Cyborg, the Greatest Titan
(Titans (2023) #7- Cyborg shows why no one can bring him down)
So there was once a seemingly innocuous question asked on Titans Twitter:
Though some used it to prop up their faves, it turned into a serious and big discussion: Who is the Greatest Titan, epitomizing what it means to be a Titan the most?
There were a variety of answers, majority being one of Dick, Donna, Starfire, Raven, or even Wally. But what I noticed was the surprising lack of one answer: Cyborg.
One of the most popular Titans, whom DC clearly sees as one of the Titans Trinity (upper right corner):
(The Promotional Art for DC Comics' Dawn of DC Initiative by Dan Mora. Cyborg was to chosen to represent the Titans along with Nightwing and Starfire)
Whose removal from Titans lore caused a massive fan uproar, yet among Titans Twitter, probably the most dedicated of Titan fans, Cyborg's name was barely mentioned as a candidate to be the Greatest Titan:
Victor Stone who at his lowest, found the Titans, a team who became the family he needed who loved him without judgement:
(New Teen Titans #1 - Cyborg meeting the Titans for the first time)
(Teen Titans 5x10 "Go" - The prequel episode where all the Titans meet. Cyborg is ashamed of his cyber-mechanics but Beast Boy repeatedly assures him that they are cool and shouldn't be hidden)
The man who took what the Titans did for him and made it his mission to be that for others.
(New Teen Titans #22 and Titans Vol 2 #21 - (Left) Cyborg realizes the Titans mean so much to him because they are his friends who helped him not feel alone & (Right) Cyborg's internal monologue about how Titans taught him being part of team and accepting help from others was a good thing)
(Teen Titans 5x10 "Go" - Assured by Beast Boy, Cyborg tell an ashamed Raven she's a freak among freaks and fits in just fine, a nice callback to his NTT origin)
(Teen Titans (2003) #1- Cyborg relaunches the Teen Titans to include the upcoming generation of teen heroes so they can have a place to grieve Donna's death & find acceptance)
(Teen Titans 3x12 - "Titans East" - Cyborg helps establish the first off-shoot of the Teen Titans: Titans East)
He transformed the team from simply being a group of former sidekicks to a safe haven for all teen heroes
(Teen Titans #100 and Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Last Stories of the DC Universe: Together - showcasing the multi-generational roster of Titans that Cyborg helped establish)
(Teen Titans 5x12- Titans Together - The global roster of Teen Titans that Cyborg helped to create that expanded from the initial off-shot of Titans East also started by Cyborg)
The Titans Are About A Team of Teens That Grew Into A Family
(Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Last Stories of the DC Universe: Together - Donna talking about how much the Titans grew from a team of 5 into multi-generational families)
A Family of Teenagers that not only help each other in the struggles of being a hero but also the struggles of being an adolescent, having turbulent emotions in a turbulent world
(Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Last Stories of the DC Universe: Together - Donna talking about how much the Titans had it tougher than the League because they had been facing Justice-League-level problems since they were kids, and yet every time still came out on top)
And who has committed to this mission more than Cyborg?
Victor who fought for the team when everyone including past leaders like Dick and Donna walked away:
(Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day and Titans (2008) #21 - Left: After Donna's death, Dick decides to disband the Titans and everyone walked away. Right: After Final Crisis and Prometheus' attack on Roy, nearly all the Titans have left the current Titans roster, but Cyborg stayed fighting for the team)
Why: Because he knew how much future teen heroes needed the Titans. To guide them and give them a home as the Titans did for him long ago
(Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day and Titans East Special- Left: After Donna's funeral, Cyborg sees members of Young Justice, especially Cassie, not handling Donna's death well and generally feeling worthless and he decides to restart the Titans. Right: Cyborg tried to convince the New Teen Titans and Roy to start up a new team of Teen Titans to help more teen heroes, but they all refused)
Stubbornly keeping Titans alive when everyone else wouldn't, allowing Titans to reach their greatest potential: a global network so any teen of any generation can find a home
(Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Last Stories of the DC Universe: Together - Titans across generations have gathered to join the fight against Batman Who Laughs)
A man who because the Titans gained utter defiance in who he is, saving not only himself from despair, but also became devoted to giving other teens that same courage, inspiring them to show that they are not freaks nor they are ever alone, thus changing so many lives (go to 2:38 for the start of the iconic speech, but I recommend starting at 2:17)
(Teen Titans 3x13 - "Titans East" - Cyborg's defiance in who he is prevented him from falling to Blood's mind control, defeating Blood saving his fellow Titans, and thus saving the day)
Victor is not only a candidate to be the Greatest Titan, but ultimately is the Most Deserving.
