The stage was set as far back as TEEN TITANS #4-5
Nightwing appeared in TEEN TITANS #3; This segued into a two part story in #4-5. On the cover of #5, Former Titan Supergirl is featured as well as Nightwing, Tim Drake Robin and Captain Marvel Jr. This story also featured the introduction of the man-monster, Fringe.
The Teen Titans (Atom, Prysm, Argent, Joto and Risk) first encountered Fringe after he was taken prisoner by Pylon and the Veil. The Veil's agenda: rid the earth of alien influence. Pylon was able to kidnap both Fringe and Supergirl. The Teen Titans, with help from Nightwing and Captain Marvel Jr., were able to rescue both Supergirl and Fringe. Upon meeting, Prysm and Fringe instantly recognized a bond. She named him ‘Fringe' (‘Yes. It fit. He's kind of a... fringe human. A lot like me.') After his rescue, Fringe wandered off into the woods.
Jurgens says: "As I see it, Captain Marvel Jr., Impulse and Robin [...] will have a loose affiliation with the group and can be brought in at any time, if their appearance makes sense and isn't used as a sales tool."
TEEN TITANS #5 also launched a 'vote-for-new member' campaign. From the lettercol: "Hoookayy, as Cody would say, in this issue we featured a nice variety of guest stars for all of you who have been asking us why so-and-so isn't part of the Teen Titans. But if we know you fans, you're still not satisfied. Soooo, with this issue we open the polls for you - yes, YOU - to pick the next member to join the TEEN TITANS. The only requirement is that they be young. Characters like Flash and Green Lantern have graduated to JLA status, so we suggest characters who are in the Robin, Impulse and the Spoiler league instead. Hoookayy? Send the ballot below."
The team seemingly broke up following events of #16. Following that issue, a number of one shots spotlighted individual members. Issue #17 featured a membership drive, and new members Fringe and Captain Marvel Jr. joined the team. Former Titan Arsenal also joined the supporting cast.
TEEN TITANS #17 lettercol revealed the winner to the contest: "Holy Moley! [We]hope you like the addition of Captain Marvel Jr. to the ranks. He was the winner by a landslide of the vote for a new Titan, It was pretty interesting that neither Robin nor Impulse (guys both Dan and the editor thought would be the favorites) got as many votes as Freddy. And some of the other candidates you voted for will also be making appearances here soon. So stick around!"
TEEN TITANS #18 lettercol revealed more of the outcome: "As for the winner of the new member vote, it should be obvious by now that it was Captain Marvel Jr. Our runners-up were Spoiler, Terra and Damage. Surprisingly, Robin and Impulse gave a very poor showing, which is strange because during the days when this book got started, all we heard was how you wanted those guys in the Titans. Oh, well."
These new members didnt generate much new excitement. Dan Jurgens didnt appear too fond of Captain Marvel Jr. in the book, as his 'panel time' seemed limited. Fringe, who seemed to be a favorite of Dan's, was sort of a poor man's Baby Wildebeest. And that's no compliment!
These changes failed to invigorate the title. It seemed readers didn't accept these new characters as "Titans" and the book, while not a failure, failed to reinvent the franchise. The title was canceled with issue #24.
