Teen Titans (TV series): Difference between revisions
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Seasons two and four are based upon two of the most popular ''New Teen Titans'' arcs, "Judas Contract" and "Terror of Trigon" respectively. Many characters from the comics, including [[Garth (comics)|Aqualad]], [[Bumblebee (comics)|Bumblebee]], and [[Roy Harper (comics)|Speedy]], appear throughout the series. This is especially true in the final season, which introduces many Titans from the comics into the series for the first time, as well as the [[Doom Patrol]] heroes and villains. Unlike the comics, [[Jinx (DC Comics)|Jinx]] eventually reforms and becomes a member of the Teen Titans. |
Seasons two and four are based upon two of the most popular ''New Teen Titans'' arcs, "Judas Contract" and "Terror of Trigon" respectively. Many characters from the comics, including [[Garth (comics)|Aqualad]], [[Bumblebee (comics)|Bumblebee]], and [[Roy Harper (comics)|Speedy]], appear throughout the series. This is especially true in the final season, which introduces many Titans from the comics into the series for the first time, as well as the [[Doom Patrol]] heroes and villains. Unlike the comics, [[Jinx (DC Comics)|Jinx]] eventually reforms and becomes a member of the Teen Titans. |
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The group's base of operations is [[Titans Tower]], a large T-shaped structure that combines living quarters, a command center, training/workout facilities, and hangar/garage space. It sits on an island just offshore from a fictional [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] city; the location is never stated in any episode, but is identified as "Jump City" in the ''Teen Titans Go!'' comic series. At the end of the third season, a second team of Titans comes together in Steel City, on the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]], and builds a similar Tower to serve as home base. However, instead of a free-standing structure on an island, this one is set into the cliff on which the city is built. |
The group's base of operations is [[Titans Tower]], a large T-shaped structure that combines living quarters, a command center, training/workout facilities, and hangar/garage space. It sits on an island just offshore from a fictional [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] city; the location is never stated in any episode, but is identified as "Jump City" in the ''Teen Titans Go!'' comic series. The general position is shown in the episode "Homecoming, pt. II". In the episode [[Brain (comics)|The Brain]] targets the tower and city with his black hole generator. The map on the screen highlights northern California. <ref>{{cite episode |title=Homecoming, pt. II |series=Teen Titans|airdate=2005-10-01 |season=5|number=54}}</ref> At the end of the third season, a second team of Titans comes together in Steel City, on the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]], and builds a similar Tower to serve as home base. However, instead of a free-standing structure on an island, this one is set into the cliff on which the city is built. |
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''Teen Titans'' frequently uses self-referential humor, and its animation style is heavily influenced by [[anime]]. On different episodes, the series' theme song's lyrics alternate between English and [[Japan]]ese, sung by the [[J-pop]] duo [[Puffy AmiYumi|Puffy]] (called "Puffy AmiYumi" in the United States to distinguish it from [[Sean Combs]]). Andrea Romano revealed in an [[Easter egg (media)|easter egg]] on the season 3 DVD that the Japanese theme song means it will be a silly episode, while the English theme songs means it will be a serious episode (with the exception of "Nevermore"). This can be accessed by going to the special features menu on disc 2 and selecting the + sign on [[Más y Menos|Más]]' chest; examples are then shown. |
''Teen Titans'' frequently uses self-referential humor, and its animation style is heavily influenced by [[anime]]. On different episodes, the series' theme song's lyrics alternate between English and [[Japan]]ese, sung by the [[J-pop]] duo [[Puffy AmiYumi|Puffy]] (called "Puffy AmiYumi" in the United States to distinguish it from [[Sean Combs]]). Andrea Romano revealed in an [[Easter egg (media)|easter egg]] on the season 3 DVD that the Japanese theme song means it will be a silly episode, while the English theme songs means it will be a serious episode (with the exception of "Nevermore"). This can be accessed by going to the special features menu on disc 2 and selecting the + sign on [[Más y Menos|Más]]' chest; examples are then shown. |
Revision as of 01:48, 18 October 2009
Teen Titans | |
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File:TeenTitansLogo.JPG Teen Titans Logo | |
Created by | Glen Murakami |
Voices of | (see below) |
Country of origin | ![]() ![]() |
No. of episodes | 65 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Producers | Glen Murakami Sander Schwartz |
Running time | 23 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | Cartoon Network Kids' WB! |
Release | July 19, 2003 – January 16, 2006 |
Teen Titans is an American animated television series based on the popular DC Comics characters. The show was created by Glen Murakami, developed by David Slack, and produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It premiered on Cartoon Network on July 19, 2003. Despite high ratings, the series shut down production after five seasons, with the series finale episode "Things Change" airing on January 16, 2006. Two comic book titles from DC Comics, Teen Titans Go! (ended) and Tiny Titans (current), are based on the series. Many characters, scenarios and themes were drawn from the 1980s DC Comics series The New Teen Titans.
