Warning: Contains spoilers for Titans season 3, episode 13.
The Titans season 3 finale teased that season 4 might finally introduce another classic member from the Teen Titans comics. After the Titans defeated scarecrow, the episode set up multiple possibilities for Titans season 4. Chief among these are the Titans returning to San Francisco, Blackfire’s Tamaranean drama, the introduction of ARGUS, and a new tease for Roy Harper — aka Speedy, Green Arrow’s sidekick and a founding member of the Titans in the comics.
Roy Harper was first teased in Titans season 2, episode 2 “Rose.” While on a stakeout for the villain Shimmer, Donna referenced that she had received her intel from Roy Harper. At the end of the same episode, Donna stepped away to take a phone call, and the caller ID read Roy Harper. He was not mentioned again in the series until the Titans season 3 finale, episode 13 “Purple Rain,” when Vee revealed that Harper is in command of ARGUS.
Roy Harper is a classic DC Comics icon. The character predates the Titans (who first appeared in comics in 1964) having originated all the way back in 1941. He was originally the sidekick of Green Arrow and was notable for his extreme athleticism, and exceptional aptitude for archery, martial arts, and espionage. He eventually gained the hero name “Speedy.” He went on to become a founding member of the comics’ Teen Titans alongside Robin, Wonder Girl, Aqualad, and Kid Flash. Roy Harper has previously been adapted extensively in animated series and movies — he appeared in the live-action Arrow from seasons 2 through 8, portrayed by Colton Haynes.
As with any comic book character who has been around for as long as Roy Harper, his story has been retconned and rebooted multiple times. At various points across his various iterations he has also held the aliases “Red Arrow” and “Arsenal,” he was a member of the Justice League for a time, and he and Donna Troy had a romantic entanglement at various points. As an adaptation, Titans tends to present interpretations of origin stories (like how Titans retconned Blackfire’s origins) while keeping a sense of the original. It is hard to predict how Titans might draw on Roy Harper’s extensive legacy in the comics, but it can be assumed that they will make him distinctive, both from his comic book portrayals and from Colton Haynes’ version in Arrow.
With a major part of the setup for Titans season 4 being based around ARGUS as an organization, Roy Harper’s role as its leader promises to give him a prominent position in the new season. The long-term goals and mission of the Titans iteration of ARGUS has yet to be determined, so it is unclear how that might affect his story — but it seems likely that he will partner up with Donna Troy again, both professionally and romantically. Unfortunately, based on Titans’ track record with portraying large organizations, it is possible that ARGUS will be set up to be a corrupt group and Roy Harper could end up taking on a villainous role in Titans season 4.
About The Author
