Teen Titans: A Kid's Game (Collected)



A Kid's Game


 * "Kids shouldn't wear costumes"
 * --Deathstroke

Summary
Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Month: March Year: 2004

Credits
Head Writer: Geoff Johns Pencilers: Mike McKone Inkers: Marlo Alquiza Colourists: Jeromy Cox Editors: Tom Palmer Jr and Eddie Berganza

Synopsis
Cast of Characters:
 * Teen Titans
 * Beast Boy
 * Cyborg (cameo)
 * Impulse
 * Robin (Tim Drake)
 * Starfire
 * Superboy (Kon-El)
 * Wonder Girl (Cassandra Sandsmark)


 * Batman
 * Flash (Jay Garrick)
 * Flash (Wally West)
 * Ares (cameo)
 * Griffith
 * Helena Sandsmark
 * Jonathan Kent
 * Lex Luthor
 * Martha Kent
 * Superman (Kal-El/Clark Kent)
 * Tweedledee
 * Tweedledum

Locations
 * Gateway City
 * Gateway City High School


 * Gotham City
 * Keystone City
 * San Francisco
 * Titans Tower


 * Smallville
 * Smallville High School

First Appearances: Griffith (school principal) Final Appearances: No final appearances

Synopsis: Superman approaches Superboy and asks him to become part of a new group of Teen Titans. Superboy is still in morning over the recent loss of Donna Troy, and is unsure whether he is ready to join another team. Superman convinces him to at least give it a shot.

In Gotham City, a similar conversation takes place between Batman and Robin. Robin asks his mentor why he endorses this idea, and Batman tells Tim that he needs to spend time with his friends.

In Keystone City, Flash speaks with Jay Garrick about allowing Impulse into the Teen Titans. Jay admits that the opportunity would give Joan and he a chance to take some time for themselves. Wally does not feel that Bart joining the Titans may be the best of ideas.

Starfire approaches Wonder Girl at Gateway City High School and extends her the offer to join the Teen Titans. Cassie feels like a complete outcast at her school and feels that the Teen Titans may be exactly what she needs. The new Teen Titans show up at their new headquarters – a surrogate Titans Tower located near San Francisco Bay in California. Although the separate generations of Titans are committed towards working with one another, there is great tension in the air. The deaths of former Titans, Lilith Clay and Donna Troy weighs heavily upon them.

Later that evening, an anonymous computer operator going by the name of Snapdragon, sends Robin a curious email. The message reveals confidential information concerning his teammate, Superboy. Robin discovers that Superboy’s DNA is composed of cloned Kryptonian and human DNA samples. The human cell structure is genetically identicle to Superman's arch-foe – Lex Luthor.

Credits
Head Writer: Geoff Johns Pencilers: Mike McKone Inkers: Marlo Alquiza Colourists: Jeromy Cox Editors: Tom Palmer Jr and Eddie Berganza

Synopsis
Cast of Characters:
 * Teen Titans
 * Beast Boy
 * Cyborg
 * Impulse
 * Robin (Tim Drake)
 * Starfire
 * Superboy (Kon-El)
 * Wonder Girl (Cassandra Sandsmark)


 * Deathstroke
 * Jericho (behind the scenes)


 * Wintergreen

Locations:
 * San Francisco
 * Alcatraz
 * Titans Tower

Items:
 * Deathstroke's energy lance

First Appearances: No first appearances Final Appearances: W. R. Wintergreen (dies in this issue)

Synopsis: The mental essence of the late Titan known as Jericho has lied dormant inside the subconscious mind of his father, Deathstroke for many months. In that time, Jericho's personality became corrupted by Deathstroke's own mental energy and has now finally resurfaced after lying dormant for so long. Jericho is enraged to discover that a new group of Titans has been formed and refuses to allow anyone to send more "children" to their doom. Jericho takes control of Deathstroke's mind and kills his lifelong companion, W.R. Wintergreen. He mounts Wintergreen's head on a wall in the middle of other trophy displays. He then travels to San Francisco to confront this new group of Teen Titans.

