Hubbry Logo
Raven (DC Comics)Raven (DC Comics)Main
Open search
Raven (DC Comics)
Community hub
Raven (DC Comics)
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Raven (DC Comics)
Raven (DC Comics)
from Wikipedia
Raven
Raven as she appears on the cover of the Tales of the Titans #3 (2023). Art by Nicola Scott.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceDC Comics Presents #26 (October 1980)
Created byMarv Wolfman
George Pérez
In-story information
Alter egoRaven (birth name)
Rachel Roth (human identity)
SpeciesAzarathian Cambion (demon/human hybrid)
Place of originAzarath
Team affiliationsTeen Titans
Titans
Sentinels of Magic
Night Force
Justice League
Justice League Dark
PartnershipsBeast Boy
Nevermore
Trilogy
Notable aliasesMistress of Magic
Daughter of Darkness
Daughter of Trigon
Doctor Hate
Dark-Winged Queen
The Unkindness
Dark Raven
Abilities
  • Demonic hybrid physiology grants her various powers, including empathic and magic abilities that allows for telepathy, manipulation of emotions, dimensional travel, and more.
  • Skilled teacher, hand-to-hand combatant, and profound knowledge of the supernatural.

Raven, also known as Rachel Roth, is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in a special insert in DC Comics Presents #26 (October 1980), and was created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Pérez.[1] Her design was based on the Phantom Stranger. Raven was one of the key figures instrumental to the revival of Teen Titans and among the most popular characters within the franchise.[2][3]

Born as the daughter of the demon lord Trigon and human Arella, she is granted a lineage of great supernatural power as a empath and demonic sorceress. Despite her heritage and the ominous predictions associated with her connection to Trigon, Raven becomes a prominent and reoccurring superhero in various rosters for the Teen Titans and Titans.[4] Within the comics, the character has also served in other superhero teams, including the Justice League, Sentinels of Magic, Night Force, and Justice League Dark. Following the character's popularity in her media appearances,[5] Raven has also starred in several comic mini-series titles.

Raven has appeared in numerous television series and films, including Cartoon Network's Teen Titans series and its spin-off series Teen Titans Go!, voiced by Tara Strong, and in the DC Animated Movie Universe (DCAMU), voiced by Taissa Farmiga. The character made her live-action debut in the DC Universe/HBO Max series Titans, portrayed by Teagan Croft.

Development

[edit]

In an interview, Perez described his design approach for the character,

…taking the cue that Raven was very mysterious à la Phantom Stranger, I took that as a starting point, and using the shadow face where half her face is always in shadow despite the lighting, was a shtick I got from Phantom Stranger, who also had the same deal. He had a long billowing cape, as did she, and in her case, since her name was Raven, I decided to create a silhouette for her that would look like a bird. The hood was designed so that in the profile, it would end up looking like a bird’s head, so that when her soul self came out, since that was done in full black, it looked like a gigantic black raven. Her name and the Phantom Stranger were key to how I designed her.[6]

Asked if the character's face was based on any real-life person, Perez said that, "originally Raven was Persis Khambatta, the actress who played in the first Star Trek film, and later became a young lady named Fran Macgregor, who was a dancer, and I used some of her features, particularly for her figure, for Raven."

Fictional character biography

[edit]

First life of Raven

[edit]

Raven first appeared in The New Teen Titans #1 recruiting superheroes to fight her father, Trigon. She initially approached the Justice League for help, but they refused her on the advice of Zatanna, who sensed her demonic parentage.[7][8] In desperation, she reformed the Teen Titans as the New Teen Titans to fight her father. The team consisted of Robin, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, Starfire, Cyborg, and Beast Boy (then known as Changeling).[9] Raven and her new friends later came to think of one another as family.

Trigon soon took Raven back to his own realm. The Titans pursued them, defeated Trigon and sealed him in an interdimensional prison with the help of Arella, who swore to watch over his prison so that he could not escape.[10] Raven found that using her powers enabled Trigon to assert control over her mind and body. For a period of time, Raven lost control several times in stressful situations but managed to regain control of herself.

Eventually, Trigon escaped his prison, exacted revenge on Arella by destroying Azarath, came to Earth, and took control of Raven. The Titans were manipulated into having the dark sides of their souls kill the evil Raven by Lilith Clay, who was guided and possessed by Azar, thereby allowing the souls of Azarath and Raven herself contained inside her rings to possess her now-empty body and use her as a channel to kill Trigon. After this battle, Raven rose from the ashes, cleansed of Trigon's evil, and vanished.[11]

Raven

[edit]

After Raven's disappearance, Arella went around the world in search of Raven. She tracked Raven down, but both of them were kidnapped by Brother Blood. The minions of Blood used Raven to control Nightwing (formerly Robin) as part of Blood's plans. The Titans rescued them both and prevented Blood from returning to power.[12]

With her demonic nature suppressed, Raven was free to experience emotions for the first time in her life and soon realized that she could not only sense but control others' emotions.[13] She learned to handle this power only after unintentionally making The Flash believe that he loved her when she thought she was in love with him. Raven also fostered a relationship with technopath Eric Forrester, who used the life force of women he seduced to regain some of his lost humanity. Forrester knew that Raven's soul-self could help him to retain his humanity permanently. This attempt was cut short by the intervention of Joseph Wilson (Jericho), who helped Raven destroy Forrester once and for all and sparked a brief romance between the two heroes after.[14]

Evil Raven makes her appearance in the "Terror of Trigon" storyline, which began The New Teen Titans (vol. 2). Art by George Pérez.

Raven was later kidnapped by the Wildebeest Society during the "Titans Hunt" storyline.[15] The Society is led by Jericho, who has been possessed by the souls of Azarath, and intends to use several Titans to bring about the return of Trigon. During a massive battle, Raven was possessed by the evil souls and once again became the evil doppelgänger of her father. Arella and Raven's friend Danny Chase combined their powers and used the purity of Azar's soul to cleanse Raven. In the aftermath, Raven's body was destroyed, and Arella and Danny willingly merged their own bodies with the cleansed souls of Azarath to form an entity known as Phantasm.[16]

Evil Raven

[edit]

Raven appeared possessed by her evil conscience and attempted to implant Trigon's seed into new bodies. She interrupted Nightwing and Starfire's wedding and implanted a seed of Trigon into Starfire. Instead of corrupting her, she implanted the soul of the good Raven. This caused Starfire to leave Earth to escape from the evil Raven. The Titans could defeat Raven only because of the help they received from Phantasm.[17]

Raven later returned, still evil, to destroy the good version of herself implanted in Starfire. With the help of the Titans, evil Raven was reduced to ashes, and the good part of Raven was given a new, golden spirit body completely free of her father's demonic influence. In New Tamaran, Starfire and the golden spirit form of Raven revealed that implanting Raven's soul in Starfire was actually a plan concocted by Raven; with the inherent evil in her soul permanently removed, Raven regained her full humanity while preserving her powers.[18]

Spirit

[edit]

In her bodiless spirit form, Raven returned to Earth to help extract her former teammate Cyborg's soul and consciousness from the Technis planet's computer mind.[19] Later, she was instrumental in defeating Imperiex by aiding Wonder Woman and Tempest in re-powering Darkseid.[20] Once Imperiex was defeated, Raven then resumed her journey to find a new purpose.

Rebirth

[edit]

Raven's spirit was ultimately trapped by a ritual of the Church of Blood. Under the revived Brother Blood's supervision, she was forcibly placed in the comatose body of a young, teenage girl. The Teen Titans (reformed again), discovered that the Church of Blood were worshipers of Raven's father, Trigon. They also found a prophecy about the marriage between Blood and Raven that would result in Armageddon. The new team interrupted the wedding, and Blood and his followers were forced to flee. Rejoining the Titans, Raven (who was now the same age as her teammates) created the human identity of "Rachel Roth" by taking her late mother's surname.[21] As Rachel, she enrolled in a local high school.

After enduring much confusion about her new place in the world, Raven's teammate Garfield Logan (Beast Boy), began developing romantic feelings for her, and the two became romantically attached.

52

[edit]

In 52, after the death of Superboy, the Titans began to fall apart. Robin joins Batman, and Wonder Girl left the team. Beast Boy struggled to maintain the team and was flippant towards Raven and their relationship. The new members who joined were only interested in seeking fame rather than looking to fulfill justice. When Beast Boy decided to help Steel on a mission, most of the members left, leaving only Raven and Zatara. Later, Beast Boy, Raven, Offspring and Aquagirl aid Steel in launching an attack on LexCorp. Raven also participated in World War III. Eventually, Robin, Wonder Girl, and a few new members join the Titans, making the team whole again. Beast Boy and Raven were among the only members that remained in the team during this period.

