Was Teen Titans Almost Part Of The DCAU? Static Shock's Teen Titans Reference Explained

1 month ago 18

The DC Animated Universe confirms the existence of the Teen Titans in an episode of Static Shock, raising questions about whether this is the same version of the iconic team seen in the 2003 Teen Titans animated series. 2003’s Teen Titans is not actually part of the DCAU, but there are references to an iteration of the Teen Titans in the franchise and one notable connection to the 2003 series. Moreover, the Teen Titans were nearly the stars of a dedicated DCAU animated series before the famous 2003 show.

In the season 3 episode of Static Shock “Hard as Nails,” Batman refers to the absent Robin as being “with the Titans,” revealing that Tim Drake is part of their lineup in the DCAU. Fascinatingly, there were early plans to introduce a Silver Age-style Teen Titans to the DCAU in 1996, with concept art featuring Robin (Dick Grayson), Speedy, Wonder Girl, Aqualad, and Kid Flash, with The Flash and Aquaman likely in supporting roles. While the plans never came to fruition, the DCAU included other – less obvious – references to the Teen Titans throughout the shared universe.

There Were Teen Titans Easter Eggs Throughout The DCAU

In the Justice League episode “Paradise Lost,” Wonder Woman saves a young girl during a hurricane. The girl’s name is Cassie, making her most likely the DCAU’s version of Cassie Sandsmark – the second Wonder Girl and a teammate of Tim Drake’s in both Young Justice and the Teen Titans. Kid Flash’s famous yellow costume (which he wore in his proposed 1996 character design) is shown on display in The Flash Museum in the Justice League Unlimited episode “Flash and Substance.”

Green Arrow’s sidekick – Speedy – also has a brief but significant supporting role in the Justice League Unlimited episode “Patriot Act.” Although 2003’s Teen Titans is not set in the DCAU, Speedy’s costume and character design in Justice League Unlimited are nearly identical to his appearance in Teen Titans.

For better or worse, any potential plans to properly introduce an iteration of the Teen Titans to the DCAU fell through, as did any plans to connect the DCAU to the 2003 TV series. Yet Teen Titans may be set in the same universe as another DC animated series. In the various Teen Titans in-continuity spinoff comics, other DC heroes appear, including Batman. While Batman’s design is not consistent in his cameos, he does, at one point, resemble his iteration in 2004’s The Batman, leading some viewers to hypothesize that the show inhabits the same continuity as 2003’s Teen Titans.

Custom Image Nightwing Raven and Slade Teen Titans 2003-1

10 Best Episodes of Teen Titans

2003's Teen Titans had some tremendous episodes, balancing intense action scenes, thought-provoking internal conflict, and delicate subject matter.

Another key reason for this hypothesis is Dick Grayson’s character design in The Batman, which bears a striking resemblance to his Teen Titans iteration, albeit younger. Unfortunately, there has yet to be any confirmation that the two shows are or are not set in the same continuity, leaving the connection nothing more than a popular assumption among viewers. Nevertheless, 2003’s Teen Titans is not part of the DC Animated Universe, which has its own – unseen – version of the famous superhero team.