If we only knew what, Mal? That were going to break up eventually? We probably did-- But none of us would admit it! But that doesn't mean the years we've spent together were wasted! We grew up together--helped each other over the rough spots-- But now it's time to fly solo... So each of us can continue growing! 
- — Speedy
Teen Titans #53 is an issue of the series Teen Titans (Volume 1) with a cover date of February, 1978. It was published on November 21, 1977.
Synopsis for "In the Beginning..."
Looking through the Teen Titans Casebook, Guardian and Bumblebee review the heretofore untold origin of the Titans.
When their adult counterparts suddenly turn to crime, Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Speedy, and Wonder Girl — whom the others meet for the first time — converge on Metropolis to seek the aid of Superman, but then decide to team up and battle the Justice-League-members-turned-evil by themselves.
The original Titans trio of Robin, Kid Flash, and Aqualad defeats a rampaging Wonder Woman, while Speedy and Wonder Girl stop the Flash. Then Aquaman, Batman and Green Arrow are also captured by the young heroes.
In JLA headquarters, they discover an alien energy-being, the Antithesis, who has warped the super-heroes in order to feed on the energies released by their criminal actions, but who fades away into nothingness when the last of his Justice League pawns is beaten.
Inspired by the success of their teamwork, the five young heroes form a permanent organization, the Teen Titans, with Speedy as a part-time-only member. Even as Guardian and Bumblebee come to the close of the team's first case, the other Titans arrive to announce the break-up of the group, in order that the members might again pursue their solo careers.
Appearing in "In the Beginning..."
Featured Characters:
- Teen Titans (Flashback and main story) (Origin)
Supporting Characters:
- Justice League of America (Flashback only)
- Aquaman (Flashback only)
- Batman (Flashback only)
- Flash (Flashback only)
- Green Arrow (Flashback only)
- Wonder Woman (Flashback only)
Antagonists:
- Antithesis (First appearance) (Flashback only)
Other Characters:
- Topo (Flashback only)
Locations:
- Earth-One (Flashback and main story)
- Gabriel's Horn
- Metropolis (Flashback only)
- Gotham City (Flashback only)
- JLA Headquarters (Flashback only)
Items:
- Batarang (Flashback only)
- Donna Troy's Lasso (Flashback only)
- Lasso of Truth (Flashback only)
- Trick Arrows (Flashback only)
- Wonder Woman's Tiara (Flashback only)
Vehicles:
Notes
- Final issue of the series.
- The Teen Titans disband in this issue.
- This issue reveals the secret origin of the Teen Titans. Flashbacks take place between The Brave and the Bold #54 and The Brave and the Bold #60.
- The Teen Titans origin in this issue shows that Speedy was a founding member of the Teen Titans, but was only able to participate occasionally after their first case.
- Robin, Harlequin and Wonder Girl appeared last in Detective Comics #474.
Trivia
- This issue provides the first origin for the Teen Titans. When the team first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #60, they were already an existing team -- this issue shows how the team formed.
- Some references claim that The Brave and the Bold #54 already showed the origin of the Teen Titans, but that is not true. While Aqualad, Kid Flash and Robin did meet each other for the first time in that issue, they did not form a team.
- The origin story presented in this issue is re-imagined in New Earth continuity in the Teen Titans: Year One (Volume 1) limited series.
- Wonder Woman is shown wearing boots in this story. However, she didn't begin wearing them until two years later.
See Also
Recommended Reading
- Teen Titans (Volume 1)
- Teen Titans (Volume 2)
- Teen Titans (Volume 3)
- Teen Titans Go!
- Titans
- New Teen Titans (Volume 1)
- New Teen Titans (Volume 2)