The new Titans series, coming to the DC Universe streaming service has a trailer. It was certainly… different.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIYzdBAxcM8
This is a very “unique” direction for the series. Of course, by that I mean this is highly concerning on multiple levels. If Teen Titans GO! is Warner Bros/DC overdosing on humor, then this is the exact opposite. It’s this exact overabundance of edginess that many worried about. Especially seeing some of the promotional art, which featured incredibly dark, dreary colors and a very overly serious vibe.
The trailer practically checks off everything on the list for shows desperately wanting to look more “mature.” Yes, Raven is the exception because being dark and edgy is the point with her. But everything else? Almost complete lack of daytime scenes? Check. Washed out color palette? Check. Blood everywhere? Indeed. Characters who aren’t Raven talking about how dark they’ve become? Of course, that’s in there. Profane remarks that are supposed to be cool or shocking but are so out-of-place they instantly qualify for meme status? Oh, look. I got Bingo. Also, still nothing particularly wrong with Anna Diop in the role, but the final look of Starfire is… not great. But we were only given a brief glimpse of her, so it may still be too early to tell. They might’ve just been bad shots. Or it might just be bad. That’s also a strong possibility. You never know what you’re going to get from DC.
With all that said, there are some things to consider, here. The Raven scenes do look visually interesting. And the effects work is kind of cool to look at. Also, none of the acting looks bad at all. And the costume design is actually quite good, all things considered. Especially Robin/Nightwing’s. It’d look even better if the whole thing didn’t look muted, half the time. Another factor to consider is that trailers can be incredibly poor representations of what the film product will look like. Though the caveat is that that’s usually a rule for movie trailers, and typically farther out from the production’s actual release. Still. There’s some reason to reserve judgment. Some.
Also, to look at this from a bit of a different perspective, some may be happy the series is taking this direction. This is the third series to date, based on the The New Teen Titans. There was obviously the much-lauded animated series from the early 2000s. Then there’s the current Teen Titans GO! series on Cartoon Network. Both of those shows are heavily distinct from one another (barring the identical casts). So something like this is yet another new lens to experience these characters through. I can’t say for certain whether this series will deliver or not. The trailer does nothing to inspire confidence, personally, in this show, Stargirl, or any of the other upcoming DC Universe Originals. But it’s not hard to see how some others could find it exciting. Titans launches on the DC Universe streaming service, this Fall.