#vic stone

[armed-with-a-waffle-iron]

I feel that the 2003 Teen Titans cartoon has a weird chokehold over a lot of the DC fandom, particularly the parts that don't actually READ or even like COMICS, to the point where this show, whose creators openly admit had to be simple enough for a toddler to follow, largely informs a lot of fans' interpretations of some pretty complex characters, themes and continuity. The show, specifically, can tend to become nostalgia bait, and I think it's due time for a lot of this fandom to take off their rose-tinted glasses and let the show go.

Like I enjoyed the show growing up and I still have a soft spot for episodes like Lightspeed and Hide & Seek, but...frankly it's a simple show tailored to young kids that just does not, and was never meant to, do justice to the Titans' comic canon. This show could never have done Who is Donna Troy? and conveyed the unlabelableness of Donna and Dick's relationship, but it was never supposed to. Characterisations are intentionally dumbed down, themes are broken down into bite-sized morals, half of the show is dedicated to comedy, and character development is purposely few and far between because this show was designed for kids aged 2-11. And all that is fine but it's just not at all a reflection of what the Titans really are in print. It should not really inform any serious reading of the DC comic universe.

On the one hand, I really didn't need to see a Red X comic arc or Starfire talking in broken english in a comic, it's all just cheap nostalgia bait that people need to stop falling for. It's sacrificing theme in favour of cheap references. On the other hand, I do think the fans I'm talking about probably owe it to themselves to a) be a little more honest and critical about their engagement with DC media, and b) challenge themselves more when engaging in media to avoid wallowing in flanderized fluff.

[dailydccomics]

Titans' holiday postcard by David Talaski

[pencilscratchins]

when there’s trouble you know who to call (twitter) [ID in ALT]

[comickergirl]

Really liked Lazarus Planet! So, you know. Had to draw a silly comic. XD Joke stolen from 30 Rock. 

[bemp0]

Pose Patrol

[givemewallywestorgivemedeath]

DID THEY REALLY JUST MAKE NIGHTWING A BACKUP ON HIS OWN BOOK?!? THATS SO STUPID ITS HILARIOUS.

God. At least the covers are absolute bangers.

I can't believe DC was like "Should we have a Titans book??.... Nah, we'll just take the Nightwing book and make it a Titans book with Nightwing as a backup story."

Holy fuck that is stupid.

[kiwbyy]

a thing i drew a while ago for an event !

[maria-from-ga]

Cyborg, the Greatest Titan

(Titans (2023) #7- Cyborg shows why no one can bring him down)

So there was once a seemingly innocuous question asked on Titans Twitter:

Though some used it to prop up their faves, it turned into a serious and big discussion: Who is the Greatest Titan, epitomizing what it means to be a Titan the most?

There were a variety of answers, majority being one of Dick, Donna, Starfire, Raven, or even Wally. But what I noticed was the surprising lack of one answer: Cyborg.

One of the most popular Titans, whom DC clearly sees as one of the Titans Trinity (upper right corner):

(The Promotional Art for DC Comics' Dawn of DC Initiative by Dan Mora. Cyborg was to chosen to represent the Titans along with Nightwing and Starfire)

Whose removal from Titans lore caused a massive fan uproar, yet among Titans Twitter, probably the most dedicated of Titan fans, Cyborg's name was barely mentioned as a candidate to be the Greatest Titan:

Victor Stone who at his lowest, found the Titans, a team who became the family he needed who loved him without judgement:

(New Teen Titans #1 - Cyborg meeting the Titans for the first time)

(Teen Titans 5x10 "Go" - The prequel episode where all the Titans meet. Cyborg is ashamed of his cyber-mechanics but Beast Boy repeatedly assures him that they are cool and shouldn't be hidden)

The man who took what the Titans did for him and made it his mission to be that for others.

(New Teen Titans #22 and Titans Vol 2 #21 - (Left) Cyborg realizes the Titans mean so much to him because they are his friends who helped him not feel alone & (Right) Cyborg's internal monologue about how Titans taught him being part of team and accepting help from others was a good thing)

(Teen Titans 5x10 "Go" - Assured by Beast Boy, Cyborg tell an ashamed Raven she's a freak among freaks and fits in just fine, a nice callback to his NTT origin)

(Teen Titans (2003) #1- Cyborg relaunches the Teen Titans to include the upcoming generation of teen heroes so they can have a place to grieve Donna's death & find acceptance)

(Teen Titans 3x12 - "Titans East" - Cyborg helps establish the first off-shoot of the Teen Titans: Titans East)

He transformed the team from simply being a group of former sidekicks to a safe haven for all teen heroes

(Teen Titans #100 and Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Last Stories of the DC Universe: Together - showcasing the multi-generational roster of Titans that Cyborg helped establish)

(Teen Titans 5x12- Titans Together - The global roster of Teen Titans that Cyborg helped to create that expanded from the initial off-shot of Titans East also started by Cyborg)

The Titans Are About A Team of Teens That Grew Into A Family

(Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Last Stories of the DC Universe: Together - Donna talking about how much the Titans grew from a team of 5 into multi-generational families)

A Family of Teenagers that not only help each other in the struggles of being a hero but also the struggles of being an adolescent, having turbulent emotions in a turbulent world

(Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Last Stories of the DC Universe: Together - Donna talking about how much the Titans had it tougher than the League because they had been facing Justice-League-level problems since they were kids, and yet every time still came out on top)

And who has committed to this mission more than Cyborg?