At Titans Tower, the former members of Young Justice are adjusting to the new direction their lives have taken them. Wonder Girl is uncomfortable with her placement in the Titans as she serves as living reminder of the late Donna Troy.

Superboy and Robin discuss their recent findings concerning Superboy's DNA. Conner refuses to believe that one half of his genetic DNA belongs to Lex Luthor. He is scared that some element of Luthor's evil may one day infect him. Robin wants to tell the other Titans, but Superboy refuses to let him. As Superboy walks out of the room, Robin pulls one of Conner's hair folicles off a discarded towel.

Later, Deathstroke raids the prison center at Alcatraz Island. The Teen Titans respond to the emergency and arrive to deal with him. While the main body of the Titans usher tourists to safety outside, Impulse races through the interior section of the old prison. Deathstroke immobilizes him with a tranquilizer dart and then shoots out his kneecap with his energy lance.

Credits
Head Writer: Geoff Johns Pencilers: Mike McKone Inkers: Marlo Alquiza Colourists: Jeromy Cox Editors: Tom Palmer Jr and Eddie Berganza

Synopsis
Cast of Characters:
 * Teen Titans
 * Beast Boy
 * Cyborg
 * Impulse
 * Robin (Tim Drake)
 * Starfire
 * Superboy (Kon-El)
 * Wonder Girl (Cassandra Sandsmark)


 * Brother Blood (Sebastian)
 * Deathstroke
 * Jericho


 * Doctor Rovin
 * Raven

Locations:
 * San Francisco
 * Saint Luke's Hospital
 * Titans Tower

First Appearances: Dr. Rovin Final Appearances: No final appearances

Synopsis: Retreating from their battle with Deathstroke, the Teen Titans rush the injured Impulse to St. Luke's Hospital where doctors immediately begin operating on his injured knee. Leaving him in the hospital's care, they return to Titans Tower and regroup with their mentors. Starfire does not want the younger heroes tangling with Deathstroke. Having fought him on numerous occasions, the older Titans know all too well, just how deadly Deathstroke can be.

Beast Boy, Cyborg and Starfire leave the Tower to resume their search for Deathstroke. Starfire instructs Robin, Superboy and Wonder Girl to remain behind. They track Deathstroke down and finally realize that their old, deceased ally, Jericho, is currently governing Deathstroke’s actions.

Meanwhile, a fourteen-year-old boy named Sebastian, recently crowned as the new Brother Blood, prepares to take action against a former Titan.

Credits
Head Writer: Geoff Johns Pencilers: Mike McKone Inkers: Marlo Alquiza Colourists: Jeromy Cox Editors: Tom Palmer Jr and Eddie Berganza

Synopsis
Cast of Characters:
 * Teen Titans
 * Beast Boy
 * Cyborg
 * Kid Flash (Bart Allen)
 * Raven
 * Robin (Tim Drake)
 * Starfire
 * Superboy (Kon-El)
 * Wonder Girl (Cassandra Sandsmark)


 * Ares
 * Deathstroke
 * Jericho (in Deathstroke's body)


 * Doctor Rovin

Locations:
 * San Francisco
 * San Francisco Public Library
 * Titans Tower

Items: First Appearances: No first appearances Final Appearances: No final appearances
 * Batline
 * Lasso of Ares

Synopsis: Jericho has taken possession of his father Deathstroke's body. He is determined to stop this new group of Teen Titans from staying together or else there will only be more death. But something about Deathstroke's psyche is driving Jericho insane. Cyborg and Beast Boy try to stop him, but he hurls Deathstroke's sword through Cyborg's robotic eye and shoots Beast Boy.

Meanwhile, Starfire returns to Titans Tower to make sure that the other Titans are still there. However, they have all left to check on Impulse's injury.

