Titans: 10 References To The Original Comics Fans Might Have Missed

Fans of Titans might have overlooked some of the bigger comic references in the TV show. A refresher on those references is great for fans old and new. The show adapts the comics team known as the Teen Titans, and it’s currently in its 3rd season on HBO Max.

There’s no shortage of things the show has pulled from the source material. These include characters, their backstories, their costumes, and their personalities. Not only are there familiar DC heroes adapted in the show, but there are classic villains as well.

10 The Costumes

As with many comic book characters, the Teen Titans of the comics have colorful and memorable costumes. Even if their looks change across the eras, the characters’ costumes are iconic and very familiar to fans.

For the most part, the show’s costumes are very much based on those from the comics. Some costumes are practically comics-accurate (Superboy, Wonder Girl, Hawk and Dove, Nightwing), while others are well-done modern adaptations (Robin, Starfire). While Beast Boy and Raven haven’t quite taken on their comic looks, they do wear everyday clothes that match their comic counterparts.

9 Trigon

Trigon is the father of Raven, and he’s one of the Teen Titans’ biggest foes. He debuted in New Teen Titans #2 (1980). Despite having her father’s powers, Raven resists Trigon, and she and the Teen Titans stop him from taking over the Earth.

In the show, Raven grows up on Earth instead of Azarath. Like in the comics, she’s incredibly powerful, she joins the Titans, and she has to defeat her father. Trigon attempts to use Raven for his own plans, but the Titans are able to defeat him at the beginning of season 2.

8 The Creation Of Conner Kent

Conner Kent debuted in Adventures of Superman #500 during the “Reign of the Supermen” storyline (1993). He was created by Cadmus as a clone of Superman. Conner was also known as Kon-El and Superboy. In 2003, his origin was retconned, making him a clone of both Superman and Lex Luthor.

Conner was introduced in a post-credits scene at the end of season 1 of Titans. This version of Superboy is a clone of both Superman and Luthor, and he has memories from both of them. Despite trying to hide his powers at first, Superboy eventually uses them and joins the Titans. He notably saves Jason Todd’s life, and the two then become friends.

7 Dick Grayson Quits Being Robin

During the famous “Judas Contract” storyline, Dick Grayson makes a big change. In Tales of the Teen Titans #44 (1984), Dick hangs up the mantle of Robin and becomes Nightwing. Before quitting as Robin, Dick has a falling out with Batman.

Like in the comics, Dick Grayson in Titans is very distant from Batman at first. He maintains the Robin persona into adulthood, wearing the costume throughout season 1. Despite not having a superhero identity for most of season 2, Dick becomes Nightwing at the end of the season. The gap between quitting as Robin and becoming Nightwing is notably longer in the show than in the comics.

6 Beast Boy Was In The Doom Patrol

Beast Boy, AKA Garfield Logan, debut in Doom Patrol #99 (1965). Gar wouldn’t join the Teen Titans until Teen Titans, vol. 1 #50 (1977). Since then, the character has mostly been associated with versions of the Titans, both in comics and on TV shows.

Titans establishes that Beast Boy did start out with the Doom Patrol, and he’s seen with them in season 1. He joined them as an orphan, much like his comic book origin. Like in the comics, he leaves the Doom Patrol to join the Titans. Unlike the comics, Gar leaves in the show due to Niles’ actions and Cliff’s encouragement. In the comics, Beast Boy survives after the rest of the team dies. Of course, it’s comics, so they didn’t stay that way.

5 Starfire And Blackfire

Starfire and Blackfire are sisters, known as Kiand’r and Komand’r of Tamaran. They’re played by Anna Diop and Damaris Lewis, respectively. Blackfire first appeared in New Teen Titans #22 (1982). Blackfire, through no fault of her own, was stripped of her role as the rightful heir to Tamaran. After her role was given to Starfire, Blackfire resented her. She eventually attacked Tamaran.

Blackfire debuted in Titans in season 2. Like in the comics, the show’s Blackfire deeply resents Starfire. She takes over the Tamarian throne and kills her parents. Eventually, she finds her way to Earth. Despite everything she does, Starfire and Beast Boy help free Blackfire from government captivity in season 3.

4 Donna Troy Dies And Returns

Donna Troy is seemingly killed by a Superman robot in the comics in Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day #3 (2003). She’s reborn on another planet right after her death, and comes back in a 2005 storyline appropriately titled “The Return of Donna Troy.”

In the show, Donna dies at the end of season 2 after catching an electrified pylon. Her body is then taken to Themyscira, accompanied by Raven. Like her comic counterpart, Donna is resurrected in season 3 of the show, which fans had hoped to see this season.

3 Deathstroke Kills Jericho

Jericho is the son of the villain Deathstroke. In the comics, Jericho is taken over by the Souls of Azarath, making him an unwilling villain of the Titans. In New Titans #83 (1992), Deathstroke has to kill his son in order to save him.

Jericho dies the same way in the show, although under different circumstances. After being befriended by Dick Grayson, Jericho found himself caught between Deathstroke and the Titans. Like in the comics, Jericho has the ability to take over someone else’s body. He dives in the way of Deathstroke’s sword, taking the blade for Dick. Before he “dies,” however, his mind transfer to Deathstroke’s body, where it stays alongside his father’s.

2 Jason Todd Is Killed By The Joker

In the well-known storyline “Death in the Family,” Jason Todd is tricked into looking for his mother. In Batman, vol. 1 #427 (1988), Jason is beaten to death with a crowbar by the Joker. He’s then caught in an explosion, and Batman finds his body afterward.

Much like the Jason of the comics, the show’s Jason has a rough upbringing and is generally reckless and angry. After feeling rejected by the Titans and nearly dying twice in season 2, Jason seeks to erase his fear. Season 3 begins with Jason donning his Robin suit and tracking the Joker alone. Jason is caught off guard by the Joker, who beats him to death a crowbar. Jason is then put on the path to becoming Red Hood, sharing another similarity with the comics.

1 Jason Todd Returns As Red Hood

Jason Todd returned in the comics in Batman, vol. 1 #635 (2004). He takes on the new mantle of the Red Hood, seeking revenge against Batman. Infinite Crisis: Secret Files and Origins #1 explained that Superboy-Prime punching reality brought Jason back. He was further revived by Talia al Ghul in a Lazarus pit. Jason eventually becomes more of an anti-hero, and he often assists the Bat Family.

A Lazarus pit is behind Jason’s return in the show as well, although it is the Scarecrow who manages to bring him back. While his return is much quicker in the show, he still dons the mantle of Red Hood. Jason works with the Scarecrow to take revenge against the Titans.

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