"One Year Later"

[edit]
Raven's new look in "One Year Later".

Raven quit the team after she and Beast Boy ended their relationship.[22] Letting the others think she was leaving because of Garfield, Raven left because she uncovered a secret of one of the other Titans.

Raven took advantage of this power with a book of unclear significance.[23] Raven had a diskette containing Jericho's soul. She performed a cleansing ritual over his soul and transferred it into a new body before returning to the team as a full member.[24][25]

Without warning, the Titans are captured by the villainous Titans East and transported to the original Titan Island in New York City, where Raven is placed in the "care" of Enigma and Duela Dent, who took to torturing her psychologically. Raven manages her escape. After beating the Titans East, she and Garfield talk about their feelings, but he refuses to dwell on the matter, leaving their relationship uncertain.[26]

Following the death of Bart Allen, Raven, along with the other adult Titans, decides to leave the team. Putting heroics aside, Raven concentrates instead on finishing her high school education and continuing to live a normal human life as Rachel.

Raven later appeared in a five-issue miniseries written by Marv Wolfman, with art by Damion Scott. It occurs during the "missing year", following Raven's attempts at living as an ordinary teenage girl and attending high school. Unfortunately, she gets inadvertently drawn into a mystical fight involving Psycho-Pirate's Medusa Mask and has to battle for the lives of her classmates. In the Wizard #177 magazine, Wolfman briefly described the series, saying, "She needs to be on her own and in charge of herself for the first time in her life. This is more than just a 'tale of Raven'; it sets up her new life".

Titans

[edit]

Raven discovers that Trigon had more than one child, her half-siblings, and that a trio of male children devoted to her father are behind the attacks. She is affected along with many of the other Titans by these three beings. Raven's three half-brothers use her and Beast Boy as keys to open a portal to Trigon's realm. Raven uses her own power to influence greed in others to make her half-brothers steal what little power Trigon had left. The portal is closed and Trigon's sons, believing they have gained great power, leave.

Raven's half-brothers later return and provoke her demonic side, causing her to leave the Titans and join them. However, the team was able to track them down and convince Raven to join the side of good once more. She later provided a number of other artifacts, all capable of killing her, to the Titans as terms for her staying with the team.[27]

Wyld

[edit]

Battered and dazed, Raven arrived at Titans Tower, where she was rescued by the newest roster of Teen Titans. While she was recovering, Beast Boy stated that he was still in love with her and would remain so, despite whatever difficulties were involved.[28]

Raven decided to stay with the Teen Titans, now acting as a mentor to the younger members. When the Teen Titans attempted to return home, Raven was kidnapped and taken to another dimension by Wyld.[29] Wyld reveals that Raven was the one who created him. When Raven was traveling dimensions looking for her father, her soul self caused all of the animals she visited to merge into one being: the Wyld. The Titans enter the Wyld World to rescue Raven. Wyld is eventually destroyed by Static.

In the final issue of this incarnation of the Titans, Superboy-Prime and his Legion of Doom attack Titan's Tower. Raven stops Kid Flash just before he can kill Inertia. Then she reveals her soul-self to Headcase, terrifying and in so defeating him. After the Legion of Doom is defeated and Superboy-Prime is bound to the Source Wall, Beast Boy and Raven have a talk about her difficulty in reading Solstice's emotions after Beast Boy had accused Raven of leaving her behind and he refused to believe her when she stated it wasn't on purpose. They also talked of their encounter with Headcase. Eventually, Raven starts to open up about her true feelings. Beast Boy makes it clear he doesn't want to escape from any part of her. Touched, Raven decides that she needs to embrace the positive feelings inside her rather than just her negative ones. Beast Boy assures her this is part of being human, and points out, "I think you've worried enough about the bad...so why don't we focus on the good for a change?" With that, the two reconcile and share a heartfelt kiss.[30]

The New 52

[edit]
Raven in the New 52. Art by Kenneth Rocafort.

After the events of the 2011 "Flashpoint" series, the history of the DC Universe was altered, resulting in The New 52. Raven makes her New 52 debut in the first issue of the Phantom Stranger. There she is shown as a girl in a black and white striped sweater becoming distraught at a funeral over the overwhelming emotion emanating from the people there. The Phantom Stranger takes Raven to Stonehenge, the portal between Earth and the realm of Trigon. Being told by a "higher power" what must be done, the reluctant Stranger unwillingly hands her over to Trigon.

Teen Titans

[edit]

Raven made her first Teen Titans appearance in Teen Titans vol. 4 #16. Raven, sporting a new costume, is introduced by Trigon as his "Black Bird of Terror" to his minions. It is strongly suggested that Raven had been controlling Robin's emotions. During Trigon's invasion on Earth, she approached a near-dead Beast Boy who had been assaulted by Deathstroke in the remains of the Ravagers facility.[31] After being touched by Raven, Beast Boy awoke. When he asked if Harvest had sent her, she apologized stating that she brought him into the fray much sooner than she expected, stating, "Hush. We are birds of a feather now... You are mine to control", as Raven mind-controlled him and teleported them to New York where Trigon and the Teen Titans are in battle.[32]

Raven's origins revisited

[edit]

Trigon reveals more of Raven's origins. He has had a son from each of the other worlds he's conquered, but Raven is his only daughter. Trigon let Raven's mother, Arella, live as he believed that she needed to be raised as a human to preserve her natural empathetic abilities, key to Trigon's plan to have his daughter succeed him as ruler of the seven under-realms. Refusing to accept this fate, Arella fled with her daughter to Azarath where the monks taught her how to control her dark side and avoid Trigon's influence on her. Years later, she escaped from Azarath to protect her mentors and planet from Trigon and fled to the Earth where Phantom Stranger captured her for Trigon.[33]

Raven then returned to the under-realms and quickly surpassed her father's expectations, recognizing that the only way to spare those she loved from his wrath was to accept the destiny he'd chosen for her. Impressed, Trigon abdicated his throne and gave it to Raven, who willingly took her birthright as Queen.[33]

Return of Trigon

[edit]

In New York, Trigon's three sons, Belial, Ruskoff, and Suge, assault the Teen Titans to take Raven back. Raven, Beast Boy, and the Titans defeat them, but Trigon appears again and takes control of the Titans save for Red Robin, Raven and Beast Boy. The manipulated Titans attack, and while Raven and Beast Boy distract them and Trigon, Tim [Red Robin] cuts through Trigon's eyes with his inertrite wings. Pulling out the wings from his eyes, Trigon compliments Tim before suddenly disappearing. Soon after, a woman and a group of suited men come through a portal, informing them that they will take Psimon into custody and make the incident appear as if it had never happened. When questioned about the police officers Psimon has killed, the woman reveals it was a hallucination by Trigon, so it has never happened.

Raven and Beast Boy are re-accepted into the Teen Titans. Raven brings controversy to the team by revealing Tim's flirtatious relationships when under Trigon's control. Raven goes into her room, leaving the awkward situation behind. There, she summons her father, saying, "Father, I am one of them. Your plan worked perfectly", leaving questions on what side she is playing for.

Meanwhile, Tim calls Raven aside, telling that if something happens to him, the team will look up to her to lead them.

Forever Evil

[edit]

After the events of "Trinity War", the Earth's greatest heroes are gone and the Crime Syndicate of America has taken over the world. The Teen Titans challenge the Crime Syndicate, but are easily overpowered by Johnny Quick and Atomica and then flung into the time stream. While the Titans are constantly flung through time, Raven is sent a few thousand years back in time. There, she is challenged by Etrigan the Demon, who recognizes her as Trigon's daughter and tries to kill her. Raven is saved by Wonder Girl, who suggests that the way to stop Raven's powers, since she was born and raised in a world between worlds, is to manipulate the energy within the time stream. Raven succeeds in anchoring the Titans with her soul-self, teleporting them through time.

The Titans arrive 20 years into the future, where Jon Lane Kent has massacred most of Earth's superheroes, leaving only a few, including Beast Boy (Garfield Logan), now calling himself Beast Man, and Rose Wilson. Superboy (Kon-El) and Jon battle, and Kon triumphs. Kon is sent elsewhere by an unknown power, and a severely injured Jon is swapped unknowingly as Superboy by Logan and Wilson. The Titans depart again to an alien planet in the 30th century, where Kid Flash is a rebel leader and war criminal, Bar Torr. While the Titans stay to witness Bar Torr's trial, Raven deduces Superboy is Jon, and helps send him back to the present time so that he can find a cure for his deteriorating body condition.

