100 Greatest Superhero Stories Ever
By Steve Lam
Image Courtesy of DC Comics
#66. Tales of the Teen Titans #42-#44, Tales of the Teen Titans Annual #3: “The Judas Contract”
Medium
Comic Book
Release Dates
May 1984–July 1984
Credits
Writers: Marv Wolfman, George Pérez
Penciller: George Pérez
Inkers: Dick Giordano, Mike DeCarlo
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Letterers: John Costanza, Ben Oda, Todd Klein
Editors: Marv Wolfman, George Pérez
The Reason It’s Great
This story arc is significant for a number of reasons: it marks the first appearance of Dick Grayson as Nightwing; Deathstroke the Terminator’s enigmatic background is finally brought to light; and Deathstroke’s son, Joey Wilson, is introduced.
Dick Grayson and Wally West retire from the Teen Titans. Terra, a new recruit who’s looking to join the Titans, is actually a spy working for Deathstroke. After Terra acquires enough intel, Deathstroke, who’s working for HIVE, uses it to ambush the Titans one by one.
After Dick discovers that his teammates have been captured, he meets Slade’s ex-wife, Adeline Kane, and their son, Joey Wilson. Dick becomes Nightwing and teams up with Joey—who now goes by the moniker Jericho—in a bid to free the rest of the Titans. They make their way to HIVE headquarters, but are quickly captured. Jericho uses his powers to possess Deathstroke and soon frees the Titans. In the ensuing battle, Terra dies when the ceiling collapses on her.
“The Judas Contract” is one of the best Teen Titans stories out there. After this story arc, Dick Grayson left behind his Robin persona for good—becoming Nightwing and paving the way for him to emerge from Batman’s shadow.