Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo’s Teen Titans: Together arrives in stores today, wrapping up the Young Adult graphic novel series that started about eight years ago — back when DC was using the DC Zoom and DC Ink imprints for their graphic novels aimed at younger readers. In each volume, Garcia and Picolo slowly reintroduced each member of the Teen Titans, from Raven to Beast Boy to Raven AND Beast Boy, then Robin and Starfire, with the final volume bringing everyone together.
“This series changed my life,” said Picolo. “We’ve shared so many unforgettable moments with fans around the world, and we’re excited to celebrate this final chapter together. I see these characters as my friends. The more I draw them, the more fun it gets. Some of my favorite moments came from drawing these characters the same way I’d draw my own friends just hanging out, and Kami and I are always blown away when fans show up in cosplay inspired by those everyday looks from the books.”
The series out-survived its imprint, proving to be mega-popular and critically acclaimed.
“Teen Titans has been one of the most rewarding creative journeys of our careers,” said Garcia. “We’ve loved telling stories with these characters and watching readers connect with Raven, Beast Boy and the rest of the Titans over the years. We grew alongside these characters, and these characters grew alongside the readers who embraced them from the very beginning.”
With the final volume out, what’s next for the duo? First up, a book tour, that’ll start out on the West Coast and then head East through August. And after that, they’ll get back to work on their next collaboration:
DC revealed today that the best-selling creative team will continue to make graphic novels based on young DC heroes, with Young Justice: Kid Flash & Blue Beetle being their next project.
“As sentimental as we are about finishing the Teen Titans series, this is also just the beginning of a new chapter for Gabriel and me,” said Garcia. “At the heart of all our books is the idea of becoming who you’re meant to be while learning to embrace who you already are. We’re excited to bring that perspective to Young Justice and introduce readers to our vision of Kid Flash and Blue Beetle.”
No release date was revealed in the press release, but the team has been thinking about both characters even before the Teen Titans saga ended.
“Fans have been asking for Blue Beetle for years,” said Picolo. “I’ve shared sketches of both Kid Flash and Blue Beetle on social media, and now we finally have a chance to put them front and center in one of our stories. Young Justice is a new challenge for us, but we’re still focused on the things we love most as storytellers: friendship, everyday life, and helping readers find themselves in these characters. If Teen Titans taught us anything, it’s that fans always surprise us. I wouldn’t be shocked if we start seeing skateboards and rollerblades showing up in cosplay photos before long.”
Teen Titans: Together is in stores now, and the book tour kicks off today in Los Angeles.