Leaving Kid Flash and Solstice in the future, the Titans return to their original time and are united with Bunker, Beast Boy, and Skitter. Raven finds out that their journey has severed Trigon's control over her. Followed by an attack by the villain Grimm, the Titans plan a final attack on Harvest's new colony. Raven is reluctant to join because of her past actions, but Bunker tells her that everybody deserves a second chance, and Raven changes her mind. In the colony, they are surprised to find that everyone is returned to normal, and even the victims of the Culling have been restored to life. Raven plays a crucial role by finding out Harvest's scheme to extract all the metagenes to create a massive DNA strand for his usage. This is destroyed by Raven's soul-self and Harvest is finally defeated.

DC Rebirth

[edit]

Sometime after leaving the Teen Titans, Raven traveled to San Francisco hoping to find her mother's family and introduce herself to them. She attempted to conceal her powers before having a misadventure and was then later abducted by Damian Wayne, who recruited her to be part of the new Teen Titans team he was establishing to take down his grandfather Ra's al Ghul. It is then revealed that the Demon's Fist, a team initially led by Damian before he decided to follow Batman, were hunting each of the assembled Titans that Damian had abducted for their initiation into the League of Assassins. Raven turns out to be the target of the assassin named Plague, whose hands can rot, decay and take the life out of anything she touches.

New Justice

[edit]

Infinite Frontier

[edit]

Dawn of DC

[edit]

Characterization

[edit]

Within the DC Universe, Raven is a character who possesses considerable power as a result of her lineage and connection to her father Trigon, a powerful demonic entity. Her unique heritage, being half-demon and half-human with a human mother, leads to an ongoing theme of balancing her formidable powers and mastering the mystic arts. Despite the constant threat from her father and other demonic forces, the character aspires to become a hero and works to overcome the challenges presented by her lineage.[34]

In the Infinite Frontier era, the character's age is depicted in her twenties, in contrast to her portrayal as a teenager in DC Rebirth. During this time, she assumes the role of a faculty member at the Teen Titans Academy while also being a member of the Titans. As a faculty member, she takes on the responsibilities of a school counselor and serves as an expert in mystic subjects. Several other notable DC Comics characters whom are mystically inclined served under her tutelage, including fellow demon hybrid Nevermore, Shazam, and Stitch.[35]

Powers and abilities

[edit]

Due to her heritage and training under Azar, Raven is a powerful mystic and empath; Raven is capable of sensing emotions and with pain and disease, she can ease them by assimilating them into her body and expunging them although the process is painful to undergo.[36] Other powers including reading emotions and possessing telepathic-like insights into the minds of others.[4] These abilities facilitate her soul "Soul Self", her astral body shaped like her namesake that allows her to travel long distances, become intangible, establish telepathic communication, and function as a protective shield capable of absorbing an energy and solid matter. Initially, Raven's soul-self had a time limit of five minutes outside her body, after which she would experience mental torment. She eventually overcame this constraint.[37]

Raven is considered adept in magic, allowing for various sorcerous powers such as teleportation, manipulation of shadows, telekinesis, hypnosis and proficiency in chaos magic,[4] able to perform magical effects with adherence to a system of magic (incantations, chants, etc.). Raven also has limited precognition allowing her to predict near-future events, occurring involuntarily and infrequently. Over time, Raven's mastery of these abilities has advanced to the extent that she is considered a skilled teacher in the mystic arts.[38]

In her demonic form, in which also her own soul-self is activated, her abilities are enhanced; granting heightened physical strength and endurance, her aptitude for chaos magic is strengthen, and her powers become more destructive as well as adopting a red-skinned appearance with a set of glowing eyes on her forehead.[4] Like her brothers, Raven can induce and amplify one of the seven deadly sins (in her case, pride) or all seven of them, in any living being. Doing so causes her to suffer bouts of nausea and vomiting for several days afterward as side effects. In addition to her demonic abilities, she is skilled in hand-to-hand combat

Weaknesses

[edit]

Due to being an empath, Raven cannot completely disconnect herself from others emotions, with exposure to many others with heighten feelings posing a risk and is susceptible to overwhelming magical forces.[4][39]

Collected editions

[edit]

Raven

Title Material collected Publication Date ISBN
All Raven Collects issues #1–6 2017 978-1401268985

Raven: Daughter of Darkness

Title Material collected Publication Date ISBN
1 Raven: Daughter of Darkness Vol 1 Collects issues #1–6 2018 978-1-4012-8473-2
2 Raven: Daughter of Darkness Vol 2 Collects issues #7-12 2019 978-1-4012-8963-8

Other versions

[edit]
  • Evil Raven, also known as Dark Raven, is the evil version of Raven whom has given into the influence of Trigon. While often simply an extension of her own self and power, a version of it became separated and into its own being for a time. This version, first appearing in Knight Terrors: Night's End #1 (August, 2023), is the demonic half that gained independence and seeks power to fulfill her intended destiny as Trigon's daughter. Initially, she acquired Helmet of Hate, the diametrical dark counterpart of the Helmet of Fate, and the Nightmare Stone.[40] Later, managing to trap the other sons of Trigon and the Spectre to enhance her power, she ascends to her prophesized form as the Dark-Winged Queen. However, Beast Boy reveals that Dark Raven had never harm her friends meaningfully without prior control of the Lords of Chaos and opined she had a choice in rejecting Trigon's intended purpose.[41]
    • As Doctor Hate She was a major villain in the Titans: Beast World crossover, responsible for erasing Beast Boy's consciousness when he transformed into a Starro to defeat its ancestral enemy, the Necrostar. Hate battles both heroes and villains of African origin known as "The Network" as well as the Titans, where her identity is eventually discovered by. With the help of other Titans, Dark Raven is stripped of the Helmet of Hate, wherein it is destroyed, but secretly prevailed in her battle with Raven, instead trapping her and covertly adopting her counterpart's identity for a time.[42][43]

Alternate reality versions

[edit]
  • An alternate universe variant of Raven appears in Teen Titans: Earth One.[44]
  • Moonchild, an alternate universe variant of Raven, appears in The Books of Magic Annual #3.
  • Dark Raven, an alternate timeline variant of Raven, appears in Titans Tomorrow.
  • Raveniya Dayspring, a fusion of Raven and Marvel Comics character Aliya Dayspring, appears in the Amalgam Comics universe.
  • Ravanna, a fusion of Raven and Zatanna, appears in Superman/Batman.[45]
  • The Unkindness is a potential future version of Raven, introduced in Future State: Teen Titans #1 (2021). Corrupted by the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse unleashed by Red X, this version forms an alliance with Neron and manages steals Shazam's powers, greatly bolstering and enhancing her own formidable powers. As the Unkindness, she becomes a significant threat to the universe.[46] In the 853rd Century, she leads a cabal of the last Lords of Chaos and Seven Deadly Sins (Shazam's foes) and battles the Quintessence, with the Wizard Shazam's future self sending future Black Adam to the past with the last of his power before being killed, displacing his present self due to his simultaneous existence as a cosmic being .[47]
  • An illusionary alternate version of Raven appears in DC/Wildstorm: DreamWar.
  • An alternate timeline variant of Raven from a future where the New Teen Titans never existed appears in Booster Gold vol. 2.[48]
  • An alternate universe variant of Raven appears in Flashpoint. This version is a member of the Secret Seven before being killed by the Enchantress.
  • An alternate universe variant of Raven appears in DC Comics Bombshells. This version is of German descent and was forced to aid the Nazis after they destroyed her village before escaping.[49]
  • On Earth-11, a gender swapped male version of Raven appears as a teenaged hero allied with Teen Justice (an alternate, gender swapped version of the Teen Titans) and is in a relationship with Donald Troy, the gender-swapped version of Donna Troy.[50]

