Warning: the following article contains spoilers from Teen Titans Academy # 12, on sale now from DC Comics.
Although it is not the official end of the series, Teen Titans Academy #12 (by Tim Sheridan, Tom Derenick, Alex Sinclair, and Rob Leigh) resolves the storyline that has extended from the very first issue in a finale that has left the Academy shaken. The identity of Red X has finally been revealed to be one of the Academy’s own students, Brick Pettirosso. Although this revelation is surprising in and of itself, it also brings to the forefront the question of whether the academy has been a success in it’s original mission of mentoring the heroes of the next generation.
Since the beginning, there has been a certain amount of turmoil within the Academy. One of their first mishaps occurred when one of the students, Alinta (aka Bolt), was targeted by Amanda Waller’s Suicide Squad. This was complicated by visions experienced by veteran Titan Raven that predicted the death of two students of the academy as well as the destruction of Titans Tower. Unfortunately, the visions were largely brushed off by the team, arguably leading the academy to the fate seen in the latest issue of the series.
Additionally, the older mentors have appeared largely inattentive to many of their younger charges. This is evidenced in the eighth issue of the series when Beast Boy doesn’t even recognize one of the students of the academy. This is concerning, to say the least, considering that the Titans have gathered together a number of powerful individuals and have essentially taken a neglectful attitude toward even gaining a familiarity with the children under their care.
The inattentiveness and irresponsibility of the Titans, who were not so long ago teens themselves, can be attributed to many of the problems faced by the residents of the school. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse were released under their watch, and none of the veteran Titans were able to discern the identity of Red X, although he turned out to be one of their own students. Even worse, the team was negligent in dealing with the threat posed by Amanda Waller and her Suicide Squad, a situation that has now degenerated into something decidedly worse.
The carelessness of the Titans came to a head with the revelation of the identity of Red X, but that only scratches the surface of the real issue. The real problem may lie in the maturity level of the veteran Titans. Even the most experienced among them, such as Nightwing, have not demonstrated a real desire to be integral parts of their students’ lives, and it is that degree of inattention that may bring the horror of “Future State” to fruition in all of their lives.
The Titans had a wonderful idea to be mentors to the next generation in a way similar to how the Justice League was to them. Unfortunately, their noble idea has backfired horribly and they now stand in the midst of the mess they have created, or at the very least, allowed to happen. Repercussions are sure to come for the multiple ways the veteran heroes have failed Teen Titans Academy, and it might be wise for them to reconsider taking on such a broad venture in the future unless they can come up with a surefire way to atone for the terrible mistakes they have made.
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