Victor who fought for the team when everyone including past leaders like Dick and Donna walked away:

(Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day and Titans (2008) #21 - Left: After Donna's death, Dick decides to disband the Titans and everyone walked away. Right: After Final Crisis and Prometheus' attack on Roy, nearly all the Titans have left the current Titans roster, but Cyborg stayed fighting for the team)

Why: Because he knew how much future teen heroes needed the Titans. To guide them and give them a home as the Titans did for him long ago

(Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day and Titans East Special- Left: After Donna's funeral, Cyborg sees members of Young Justice, especially Cassie, not handling Donna's death well and generally feeling worthless and he decides to restart the Titans. Right: Cyborg tried to convince the New Teen Titans and Roy to start up a new team of Teen Titans to help more teen heroes, but they all refused)

Stubbornly keeping Titans alive when everyone else wouldn't, allowing Titans to reach their greatest potential: a global network so any teen of any generation can find a home

(Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Last Stories of the DC Universe: Together - Titans across generations have gathered to join the fight against Batman Who Laughs)

A man who because the Titans gained utter defiance in who he is, saving not only himself from despair, but also became devoted to giving other teens that same courage, inspiring them to show that they are not freaks nor they are ever alone, thus changing so many lives (go to 2:38 for the start of the iconic speech, but I recommend starting at 2:17)

(Teen Titans 3x13 - "Titans East" - Cyborg's defiance in who he is prevented him from falling to Blood's mind control, defeating Blood saving his fellow Titans, and thus saving the day)

Victor is not only a candidate to be the Greatest Titan, but ultimately is the Most Deserving.

Cyborg is the Greatest Titan, the Lynchpin, without whom the Titans will not work and ultimately cannot because he believes in it the most and thus embodies its ethos the best

(Teen Titans #20- Tim Drake realizing how essential Cyborg is to the team and how he changed Tim and helped Tim after the death of Donna)

The Greatest Character in Fiction, An Inspiration, A Legend: BOOYAH!!!

[mysterycitrus]

dc character combos that don’t really exist rn but definitely would if warner bros discovery handed me the wheel:

1. oracle and cyborg — bro this would be SO sexy. loss of personhood and autonomy + liberation through information and technology??? VISIONARY. they could talk about how their dad’s are kinda fucked up. they both love accidentally adopting children. i need a limited series STAT

2. starfire and poison ivy — litchrally the photosynthesis gang. womanhood and the violent loss of self and the unending horror of feeling. u want to protect what u love and u are feared for it. maybe they could kiss!! know their wrath!!!!

3. mr miracle and nightwing — oh! u can never stop performing! ur father is always with u and he has hurt so many people!! can u escape ur own fate? do u want to escape? u want the fighting to stop and yet u hold the sword. u also think tall women are super hot.

4. damian wayne and bart allen— i have no explanation for this aside from that it would be deeply hilarious

[jimiscribif]

wanted to recreate one of the s1 promos with the s4 version of the team

[thenotoriousscuttlecliff]

Loving these Titans variant covers.

[dailydccomics]

VicKory tag-team! Titans #7 art by Travis Moore

[autisticrosewilson]

Thinking about the au where Dick really did adopt Jason and baby Jay ends up being raised by the whole Titan team. Those are his big siblings!!! They have a very elaborate schedule for has him when, whose picking him up from where, who's apartment he's sleeping in, ect. Jason doesn't feel the need to be the emotional support in the field so he gives up Robin willingly and is just their civilian brother with insane training. Villains think he's an easy mark but no one who has ever tried has been found. This au is very important to me personally and lives deep in heart.

[identifyallen]

The finest friend group since 1980. (Or you could say 1964 since five of the Titans were in the team at the time, while the other four joined in 1980)

[hood-ex]

You ever think about how Superwoman's line of, "...and my child must be protected at all costs," falls on the panel of Bruce supporting Dick after Bruce tried to save Dick from being killed by both the death machine and Luthor? Also happens to be the scene where Vic is talking about how his father saved him.

Forever Evil #7

"But that’s the way it always is, isn’t it?"

"I don’t know what you mean. The way what always is?"

"Between fathers and sons."

[cootiekid]

Cyborg #5 Variant by Todd Nauck