In other media

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Teagan Croft as Rachel Roth as she appears in Titans.
Raven as depicted in Teen Titans Go!
Raven as depicted in Teen Titans Go!
  • A teenage Raven appears in Teen Titans (2003), voiced by Tara Strong.[51] This version is a member of the eponymous team who wears a hooded blue cloak and black leotard and possesses grey skin, violet-blue eyes, and shoulder-length violet-blue hair. Additionally, she possesses dark mystical energy, which she often invokes via the chant "Azarath Metrion Zinthos" and allows her to perform several feats, such as telekinesis, teleportation, and safely phasing through solid objects and fire, among other abilities, which are all tied to her emotions. She initially starts the series as the most reserved and stoic member of the Titans, though she eventually softens up and comes to see them as family.
  • Raven appears in the "New Teen Titans" segment of DC Nation Shorts, voiced again by Tara Strong.
  • Raven, based on the Teen Titans (2003) incarnation, appears in Teen Titans Go! (2013), voiced again by Tara Strong.[51] This version is a member of the Teen Titans who sports black hair with purple streaks, is more chatty and sociable, and displays her dark side when she is provoked or agitated. Additionally, she eventually goes on to enter a relationship with fellow Titan Beast Boy and possesses an alternate superhero identity called "Lady Legasus". Moreover, the Teen Titans (2003) incarnation of the character also appears in the episode "The Academy" via archival footage.[52]
  • The Teen Titans Go! (2013) incarnation of Raven appears in the OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes episode "Crossover Nexus", voiced again by Tara Strong.[53][51]
  • A teenage adaptation of the character renamed Rachel Roth / White Raven appears in Titans, portrayed by Teagan Croft.[54] This version is the half-sister of Brother Blood. Following her mother's murder, Rachel's powers manifest, leading to her receiving protection from Dick Grayson and helping found a new incarnation of the Titans.
  • Raven appears in DC Super Hero Girls (2019), voiced again by Tara Strong.
  • The Titans incarnation of Rachel Roth makes a cameo appearance in "Crisis on Infinite Earths" via archive footage from the episode "Titans".[55]

Film

[edit]

Video games

[edit]

Miscellaneous

[edit]
  • Rachel Roth / Raven appears in Smallville Season 11: Harbinger.[citation needed] She is kidnapped by Brother Blood, who intends to use her as a sacrifice to summon the Sons of Trigon, before she is rescued by Zatanna and John Constantine. After the latter takes the Book of Magick and leaves Zatanna behind, Blood successfully completes the ritual by using himself as the sacrifice. The Sons of Trigon pursue Zatanna and Roth until Constantine has a change of heart and uses Blood's heart to defeat the trio. Following this, Zatanna places Roth in Jay Garrick's care, after which she joins the Teen Titans.
  • Raven makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the "DC Super Friends" short.[citation needed]
  • The Injustice incarnation of Raven appears in the Injustice: Gods Among Us prequel comic.[citation needed] Amidst Trigon's fight with Mister Mxyzptlk, Raven attempts to convince the former to stop before he destroys reality until Doctor Fate intervenes and banishes both Trigon and Mxyzptlk to another dimension. Shaken by her father's "death", Raven seals herself in a pocket dimension. Believing that Fate's decision is proof that she will never be fully accepted by human society, Raven abandons her humanity and embraces the dark portion of her soul, which enhances her power. This leads her to join Superman's Regime with the intent of freeing her father and helping him conquer Earth.
  • Raven appears in DC Super Hero Girls (2015), voiced again by Tara Strong.[51]

Cultural impact and legacy

[edit]
Raven Cosplay

Raul Arias Philippi of Screen Rant stated, "In-universe acknowledgment of her powers and character growth in the Teen Titans is far more important than the portrayal doing Raven’s character justice, though, and Titans United #1 delivers on this front as well. First, Nightwing defers to Raven’s expertise when first encountering the recently empowered criminal. As Raven tries to assess and control the situation, she cycles through several of her powers to both engage the threat, and help her teammates, particularly a fatally injured Beast Boy who she heals without breaking a sweat. While previously her Teen Titans teammates might have been concerned about Raven overdoing it with the magic, it’s clear here that she has the team’s complete trust, regardless of whatever magic she uses and how complex or dangerous it is. Perhaps though, the biggest endorsement of Raven comes from Beast Boy, who lauds her heroism when returning to base, saying: “You always wanna help. That’s why you’re the best of us.”[71]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Raven, also known as Rachel Roth, is a fictional superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, renowned as the half-demon daughter of the inter-dimensional demon lord Trigon and a human mother. As a founding member of the New Teen Titans, she harnesses mystical abilities while grappling with her dark heritage, striving to suppress her demonic impulses through emotional discipline and sorcery to protect Earth from supernatural threats. Created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Pérez, Raven first appeared in a special insert preview in DC Comics Presents #26 in October 1980, before her full debut in The New Teen Titans #1 the following month. Raven's origin centers on her birth in the alternate dimension of Azarath, where she was raised by pacifist monks to meditate and control the malevolent influence of her father, Trigon, who seeks to conquer multiple realms including Earth. Her powers stem from her demonic lineage and training in the mystical arts, including to sense and manipulate emotions, , via her "soul-self" in the form of a raven-shaped energy construct, and the ability to unleash devastating demonic forces when her emotions overwhelm her self-control. She often chants the incantation "Azarath Metrion Zinthos" to focus her energies, reflecting her ongoing battle for inner peace. Throughout her publication history, Raven has been a core member of various iterations, including the New Teen Titans and later Titans teams, forming deep bonds with teammates like Dick Grayson (Nightwing) and Garfield Logan () while remaining reserved and enigmatic due to her fear of unleashing Trigon. Notable story arcs involve repeated confrontations with her father, such as the "Terror of Trigon" saga in the 1980s, where she sacrifices herself to stop his invasion, and modern tales like Raven: Daughter of Darkness (2018), exploring her family dynamics and supernatural adversaries. Her character embodies themes of identity, redemption, and the struggle between , making her one of DC's most enduring and complex teen heroes.

Creation and development

Conception and early publication

Raven was conceived by writer and artist as a key addition to the roster, introducing a mystical and empathic element to balance the team's predominantly action-oriented and technological members like Robin, , and Starfire. According to , this allowed for storytelling opportunities in "mysterious gothic horror" that expanded the series beyond standard superhero fare. The character was developed during intensive collaborative sessions between Wolfman and , who aimed to revitalize the title with fresh dynamics and interpersonal conflicts centered on Raven's internal struggles. Raven made her debut in the backup story "Where Nightmares Begin!" in #26 (October 1980), written by Wolfman with art by . In this introduction, the enigmatic Raven appears in the dreams of potential teammates—Robin, , , and —urging them to form a new to combat an impending demonic threat from her father, Trigon. Rejected by the , she recruits the younger heroes, setting the stage for the team's reformation while hinting at her own tormented heritage. Her integration into the ongoing series began prominently in The New Teen Titans vol. 1 #1 (November 1980), where she solidifies her role as a core member during the team's formative adventures. Here, Raven's abilities prove essential in conflicts involving illusions and supernatural forces, establishing her as the group's emotional and mystical anchor amid escalating threats that foreshadow major arcs like "The Judas Contract" and "Who Is ?". Raven's initial backstory portrays her as Rachel Roth, born on the pacifist dimension of Azarath as the half-demon daughter of the interdimensional conqueror Trigon and human mother . Raised in secrecy to suppress her father's influence, she was trained by the inhabitants of Azarath, particularly under the guidance of , to meditate and control her emotions, preventing Trigon's demonic power from overtaking her. This training emphasized suppressing feelings like anger and fear through chants such as "Azarath Metrion Zinthos," forming the foundation of her empathic powers and ongoing battle for self-control.

