WARNING: Comprises Potential Spoilers for Titans #18!One of the iconic supervillain groups is making its return to the DC Universe, with its sinister focus aimed squarely on the Justice League and Titans. Nevertheless, this comeback is in title solely, as one crafty DC villain is participating in a case of “stolen group id,” commandeering the crew title for himself and rebuilding it with a daring new roster.
John Layman and Pete Woods’ Titans #17 dropped a serious bombshell on the finish of the problem with the reveal of Deathstroke returning to the Titans narrative after final being seen in the course of the occasions of the Darkish Disaster storyline. Within the closing scene, he approaches Clock King and strikes an alliance with the newly powered villain.
Titans #18 continues the Deathstroke-involved narrative with one other jaw-dropping last-page reveal, exhibiting that Slade shouldn’t be solely working with Clock King however has additionally set plans in movement to kind the brand new CRIME SYNDICATE—one among DC’s most notorious supervillain groups.
Deathstroke’s New Grasp Plan: Re-Kind The CRIME SYNDICATE
Comedian Panel Comes From the Final Web page of Titans #18 (2024)
Some followers may be stunned by the revelation that Deathstroke is re-forming the Crime Syndicate—and rightfully so. This marks a serious shift from the villains (and even the Earth) usually related to this notorious supervillain crew. Historically, the Crime Syndicate is tied to Earth-3 and contains evil counterparts of the Justice League. Its members embrace Atomica, Deathstorm, Grid, Johnny Fast, The Martian, The Outsider, Owlman, Energy Ring, The Sea King, Superwoman, and Ultraman—villains who mirror The Atom, Firestorm, Cyborg, The Flash, Martian Manhunter, Alfred Pennyworth, Batman, Inexperienced Lantern, Aquaman, Marvel Girl, and Superman, respectively.
By declaring that he’s re-forming the Crime Syndicate, Deathstroke is actually co-opting the title of this iconic Earth-3 crew and reworking it into one thing solely new, full with a special roster. In Titans #18, Slade makes this clear when he refers back to the Crime Syndicate because the “faux Justice League” whereas laying out his plans. This connection is confirmed by the tip of his monologue when he declares, “…the newly re-formed Crime Syndicate will maintain all the facility.”
Will the Crime Syndicate of Earth-3 Be part of Deathstroke’s New Group?
Cowl B Variant that includes Owlman, Ultraman, and Extra by Skan Srisuwan for Crime Syndicate #1 (2021)
With Deathstroke declaring his plans to re-form the Crime Syndicate, some followers could marvel if the lineup will embrace any villains from Earth-3, as they’re the unique members of the crew. The brief reply isn’t any. Followers who adopted the occasions of Absolute Energy will recall that one of many penalties of the heroes’ victory in opposition to Amanda Waller was Earth-Prime being sealed off from the multiverse, together with Earth-3. Which means even when Slade wished to, he wouldn’t be capable to contact the unique Crime Syndicate members.
Absolute Power #4 by Mark Waid and Dan Mora supplied visible affirmation of this multiverse barrier when Flash (Barry Allen) severed Earth-Prime’s connections to the opposite Earths within the DCU. Ultraman and Owlman have been among the many villains attempting to entry Earth-3 by way of Amanda Waller’s transmatter machine, however Barry’s disruption sealed them again on their respective Earth. This second additionally implied that the opposite Crime Syndicate members have been equally locked away on their house planet. Subsequently, it’s extremely unlikely that there will likely be a twist revealing Slade working with the unique Crime Syndicate members.
Associated
Amanda Waller’s assault on the DC Universe reaches its apex and although the heroes make it out alive, the multiverse suffers a devastating blow.
Who’s in DC’s Revamped Crime Syndicate Lineup?
Predominant Cowl That includes Psycho-Pirate By Pete Woods for Titans #21 (2025)
With the unique Crime Syndicate members out of the working for Deathstroke’s re-formed crew, the query arises: which villains will fill the roster? Titans #17 teased Clock King as a member of Deathstroke’s Crime Syndicate, and Titans #18 confirmed his membership. The difficulty additionally reveals Slade’s intention to recruit Mammoth. Though Mammoth’s sister, Shimmer, is at present within the custody of the Titans, it’s doable she may be part of the crew sooner or later. Different potential members have been teased by way of synopses and canopy artwork for upcoming Titans points.
Titans #19 hints at Killer Frost becoming a member of the crew, with each the problem’s synopsis and canopy artwork strongly suggesting her involvement. Whereas Titans #20 gives no clues about further members, Titans #21 confirms the arrival of Psycho-Pirate within the narrative, making him a robust candidate for the Crime Syndicate. It seems Layman is steering the crew in a route that highlights much less distinguished and fewer well-known villains, setting the stage for an entertaining dynamic and bringing some recent faces into the Titans’ storyline.
Deathstroke’s Crime Syndicate Will Tackle the Titans AND the Justice League
Cowl F 1:25 Wraparound Card Inventory Variant That includes Superman, Marvel Girl, and Extra by Fico Ossio for Justice League Limitless #4 (2025)
Throughout his villainous monologue in Titans #18, Deathstroke lays out his motivations and intentions for forming the Crime Syndicate, revealing that he goals to make use of the crew to “topple the primary domino of this sprawling new Justice League: my outdated enemies, the Titans.” Slade makes it clear that his major goal is the Titans, however with DC’s ALL IN initiative increasing the Justice League roster to incorporate all of Earth’s heroes, a blow to the Titans would additionally deal vital harm to the League. Deathstroke then additional clarifies that his ambitions prolong past the Titans, as he plans to take down the remainder of the Justice League Limitless as effectively.
Titans #18 is out there now from DC Comics!
Teen Titans
Teen Titans is a superhero animated TV collection primarily based on the DC Comics crew of the identical title. Airing from 2003 to 2006, the present follows 5 younger heroes—Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy—as they battle villains whereas navigating adolescence. The collection was broadly praised for its mix of motion, humor, and character improvement, and it spawned a preferred spin-off, Teen Titans Go!.
