The new DC comic book-inspired series ‘Titans’ premieres on DC Universe on October 12th and as we can tell from the trailer that was unveiled at SDCC this summer, a large part of the story will follow Dick Grayson, Batman’s disgruntled ex-sidekick. His utterance “F*** Batman” created an uproar among fans who were taken aback by the mature tone and the fact that the ex-Boy Wonder could possibly now despise his former mentor.
Of course, if you read the early 1980s run of ‘The New Teen Titans’ by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, which depicted Grayson’s maturation from sidekick to self-contained hero, ditching the guise of Robin in favor of Nightwing, you realize that this is in keeping with the characterization of Grayson at that time, albeit with more cursing.
And according to Geoff Johns, who penned his own well-regarded run on the title and who developed this adaptation, that’s exactly what they were aiming for.
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“It is! It is controversial! I think that was expected though, you know? I don’t think anyone was like, ‘What? Wait! What?!’ As I’ve been telling people, I’m like, you know, not to take the trailer as, ‘This is the whole show.’ But I’m glad there’s discussion and there should be discussion about that and why we would go that direction and why Robin would ever get to that point. You know, a big part of the series is exploring — and I’m doing that with Akiva Goldsman, Greg Berlanti and Greg Walker — and a big part of the series that we’re exploring is the moment that Robin left Batman.
“In the Titans, he was kind of a lost character. He was looking for what his next thing was, and the Titans individually are all lost and they form a family — a surrogate family that’s… you know, we’re staying true to Marv [Wolfman] and George [Perez]’s take on the Titans in that sense. But you’re going to see what Robin’s gone through and why he’s gotten to that point and I’m excited for people to see it. I don’t think they really quite know what the show is, and it’s going to be fun to watch.”
While the series focuses on Robin, Beast Boy, Raven, and Starfire, there are a few other heroes included. As Johns said:
“Well, Donna Troy — Wonder Girl — you’re going to see her. That’s been rumored out there, I think, for a while… Hawk and Dove, who are in episode 2 and they’re fantastic. They are really, really, really, really strong. You know, the thing with Titans is that whole universe of Titans is open to us, so we’ll be exploring every facet of that as we go through the series, but the first season… you know, I’ve spoiled enough characters for a season.”
Brenton Thwaites portrays Dick Grayson/Robin, with Ryan Potter as Garfield Logan/Beast Boy, Teagan Croft as Rachel Roth/Raven and Anna Diop as Koriand’r as Starfire. Alan Ritchson plays recurring character Hank Hall/Hawk, who is partnered with Dawn Granger/Dove, portrayed by Minka Kelly. Conor Leslie portrays Donna Troy/Wonder Girl, although the extent of her role on the series is unknown. Additionally, Curran Walters will play Jason Todd, the young man who succeeds Dick as the second Robin.
DC Universe is available to pre-order before it launches on September 15 for $74.99/year or $7.99/month. ‘Titans’ arrives about a month later, on October 12.
Jax's earliest memory is of watching 'Batman,' followed shortly by a memory of playing Batman & Robin with a friend, which entailed running outside in just their underwear and towels as capes. When adults told them they couldn't run around outside in their underwear, both boys promptly whipped theirs off and ran around in just capes.
“Well, Donna Troy — Wonder Girl — you’re going to see her. That’s been rumored out there, I think, for a while… Hawk and Dove, who are in episode 2 and they’re fantastic. They are really, really, really, really strong. You know, the thing with Titans is that whole universe of Titans is open to us, so we’ll be exploring every facet of that as we go through the series, but the first season… you know, I’ve spoiled enough characters for a season.”