Elsewhere, Raven is running through the woods. A group of hooded men is following her and shoots her in the back with something.

Impulse is in the hospital undergoing surgery to replace the kneecap that was shot off by Deathstroke. Bart heals at super-speed and then takes off for the San Francisco Library. Robin, Superboy and Wonder Girl track him down and find that he is reading every book in the entire library at once. While there, the image of Ares appears before Wonder Girl in a pane of glass. He gives her a gift, the golden lasso of Ares.

Suddenly, Deathstroke breaks in and begins fighting the Titans. Robin and he are about to throw down one-on-one when Bart appears ready for action. He is no longer dressed in the red and white costume of Impulse. He is now – Kid Flash!

Credits
Head Writer: Geoff Johns Pencilers: Mike McKone Inkers: Marlo Alquiza Colourists: Jeromy Cox Editors: Tom Palmer Jr and Eddie Berganza

Synopsis
Cast of Characters:
 * Teen Titans
 * Beast Boy
 * Cyborg
 * Kid Flash (Bart Allen)
 * Raven
 * Robin (Tim Drake)
 * Starfire
 * Superboy (Kon-El)
 * Wonder Girl (Cassandra Sandsmark)


 * Deathstroke
 * Jericho (in Deathstroke's body)


 * Wonder Woman

Locations:
 * San Francisco
 * Titans Tower

Items:
 * Batarang
 * Lasso of Ares
 * Lasso of Truth

First Appearances: No first appearances Final Appearances: No final appearances

Synopsis: Kid Flash plows into Deathstroke/Jericho with a flurry of blows. While Deathstroke is distracted with the speedster's attack, Robin tries to blind the villain with a batarang. Jericho is forced to abandon Deathstroke's body and begins hopping from one Titan to the next. Cyborg warns everyone not to make eye contact with him, but it does little good. Jericho then hops into Superboy and begins torching everything with heat vision. He then jumps into Beast Boy.

It looks as if it might be the end of the Teen Titans. Suddenly, Raven shows up. She extends her Darksoul self and Jericho leaves Beast Boy's body – apparently with the intention of taking control of Raven. But he screams in agony and disappears into Raven's soul self. Raven then teleports away.

Sometime later, Superboy and Wonder Girl are talking on the roof of Titans Tower. Cassie doesn't mention anything about her recent visitation by Ares (or the fact that her lasso has lightning powers), and Superboy tells her that he is living on a farm now under an assumed name – Connor.

Credits
Head Writer: Geoff Johns Pencilers: Mike McKone Inkers: Marlo Alquiza Colourists: Jeromy Cox Editors: Tom Palmer Jr and Eddie Berganza

Synopsis
Cast of Characters:
 * Teen Titans
 * Beast Boy
 * Cyborg
 * Kid Flash (Bart Allen)
 * Robin (Tim Drake)
 * Starfire
 * Superboy (Kon-El)
 * Wonder Girl (Cassandra Sandsmark)


 * JLA
 * Batman
 * Flash (Wally West)
 * Green Lantern (John Stewart)
 * Superman (Kal-El/Clark Kent)
 * Wonder Woman


 * Jack Drake
 * Lex Luthor
 * Nightwing

Locations:
 * Gotham City
 * Metropolis
 * San Francisco
 * Golden Gate Bridge
 * Titans Tower

Items:
 * Batarang
 * Green Lantern Ring
 * Lasso of Ares
 * Lasso of Truth
 * Outsiders stealth ship

First Appearances: No first appearances Final Appearances: No final appearances

Synopsis: Wonder Woman has declared that she is taking Wonder Girl out of the Teen Titans. She has the rest of the Justice League to back her up too. Cassie's mother never wanted this life for her and Diana feels responsible. Starfire flies up to the roof of Titans Tower and tells Diana that Cassie is staying with the team if she chooses to. Then she unleashes a volley of starbolts on Diana and a massive fight ensues.