Design evolution and key creators

Raven's original visual design was established by artist George Pérez in her debut appearance in DC Comics Presents #26 (October 1980), featuring a cloaked figure in a navy-blue hooded robe with a high collar, a long loose-fitting leotard-style dress underneath, matching boots, and a distinctive red gem embedded in her forehead chakra, which symbolized her empathic and mystical nature. The design drew inspiration from actress Persis Khambatta, incorporating elements of exotic mysticism with pale skin, long dark hair, and a reserved, enigmatic posture to reflect her half-demon heritage and internal struggles. Co-creator Marv Wolfman, the primary writer, collaborated closely with Pérez to infuse emotional depth into her portrayal, emphasizing her as a pacifist empath whose appearance conveyed isolation and otherworldliness. During the early New Teen Titans run (1980–1984), Pérez iteratively refined Raven's look to align with character development, removing the hood in issue #4 for a more exposed and establishing a finalized face in issue #8, while slimming her physique to a lithe, dancer-like form inspired by a real-life acquaintance of 's wife. In her demonic form, introduced during Trigon-related arcs, her skin turned grayish and leathery, with glowing red eyes and four-eyed manifestations, heightening the contrast between her human and infernal sides. 's artistic foundation set the enduring template for Raven's iconic silhouette, blending gothic mysticism with superhero aesthetics, and remained largely consistent through the Wolfman/Pérez era. By the 1990s, as the Wolfman/Pérez collaboration extended into extensions like New Titans, Raven's design shifted toward shorter, more tousled hair and occasional casual attire, such as jeans or simpler robes, to depict her growing integration with the team and a less ethereal, more youthful demeanor. Writer , who helmed the Titans series (1999–2003), further influenced her portrayal by exploring interpersonal dynamics that highlighted Raven's introspective traits, though visual updates under various artists maintained the core cloaked motif with subtle modernizations like fitted leotards. In the 2000s, the popularity of the Teen Titans animated series (2003–2006) impacted comic depictions, particularly in Teen Titans vol. 3 (2003–2006) by , where Raven adopted paler skin, a bookish goth aesthetic with a shorter bob haircut, and more everyday clothing elements like belts and skirts, blending her mystical roots with relatable teenage traits to appeal to broader audiences. Artist contributed to contemporary evolutions in the 2020s, notably in Titans: Beast World (2023–2024), where he rendered Raven with expressive demonic eyes and a dynamic cloak that emphasized her power during large-scale events, preserving Pérez's foundational elements while adapting to high-stakes action sequences. In the 2020s, the digital series Renaissance of Raven (2024–ongoing), written by Sina Grace with art by Nico Bascuñán, Katherine Lobo, and Carola Borelli, presents Raven in a webtoon-inspired style, emphasizing her mystical heritage in a sword-and-sorcery quest.

Fictional character biography

Pre-Crisis origins and first Teen Titans era

Raven was born Rachel Roth, the daughter of the human woman (also known as Angela Roth) and the interdimensional demon lord Trigon. Fleeing a cult that had summoned Trigon, sought refuge in the peaceful dimension of , where she gave birth to Raven and raised her under the guidance of the high priestess . There, Raven underwent rigorous training in meditation and emotional suppression to control her emerging demonic powers and prevent Trigon's influence from corrupting her, as she possessed empathic abilities that allowed her to sense impending threats, including her father's plan to conquer Earth. Foreseeing Trigon's imminent invasion, Raven traveled to Earth and first approached the for aid, but they rejected her due to detecting the latent evil within her. Undeterred, she used her and empathic powers to recruit a group of young heroes—Dick Grayson as Robin, as , as , Garfield Logan as , Victor Stone as , and the alien princess Koriand'r as Starfire—forming the New to defend the planet. This recruitment and initial confrontation with Trigon's forces unfolded in The New Teen Titans #4–6 (February–April 1981), written by and illustrated by , marking Raven's full integration into the team as its mystical supporter. In the "Terror of Trigon" storyline from The New Teen Titans vol. 2 #1–5 (June–October 1984), Trigon's forces breached Earth, leading to 's temporary possession by her father's demonic essence, which amplified her powers but threatened to consume her soul. Overwhelmed, sacrificed herself to seal Trigon away, resulting in her as her body dissolved into energy; however, her spirit persisted, allowing her resurrection through mystical means with the aid of her mother and the Titans, restoring her to the team albeit with lingering vulnerabilities to emotional triggers. Throughout the pre-Crisis era, Raven played a pivotal role in Teen Titans dynamics by providing empathic insights and magical support during major conflicts, such as the "Judas Contract" arc in The New Teen Titans vol. 2 #39–44 (February–July 1984), where she used her telepathic abilities to locate captured teammates and counter the mercenary Deathstroke's betrayal orchestrated by the , helping secure the team's survival against internal and external threats.

Post-Crisis transformations and Trigon conflicts

Following the events of , Raven's existence underwent significant transformations in the post-Crisis continuity, marked by multiple deaths and resurrections tied to her demonic heritage. In New Teen Titans vol. 2 #13 (October 1985), Raven was resurrected through a mystical ritual facilitated by her mother , allowing her to rejoin the team during a period of crisis and reorganization. This return enabled her to contribute to ongoing arcs, where the Titans, including the newly introduced Tim Drake as the third Robin, confronted threats that tested their unity and resolve, ultimately strengthening the group's bonds against external dangers. By 1993, Raven's struggles with her father Trigon intensified, leading to a dark incarnation known as Evil Raven. In The New Titans #98-100 (1993), Trigon fully possessed Raven, transforming her into a vessel for his malevolence; she attempted to spawn Trigon's demonic forces by possessing others and reviving his offspring while orchestrating the destruction of Azarath, her home dimension, as part of Trigon's plan to conquer . This possession forced the Titans to confront the horrifying reality of Raven's corrupted state, culminating in a desperate battle to exorcise Trigon's influence and prevent the apocalypse. The event highlighted Raven's ongoing identity crisis, as her demonic side threatened to overwhelm her humanity entirely. Raven's post-possession existence shifted to a spirit form, where she existed as a disembodied , guiding the Titans from the astral plane while struggling to regain a physical body. This culminated in her full rebirth during the JLA/Titans crossover miniseries (1998), where the combined efforts of the and Titans facilitated her return to corporeality through a ritual that channeled their collective energies to anchor her -self. The process not only restored Raven but also reinforced her role as a key protector against interdimensional threats like Trigon. In the "One Year Later" era depicted in the 52 miniseries (2006-2007), Raven reemerged as a mentor to a new generation of Titans, including members like and , while grappling with the lingering psychological scars of Trigon's influence. Her guidance helped the team navigate challenges, but visions and empathic echoes of her father's power continued to test her control, underscoring the persistent conflict between her empathic nature and demonic legacy. This period solidified Raven's evolution from a to a stabilizing force within the Titans, even as Trigon's shadow loomed over her transformations.

New 52 and Rebirth continuities

In the continuity, Raven debuted in The Phantom Stranger #1 (November 2012), portrayed as a vulnerable young girl in a black-and-white striped sweater, caught in a supernatural bargain between the Phantom Stranger and her father, the demon lord Trigon, who sought to use her as a vessel for his conquest of Earth. This introduction established her as an orphan, separated from her mother , who had fled with her to the peaceful dimension of Azarath to suppress her emerging demonic powers and escape Trigon's influence as an abstract embodiment of multiversal evil, having absorbed the to consolidate malevolent forces from countless galaxies. Raven's early backstory emphasized her isolation and internal struggle, raised by Azarathian monks to meditate and control her empathic abilities, which allowed her to sense and manipulate emotions but risked unleashing her father's destructive heritage if unchecked. Raven joined the Teen Titans in Teen Titans vol. 5 #1 (September 2014), integrating into the team led by alongside , , and , as they confronted emerging threats in a post-Flashpoint world. Her demonic origins were revisited in Teen Titans #7-8 (March-April 2015), where she returned to Earth after sensing Trigon's growing influence, mind-controlling to protect him, and battling Trigon's three sons—, Ruskoff, and Suge—who sought to pave the way for their father's invasion. Teaming with the Titans against the organization, which exploited youth, Raven channeled her soul-self to defeat the demonic siblings and briefly confront Trigon, solidifying her role as the team's empathic anchor while grappling with her fear of corruption. Trigon's return escalated in Teen Titans Annual #1 (May 2015), revealing deeper ties to Raven's psyche and her unwilling role in his plans, heightening her . During the crossover (September 2013 onward), the were hurled into the timestream by amid the Crime Syndicate's invasion, forcing Raven to project her soul-self as an anchor to preserve the team. To sustain them, she absorbed the souls of her teammates, an act that overwhelmed her with dark energy and led to temporary possession by the demon Etrigan, turning her into a villainous force that menaced both until the Titans broke free and exorcised the influence. This event underscored Raven's vulnerability to her heritage, as the soul absorption amplified her demonic side, briefly aligning her actions with chaotic destruction before she regained control. The initiative restored classic elements to Raven's character in 2016, emphasizing her ties to the original roster. In Titans: Rebirth #1 (June 2016) and Titans vol. 3 #1 (July 2016), she reunited with Nightwing, , , Tempest, and , the precognitive counselor who brought the team together, as returned from the Speed Force and rallied the team against time-altering threats tied to his disappearance. This reformation highlighted Raven's growth, blending her struggles with pre-Flashpoint dynamics, as the Titans confronted mystical disruptions orchestrated by Abra Kadabra and lingering influences from illusions, reaffirming her as a stabilizing empath in the group's reformed family.

