'Teen Titans' redesign 'meant to be drastic'
Published Jun 12 2011, 14:04 BST | By Tom Ayres
© DC Comics
Following the conclusion of Flashpoint, DC will relaunch its entire comic line, rebooting many character origins and designs.
The cover to Teen Titans #1 suggests that the title's team members will be among the most affected.
The new series will be penned by former Uncanny X-Men writer Scott Lobdell with artwork from Booth and Norm Rapmund, and features a cast including Teen Titans mainstays Robin, Superboy, Kid Flash and Wonder Girl, as well as two new unknown characters.
"I was sort of told they wanted the new designs to be different," Booth told Newsarama. "Scott wanted really different so I went about attempting to do that. Each character sort of evolved on its own."
Perhaps the character who seems to have changed the most is Tim Drake, who remains under his Red Robin alias but now appears to have wings as part of his costume.
"Scott wanted wings [because] he wanted the character to actually not get left behind all the time," Booth continued. "The wings are more for gliding; he has some small jets on his back that can give him short bursts of power."
The artist explained that Superboy's design included gloves as a nod to the character's look during the '90s, and that Wonder Girl had been the hardest look to decide on.
Booth refused to reveal any details about the two new characters, but suggested that fans should look out for several Easter eggs in the series' first issue.
In addition to Teen Titans, DC is also launching several other titles starring its younger superheroes including Legion of Superheroes, Legion Lost and Static Shock.
Teen Titans #1 launches in September.
© DC Comics
DC is doing the Major Superboy redesign to get out of paying the Families of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. just another attempt by these publishing companies to F**K over the writers and artist who created these characters and there families. Just as Marvel did to Joe Simon and Captain America sure he got a settlement and had to sign the his rites over to get it and what did he get for it..a mound of legal bills. That aside I'm tired of the 21st Century makeovers and dumbing down of the characters the soul of these charters are being destroyed don't believe me sit and muddle through the Green Lantern Movie and you'll know what I'm talking about. Stop with all the F**king Flash and get back to some substance and your sales might improve till them DC and Marvel for that matter can go Flush themselves.
July 18th 2011 at 2:42pm
Well, at least Kid Flash didn't get the lame chin guard. Hmm, the total lack of v-necks and inappropriate armor has me wondering if Lee did these redesigns.
July 18th 2011 at 2:26pm
For me, this image cost them a sale. I've been an off and on Titans fan since the 80's. I'm not clinging to the past, but I sort of liked the book in its current incarnation. Why go through all the trouble of introducing a new team member for the last few issues if she's going to be retconned away in the imagey-reboot? The core-four's designs are "eh," and the two "new" characters in the background? Straight from the 90's. I'm having Bloodlines flashbacks. That's not a good thing. Maybe they'll bring back TEAM Titans next. :)
July 18th 2011 at 2:24pm
Tim's new look makes me want to go "Red Robin... Yum!" It looks like it was designed by the burger joint.
July 18th 2011 at 2:20pm
I think it was time DC reinvented itself. Not sure if this is exactly the way to go, but that could only be determined by the execution of each book. I like the Teen Titans new look, but Tim Drake's costume is going to have to grow on me.
July 9th 2011 at 2:25pm