Series run
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/04/TeenTitansTogether.png/280px-TeenTitansTogether.png)
Cyborg, Robin, Beast Boy, Starfire, and Raven
Teen Titans is based on the DC Comics superhero team, the Teen Titans, primarily the stories told in the early-80s The New Teen Titans comic book series by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez. The series revolves around main team members Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Raven. While it is an action cartoon, the series is also character-driven, with a focus on the main characters’ struggles with being teenage superheroes, their mutual friendships, and their limitations.[1] A major difference between the animated series and the comic book is that while the comic portrayed the characters as being in their late teens to early 20s (resulting in the comic series at one point even dropping the word Teen from its title to reflect its older characters), the animated series characters are all depicted as being in their actual teen years, 16-17 (Robin, Raven, Beast Boy, Starfire, and Cyborg).
Seasons two and four are based upon two of the most popular New Teen Titans arcs, "Judas Contract" and "Terror of Trigon" respectively. Many characters from the comics, including Aqualad, Bumblebee, and Speedy, appear throughout the series. This is especially true in the final season, which introduces many Titans from the comics into the series for the first time, as well as the Doom Patrol heroes and villains. Unlike the comics, Jinx eventually reforms and becomes a member of the Teen Titans.
The group's base of operations is Titans Tower, a large T-shaped structure that combines living quarters, a command center, training/workout facilities, and hangar/garage space. It sits on an island just offshore from a fictional West Coast city; the location is never stated in any episode, but is identified as "Jump City" in the Teen Titans Go! comic series. The general position is shown in the episode "Homecoming, pt. II". In the episode The Brain targets the tower and city with his black hole generator. The map on the screen highlights northern California. [2] At the end of the third season, a second team of Titans comes together in Steel City, on the East Coast, and builds a similar Tower to serve as home base. However, instead of a free-standing structure on an island, this one is set into the cliff on which the city is built.
Teen Titans frequently uses self-referential humor, and its animation style is heavily influenced by anime. On different episodes, the series' theme song's lyrics alternate between English and Japanese, sung by the J-pop duo Puffy (called "Puffy AmiYumi" in the United States to distinguish it from Sean Combs). Andrea Romano revealed in an easter egg on the season 3 DVD that the Japanese theme song means it will be a silly episode, while the English theme songs means it will be a serious episode (with the exception of "Nevermore"). This can be accessed by going to the special features menu on disc 2 and selecting the + sign on Más' chest; examples are then shown.
In mid-November 2005, TitansTower.com reported that prospects for a sixth season were looking extremely unlikely, and fans were urged to express their support for the show to Cartoon Network. Several days after this initial posting, word came that Cartoon Network had officially terminated the show.[3] According to Wil Wheaton, the actor who provided the voice of Aqualad, the series was terminated by new Warner Bros. Feature Animation executives who made the decision not to renew the series based on its sixth season pitch.[4] Wheaton's story was contradicted by series story editor Rob Hoegee who stated that the decision came from Cartoon Network, not WB, being that there were never any plans for a sixth season.[5] Layoffs at WB studios in late 2005 were also speculated to be a factor in the cancellation.[6]
After the series finale, Warner Bros. Animation announced a feature called Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo. The film premiered at San Diego Comic-Con International and was shown on Cartoon Network first on September 15, 2006. The DVD was released on February 6, 2007.
