Comic Title: Secret Origins Annual #3
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 1989
On Sale Date: April 4, 1989 Shipping Date April 6, 1989
Source: Amazing Heroes, #162

Shipping Date April 4, 1989
Source: Previews, #1

Copyright Date April 4, 1989
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1989

Direct Market Date April 6, 1989
Source: Comic Shop News, #93

Cover Price: $2.95
Page Count: 80
Editor: Mark Waid

Title: "Pieces of the Puzzle"
Pages: 66

Feature(s):
Teen Titans (Post-Crisis)

Writer/Inker: George Perez
Penciller: Tom Grummett
Penciller: Grant Miehm
Inker: Anthony Van Bruggen
Penciller: Irving H. Novick
Inker: Ty Templeton
Artist: Michael Bair
Artist: Trevor Von Eeden
Penciller: Dave Cockrum
Inker: Larry Mahlstedt
Penciller: Kevin Maguire
Inker: Karl Kesel
Penciller: Mark D. Bright
Inker: Ian Akin
Inker: Brian Garvey
Penciller: Colleen Doran
Inker: Romeo Tanghal
Artist: Dick Giordano
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Reprinted In:
New Teen Titans Omnibus Vol. 3 HC (2013)
New Teen Titans Omnibus Vol. 5 HC (2021)
New Teen Titans Vol. 14 TPB (2022)

Feature Character(s)

• Teen Titans (last appearance in New Titans #55; next appearance in New Titans Annual #5)
• Nightwing (last appearance in Batman #433; next appearance in Batman #436)
• Changeling (last appearance in New Titans #55; next appearance in New Titans Annual #5)
• Cyborg (last appearance in New Titans #55; next appearance in New Titans Annual #5)
• Jericho (last appearance in New Titans #55; next appearance in New Titans Annual #5)
• Raven (last appearance in New Titans #55; next appearance in New Titans Annual #5)
• Starfire (last appearance in Batman #433; next appearance in New Titans Annual #5)
• Troia (last appearance in New Titans #55; next appearance in New Titans Annual #5)
• Kid Flash (dream appearance)
• Aqualad (dream appearance)
• Speedy (dream appearance)
• Hawk (dream appearance)
• Dove (dream appearance)

Supporting Character(s)

• Lilith (first post-Crisis appearance; last appearance in New Titans #56; next appearance in Hawk and Dove Annual #1)
• Mal Duncan (first post-Crisis appearance; last appearance in New Titans #56; next appearance in New Titans #56)
• Karen Duncan (first post-Crisis appearance; last appearance in New Titans #56; next appearance in New Titans #56)
• Flamebird (dream appearance)
• Golden Eagle (dream appearance)

Villain(s)

• Antithesis (no further appearances)
• The Gargoyle (aka Brom Stikk; no further appearances)
• Mr. Esper (dream appearance)
• Doctor Light (dream appearance)
• Harry Daws (dream appearance)
• Two Gordanians (dream appearance)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Justice League (dream appearance)
• Batman (dream appearance)
• Flash (dream appearance)
• Aquaman (dream appearance)
• Green Arrow (dream appearance)
• Martian Manhunter (dream appearance)
• Green Lantern (dream appearance)
• Hawkman (dream appearance)
• Zatanna (dream appearance)

Other Character(s)

• Myerson (a doorman; no further appearances)
• The Mayor of Hatton Corners (dream appearance)
• Dr. Arthur Swenson (dream appearance)
• Cyrus Manning (dream appearance)
• Silas Stone (dream appearance)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Red Star (in Nightwing's dream)
• Alfred Pennyworth (in Nightwing's dream)
• Trigon (in Nightwing's dream)
• Arella (in Nightwing's dream)
• Deathstroke (in Nightwing's dream)
• Mother Mayhem (in Nightwing's dream)
• Brother Blood (in Nightwing's dream)
• Terra (in Nightwing's dream)
• Robin (Jason Todd; in Nightwing's dream)
• Kole (in Nightwing's dream)
• Cheshire (in Nightwing's dream)
• Blackfire (in Nightwing's dream)
• Danny Chase (in Nightwing's thoughts)

Comments:
This story retells many key moments in the formation and history of the Teen Titans during a dream sequence. Some of these events are portrayed differently than they actually occurred.

A footnote indicates that this story takes place after New Titans #56. However, the reference is to Dick's meeting with Bruce Wayne which took place in New Titans #55. Given that Mal and Karen Duncan are shown in the framing sequence of #56, that story likely occurs after Mal's rescue as shown in this story.

Synopsis:
Dick Grayson returns home after a date with Koriand'r. He falls asleep with his thoughts in turmoil due to the death of Jason Todd. As he falls asleep, a hooded figure enters his dreams and directs his mind to recall previous adventures of the Teen Titans.

Dick recalls how he, Kid Flash, and Aqualad first came together to defeat Mr. Twister, alias Brom Stikk. After returning home, he found the Batman had turned criminal. The other young heroes has similar experiences with their mentors. Joined by Speedy and Wonder Girl, the original three heroes were able to break the Justice Leaguers from the control of Antithesis who had taken over their minds.

Dick's mind then leaps forward to the death of Arthur Swenson which resulted in the Titans temporarily abandoning their costumes. At this time they were joined by Mal, Lilith and the Hawk and the Dove. Some time later the team's confidence in Robin was shaken at the conclusion of an adventure involving Cyrus Manning. The group disbanded.

Mal brought the group together again to battle Doctor Light. At this time Mal assumed the identity as Hornblower. Over time another Titans team on the west coast was formed. When the two groups came together they fought and soon after both teams dissolved.

At this point in the dream, Dick unmasks the cloaked figure as Lilith. Before he can do anything more, his dream pulls him forward to the formation of the New Teen Titans who came together at the behest of Raven. Dick recalls their subsequent adventures and his torture at the hands of Brother Blood.

Eventually Dick is able to fight his hooded adversary in the dream world. He discovers Mal, who is held prisoner, and determines that the Gargoyle, another old foe is responsible. After besting the Gargoyle and unmasking him as Brom Stikk, he uncovers his true adversary, the Antithesis. Mal, now free, is able to use his horn to banish the creature.

Dick awakens from the dream and finds himself surrounded by the Titans. Mal explains that his horn was responsible for releasing the Gargoyle and the Antithesis. His wife Karen, contacted the other Titans and Lilith for help. Lilith, Raven and Jericho were able to assist Dick in his defeat of the villains in his dream.