DC Entertainment has unveiled four character portraits for the upcoming DC Universe show Titans, offering the first official images of Starfire (Anna Diop), Beast Boy (Ryan Potter), and Raven (Teagan Croft). So far the show’s marketing has mainly focused on the most well-known superhero, Robin (Brenton Thwaites), whose declaration of “F*** Batman” was easily the most memorable (and controversial) element in the Comic-Con trailer for Titans.
The images debuted during the first episode of DC Daily, described as a “news show that brings you everything you need to know about the world of DC.” The episode also finally revealed the launch date for DC Universe, the new subscription service for Titans and other DC content, both old and new: September 15. Titans itself will premiere a month later, on October 12.
We’ve seen Starfire, Beast Boy and Raven before, first in set photos and then in the trailer. However, these character portraits are the first official promo images of the characters, and offer fans a glimpse of each of their unique powers. Check out all four new images (including a new look at Robin) below.
Robin is, of course, Batman’s sidekick (in the case of Titans, his former sidekick), but casual fans may not recognize the other three superheroes depicted. Beast Boy a.k.a. Garfield Logan has the ability to transform into any animal. Starfire a.k.a. Koriand’r is an alien with the ability to absorb ultraviolet radiation and convert it for a variety of uses, including flight and firing energy blasts. Raven a.k.a. Rachel Roth is the offspring of a demon and a human and has various magical abilities.
Younger audiences may already be familiar with the Titans from Cartoon Network‘s ongoing animated series Teen Titans Go!, which this year saw the release of a spinoff movie called Teen Titans Go! To The Movies. However, while Teen Titans Go! focuses on comedy and kid-friendly adventures, Titans is doing everything it can to characterize itself as a gritty, grown-up show, complete with violence and bad language. Intentionally or otherwise, the marketing has a distinctly teenage enthusiasm for all things “dark” and “edgy.”
One of the bigger challenges for this show will be ensuring that its characters’ costumes and powers look good in live-action. It’s easy for Robin and co. to look cool in these heavily edited promo images, but the early set photos from Titans drew a lot of criticism over what many fans felt were cheap-looking costumes and bad wigs. Still, if Titans proves to be a success, it could be a major factor in attracting subscribers to DC Universe.
via ScreenRant