Infinite Frontier and Dawn of DC developments

In the era, Raven joined the faculty of the newly established Academy, where she mentored a of superpowered teens alongside former teammates Nightwing, Starfire, , and [Beast Boy](/page/Beast Boy). As a teacher of mystical arts, she took a hands-on approach to guiding students like Dane Dorrance in controlling their powers, while grappling with lingering visions and echoes of her demonic heritage from Trigon. These experiences highlighted her role as a stabilizing force amid the academy's mysteries, including threats from enigmatic students and potential future crises tied to her father's influence. During the 2022 Dark Crisis event, Raven contributed to the heroes' efforts against Pariah's Dark Army, a multiversal that exploited emotional vulnerabilities and drew on interdimensional forces resonant with her own Trigon lineage. Her involvement in tie-ins like : The Dark Army emphasized her empathic abilities in combating the crisis's psychological toll, as she helped unite disparate teams against the that followed the apparent death of the . This arc reinforced her protective instincts toward her Titan allies, bridging her personal struggles with broader cosmic conflicts. Under the initiative in 2023, the Titans United: Bloodpact miniseries placed at the center of a ritualistic involving the Church of Blood and the , transporting the Titans to a dystopian parallel world where she was elevated to a near-divine status by cultists. In this storyline, her demonic essence amplified the chaos, forcing the team to confront altered versions of themselves and rescue her from the Church's control, ultimately exploring themes of faith, sacrifice, and her fraught connections to Trigon-spawned entities. The narrative culminated in a reality-altering bloodpact that tested her bonds with teammates like and , solidifying her as a pivotal figure in the Titans' fight for survival. By 2024, in the ongoing Titans series, Raven underwent a significant transformation when her soul gem—housing her inner demon—was surgically removed during a confrontation with Trigon, who used it as leverage in a demonic bargain. This event in Titans #15 freed her from the gem's constant restraint but unleashed Dark Raven as an independent entity, ascending to the role of the Dark Winged Queen and posing a new threat to Earth. To counter this, the Titans temporarily embedded themselves as soul gems in a makeshift crown for Raven, empowering her to battle the rogue half of her soul and reclaim balance, marking a pivotal evolution in her control over her heritage. In late 2024, the digital solo series Renaissance of Raven launched on DC's GO! platform, depicting Raven time-traveling to a mystical past realm on the anniversary of her mother Arella's after a graveyard encounter disrupts her meditative routine. Written by Sina Grace with art by Carola Borelli, the story follows her navigation of a fantasy world filled with witches and ancient magic, where she must choose between aiding strangers and seeking a path home, delving into her isolated psyche and empathic growth outside the Titans dynamic. As of 2025, the ongoing series continues to explore her solo journey through temporal and emotional trials, blending classic elements of her character with fresh introspective challenges.

Characterization

Personality and motivations

Raven exhibits an introverted and sarcastic demeanor that often conceals her profound and persistent fear of losing emotional control, stemming from her half-demon heritage. This reserved nature makes her appear distant and brooding, as she prioritizes emotional restraint to avoid unleashing destructive forces within herself. Her primary motivations revolve around suppressing the malevolent influence of her father, Trigon, through disciplined meditation and incantations like "Azarath Metrion Zinthos," while committing to safeguard innocents from supernatural threats. This drive reflects her unwavering determination to defy her destined role as a harbinger of destruction, channeling her abilities toward heroic ends instead. Raven's internal conflicts center on reconciling her innate human compassion with the simmering demonic rage she inherited, frequently leading to self-imposed isolation to protect those around her from potential outbursts. Over the decades, she has evolved from a in the 1980s, hesitant to embrace her role amid constant self-doubt, to a figure who has taken on mentorship roles within the Titans in the 2020s, though she continues to face significant internal struggles, including a downward spiral depicted in recent stories as of 2025.

Relationships with other characters

Raven's most defining familial relationship is with her father, the interdimensional demon lord Trigon, who sired her as part of a prophecy to use her as a gateway for his conquest of Earth, resulting in a deeply antagonistic dynamic where he repeatedly attempts to corrupt or possess her. This bond is further complicated by her half-siblings, other offspring of Trigon such as the Sons of Trigon—demonic entities embodying the seven deadly sins, including Wrath (Jared) and Envy (Jesse)—who have emerged as adversaries, seeking to exploit her heritage or open portals to their father's realm. For instance, her half-brother Trilogy, a half-human, half-demon hybrid like herself, has recently positioned himself as a significant villain, drawing on their shared lineage to challenge her heroic path. In contrast, Raven has forged surrogate familial ties with the Teen Titans, who provide the emotional stability absent from her blood relations and help her suppress her demonic impulses. Teammates like Starfire and Cyborg offer unwavering support, forming a chosen family that emphasizes loyalty and mutual aid in battling threats tied to her origins. This group dynamic underscores the Titans' role as a surrogate family unit, where Raven's isolation is mitigated through shared experiences and trust. Raven's interactions with Dick Grayson, later Nightwing, began with romantic tension during the New Teen Titans era, where her empathic powers inadvertently influenced his emotions, leading to a short-lived romantic involvement that highlighted her internal struggles with control. Over time, this evolved into a profound platonic respect and close friendship, with Grayson serving as a steadfast ally who understands her vulnerabilities without judgment. Raven shares a deep and evolving romantic relationship with Garfield Logan, known as , which began as a close friendship within the Titans and became official in the late 2010s. This bond provides her with emotional grounding but has faced strains, including major obstacles and a new love interest challenging it as of early 2025. As a mentor, Raven has guided emerging heroes through her roles in various Titans teams, helping younger members harness their abilities responsibly alongside original Titans like Nightwing and Starfire. Her rivalries often center on mystical antagonists, such as , the cult leader who has manipulated her empathic and demonic traits to further his agendas, positioning her as a key counterforce in supernatural conflicts within the .

Powers and abilities

Demonic heritage powers

Raven's demonic heritage stems from her father, the inter-dimensional demon lord Trigon, granting her innate abilities tied directly to her half-demon physiology. These powers manifest as extensions of her Trigon lineage, allowing her to channel infernal forces while constantly risking corruption from her father's influence. Unlike her learned magical skills, these traits are inherent and often require suppression to prevent uncontrolled escalation. One of Raven's primary demonic powers is the projection of her Soul-Self, an astral form that takes the shape of a massive for , possession of others, or direct . This ability debuted in her , where she used the raven-shaped entity to scout and engage threats from a distance. The Soul-Self can phase through solid matter, absorb energy, and serve as an extension of her consciousness, enabling her to operate independently of her physical body in battles against foes. When Raven embraces her Trigon side, she undergoes a demonic transformation, altering her appearance to gray skin and glowing eyes while granting enhanced physical strength and durability. This state, prominently featured in the "Evil Raven" arc during the Titans Hunt storyline, amplifies her combat prowess but risks full possession by her father's demonic essence. In this form, she has overpowered multiple Titans simultaneously, showcasing superhuman feats like shattering reinforced structures with raw force. In 2025, following her merger with her dark half (Dark Raven), Raven gained a unified power boost, adopting a new white-themed and enhanced overall abilities, though this integration heightens risks of instability. Raven can also manipulate hellfire, summoning blasts of infernal energy or creating portals to dimensions such as Azarath or Trigon's realm. These cursed flames burn with otherworldly intensity, capable of incinerating mystical barriers or banishing demonic entities back to their origins. This power draws directly from Trigon's hellish domains, allowing Raven to weaponize interdimensional fire in confrontations with invaders. Due to her half-demon nature, Raven exhibits aspects of , including resistance to aging and the ability to survive events that would kill a . She has endured multiple apparent deaths, reforming her body through her Soul-Self in storylines like Titans Hunt, where her essence persists beyond physical destruction. This longevity underscores her tie to eternal demonic forces, though it comes at the cost of perpetual internal conflict.

Empathic and magical abilities

Raven's empathic abilities stem from her training on the interdimensional realm of Azarath, enabling her to sense, absorb, and manipulate the emotions of others as if they were her own. This power allows her to heal mental trauma by drawing negative feelings into herself, thereby calming distressed individuals or teammates during crises, such as tranquilizing panicked crowds in the Post-Crisis era. As of 2025, her has been enhanced post-merger with her , but this has led to malfunctions causing mood swings and irrational behavior. She has also used this to extract hidden secrets or influence behaviors, notably compelling characters like to develop unwanted affections in early storylines, though such manipulations were later toned down in the continuity. Complementing her empathy, Raven exhibits telepathic prowess, including mind reading and mental communication, which fortifies her role in by providing strategic insights into adversaries' intentions. Her manifests through the projection of her "Soul-Self," a shadowy astral form often depicted as black energy tendrils or a raven-shaped entity, allowing her to levitate objects, achieve flight, and manipulate environments on a significant scale. The intensity of these telekinetic feats varies with her emotional stability, enabling her to suspend entire groups like the Titans mid-air to avert disasters. As a skilled sorceress, Raven wields magic acquired during her upbringing on Azarath, encompassing illusions, dimensional travel via portals, and binding spells to contain supernatural threats. In the New 52 era, she employed such sorcery to bind and contain her father, Trigon, preventing his incursion into Earthly realms during the series. Her healing capabilities extend beyond empathy, as she can absorb physical pain from allies to induce rapid recovery, repairing severe injuries by assimilating them into her own body and entering a trance-like state for self-regeneration. This has been demonstrated in instances where she restored fallen Titans from near-death states, underscoring her role as a vital support figure, and reaffirmed in Titans #25 (2025).

