The 'Titans' Trailer Got Some Things Very Wrong

Just recently, I was introduced to the animated Cartoon Network series Teen Titans and instantly fell in love. The characters are likable and fully fleshed out. The stories are exciting and fun. It's one of those kids that doesn't talk down to it's young viewers. So, when I heard there was a live action TV series in the works, I got excited. Then I saw the trailer.

DC released the first trailer for Titans at Comic-Con 2018. The show is set to premiere on the new DC streaming platform. I don't know how people reacted at Comic-Con, but when I saw the trailer online I was confused by what I was watching. This is Teen Titans? Are you sure? My dumb-founded mind saw four things wrong in that two minute ad.

And here they are:

1. Who is the intended audience?

It can't be fans of the comics or original series. Because this live action series does not resemble any of those things. The trailer appears as a CW teen drama. Actually, it's a mix of that and an Arrow-verse wanna-be show. But that does makes sense, considering the show's creators include Greg Berlanti and Geoff Johns (the same people behind Arrow, The Flash and Super Girl). At least Super Girl and The Flash tried to stay true to their comic book counter parts.

2. The tone is all wrong!

Did I mention the teen drama? There's enough angst to fill a high school. That's not the only problem, though. The world presented in this Titans show appears dark and brooding, as if it's trying to be The Dark Knight. Where's the fun? That's part of Teen Titan's charm. They were super heroes fighting crime and regular teens enjoying life. I saw zero joy in this trailer. It is also needlessly violent. Violence in superheroes makes sense for people like Deadpool, but not Teen Titans.

3. Robin and Raven don't seem like themselves.

Those are the two characters seen the most in this trailer. I saw right away how wrong the personalities are. Raven is a memorable character because she's not only powerful, but complex. She keeps her emotions in check in order to control her dark side. So, why do I see a crying sad girl in this trailer? She went from bad ass and stoic to emotional and weak. As for Robin, he seems too angry. I think every viewer was wondering why he said, "Fuck Batman." What could possibly happen between those two that would cause such a response? It makes no sense.

4. The costumes are cheap.

Most comic book adaptions would take a little liberty with the superhero costumes they create. Some of them work and some of them don't. In the case with Titans, it looked like film makers either didn't do their research for the characters or just don't care. Raven looks like a stereo-typical goth girl and has forgone her signature cape. Starfire looks like she walked straight out of a nightclub. The style does not match her bubbly personality.

So, that is what's bothering about the show so far. Will it actually be that bad? No one will know for sure until the series premiere. Titans will be released on the streaming service DC Universe on October 12, 2018. A world premiere is set for October 3, 2018, at New York Comic Con.

Sources: DC Universe, Nerd Bunker