The series has been scheduled for a rerun on Cartoon Network's Boomerang in the 10:30 EST time slot on weekdays since February 2, 2009.[7] Reruns are also shown on Cartoon Network everyday.
Episodes
Cast list
Heroes
Main Titans
Titans East
Honorary Titans VillainsMajor villains
H.I.V.E. Five
Secret identitiesUnlike most other superhero television series, the Teen Titans characters maintain their superhero identities at all times, though the series hints at the concept of an alter ego or secret identity but rarely explores it. The Titans have even been seen sleeping in their costumes. In particular, some fans debated which Robin leads the Teen Titans. Many times throughout the animated series, it is implied that Robin is Dick Grayson, although it was never confirmed or denied until Teen Titans Go! #47, which revealed that Robin's secret identity is Dick Grayson. In "Fractured", Robin's alternate dimensional counterpart Larry gives as his real name Nosyarg Kcid ("Dick Grayson" spelled backwards). In another episode where Starfire is thrust into the future, Robin has taken on Grayson's identity of Nightwing. Also, in the episode "Haunted" when Raven goes into Robin's mind, there is a clip of two acrobats falling from a trapeze, a reference to how Dick Grayson became Robin. In episode 2 ("X") of season 3, Robin's life is displayed on a chart by Beast Boy and it shows Robin as Nightwing (although this same chart also displays Jason Todd as Robin). In the same episode, Red X pulls Robin's mask, and his flesh goes with it as if glued on (a cartoon sequence); in the comics Dick Grayson as Nightwing admitted to using a type of glue to get his mask to stay on.
The policy of not mentioning the characters secret identities is broken in the fifth season, in which Doom Patrol members refer to Beast Boy by his real name, Garfield; however, the Titans continue to call him Beast Boy. In "Go" the Titans ask Beast Boy about his mask and he states it hides his true identity. Raven points out that he is green with pointed ears and fangs, he "has no secret to hide". The backgrounds and real names of Cyborg and Starfire are alluded to in earlier seasons: Cyborg chooses the alias "Stone" in the episode "Deception", a nod to his name Victor Stone in the DC Comics, while Starfire's name, Koriand'r, is spoken aloud on-screen amidst a line of Tamaranian language in the episode "Betrothed" (the fifth season origin-episode "Go!" mentions that Starfire is a translation of her Tamaranian name). The policy is never an issue with Raven, who never had a secret identity (though the mainstream continuity Teen Titans Vol. 3 has shown she has taken the name Rachel Roth as an alter ego in the normal world). The comic series Teen Titans Go! has recently been going into the background of the characters further:
Connection to the Batman MythosThe series briefly alludes to Batman several times: when Slade attempts to make Robin his protege, Slade says "Who knows? I might be like a father to you". Robin then remarks, "I already have a father," and a shot of bats flying through a dark sky is shown reference to Batman. This same episode also features a Wayne Enterprises building company of Batman's playboy billionaire alter-ego Bruce Wayne the family company of Bruce Wayne's dead father Thomas Wayne. When the Teen Titans played football in the park ("Sum of his parts"), Beast Boy chanted, "One-Gotham City, two-Gotham City..." in reference to the standard "One-Mississippi, two-Mississippi..." In "Go!", (after a stream of bats go by) a crook asks, "Hey, this isn't your town! Aren't you supposed to be with-" but then is interrupted by Robin, who replies, "I just moved here. And from now on, I work alone,". Another allusion occurs in the season 3 episode "Haunted," in the same sequence that featured the falling acrobats. It depicts Robin accepting a costume and taking an oath in what is assumed to be the Batcave. The sequence is in silhouette, and very brief. Also, Batman's silhouette is mostly obscured—even hiding the bat ears, however, his distinctive cowl design can still be made out when the sequence is paused. Also in the season one episode "Final Exam," Gizmo plants a rocket on Cyborg's back. When Starfire saves Cyborg, he says, "Maybe y'all should call me Fly-borg. I was halfway to Gotham City before Star zapped that thing off my back." In "How Long is Forever?" a