Weaknesses and vulnerabilities

Raven's powers are intrinsically linked to her emotional state, making her vulnerable to instability when experiencing intense negative emotions like or . These feelings can amplify the influence of her demonic father, Trigon, potentially leading to partial or full possession and a resultant loss of control over her abilities, which risks endangering herself and her allies. As of 2025, this vulnerability has intensified post-merger and gem removal, with her enhanced malfunctioning to cause mood swings, irrational actions, and rogue behavior, as seen when manipulated by in Titans #21, positioning her as a potential threat to the . Historically, Raven depended on a or soul gem affixed to her forehead to contain her soul-self and suppress Trigon's corrupting presence, a reliance that persisted until its removal in Titans #15 (2024) as part of a bargain with her father. This extraction has intensified her vulnerabilities, as the gem previously acted as a stabilizing anchor against demonic surges, and its absence now exposes her to greater risks of uncontrolled power manifestations and external manipulations. As a user of mystical energies, Raven is susceptible to anti-magic fields and artifacts designed to counter sorcery, such as the Spear of Destiny, which can disrupt or nullify her abilities within its sphere of influence. Without actively channeling her powers, her physical durability remains at a level, leaving her prone to injury from conventional attacks that would harm non-enhanced individuals. The familial curse stemming from her heritage manifests as a persistent psychic link to Trigon, enabling him to exert manipulative influence over her mind and actions, as demonstrated in his repeated invasions of Earth that exploit this connection to weaken her defenses and further his conquests.

Other versions

Alternate reality variants

In the Flashpoint alternate timeline, Raven appears as a more demonic figure with red skin and four eyes, reflecting heightened influence from her father Trigon. She joins the Secret Seven, a covert team of magic-users attempting to restore balance in the war-ravaged world, but her inner demons are provoked during a mission, leading to her death at the hands of the traitorous Enchantress. In the Injustice series, an alternate Raven succumbs to her demonic heritage and aligns with Superman's authoritarian Regime following the Joker's nuclear devastation of Metropolis. She employs her empathic abilities for mind control, participating in the interrogation of Deathstroke and later possessing Green Arrow's body to attack Batman during the battle on Stryker's Island. Within the Dark Multiverse explored in Dark Nights: Death Metal (2020), a corrupted version of Raven from the Last 52 Multiverse emerges as a chaotic empath and villainous leader of an evil Teen Titans, amplifying her emotional manipulation into a force of disorder and contributing to the nightmare realms spawned by the Dark Multiverse's invasion.

Reimagined iterations in spin-offs

In the 2018 miniseries Raven: Daughter of Darkness, Raven is reimagined as a more introspective and isolated figure, stepping away from the to confront personal and familial conflicts that highlight her demonic heritage. The story centers on family drama, with Raven's mother, (born Angela Roth), and her aunt locked in a struggle over the of a fellow Titan, drawing Raven into the secretive world of the led by Baron Winters. Raven encounters a mysterious, faceless girl who serves as a for exploring her own identity and loyalties, blending horror elements with emotional turmoil as she battles otherworldly threats tied to her lineage. This iteration emphasizes Raven's vulnerability and growth outside team dynamics, portraying her as a reluctant mystic guardian against ancient assassins known as the Shadow Riders. The Unkindness of Ravens, introduced in the 2021 Future State: storyline, presents a corrupted, future version of who fully embraces her demonic side after being influenced by the , transforming into a powerful entity known as the Unkindness. In this semi-canon future, loses her humanity, gaining the ability to absorb timelines, entities, and realities, positioning her as a near-unstoppable force of chaos that threatens the DC Multiverse. She aids a dystopian iteration of the initially but ultimately consumes much of existence, only to be confronted and limited by cosmic forces like the Concept of Time. This reimagining explores 's white power form as a symbol of unleashed potential, depicting her in battles against apocalyptic threats, including succubus-like entities that test her empathic limits and heritage from Trigon. In the 2022-2023 Knight Terrors event and subsequent Titans: Beast World crossover, Raven is reimagined through her demonic half manifesting as Doctor Hate, a horror-infused mystic antagonist who breaks free from her soul-self gem to confront occult dangers in a gothic, nightmarish context. Empowered by Amanda Waller's Helmet of Hate and the Nightmare Stone, this aspect of Raven becomes a Lords of Chaos member, embodying unchecked rage and chaos as she targets the Titans and unleashes global threats like the Beast World plague. The story portrays Doctor Hate as a dark mirror to Raven's struggle for control, leading to a climactic confrontation where the heroic Raven battles her own split persona, highlighting themes of internal division and supernatural horror outside main continuity team books. In the 2024-2025 miniseries Renaissance of Raven, Raven is reimagined in a fantasy after being teleported to the past, where she navigates a world of and . Written by Sina Grace, the story explores her identity and heritage through adventures involving ancient spells, mystical allies, and threats from forgotten dimensions, emphasizing her growth as a sorceress unbound by her demonic lineage. This iteration blends epic fantasy with personal introspection, positioning Raven as a timeless guardian against eldritch forces. The storyline from the 2000s, detailed in vol. 3 #17-19 (2004), features an older as "Dark Raven" in a dystopian future where the Titans have evolved into authoritarian enforcers after defeating the . Leading a branch of the team alongside Nightwing, this iteration of revels in absorbing the fear and anguish of enemies, using her empathic powers aggressively to maintain order in a surveillance-heavy world. Married to Nightwing in this alternate timeline, she co-parents a child while grappling with the moral decay of their regime, offering a cautionary reimagining of 's potential fall to her father's influence in a team book exploring "what if" scenarios beyond prime continuity.

In other media

Television adaptations

Raven first appeared in animated television in the Warner Bros. Animation series Teen Titans (2003–2006), where she was voiced by Tara Strong as a brooding, sarcastic half-demon empath struggling to control her emotions and powers. The series depicted her as a key member of the Teen Titans team, often providing mystical support while grappling with her demonic heritage from father Trigon. Key episodes highlighting her character include "Spellbound" (season 3, episode 6), in which Raven becomes obsessed with a deceptive ancient sorcerer trapped in a book, exploring her isolation and desire for connection, and the season 4 "The End" trilogy (episodes 11–13), where Trigon invades Earth through a portal opened by Raven's suppressed rage, forcing the Titans to confront apocalyptic stakes. The character also featured in the New Teen Titans animated shorts (2011–2013), a series of comedic vignettes airing on Cartoon Network's block, with reprising her role. These chibi-style episodes portrayed Raven as the , magically inclined Titan amid team hijinks, such as dealing with Beast Boy's antics or using her powers for humorous resolutions, bridging the original series to its spin-off. In the comedic spin-off Teen Titans Go! (2013–present), also produced by , reprised her role as Raven, reimagining the character in a lighthearted, exaggerated style that emphasizes her , quirky magical abilities, and reluctant participation in the team's absurd antics. The series parodies tropes, with Raven's empathic powers often leading to humorous mishaps, such as accidentally amplifying the team's emotions or summoning objects in chaotic ways, while still nodding to her underlying emotional restraint. Raven received a live-action portrayal in the DC Universe/HBO Max series Titans (2018–2023), played by Teagan Croft as a troubled teenage girl named Rachel Roth discovering her demonic lineage and empathic gifts. Across all four seasons, the adaptation delves into her mental health challenges, including anxiety and identity crises tied to her father Trigon's influence, as she forms bonds with the Titans amid visions, possessions, and family revelations that threaten global catastrophe. Croft's performance highlights Raven's vulnerability and growth, portraying her journey from a frightened runaway to a confident hero confronting her trauma. A younger version of Raven appears in the DC Super Hero Girls animated TV series (2019–2021), set in Super Hero High, where she is voiced by Grey DeLisle-Griffin as a reserved student navigating friendships, magical empathy, and demonic heritage in team adventures against villains like Eclipso. This iteration emphasizes her growth in social dynamics and power control within a high school context.

