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For: shallowesque

The editors here at Teen People have always understood the unique challenges presented by being a young person in the United States. For that reason, it has always been our goal, our duty, and our pleasure to highlight the many extraordinary young people throughout our nation who lay to rest the myth of the lazy couch potato, cynical rebel, fixated video gamer, and air-headed cheerleader. Teen People believes that those labels are only tools in our society's rush to dismiss young people's contributions and that such terms ignore the real gifts teenagers are able to contribute to make our world a better place.

If any group of teenagers proves just how dynamic the passion of a young person can be when they put their minds to it, it's certainly the Teen Titans! Since this fabulous mini-Justice League debuted last year, they've proven again and again that they are every bit as outstanding as their mentors.

Now, we've spent the past year highlighting individual members and the response from our readers has been phenomenal. Whether it was Wonder Girl's struggles in Man's World, the internal fighting between Speedy and Kid Flash, Robin's curious lack of leg hair, or Aqualad's romance triangles (some would say romance rectangles), the Teen Titans have been magnanimous enough to open their hearts and share their very private lives with our readers in a way no hero ever has. Because of the Teen Titans willingness to be so open with our readers, many of you have written in, seeking advice from these multi-talented Teen wonders.

What better way to end a year of Teen Titan mania than to allow the Teen dynamos to answer a few of your questions? Proving what great sports they are, the Teen Titans agreed to take time out of their schedule to answer one question each. These are their responses. We hope you enjoy their candor as much as we did!

- Chloe Ross, Lifestyle Editor.

Dear Robin,

It must be nice to be able to hit the bad guys back when they hit you. I get picked on a lot at school and would love to be able hit them back. Just give 'em what they deserve for once. Mom won't let me, though. Says I need to learn to "turn the other cheek." That makes everyone think I'm scrawny little chicken(expletive deleted.) I'm not that scrawny little chicken(expletive deleted)! I could hit them back and I bet I could hurt them enough to make them never bug me again. Like you guys did in Sacramento with Mad Mod. That was (expletive deleted) awesome.

My question is how do you get your Mom to stop seeing you as a baby? How do I tell her I'm a man, and a man's gotta fight his own battles?

Fan for life,
Charles, 13, Central City

Charles,

That's a lot of expletives for one letter.

Honestly, Charles, I think you're missing the point. Turning the cheek is always something we all wish we could do. None of us like to fight and every time we do, we hope it can be the last. Well, I do anyway. My advice for you is follow your mother's advice. She loves you and only wants the best. You're lucky to have her. More lucky than you know.

If the boys at school are causing you problems, I suggest following the rules and consulting the principal. That's what a hero would do.

I've stood next to Superman and watched him talk down men who would rather fight and end the fight peacefully. That's the kind of man you should strive to become, not one who worries about being thought of as scrawny.

Robin

Dear Kid Flash,

Do you think the Speed Force can handle sombreros? Especially if you're trying to time travel?

What about kittens?

Do you think Time Travel can turn you gay?

Thanks,
Bart & Kon, ages are complicated, Cancun

PS-
Tim you're a little freak, so I know you have this in your scrapbook. We're not dead, I promise. We're ah a little lost. In Mexico. (Expletive Deleted)Superman-Prime punches. Think happy endings, chum!

Bart and Kon,

I am convinced this is Speedy's idea of a practical joke. Funny, Speedy, real funny (Looks like the rumors of a Speedy/Kid Flash feud were not exaggerated. - ed.)

So the answers are: no, no, if you want Catwoman to cut off your (expletive deleted), and you're already gay for Robin anyway (well, that's certainly a scoop neither Robin nor Speedy revealed! What say you, readers, truth or is Kid Flash dishing out homophobic slurs as insults? - ed.)

Kid Flash

Dear Wonder Girl,

So what kind of make-up do you use to cover the hickeys? I've tried all sorts of blushes and foundations. Liquids, powders, nothing works and the folks flip at the mere mention of a boy.

Please don't suggest turtle necks! Every parent knows something is up when you were a turtleneck. Plus, only dweebs wear turtle necks. They're more of a "how to insure no one ever gives you a hickey ever again" than how to cover one up.

Abby, 16, Gotham

Dear Abby,

Good Hera. Well, the thing is, Abby, I haven't ever really had a hickey. Um, I'm not sure I really can get a hickey. I'm not exactly human.

But I guess if I was going to get a hickey and I didn't want anyone to see it I'd make sure I got it in a spot that no one else would see.

Wonder Girl

Dear Aqualad,

You really are the cutest member. Just so you know. You can come take a dip in my bathtub anytime!

Anyway, I really want to get a pet snake. My friend says that's cruel because wild animals should be free. But she has a dog! Dogs were wild once!

Do you think she's right? Is it cruel? I hope not, but I really want to get a boa constrictor, or a python, or an anaconda! Those are (expletive deleted) cool!

Sarah, 14, Metropolis

Sarah,

Thanks for the compliment. Unfortunately, I'm quite taken. I don't think my girlfriend would appreciate me dipping into your bath tub.

As for your quandary, many animals enjoy domestic life. Aquaman once visited a marine wildlife center and found that many of the inhabitants actually preferred their captivity to the freedom and the predators that would have came with it.

In addition, my teammate, Kid Flash, has a pet turtle that not only is quite happy, but gives great advice as well. I see no moral reason against owning a pet snake.

I would aim for something a bit less extreme than an anaconda though. If you have to yell for Superman to save you from getting eaten by your pet if things go awry, you probably need to look for a different pet.

Aqualad.

Dear Speedy,

I've in love with my best friend. But the problem is I think maybe he's in love with our other friend who is kind of a guy.

So, what do I do? Tell him and risk sounding stupid when he tells me he is gay? Prod the friend and ask him if something's going on between the two of them? Shut up and stay miserable?

Martina, 15, New Mexico

Martina,

I think you should have written this letter to Green Arrow, Green Lantern, and Black Canary. They know more about threesome triangles than I do (Oh, what the gossip columns will say about that, Speedy -ed.) I don't know what to tell you. If you think your friend is crushing on another guy, he probably is. At least, that's what Wonder Chick says, and she's not been wrong yet.

I know that is pretty (expletive deleted) advice. Sorry. But there's really no upside to having a crush on someone who doesn't play for the same team you do.

Lots of fish in the sea, Martina, and like I tell Tuna Breath, some of em make great fish sticks. Some of them just don't go with your tartar sauce, no matter how great of a catch they were otherwise.

Speedy

Wow, readers, you asked hard questions and the Teen Titans didn't hold back! Teen People thanks you for all your questions, and we hope to see you back here next issue when we crown our Teen of the Year! Who knows? It might even be one of the five superstar advice columnists we featured in this issue!