Today we start a new series of posts, in the same vein as Slade Wilson Contract Journal, we'll be exploring the adaptations of Slade starting with his most iconic one, Slade from the Teen Titans animated series. This was how a whole generation meet the character and how he was nightmare fuel for many. So, how was this incarnation of the character? What did he influence? Let's see what Teen Titans brings to the table.
Who is Slade?
We don't know, heh. This character is one big question mark. He shares some traits to comic book Slade, he has enhanced strength, speed and reflexes. He's cleary smart, always 10 steps ahead and hates losing. However instead of being a mercenary trying to avenge his son, he wants to destroy Jump City, where the show takes place, have Robin as his apprentice and take over the world. Why? Still a mystery.
Even how he looks is secret in the show, but in issue #49 of the Teen Titans Go! comic, no, not that Teen Titans Go, we see Wintergreen, who had appeared in the show but with no voice lines, relaxing at one os Slade's mansions with a picture of Slade behind him.
Even though he might look exactly like comic book Slade in the picture, in costume during the show his look is unique. I assume they did take some inspiration from Deathstroke's blue suit from the 90's, due to the lack of color and the metal plating, regardless of that, Teen Titans Slade has his own unique and intimidating style blending classic with 90's Slade into something new.
Another major difference is his name, he's never called Deathstroke the Terminator, only Slade, due to censorship. Not a issue at all, since Slade alone is a intimidating name. Intimidation and presence are the name of the game with this character. Still speaking about the visuals, the character is almost always surrounded with machinery and clock related imagery, I suppose this is made to reflect not only his army of robots but his cold and calculating nature. I don't know if this is just a coincidence or if it was intentional, but during Deathstroke Rebirth when Slade goes after the Clock King some similar visuals are used.
Slade is an evil mastermind, always with a plan up to his sleeve, not the mercenary who never fails or the world's deadliest assassin. There's always this feeling that he's never really defeated that only adds to his sinister vibes.
Now, the most important difference in my opinion is how Slade is Robin main nemesis. In the comics the titan closest to Slade was Beast Boy, not Dick. The show always makes some villain the main nemesis of a certain character, Blackfire for Starfire, obviously, for instance. I think it is safe to assume the people working on the show realized how much sense it makes for Slade to be Dick's main rival. Besides the similarities the cartoon points, Slade is an "anti-Batman" type of character. It just works.
And this choice influenced how people see the two. with many thinking that Deathstroke is Nightwing main rival in the comics, even though Slade is completely absent of some Nightwing runs or only present in small cameos.
When Damian Wayne was the leader of the Teen Titans, however, Slade was his own main nemesis, maybe this show was the inspiration for that at some level? I mean, besides the Son of Batman animated movie, that we will be discussing at other time. Another thing the show might have influenced is how Slade in the comics has been seen trying to be a mentor to young heroes. During Rebirth Deathstroke created the Defiance team, his own "dark" Titans, a group of young heroes he tried to teach one or two things.
Also, since this show made such radical changes to Slade, every cartoon wants to give their take on Deathstroke, sometimes making he almost unrecognizable.
Going back to the show, one of the most iconic traits of Slade is his voice, courtesy of Ron Perlman. His voice fits him so well, calm, intimidating and closer then you think. He sounds like he's behind you, hiding in the shadows and he's having fun with it.
As we briefly mentioned before, Wintergreen does appear but doesn't really do anything to mark his presence. Jericho also makes a cameo in some later episodes. He feels more like an easter egg than anything else. Rose shows up in the Teen Titans Go! comic but it's somewhat of a underwhelming use of the character.
Season 1
Slade serves as the show first main antagonist, making small appearances along the season trying to manipulate others to work for him. During the two part finale, Slade infects the Titans, sans Robin, with nanobots and threats to kill the group if Dick refuses to work for him. At the beginning Dick reluctantly accepts, however Dick outsmarts Slade at the end, infecting himself with the nanobots, forcing Slade to give up. They defeat Slade and he disappears.
 |
| His hair appears to be grey or brown, but I personally always felt that maybe he's blond like 90's Slade, with the lack of proper lighting making it look brown. |
Season 2
This season sees their spin on the classic Judas Contract storyline, but much like Slade, their version is so different that it might not even be fair to call it Judas Contract. In the comics, Terra was a cruel mercenary and a psychopath, she wokerd for Slade out of her own free will and desire to destroy the Titans. However in the show, she is a confused girl who can't properly control her powers. Slade took interest in her, wanting to use her to destroy the Titans. Promising to teach Terra how to master her powers, he succeed in manipulating the girl, but the Titans managed to help Terra overcome Slade's manipulation. In the end, she faced Slade and killed him.
Season 3
Slade only appears as Robin hallucinates him. solidifying Slade as Robin's archenemy and proving his impact on Dick's psyche. With the help of his friends, Robin's hallucinations stop.
Season 4
Slade returns, as a servant of Trigon, since the demon promised to bring him back to life if he worked for him. Things don't go as planned as Trigon doesn't honor his word, Slade betrays him and ends up working with the Titans to defeat him(I suppose this is the show take on Slade teaming up with the Titans in the comics from time to time). Slade shows up at season 5 but then is revealed to be another one of his robots. He started out as a mystery and remained one.
In Conclusion
Teen Titans Slade is his own character, being the most mysterious and iconic antagonist of the show. He's downright sinister and disturbing. You can find people online claiming to have nightmares with him, no joke. He is a great antagonist, for Robin in particular.
Comic book Slade was about understanding him, he was the most human of all villains the Titans fought, cartoon Slade is a boogeyman always in the dark. There is no denial, he is not like comic book Slade, but being different does not equal being bad. Although it would be cool to see a more comic accurate take the Teen Titans cartoon isn't about that. The only possible gripe about him is how he can be style over substance. He has some substance, yes, you can find subtext about abusive figures written, but that does not change the fact he has no motivation or clear end goal, he's there to be scary and that's it. But since he does it so well, I'm not complaining, just acknowledging a possible criticism that can be made.
Now, for the ranking. Since this is the first post in the series, Slade finds himself alone for now, but, very high on the list. And, spoilers, he will stay there.
That's it for today. Thank you for you time and hope you enjoyed, take care and have a good one.
.jpg)
