Published Feb 21, 2026, 4:00 PM EST
TJ Mills is an editor on ScreenRant's Comic team, where she combines her lifelong passion for DC with her analytical background as a former Intelligence Analyst. Since joining ScreenRant in 2023, she has specialized in covering major DC storylines, character evolutions, and industry developments.
DC is on the verge of ushering in a new era with its upcoming Next Level initiative, which will bring major change to the status quo as a controversial yet beloved hero takes over a role historically dominated by Nightwing. This marks a major pivot from DC’s previous direction with the character, and we honestly can’t wait.
DC’s ComicsPro presentation gave the industry a full rundown of what to expect in the upcoming year amid the launch of its Next Level initiative, which will welcome a swath of new titles ranging from Absolute Catwoman and Absolute Green Arrow to new comic series set in the main universe, including Deathstroke, Lobo, and more.
Among these new titles will be a new Teen Titans series, and while the team has historically and predominantly been led by Dick “Nightwing” Grayson and has even seen iterations where Tim Drake and Damian Wayne took on the leadership role, DC is making the bold move of naming Jason “Red Hood” Todd as the Teen Titans’ next leader.
Red Hood Becomes the New Leader of the Teen Titans
Teen Titans Character Designs by Daniele Di Nicuolo
While details concerning DC’s new Teen Titans series remain scarce at the moment, the comic publisher’s ComicsPro presentation confirmed that the series will launch sometime this summer and will be led by the creative team of Kyle Higgins and Daniele Di Nicuolo, the acclaimed duo behind Power Rangers: Shattered Grid.
DC’s official press release for the series teased the premise by revealing that Red Hood will uncover a network of missing powered teens and “reluctantly joins forces with a new generation of plugged-in, hyper-capable young heroes to find them and expose the lie dividing their world.”
DC Reveals New Teen Titan Roster (With Two New Heroes)
Teen Titans #1 Releases in Summer 2026
In addition to this synopsis, DC has also provided a first look at the team roster, featuring character designs by Daniele Di Nicuolo. Among the characters depicted are Red Hood, Fairplay, Cheshire Cat, Flatline, and what appear to be two new characters. Given that one of these characters sports a lightning bolt on his clothing, he will likely have electrical powers or be a speedster.
The other new character is rocking a Gen Z take on construction worker attire, making his powers harder to pin down. However, there is a chance he may be a “builder” of sorts, given the construction-inspired aesthetic. Fans will not know for sure until more details are released or until these characters make their debut this summer.
Related
85 Years Later, DC Hero Green Arrow Officially Unveils His Single Best Redesign
DC has announced a new Green Arrow series coming this spring. Alongside this confirmation, the comic publisher has also revealed the hero’s new look.
Jason stepping into the role of a mentor is an exciting new direction for the character and marks a major pivot from DC’s previous trajectory, especially considering that Red Hood’s last major project was his canceled Black Label series. Seeing Red Hood now join his brothers’ legacies as a leader of the Teen Titans is also an epic expansion of his character lore.
Teen Titans #1 is coming in the summer of 2026 from DC Comics!
English (US) ·