DC Comics’ upcoming digital streaming service DC Universe just can’t seem to stay out of the news this week. Ever since DC Comics sent out an info dump detailing the service there’s been all kinds of coverage coming in, including some supposed rumors and leaks. This one in particular deals with the pilot of DC Universe’s upcoming exclusive launch series Titans. Coming from Splash Report a poster by the name of Ludens apparently caught a screening of the pilot episode and has dished some dirt on the series’ tone which has been described to be very TV-MA, I have no idea what Splash Report’s track record is, but this story is gaining a fair bit of traction across the internet you can see the description of the pilot from Ludens below MINOR SPOILERS AHOY:
“Before we get into the individual character breakdowns for the first episode, I think it’s important to discuss the tone of the show. TITANS is very much not a series for children. There are multiple f-bombs and s-bombs, among other swear-words that make it seem like they’re going for an R-rating. Moreover, the action is brutal, with bone snaps, people being shot, burned, and mangled. It’s a departure from the more joyful tone that many associates with the group, but it’s a departure that I feel is for the best. It’s refreshing to see a DC show that’s no-holds-barred instead of shying away from the more mature aspects of the mythology.
It’s not as adult as something like JESSICA JONES, but it’s far darker than anything DC has put out on the small screen thus far. What separates TITANS from some of Marvel’s darker shows is the fact that it doesn’t ever really aim to be realistic. TITANS doesn’t shy away from the big, fantastical spectacle, and instead embraces the comic roots of the characters. We can have a realistic Robin fight scene, but we can also have Starfire blasting away goons with a burst of fire. It’s a mixture of realism and fantasy that I think works great.”
If you made it here then cool, let’s move on. If what Ludens said is true then this would indeed make Titans the darkest series DC & WB have ever produced together. The only thing that comes close is Young Justice which at the time of it’s airing was rated TV-Y7, but the series was way darker than what the rating suggested. It was full of hefty violence, some of which was pretty grim and in season two there’s even scenes depicting blood, impaling, etc. I have to agree with Ludens though in regards to this being a nice departure from the DC TV norm. I’m not saying f-bombs and ultra violence is necessary to change things up, but it is nice seeing DC do something different than what Greg Berlanti and co. currently provide in a bit of a tonal shift. DC Universe will launch a beta this August with a full service launch set for later this year.
