“Titans” Is a Solid Start for New Streaming Service DC Universe

Warner Bros. Television and DC Entertainment were so confident that the superhero genre is not overexposed, and that fans of the genre aren’t tired of caped crusaders and indestructible villains, that they recently launched DC Universe, a new streaming service dedicated to developing feature films, live-action series, animated series and other media around the vast catalog of characters from DC Comics.  The streaming service’s flagship series Titans premiered its first of twelve episodes on October 12 and was renewed for a second season even before its debut.

Titans follows a group of young, crime-fighting super-powered heroes that band together to stop a rising threat.  They include (pictured at top, left to right) shape-shifter Gar Logan/Beast Boy (Ryan Potter); the psychic-powered Rachel Roth/Raven (Teagen Croft); Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites), a.k.a. Robin (once the Boy Wonder), and alien princess Kory Anders/Starfire (Anna Diop).  The Teen Titans from DC Comics have received various animated adaptations in recent years, including Teen Titans, a rather dark and serious drama, and Teen Titans GO!, a much lighter and comedic rendition, coincidentally with the same voice cast.  Titans very much harkens back to the former.

For the first couple of episodes, the Titans team has not yet fully come together.  Batman’s former sidekick is at the center of the action, having moved from Gotham City to Detroit and now leading a double life as a police detective by day and crime-fighting vigilante by night.  He soon meets Rachel, a disturbed young girl whose mother was murdered by a member of the Doomsday cult that is now targeting her.  Rachel says she recognizes Dick from a recurring dream of the tragic accident that killed his parents.  Meanwhile, in Austria, Kory Anders wakes up from an auto accident with amnesia and soon discovers she has the ability to project fire from her hands -- and learns that prior to her accident she was looking for Rachel.  Determined to keep Rachel safe, Dick seeks the help of crime-fighting duo Hawk and Dove (played by Alan Ritchson and Minka Kelly, respectively).

Juan Ayala

Juan Ayala is a Brooklyn-based writer, podcaster and columnist at MediaVillage. He covers programming aimed toward diverse, multicultural and LGBTQ+ audiences under his  Multicultural TV column. His love for TV and film ranges from workplace comedi… read more