Teen Titans #25
Published and © by DC, January-February 1970
Title: “The Titans Kill a Saint?”
Synopsis: A tragic turn at a peace rally sets the Titans on a new course with the mysterious Mr. Jupiter.
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Artist: Nick Cardy
Review: The Bronze Age dawns for the Teen Titans with this crazy cocktail of an issue. Robert Kanigher’s story is a splendid relic of its era, featuring political tensions, generational divides and painful attempts at hip dialogue. His story structure is also challenging, starting in medias res, moving to an off-camera plot twist, flashing back in time, then ending with a cliffhanger. Meanwhile, new characters and a utopian sci-fi twist offer to take the title in a very different direction. Underlying it all is some gorgeous art from Nick Cardy. Not everything works, but readers should definitely be back for more.
Grade: B
Second opinion: “This tale coincided with other heroes cutting back their powers or questioning their roles in society. It was that kind of time. … 3 1/2 out of 4 stars.” – Craig Shutt, Comics Buyer’s Guide #1603, April 2005 … “Enter Mr. Jupiter, one of a breed of philanthropic millionaires only found in the American 1890s or the pages of DC comics.” – Martin Crookall, Fantasy Advertiser #89, February 1985 … “Teen Titans #25 started the group of former sidekicks on a new direction, typical of DC in the Bronze Age when it came to comics whose sales were less than stellar.” – William Schoell, “Superhuman: The Bronze Age of Comics Volume 1,” 2016
Cool factor: This issue practically oozes cool.
Not-so-cool factor: Almost without exception, DC’s middle-aged writers can’t help but side with the older characters whenever there’s generational conflict.
Notable: First appearance of Lilith and Mr. Jupiter. … Guest appearance by the Justice League of America.
Character quotable: “Asking us about being a Titan is like asking a Chinese laundryman to explain Einstein’s theory of relativity to a Martian! – In Yiddish!” – Roy “Speedy” Harper (Umm … what?)
Editor’s note: This review was written April 20, 2026.