Cyborg is the Greatest Titan, the Lynchpin, without whom the Titans will not work and ultimately cannot because he believes in it the most and thus embodies its ethos the best
(Teen Titans #20- Tim Drake realizing how essential Cyborg is to the team and how he changed Tim and helped Tim after the death of Donna)
The Greatest Character in Fiction, An Inspiration, A Legend: BOOYAH!!!
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dc character combos that don’t really exist rn but definitely would if warner bros discovery handed me the wheel:
1. oracle and cyborg — bro this would be SO sexy. loss of personhood and autonomy + liberation through information and technology??? VISIONARY. they could talk about how their dad’s are kinda fucked up. they both love accidentally adopting children. i need a limited series STAT
2. starfire and poison ivy — litchrally the photosynthesis gang. womanhood and the violent loss of self and the unending horror of feeling. u want to protect what u love and u are feared for it. maybe they could kiss!! know their wrath!!!!
3. mr miracle and nightwing — oh! u can never stop performing! ur father is always with u and he has hurt so many people!! can u escape ur own fate? do u want to escape? u want the fighting to stop and yet u hold the sword. u also think tall women are super hot.
4. damian wayne and bart allen— i have no explanation for this aside from that it would be deeply hilarious
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You ever think about how Superwoman's line of, "...and my child must be protected at all costs," falls on the panel of Bruce supporting Dick after Bruce tried to save Dick from being killed by both the death machine and Luthor? Also happens to be the scene where Vic is talking about how his father saved him.
Forever Evil #7
"But that’s the way it always is, isn’t it?"
"I don’t know what you mean. The way what always is?"
"Between fathers and sons."
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DOOM PATROL FINALE:
Just finished the series finale and while it’s nothing like how I expected it to end…I’m okay with it.
Larry finally letting go of that fear and self loathing to go and find peace with Rama was a long time coming. Why did they have to turn into an alien chemical sun? Idk. But at least they’re together and happy.
Vic finally found himself and has finally come to terms with who he is. He’s more than just a hero. He’s an influence and will go on to inspire so many people and make way for a better future.
I like how despite everything, Laura is still such a flawed character. They didn’t magically fix her or make her do a complete turnaround. She wants to be good but fears that there’s still something dark inside her making her incapable of being anything other than evil. But it’s nice knowing that she’s going to try. That Rita and the others have made some form of impact on her life.
Speaking of Rita, her death didn’t catch me by surprise. I figured she’s either bounce back last minute or get the boot. And as shitty as her send off was, it was very on brand. I’m just happy she found peace with someone… even if it was Malcolm.
Glad Jane is able to live whatever life she wants now. How she’ll do it in space idk, but at least she’s happy. It does suck that she didn’t end up with Shelly, but I don’t exactly hate her with Casey. Her goodbye with Cliff is what I thought would break me. That or how she painted their first meeting back in season 1. Boy was I wrong.
What hit me the hardest was Cliff. That ending?That fucking ending?!? Jesus christ. Wow. Very fitting that the show begins and ends with him. He finally got to spend his final moments with his daughter and grandson while at the same time not missing any of the pivotal moments in their lives. The good or the bad. A bittersweet send off to a flawed but loving character.
Really gonna miss these characters..
Like it or not, community matters. Surrounding yourself with people who care about you enough to even attempt to understand or support you is important. Find your people.
Also
You’re deserving of love. From others but most importantly from yourself. Love yourself. Always.
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