Spoilers Titans - DC Universe Series

[Reverend]

Trying to work out the definitive, exact ages of long running comic book characters is often an exercise in futility, even without all the multiverse crises, flashpoints and what have you. Young characters can age up and actually close the gap with older already established characters and many other characters don't really age at all. It's nuts.

Of course the advantage of an adaptation is the freedom to actually have third act type consequences and growth.

Personally, I'm liking the big brother/little sister dynamic they're setting up between Richard & Rachel. While not materially similar, both of their It backstories resonate with each other just enough to make it credible that Grayson would become so personally invested. Also in the process perhaps gaining some insight and perspective into his own relationship with Bruce as he starts to step into a similar one, but from the opposite perspective.

In the comics, Teen Titans seemed unusual for a DC title as the team was (in various incarnations) portrayed as a surrogate family dynamic, which was usually more of a Marvel thing. So I'm glad they seem to be sticking with that core idea. (Sure, the Bat family is the Bat family, but's a somewhat different animal.)

 

[dahj]

(Sure, the Bat family is the Bat family, but's a somewhat different animal.)

I like that line in the premiere when Rachel sees Dick's Porsche.

Dick: It's a family heirloom.
Rachel: From the circus?
Dick: Not the one you're thinking of.

 

[Dick Whitman]

I have yet to see Titans. Waiting for more episodes until I join DC Universe.

The talk of characters ages and passage of time being ignored in comics and mention of Dick Grayson’s background in the Circus made me think of something. The way the circus has been portrayed in Robin’s origin as not really existed for decades. From memories the comics and various tv and movie origins are mostly based on how the Circus looked in 1940 when he was created. The PBS documentary series “American Experience” recently had a two episodes on the history of the Circus in America. It ended in 1956 when Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey had their last performance under an actual Big Top tent. After that all performances were inside, in places like sport stadiums. They finally went out of business last year.

There are still a lot of small circuses in this country. But it will be interesting going forward how Robin’s origin will be effected. The version in our collective childhood memories from cartoons of the Big Top with live animals had been antiquated for decades.

Luckily trapeze artists is one part of an old fashioned Circus that continues on in new forms. I have seen a number of different Cirque du Solei shows. I could easily imagine the Grayson family working for something like that.

 

[Christopher]

It ended in 1956 when Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey had their last performance under an actual Big Top tent. After that all performances were inside, in places like sport stadiums.

That's probably why Batman Forever had the Flying Graysons perform in a Gotham coliseum or convention center (whose matte-painting exterior was modeled on Cincinnati's Union Terminal, the basis for the Super Friends Hall of Justice).

 

[Samurai8472]

I have yet to see Titans. Waiting for more episodes until I join DC Universe.

The talk of characters ages and passage of time being ignored in comics and mention of Dick Grayson’s background in the Circus made me think of something. The way the circus has been portrayed in Robin’s origin as not really existed for decades. From memories the comics and various tv and movie origins are mostly based on how the Circus looked in 1940 when he was created. The PBS documentary series “American Experience” recently had a two episodes on the history of the Circus in America. It ended in 1956 when Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey had their last performance under an actual Big Top tent. After that all performances were inside, in places like sport stadiums. They finally went out of business last year.

There are still a lot of small circuses in this country. But it will be interesting going forward how Robin’s origin will be effected. The version in our collective childhood memories from cartoons of the Big Top with live animals had been antiquated for decades.

Luckily trapeze artists is one part of an old fashioned Circus that continues on in new forms. I have seen a number of different Cirque du Solei shows. I could easily imagine the Grayson family working for something like that.

It’s more believable to have Bruce Wayne go to Vegas to see cirque du soleli if dick graysons story has to be updated for modern times

 

[Noname Given]

It’s more believable to have Bruce Wayne go to Vegas to see cirque du soleli if dick graysons story has to be updated for modern times

Actually, I'd go with the Circus Circus Hotel acts:
https://www.circuscircus.com/en/entertainment/circus-acts.html

 

[Christopher]

The DC Universe is a place where there were green aliens living on Mars, where a searchlight is still a valid way to get someone's attention, and where capes are still a valid fashion choice. If it gets to keep those retro ideas, I don't see why it can't keep circuses.

 

[dahj]

where capes are still a valid fashion choice

Capes are a valid fashion choice.

 

[Christopher]

For Veronica, sure.

 

[Reverend]

Although nominally based in present day, 'Titans' seems to be going for the same quasi-anachronistic feel present in several other DC based adaptions.
Burton's 'Batman', the 90's Animated Series and more recently 'Gotham' have to a greater or lesser extent all had a slightly vague out-of time feel.

With that in mind, I'd say an old school, late 19th/early 20th century style circus complete with family unit performers doesn't feel all that out of place.

 

[Samurai8472]

Actually, I'd go with the Circus Circus Hotel acts:
https://www.circuscircus.com/en/entertainment/circus-acts.html

Ooh. Dick Grayson could also be rewritten to be a young gymnastics hopeful who’s family is killed

 

[dahj]

a young gymnastics hopeful who’s family is killed

They did that with Artemis on Arrow.

 

[dahj]

This was a very enjoyable episode, now I'm really looking forward to Doom Patrol as well.

For those wondering, Brendan Fraser and Matt Bomer did the voices here too.

 

[Skipper]

I'm watching episode 3 and I approve Kory's musical taste.

 

[dahj]

^^
The musical choices on the show are really good, and not just Kory's. There's a fun kitchen scene in episode 4 coming up.

 

[JD]

Trying to work out the definitive, exact ages of long running comic book characters is often an exercise in futility, even without all the multiverse crises, flashpoints and what have you. Young characters can age up and actually close the gap with older already established characters and many other characters don't really age at all. It's nuts.

Gotta love that comic book time.

This was a very enjoyable episode, now I'm really looking forward to Doom Patrol as well.

For those wondering, Brendan Fraser and Matt Bomer did the voices here too.

Matt Bomer is doing a voice for Doom Patrol? I can't believe I missed that news.

 

[dahj]

Matt Bomer is doing a voice for Doom Patrol? I can't believe I missed that news.

He's Negative Man.

 

[Takachulo]

Matt Bomer is doing a voice for Doom Patrol? I can't believe I missed that news.

He'll presumably be appearing in flashbacks as well, like Brendan Fraser.

 

[dahj]

"Oh shit, Dick's gonna think I did it."

That was short but sweet, the team has come together, Dick is lightening up, the fight with the Nuclear Family was great, they were indeed a really good choice for a Fam vs Fam feud... I'm really loving this show, the characters work well together, the actors are spot on, the humor works, the main plot is serious and darkish but it embraces all the sillier aspects of comic books so the tone of it is quite fun and much more upbeat than your average Marvel Netflix show, or even Arrow.

Overall, this is really good, it's a shame that not a lot of people seem to be watching it. Hopefully that'll change once all episodes are up on DCU and it hits Netflix. I know I certainly intend to binge it again when it does.

 

[JD]

I really need to get a better job so I can afford all of these streaming services.