Whether you are a comic reader or not, I think everyone has at least heard the name Teen Titans. This is probably largely due to the success of the Cartoon Network animated series which aired from 2003-2006, and is still one of the best shows ever…in my humble opinion. So obviously there was a lot of hype when they announced a live-action series. Finally, the first trailer dropped and while we all watched with big, twinkling eyes, it ended with some feeling optimistic and others feeling like their brain had just been fried. Thus, we at The Pop Break put together our initial reactions. – Rachel Freeman
Michael Dworkis
I was excited to hear about a Titans live action series. I genuinely thought DC had a shot at producing something decent.
Then this happened.
I’m all for different takes on popular characters, and even in the current comics, the Titans tend to push the envelope a bit in terms of getting things done. But this went way over into Intentional Shock Value (ISV) territory which loses me every time. Opening sequence involves: Blood, blood, stabby, stabby, bang, bang, guts, blood… “F**K Batman”… Then more bang, bang, stabby-shooty, death death death. Oh, more blood.
This tells me the script and production is bad enough, they went right for the extreme ISV because the creators were desperate for attention. I do mean bad production. The visuals were so dark, I had to turn up the brightness on my monitor. DC, I know you like being known for dark and depressing, but you do not actually have to make it so dark I can’t see it on the screen. All I gain from the trailer is Raven in trouble, she “finds” Grayson, and we will get a series full of post-teen/early-adulthood angst with lots of violence. DC, forget a Crisis on Multiple Earths. You need Counseling on Multiple Levels. Stick to animated features. Please. Live action, you are consistently disappointing.
Oh, one more thing. Parents, please do your research. Do NOT think this is in any way connected to Teen Titans Go. Kids, don’t try to fool your parents into watching this.
Sheena Fisher
Teen Titans. A favorite since I can remember loving comics and first knowing of their existence. I was super excited the Titans were getting a live action show.
But, what is up with this trailer? Ok, so the aesthetic I can dig. Who doesn’t like full on costumes on their heroes and seeing some powers? The cast seems like they are going to act their parts well. It’s falling pretty close to the DC movie universe by staying dark. Teen Titans was a little darker, but I don’t think quite this dark. But the most important thing, Robin…Did you really just kill someone?! That’s a little out of your character’s moral compass. Who am I kidding? That’s really out of character for Robin. Oh and what is up with Raven screaming a bunch? I don’t know how I feel after watching this trailer.
Rob Crowther IV
Perhaps DC should have released the Titans trailer after Teen Titans Go! (to the Movies) premieres in theaters this month. This should have been the case for several reasons, but I’ll just say after working in a theater as a kid, you’d be surprised at how many people get confused. Regardless, I was happy to see that the official Titans trailer dropped at SDCC today, and I certainly did not hate it. Yes, the “F— Batman” line was a bit over the top, and clearly the headline. But I’m down for this new Robin. (a personal fave character) He’s got a solid look and from what I’ve seen so far the costume looks great.
I popped for the Robin-rang as well. The trailer shows us that this is indeed Dick Grayson, who will eventually want to get out of Batman’s shadow and become Nightwing. (Fave!) Clearly the shocking dialogue here is to showcase that this ain’t your typical CW hero show. Yes, it was for shock value, but I’ll remain open minded.
Speaking of remaining open-minded, I wasn’t blown away by our first glances of favorites like Starfire and Beast Boy. But again, this is such a small glimpse, I’ll see what they bring to the table first. The stuff with Raven (not to mention the background music) reminded me of a typical CW show, so I wasn’t surprised at all here. It seems she can’t control her powers, and she’s SUPER powerful.
Her character has sort of a Runaways meets Riverdale vibe, so I’m down. We got a small glimpse of a few other Titans here such as Cyborg, but not enough for me to weigh in on. In the past we’ve had the Teen Titans series on Cartoon Network that was followed by the way more silly Teen Titans Go! Fans wanted a more serious Titans show again, and this could be exactly what the doctor ordered. Or it could be way over the top. Either way, sign me up!
Rachel Freeman
Today I received a text from a very good friend of mine that said: “RACHEL FREEMAN. Did you watch the Titans trailer? I almost puked.”
That is how I found out the trailer dropped. I promptly watched it. And I promptly regretted that decision.
Batman is my most beloved superhero, as I know he is for many, therefore, every character within his realm are characters I hold dear. That includes the Teen Titans, ESPECIALLY Dick Grayson. So to watch an angsty trailer that is meant to debut arguably the happiest and most optimistic of all the Robins, I couldn’t help but feel disheartened. If you had told me it was Damian Wayne or Jason Todd, I would not have any qualms (now if it was Tim Drake, I’d still be upset). It’s because it’s Dick.
I’m honestly fed up with DC feeling the need to make everything dark and gritty. Yes, you had success with The Dark Knight, but not EVERY show and movie that follows needs to be the exact same thing. This constant regurgitation of taking loved characters and making them “edgy” versions of themselves is obnoxious. You can add a little edge, but don’t tell me that Dick Grayson killed someone. There are a lot of things I can ignore, Dick Grayson murdering someone isn’t one of them.
Also, this is TEEN Titans…they are all supposed to be teens…why does Dick Grayson look like he’s 20? And you are aware that Starfire doesn’t blast actual fire, right? Why does Raven seem like such a weak, scared, little girl? Why on Earth would you pick Hawk and Dove over ANY other Titan? Donna Troy, Speedy, Kid Flash, Aqualad (or Aquagirl), or Bumblebee, just to name a couple who are more deserving than Hawk and Dove.
I want this show to be good, I really do, but my expectations are negative.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIYzdBAxcM8
