Recently, "Young Justice: Outsiders" finally premiered on the DC streaming app. And no, I am not calling it DC Universe. That's just confusing. Season 3 of the long-awaited animated series comes swinging out of the gate with blood, political intrigue, and child murder. A lot of it. But above all else it tells a compelling story. In contrast to what it's neighbor show "Titans" is doing.
I've only watched the first episode of "Titans" and quit immediately after. It was stupid. Starfire is the amnesiac whore girlfriend of a Russian crime boss, Robin is a blood thirsty sociopath who justifies his violence by comparing himself to Batman-who for some reason is a murderer in this universe-, and while Cyborg doesn't appear in the series, he is prominently featured in the upcoming "Doom Patrol" series. I have a lot of issues with "Titans". I think it's stupid, I think it's needlessly violent, I think it's an over-budgeted, immature, reaction to Zack Snyder's "vision" for the DC Universe. I think "Titans" was written by a fifteen year old boy from the year 2004 and it's attempt at being gritty and mature makes it looks like "Babies First Watchmen". I hate "Titans".
Which is why I love "Young Justice: Outsiders". And granted, the show is animated and has been around for many years, even if we had to wait five years and for this app to be created to get the newest season. Where "Titans" represents maturity through violence and vulgarity, "Young Justice" takes a more worldly view at maturity. In the first few episodes of the newest season, we see teenagers from across the globe getting kidnapped by human trafficking organizations and shipped to another country where their superpowers are forced upon them. Then, these children are forced to use their abilities to attack other planets at the behest of Darkseid. So if the real-world comparisons didn't hit you yet, this show essentially tells the story of children who are given guns and told to kill people in a foreign place. The lives of these children are made the focus on the show when a member of The Justice League accidentally kills an alien, only to learn it was a fourteen year old girl from another country.
And that doesn't even mention the political subplot going on. Basically, one of the men-a Baron-turning these children into monsters is in line for the throne of his country, a country that has been welcoming in the sovereign people of a third-world country with open arms. The Baron has been using his nation's generosity to fuel his plans.
See, "Young Justice" was always a mature show. It was just mature in a more subtle way. Mind control, heritage, destiny vs programming, parenthood, identity, death, this show tackles issues with the sensibility not to treat their audience like children looking at pretty lights or unsatisfied teenagers who want their fandom to be justified. "Titans" wants to score viewers by saying "Hey, remember your favorite cartoon? Well now it's real and people say "fuck" and there's blood and sex now! Isn't that what you want? Aren't you happy we gave your childhood some balls". "Titans" corrupts it's fanbase, while "Young Justice" rewards it's fanbase. Just as the show has grown, and just as the audience has grown, so too must the stories the show tells.
After all, superhero TV shows are a lot like porn. There's more than just action.
Bad analogy.
Thanks for not reading.
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