Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Bad Days: Justice League

Its a bad day when the Justice League gets shown up by the Teen Titans.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Nightwing Series Concept

The Teen Titans have had no shortage of failed pitches. After the failed Judas Contract movie, both Dick Grayson and Raven were also denied proposed live action TV series on the CW. Turns out the two were also denied the opportunity to star in an animated series. In 2009 a pitch was put in for a Nightwing series. By the looks of designs posted by the artist, the show would have had a less cartoony look than the Teen Titans series.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - New Teen Titans Say "No" to Drugs

The year: 1983. The message: Say 'No' to Drugs. The heroes: The New Teen Titans. While I am not sure if this 60 second anti-drug message actually aired or not, if it had it would have contained the first onscreen appearances by several Titans including Beast Boy, Raven, Starfire, Cyborg, and... The Protector?

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Amethyst Princess of Gemworld: Level One: Your Quest Begins

This was amazing and exactly what these shorts should be. Sure, Batman shorts can be fun or even brilliant as was the case with the Bat Man of Shanghai, but shorts like this can succeed by taking a character like Amethyst that hardly any one cares about, and after one minute making a strong case for the character begging for her own series.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - New Teen Titans: Bad Day

THE BIG 5-0! Its tough to believe that there have already been so many of these little nuggets and at this point, a third of the shorts belong to the New Teen Titans. Overall, the shorts have been a success and this one is an example of why the New Teen Titans shorts have been some of the most enjoyable. While Slade may be the most memorable Teen Titans animated villain, Trigon was a force to be reckoned with in his epic 4th season arc. Even if its for just a few seconds, its great to see him again and realize he was not forgotten. And doing what TT does best, the short takes one of the most potentially deadly villains of all time and gives him a comedic portrayal. Father of the year, he ain't.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - New Teen Titans: Titans in Love

Donde esta Silkie? One of the fun things about the New Teen Titans shorts has been trying to spy the Silkie Easter egg in each short. I enjoyed this short for its juxtaposition of romances as it cut between Raven's low key love affair to Robin's jealousy and desperation for Starfire. Cuter than cool, this was one of the better Teen Titans shorts and a big step up from Gamma Rays and You. Legend has it the two sub shorts were titled Language Lesson and Raven's Date.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - New Teen Titans: Gamma Rays and You

After a bit of a summer hiatus, this was not the best short to get the old ball rolling again. I enjoyed Starfire's gag about super "powders," but the laughs were a bit sparse this time around. I didn't even really get the premise... something about outtakes from a PSA to warn of gamma ray exposure... This was begging for a Hulk homage. Oh well, at least I can be sure that the next time around the Titans are likely to deliver.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - MAD Presents Teen Titanic

I thought there were a couple of really hilarious lines in this one; Raven on the ship's bow and Aqualad's trick were both classic. I also got a kick out of Robin sketching Beast Boy. Perhaps the MAD to non MAD ratio of shorts is beginning to get out of whack, but so far I haven't minded the reuse of the shorts since they have been reasonably funny. 

Watch Mumbo's Return in Leaked Teen Titans Short

Remember how DC Nation was unceremoniously removed from Cartoon Network a month ago? Well a morsel of good news is upon us as the CN Youtube channel has posted the delayed New Teen Titans: Titanimal Kingdom short featuring the return of Mumbo. This sequel to Bunny Raven is available now:

Azarath Metrion Zinthos, Has the CW Conjured a Smallville Replacement with Raven?

Apparently putting rumors of a Blue Beetle live action series on the back burner, word now is that the Teen Titan Raven may be in consideration for CW's Smallville replacement. I don't know how true this is, but it has a ring of truth. I mean, I could see Raven fitting in nicely with the CW core demographic of teen girls. It also has the supernatural element going for it as well as much team-up potential down the road. But would Colonel Tigh appear? Only time will tell.

Just for the record though only Birds of Prey has actually made it into production and all of the following have fallen short at various stages of development attempting to join in Smallville's success: Bruce Wayne (from whose ashes Smallville actually arose), Starman, Aquaman, and the Graysons (featuring Robin). Rumors also persisted though plans never materialized for Supergirl, Green Arrow, the Justice League and Blue Beetle.