Titans, a darker take on the animated Teen Titans, debuted its trailer at the San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday.
But fans were apprehensive about embracing the dark tone of the show, especially with its more violent incarnation of Batman's loyal Boy Wonder. It took one line from Robin's lips in the surprisingly violent trailer to shatter all previous notions associated with the affable character.
When Robin makes his thunderous entrance in the trailer crashing down onto a car in a darkened alley, a menacing thug asks, "Where's Batman?"
But before Robin answers the question, we see him unleash his fury like never before by showering the gang with bullets, stabbing one of them with a sharp object, and crushing a thug's neck by using him as a step ladder.
"F***k, Batman," he replies, with intense animus in his eyes.
Just, wow.
“I’m Batman!” “Fuck Batman.” #Titans https://t.co/4HFKiOuMVn— Arctic Ninja Paul (@Arctic Ninja Paul) 1532012844.0
The line received very mixed reactions from the DC fan community.
@imarchit19 It’s rather off-putting. I feel like it may be trying too hard to NOT be Teen Titans Go! but I’m not su… https://t.co/r690iXRhBo— Arctic Ninja Paul (@Arctic Ninja Paul) 1532013909.0
@arcticninjapaul My reaction was better to watch a second trailer and then give my thoughts because for me it start… https://t.co/YM5gtIoWa6— Archit Gupta (@Archit Gupta) 1532014144.0
All right which one of you wished on a monkey claw for a live action Teen #Titans show and laid this cursed object… https://t.co/rvXj7ZY7iu— Diana McCallum (@Diana McCallum) 1532013563.0
@WordsOfDiana The only thing that will salvage this for me is if Batman is in it and is full on Step-Dad-Who-Wants-… https://t.co/F8L4v3oW4W— Ryan Dillon (@Ryan Dillon) 1532015425.0
@djtalkstrash Three whole things seems to be a bit too much for my taste. It seems to me like the DCU as a whole. H… https://t.co/KgIYfmZmpU— Constant Connell (@Constant Connell) 1532028741.0
I’m just sad that DC keeps making stuff that’s so... far away from the classic characters they’ve had for years.… https://t.co/I9VKsU2JI3— Skeleton MacDonald (@Skeleton MacDonald) 1532013749.0
Also, making a Teen Titans show TV-MA has gotta be the most unnecessary "EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE DARK AND GRITTY" mo… https://t.co/8Lj2urwoEX— Robbie Fox (@Robbie Fox) 1532013045.0
Others were all for Robin dropping the F-bomb.
My favorite part is when Robin says "fuck Batman" hahahahahahahhahahahhahahaha ow the edge https://t.co/LJub1J9ten— 🏳️⚧️ resident lizard lover (they/them) 🏳️⚧️ (@🏳️⚧️ resident lizard lover (they/them) 🏳️⚧️) 1532014449.0
@saladinahmed @jeyshan26 It's all fun and games until someone drops an f-bomb 🤣😂🤣 https://t.co/A9JAhMmSEo— Champ_009 (@Champ_009) 1532018135.0
bruce waiting in dick’s raggedy ass apartment for him to come home after hearing “fuck batman” on the coms https://t.co/FI4K71E6xb— ❀ (@❀) 1532014228.0
I dig this first look at #Titans! Its rad to see these characters in live action. I'm also cool with the line "Fuck… https://t.co/Hqj6KMnOPD— DJ Wooldridge (@DJ Wooldridge) 1532014077.0
Some were quick to remind fellow fans that there was always an underlying tension between the Dark Knight and his junior counterpart.
@Peraltiahoe @abetheape38 I'm not big on DC lore, but I know Dick Grayson has butted heads with Batman over moral s… https://t.co/gvB0Mmu0uY— 🏳️⚧️ resident lizard lover (they/them) 🏳️⚧️ (@🏳️⚧️ resident lizard lover (they/them) 🏳️⚧️) 1532025063.0
Robin's resentment was justified.
But Batman would have none of that nonsense.
@DCUTitans @TheDCUniverse https://t.co/yH5VhZUk5N— James Cousins (@James Cousins) 1532009518.0
Still, it's a highly anticipated series and the majority are willing to give it a chance.
@Nivlek1 Totally! It’s just gut reaction/feelings in the moment. If it comes out and it’s good, I’d love to eat my… https://t.co/6e5XzzW6so— Skeleton MacDonald (@Skeleton MacDonald) 1532023845.0
While it will be a departure from the tone of Teen Titans Go!, the new Titans aims to latch onto the realistic, tortured superhero model that made shows like the CW's Arrow more compelling.
Titans will be a part of a new slate of superhero shows to debut when the DC Universe streaming service debuts this fall.