gigamatic

Taking a hint from animated phenom Justice League: Unlimited, Teen Titans starts a new season with 4 new characters, DC's Doom Patrol. Mento (Steve), Elastigirl (Rita), Negative Man (Larry) , and Robotman (Cliff). We get more character development and backstory in 2 episodes than in the first 4 seasons of Titans, and the audience finally finds out Beast Boy's real name: Garfield.

We're also introduced to another villain group, the Brotherhood of Evil. I was ecstatic. Finally someone other than the lame made-for-tv one-shot villains, or the big three: Trigon, Brother Blood, and Slade. Now, we're introduced to The Brain, Msr. Mallah, Madame Rouge, and General Immortus. The Brain's battle-suit ends up looking very much like the Emperor Dalek from Doctor Who, which made me giddy, of course, and falls prey to the same problems that Dalek's do: no feet, and easily tipped.

At the end of "Homecoming, Part II," when the Brotherhood is seemingly defeated by the combined forces of the Doom Patrol and Teen Titans, the Brain is regrouping, and as most evil megalomaniacs, gathers others to hear his monologues.

"The face of our enemy has changed," his synth-heavy voice drones as the camera pans down a series of computer monitors. In them, starting at the top, we see Raven, the Doom Patrol, and Starfire, Beast Boy and Cyborg, Robin and Speedy, Kid Flash, Aqualad and Wonder Girl, Mas y Menos, Bumblebee, Red Star, Tramm the Fish Boy, Kilowatt, Jericho, Bushido, Herald, Argent and Pantha.

As the camera turns to face the great hall, Brain keeps monologuing: "Those who rule the young will control the future," and the camera pans over about 30 villains.

At the left, we start with Billy Numerous, Dr. Light, Mammoth, Gizmo, Jinx, Psimon, Cinderblock, Red X, Adonis, Trident, Puppet King, Jonny Rancid, Mumbo, Prof. Chang, Plasmus, Kid Wykyyd, Angel, Warp, Phobia, Punk Rocket, Killer Moth, Kardiak, XL Terrestrial, Atlas, Katarou, Le Blanc, Control Freak, Wintergreen, Instigator, Headmistress, HIVE student: wrestler guy-blue with star on chest and red hood, Fang, Kitten, Mad Mod, Barbarian Witch, Malchior, Steamroller, Mother Mae-eye, Master of Games, Ding Dong Daddy, See-More, Overload, The Source & Bob, Private Hive, and Cheshire.

Many of the HIVE students have not been named on-screen as of yet, and they may not, even in season 5, especially as I've just read that WonderGirl (or Hero #7) will make no more appearances this season.

Still, I have to say a big thank you to Murikami for bringin' the bigger story arcs and adding to the cast this season. Sure, I know this is a kids' show, and we'll end up with no shortage of one-shot episodes and major cheese, but the fact remains, he brought the older fans something to be proud of, in addition to providing entertainment to the under-10 set.