picture of Barbara Gordon/Oracle can be seen in the corner of the screen in Nightwing's headquarters. In "Betrayal", Terra comments that some of the best pie is 100 miles out of Gotham City. In numerous episodes the name Oracle can be seen on the monitor screen. ContinuityTeen Titans has never been established explicitly to be a part of the larger DC Animated Universe or The Batman, a source of fan controversy. Series producer Bruce Timm stated the series would not cross over with Justice League Unlimited. Batman himself makes a very small cameo in Teen Titans Go! comic #47, but is done in such a way that it is difficult to identify which version of him it is. However, Speedy, who first appeared in the episode "Winner Take All" along with Aqualad and others, appeared alongside his mentor, Green Arrow, in Justice League Unlimited. Also notably, Kid Flash was voiced by Michael Rosenbaum in his appearances in the show - the same actor who voiced the Flash in Justice League Unlimited. Though there have been no fully realized crossovers between Teen Titans and other DC animated shows, it is worth noting that all five of the principle voice actors from Teen Titans appeared together in an episode of Justice League entitled Wild Cards, playing the Royal Flush Gang. Furthermore, the design of each gang member was styled on the actual likeness of the respective Teen Titans cast member lending them their voice. While most episodes are not connected with a central plot, each season features several episodes devoted to the series' mythology. The first season introduces Slade, an arch-rival of Robin and the Titans. The second season adaptation of "The Judas Contract" introduces Terra, who eventually betrays the Titans to Slade, just as she had in the comic books. The third season focuses on Cyborg's rivalry with Brother Blood and the H.I.V.E. academy and ends with the creation of the Titans East team, based on the East Coast. The fourth season adapts the "Terror of Trigon" arc, showcasing Raven and her relationship with her father, the demon Trigon. Lastly, the fifth season focuses on the Brotherhood of Evil, longtime enemies of the Doom Patrol, the superhero team to which Beast Boy belonged before joining the Titans. In the final episode, he encounters a high school student who looks and sounds exactly like Terra, but her identity is never firmly established. He eventually realizes that he must move on with his life and leave both her and the past behind. ReceptionSome fans of the comics criticized the series for having a "childish nature".[8] Some cartoon fans[who?] disliked the series for its hybrid of western and Japanese-style animation. The Teen Titans were based on their DC Comic iterations, but the animation was mainly of a Japanese style. In addition, there were complaints[who?] as to why Jump City was chosen as the Teen Titans home whereas New York was the base of operations in many of the Teen Titans comics. Early into the series' run, Executive Producer and Cartoon Network V.P. Sam Register responded to criticism regarding the style of the show:
However, while the series' creators initially stated that younger children were the intended audience for the series, Teen Titans Go! writer J. Torres notes that the progression and deeper themes of the show widened the appeal to a much broader audience:
Years after its cancellation, the show maintains a strong fan base, and has recently experienced a resurgence of popularity thanks to its addition to the cartoon lineup on Boomerang. Fans of the series seem to be drawn to the show by its emphasis on developing the stories of its relatable characters. Teen Titans was named the 83rd best animated series by IGN. Also, reruns have found their way back to the Cartoon Network lineup.[10] Awards and nominations
DVD releasesSeason Releases
See also![]() Wikiquote has quotations related to Teen Titans.
References
External links
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- Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from May 2009
- 2000s American television series
- 2000s American animated television series
- 2003 television series debuts
- 2006 television series endings
- YTV shows
- Superhero television programs
- DC animation
- Kids WB original programs
- Television programs based on DC Comics
- Anime-influenced animation
- Teen Titans
- Cartoon Network original programs