geoff does a great job with this one. I enjoyed it.
December 31, 2022
Yet another super generic superhero story. I have to stop reading those at some point soon.
February 4, 2024
Two and a half stars ⭐️⭐️✨. I was expecting so much more. The writing was so cringey and out of character.
January 9, 2019
An interesting collection of the Teen Titans.
In what could be called a weekend off, the Teen Titans experience some time by themselves and ready to relax, unfortunately, this has the Teen Titans end up in the future and involved in a brief if not outright rushed story concerning the Legion of Superheroes.
I’ve come to enjoy the occasional adventure with the Legion, but sometimes it is not as great when it is rushed. With so many characters its tough to keep track.
But it’s the second part of the story that involves the Titans returning to a possible version of their future. In this case, it’s a world in which the Teen Titans have grown up to become tyrants.
I got to say I do like the costumes of the Future Titans and can definitely get behind some changes here and there. It should probably end there but this brings the Titans back to take on an old foe in Dr. Light.
Only this isn't the Dr. Light the New Teen Titans fought in their heyday. With the events of the Identity Crisis having revealed that Dr. Light was practically lobotomized and turned into a pathetic supervillain. The Titans are joined by the Justice League in an epic encounter with the real Dr. Light; a violent and sadistic pervert who takes it to the Teen Titans.
Nice collection. C+
In what could be called a weekend off, the Teen Titans experience some time by themselves and ready to relax, unfortunately, this has the Teen Titans end up in the future and involved in a brief if not outright rushed story concerning the Legion of Superheroes.
I’ve come to enjoy the occasional adventure with the Legion, but sometimes it is not as great when it is rushed. With so many characters its tough to keep track.
But it’s the second part of the story that involves the Titans returning to a possible version of their future. In this case, it’s a world in which the Teen Titans have grown up to become tyrants.
I got to say I do like the costumes of the Future Titans and can definitely get behind some changes here and there. It should probably end there but this brings the Titans back to take on an old foe in Dr. Light.
Only this isn't the Dr. Light the New Teen Titans fought in their heyday. With the events of the Identity Crisis having revealed that Dr. Light was practically lobotomized and turned into a pathetic supervillain. The Titans are joined by the Justice League in an epic encounter with the real Dr. Light; a violent and sadistic pervert who takes it to the Teen Titans.
Nice collection. C+
April 27, 2009
It took me some time to get into this one. At the beginning of this collection, the Titans go to the future where they have to help the Legion of Super-heroes defeat the Fatal Five Hundred. That bit was just - overcrowded and not very engaging for me. But when they attempt to return to the present, they land ten years in their future instead - and they meet their future selves, which Superboy describes nicely by saying, "We're jerks! We're psychos!" Both this and the first story feel a bit unfinished, but this one at least was more interesting because of their different future selves.
It's not until the second half that it really got good though. The Titans - and Robin especially - are dealing with what happened during "Identity Crisis". Basically the latter half and the good parts of the first once again capture the essence of what it is to be a Titan, illustrating why they're different than the Justice League (they're family and they actually talk about stuff). I especially liked Tim's apprehension of turning into Bruce/Batman.
So yeah, in the end I liked it a lot better than at the beginning, and it has a bit of bonus!Nightwing.
It's not until the second half that it really got good though. The Titans - and Robin especially - are dealing with what happened during "Identity Crisis". Basically the latter half and the good parts of the first once again capture the essence of what it is to be a Titan, illustrating why they're different than the Justice League (they're family and they actually talk about stuff). I especially liked Tim's apprehension of turning into Bruce/Batman.
So yeah, in the end I liked it a lot better than at the beginning, and it has a bit of bonus!Nightwing.
July 31, 2012
Although I thoroughly enjoyed this graphic novel, I gave it 4 stars because it didn't equal up to expectations.
This book is the 4th in the new teen titans series and it didn't live up to the previous 3. I found this one was much harder to follow. The reason, I think, is because at numerous times in the book you are flooded with all these new titans (from the future and the present) and for someone who doesn't know much about the titans, it gets a little confusing trying to figure out who's who and who is saying what and what super power belongs to which. It doesn't make it easy when a few of the titans even look the same.
That being said, I am still a fan of the titans and I am planning to read the next book in the series. This book was the first one with a very thematic ending, which wasn't very subtle. It was an in your face "acceptance of the differences" theme threw in there.
This book is the 4th in the new teen titans series and it didn't live up to the previous 3. I found this one was much harder to follow. The reason, I think, is because at numerous times in the book you are flooded with all these new titans (from the future and the present) and for someone who doesn't know much about the titans, it gets a little confusing trying to figure out who's who and who is saying what and what super power belongs to which. It doesn't make it easy when a few of the titans even look the same.
That being said, I am still a fan of the titans and I am planning to read the next book in the series. This book was the first one with a very thematic ending, which wasn't very subtle. It was an in your face "acceptance of the differences" theme threw in there.
July 25, 2011
Time travel is just an overdone concept in the sci-fi genre and to be interesting it must be done just right. I think this volue of Titans really floundered a bit with it. The Legion story was really huge, but then over with incredibly soon. The grim future look was okay, but again it can be bad if not handled properly. I think they dropped the ball. The final piece with Dr. Light was okay too, but if you had no idea about him getting his memory back and the whole process as to how it was lost, you would be lost yourself. Not a bad read, but nothing stellar.
August 22, 2014
I was somewhat disappointed by this volume. Mainly due to the first half with its time-travel, huge Legion team up arc. It was hard to follow, especially if you don't know much about the Legion. The second arc, which deals with an (alternate?) future, it much better. It's very dark and quite a good story too. The third arc is more like a regular Teen Titans story and ends on a cliffhanger mystery. Overall a good collection, but I was expecting better. Now, on to the Teen Titans/Outsiders crossover!
February 25, 2010
Time travel! I actually love evil!future gun-toting Tim, because I can absolutely see him deciding that becoming a sociopath is the most logical way to save the world. You know, when he completely snaps because the crack-smoking DC writers kill everyone he cares about. Once Tim falls, it makes perfect sense that the others would follow him. In their defense, I would also jump of a bridge if Tim Drake was doing it.
April 30, 2013
Between the Titans/Legion crossover (completing Superboy's stint as the Legion's Superboy) and the glimpse of a possible Titans future, this is where John's run really starts to pay off and get truly great.
Solid story, characters, and action make this a great read, among the best takes on the team ever. The reflections of the younger team once they see how their future might turn out are worth the price of admission.
Solid story, characters, and action make this a great read, among the best takes on the team ever. The reflections of the younger team once they see how their future might turn out are worth the price of admission.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews