I really don’t think I could be more stoked about the new DC Animated Universe movie, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, based on the 1980’s Tales of The Teen Titans series by Marv Wolfman and George Perez! To be honest, I’m stoked about just about all of the DC animated movies for several reasons. They’re closer to the source material, they flesh out all of the characters instead of introducing someone and letting them become part of the background, and, save a few, they’re part of a continuous time line. I just can’t wrap my mind around why DC continues to promote pretty subpar multi-million dollar Hollywood blockbusters. It’s not exactly cheap to create animation, you know.
The problem with animation in America is that it’s perceived as only a medium used to entice children. But, hey man we were all children once. I suppose that Disney is to blame for this stigma. Don’t get me wrong I love Disney, but it still caters to children and family audiences. Doesn’t it make more sense to promote these amazing movies and release them into theaters to satisfy both comic book and entertainment fans? DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation stand poised to change the industry by making animation a medium for any great story. Plus, they’re a perfect way to take fans of the movies and get them to buy the comics. With graphic novels republishing issues of old and new comics, fans can get their hands on some of the greatest stories ever told. Now, I’m not a marketing expert, but I do possess common sense and it seems like a viable option for the comic book giant to generate more revenue and acclaim.
Jericho
Photo Credit: Scene from “Teen Titans: The Judas Contract” (2017) by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation through Warner Home Video
Let’s get back to the Teen Titans. I was VERY excited to see the guy below when I was watching the trailer. Why do I care about this blonde, curly haired kid, you ask? Because he looks an awful lot like Jericho, an unsung hero excluded from the media incarnations of the Teen Titans, except for one scene from the original Teen Titans TV show on Cartoon Network. Jericho has the ability to possess people when making eye contact with them. He not only gains control of the possessed person’s body and powers, but can look into their minds.
I love seeing Jericho, a.k.a Joey Wilson, a.k.a Deathstroke’s mute son because this is the Judas Contract storyline where he made his Teen Titans debut and in the end became a member if the team. When he learned that his father had taken a contract to kill the Teen Titans, Joey embarked on a mission to save them. I won’t give away the details of what happened, but it’s an excellent read.
I really hope that this means that Jericho will play an integral part in this movie and even make appearances in subsequent Teen Titans centered films.
Terra’s True Wickedness
When Terra, a.k.a Tara Markov, joined the Teen Titans in the 2000’s Cartoon Network show, people had mixed feelings about her. Some people loved her and sympathized with her identity issues, while some despised her for her betrayal and for playing with Beast Boy’s emotions. We also can’t forget her tension with Raven. But, upon reading The Judas Contract, we find do out that Tara is definitely not as sweet as her TV counterpart would lead you to believe.
In the comics, Tara is depicted smoking and lounging about in lingerie unbecoming of your typical ‘nice girl.’ If that doesn’t seem racy enough for you, let’s think about who she’s wearing it for. No, It’s not for Changeling (Beast Boy’s New Teen Titans identity), but for Deathstroke. The original Tara was involved in an inappropriate, pedopheliac, unhealthy relationship with Slade Wilson (Deathstroke’s real name). Now, I’m not saying that we need to see anything steamy between the two but the very mention of it is enough to make your skin crawl. We don’t need a repeat of what happened in the Batman: The Killing Joke movie.
Photo Credit: The New Teen Titans #39 by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, Feb. 1984
Her true personality shuts down any sympathy you have for Terra when she betrays the Titans and adds another layer to the story. Not to mention what it means for Jericho if he becomes a major player, being Deathstroke’s actual son and all.
Founder Involvement
Photo Credit: From the cover of Tales of The Teen Titans Annual #3 by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, 1984
Since the DCAU does take some liberties in its movies, I hope that there is some mention of the Wolfman and Perez team’s involvement with Deathstroke. In the trailer, we see Dick Grayson return to fight alongside them and next to Starfire as Nightwing and it appears that Deathstroke knows his true identity. Raven and Beast Boy are present also but in younger versions of themselves. All that’s left would be Cyborg, who appeared to have joined the team at the end of the last movie, Justice League vs. Teen Titans and Wally West as Kid Flash. But, that’s a stretch since the DCAU’s Flash is currently Barry Allen. What is possible is that Kid Flash could make an appearance in future movies since Barry was present in Justice League vs. Teen Titans.I’d also like to see Donna Troy, but that probably won’t be happening any time soon since she’s largely ignored in all of the Titans’ small screen incarnations. But, I’m not opposed to seeing Donna or Cassie Sandsmark make an appearance as Wonder Girl.
So, what are your thoughts on the DC Animated Movies. What do you want to see in Teen Titans: The Judas Contract? Be heard in the comments below!
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Watch the trailer on IGN.
Featured Image Photo Credit: Title Screenshot from “Teen Titans: The Judas Contract” (2017) by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation through Warner Home Video
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