The rest of the Teen Titans rally to Cassie's side, while the Justice League members begin fighting them for no real reason. Flash and Kid Flash race across the bay and work out some of their issues, while Superboy accidentally uses his heat vision to burn the back of Superman's cape. Beast Boy turns into a ram and butts heads with a green ram created from Green Lantern's ring. Batman and Robin do not come to blows, but each of them stands ready to counter the other.

The fight ends at the surprising appearance of Nightwing. He arrives via the Outsiders stealth craft and encourages for cooler heads to prevail. In the end, Cassie wants to stay with the Teen Titans and the Justice League have to honor her wishes.

After Cyborg shows the League the door, Superboy and Robin have a private conversation. Robin tells Connor that he ran a DNA test on him and can confirm that one half of his genetic code belongs to Lex Luthor. Superboy is greatly troubled to discover this.

Later, Lex Luthor (using an anonymous instant messager name) sends more information to Robin concerning Superboy's origins.

Credits
Head Writer: Geoff Johns Pencilers: Tom Grummett Inkers: Nelson Conrad and Kevin Conrad Colourists: Jeromy Cox Editors: Tom Palmer Jr and Eddie Berganza

Synopsis
Cast of Characters:
 * Teen Titans
 * Beast Boy
 * Cyborg
 * Kid Flash (Bart Allen)
 * Robin (Tim Drake)
 * Starfire
 * Superboy (Kon-El)
 * Wonder Girl (Cassandra Sandsmark)


 * Arrowette
 * Deathstroke
 * Helena Sandsmark
 * Krypto
 * Principal David
 * Principal Goodwin
 * Rose Wilson
 * Secret
 * Superman (Kal-El/Clark Kent)
 * Trickster (James Jesse)

Locations:
 * Gateway City
 * Elias School for Girls


 * Keystone City
 * San Francisco
 * Titans Tower


 * Smallville
 * Smallville High School

Items:
 * Hy'tt Blossoms
 * Rutt Tree

First Appearances: David (principal of the Elias School); Goodwin (principal of Smallville High) Final Appearances: No final appearances

Synopsis: Deathstroke visits the grave of his lifelong friend, Wintergreen. He expresses remorse over the recent events that led to his late friend's death. His daughter, Rose, arrives at his side and offers to help him get through this most recent trauma.

In Smallville, Conner cuts class and hangs out with Superman. The two discuss Conner's cover identity and his discomfort with living in Clark's shadow. Superman gives Conner a new responsibility – Krypto. He asks Superboy to take care of the dog while staying at the Kent farm.

In Keystone City, Kid Flash tangles with Trickster. The Trickster tries to wreak havoc in his Trickster-mobile, but Bart takes the car apart at super-speed.

In Gotham City, Tim Drake contemplates his future, and reasserts the notion that he has no desire to ever become the successor to the name of Batman.

In Gateway City, Helena Sandsmark enrolls Cassie at the Elias School for Girls. Principal David is concerned about adding another high-profile super-hero to the student body, but Cissie King-Jones and Greta Hayes (formerly known as Arrowette and Secret) arrive and change David’s mind.

Back at Titans Tower, Starfire works in her garden. She begins planting rare seeds indigenous to her destroyed home world of Tamaran.

Trivia

 * None

Recommended Readings

 * Beast Boy
 * Deathstroke
 * Impulse
 * Robin (Volume 4)
 * Superboy (Volume 4)
 * Teen Titans (Volume 1)
 * Teen Titans (Volume 3)
 * Teen Titans: Beast Boys and Girls (trade paperback)
 * Teen Titans: The Future is Now (trade paperback)
 * New Teen Titans (Volume 1)
 * New Teen Titans (Volume 2)
 * Titans
 * Young Justice

Related Articles

 * Deathstroke
 * Jericho
 * JLA
 * Ravager (Rose Wilson)
 * San Francisco
 * Teen Titans
 * Titans
 * Titans Tower