Film and direct-to-video appearances

Raven made her debut in animated films as a core member of the in Teen Titans: Trouble in (2006), a feature that follows the team's investigation into a ninja attack on their headquarters. In the story, Raven utilizes her empathic abilities to sense threats and support her teammates during the pursuit of the villain Brushogun in , contributing to the group's efforts to resolve an international crisis without dominating the narrative. She took a more prominent leadership role in Justice League vs. Teen Titans (2016), where her demonic heritage becomes central to the plot as her father, Trigon, attempts to escape his interdimensional prison by corrupting the with demonic forces. Raven leads the in confronting the invasion, drawing on her magical powers to combat Trigon's influence and ultimately aid in banishing him, highlighting her internal struggle with her paternal legacy. Raven continued in the with : The Judas Contract (2017), voiced by , where she aids the team against Deathstroke's manipulation of new member Terra, using her soul-self and empathy to uncover betrayals and battle demonic threats tied to her father. The film explores her protective role and emotional bonds within the Titans amid infiltration and sacrifice themes. In To the Movies (2018), a theatrical animated film, voices Raven as part of the team's quest for individual movies, parodying Hollywood while facing Slade's plot to divide them; she contributes sarcastic wit, magical support, and empathic insights in chaotic, meta-superhero action. In the franchise, a younger iteration of Raven appears in direct-to-video animated films set in a high school environment, such as DC Super Hero Girls: Legends of Atlantis (2018), where she navigates friendships and her emerging magical talents as a student at Super Hero High. Voiced by , this version emphasizes Raven's empathetic side and magical empathy in team-based adventures involving underwater mysteries and peer dynamics, portraying her as a reserved newcomer learning to balance her powers with social bonds. As of November 2025, is developing a live-action film that is expected to include , potentially expanding on her character from prior adaptations in a theatrical context. The project, written by , remains in early stages without a confirmed release date or casting details.

Video games and miscellaneous media

Raven first appeared as a playable character in the fighting video game Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013), where her moveset incorporates combos utilizing her soul-self for attacks and telekinetic manipulation. She is voiced by in the game, reprising a role similar to her portrayals in animated media. Raven returned as a playable fighter in the sequel (2017), featuring expanded abilities that blend empathic projections and dark magic summons in battles against other and villains. In the mobile RPG DC Legends (2016–2023), Raven serves as a support-oriented playable character, with team-up abilities centered on her empathic powers to apply debuffs, purge enemy status effects, and provide healing to allies through emotional manipulation. Raven features in miscellaneous media beyond video games, including trading cards from sets like the 1991 Impel DC Comics series, which highlight her demonic heritage and affiliations. Merchandise such as Pop! vinyl figures, including variants from the Titans line emphasizing her signature hooded cloak and gemstone accents, has popularized her design among collectors.

Collected editions and publication history

Key collected trade paperbacks

The New Teen Titans Archives volumes 1 through 4 compile the foundational stories of the team from 1980 to 1984, prominently featuring Raven's debut in The New Teen Titans #1 and major arcs centered on her demonic heritage, including the threat of her father Trigon invading . These hardcover editions reprint issues #1–46, showcasing Raven's empathic abilities and internal struggles as integral to the team's dynamics against interstellar and supernatural foes. The 1984 storyline collected in Teen Titans: The Judas Contract highlights Raven's supportive role amid the team's betrayal by Terra, as she aids in rescuing captured members from while grappling with her own vulnerabilities. This trade paperback, originally serializing in Tales of the #42–44 and Annual #3, emphasizes Raven's emotional restraint and magical contributions during the high-stakes confrontation that reshapes the Titans' lineup. The Titans: Rebirth trade paperbacks from 2016 to 2018, including Titans Vol. 1: The Return of (#1–6), Vol. 2: Made in (#7–11 + Annual #1), and Vol. 3: A Judas (#12–20), focus on the team's reunion under Nightwing's leadership, with Raven playing a key part in investigating multiversal mysteries and battling internal threats. These volumes underscore Raven's role in mentoring younger heroes and confronting echoes of her Trigon lineage amid the broader initiative. Raven, the 2017 trade paperback collecting the six-issue Raven miniseries (2016–2017), presents a standalone tale of Raven investigating her human heritage in , where she uncovers a called the White Carnival and faces a threat, culminating in her ultimate to save the city from otherworldly possession. Written by series co-creator , this edition highlights Raven's isolation from the Titans as she battles the cult's mystical influences, resolving in a pivotal personal victory.

Ongoing series and one-shots

Raven's prominence in ongoing series began with her role as a core member of the in The New Teen Titans volume 2, which ran for 130 issues from August 1984 to February 1996. This series, initially written by and illustrated by , featured Raven as a mainstay alongside teammates like Nightwing, Starfire, , and , exploring her struggles with her demonic heritage and empathic powers in arcs such as "The Terror of Trigon." The title transitioned to The New Titans starting with issue #50 in 1988, continuing to emphasize Raven's internal conflicts and team dynamics through various creative teams until its conclusion. Following a period of team-based appearances, Raven returned to a central role in Teen Titans volume 3, which launched in September 2003 under writer and artist Mike McKone, spanning issues #1-44 through 2006. Johns' run reintroduced Raven after her resurrection in the "Titans Hunt" storyline, integrating her into a of Titans including Tim Drake's Robin, , and , with key arcs like "Raven Rising" highlighting her mystical battles against the Church of Blood and her father Trigon. The series balanced teen drama with high-stakes action, cementing Raven's evolution from a brooding outsider to a vital emotional anchor for the team. In the New 52 era, Raven joined the relaunched Teen Titans volume 5 in 2014, written by Scott Lobdell across 23 issues until 2016. This run, illustrated by artists including Paul Pelletier, positioned Raven as a mentor figure to younger members like Red Robin and Wonder Girl, delving into her Azarathian origins and conflicts with demonic forces in stories tied to broader DC events like "Forever Evil." Her empathic abilities often served as a narrative pivot, sensing threats and influencing team decisions amid themes of identity and legacy. More recently, Raven has been a key player in Titans volume 4, an ongoing series starting in July 2023 written by and illustrated by . As of November 2025, the series exceeds 20 issues, with Raven's storyline prominently featuring her confrontations with Trigon and her siblings, including arcs where she grapples with overwhelming emotions and potential corruption. Complementing this, the digital one-shot and ongoing series Renaissance of Raven, launched in November 2024 and written by Sina Grace with art by Carola Borelli, explores Raven's time-travel adventures into a mystical past realm, spanning at least six issues through 2025 and focusing on her personal reinvention and trauma.

Cultural impact and legacy

Influence on superhero tropes

Raven's introduction as an empathic mystic in DC Comics marked a significant evolution in the portrayal of superheroes with emotional and psychic powers tied to their inner turmoil. Her ability to sense, absorb, and manipulate emotions not only served as a core mechanic for her character but also emphasized the psychological depth of magic users, influencing subsequent depictions of characters grappling with emotional volatility in their power sets. This trope of empathy as a double-edged sword—empowering yet burdensome—has echoed in portrayals of magic that draw from personal feelings, such as in Marvel's Scarlet Witch, where emotional states amplify chaotic reality-warping abilities. The half-demon heritage of popularized the trope of familial villain dynamics, particularly the fraught father-daughter relationship with a demonic patriarch, which became a recurring motif in narratives. Her ongoing battle against the influence of her father, Trigon, highlighted themes of inherited evil versus personal redemption, a dynamic that resonated in later works like Mike Mignola's series, where the protagonist navigates a similar infernal lineage, and in spin-offs from Alan Moore's , where occult anti-heroes confront paternal or demonic legacies. This underscored the anti-hero's internal conflict, blending vulnerability with immense power. In the 1980s, Raven played a pivotal role in elevating the from mere sidekicks to standalone stars, transforming the series into a blockbuster that blended horror elements with traditional superheroics. Co-created by and , her mysterious gothic horror aspects—rooted in demonic threats and soul-self manifestations—infused the team with darker, more mature storytelling, allowing for explorations of fear, isolation, and supernatural dread alongside action and camaraderie. This innovative fusion helped redefine team books, proving that horror-infused narratives could drive commercial success and critical acclaim, with The New becoming one of DC's top-selling titles of the era. Raven's modern legacy extends to inspiring diverse, mentally complex female heroes in young adult , where characters like (Kamala Khan) reflect a similar emphasis on , emotional resilience, and balancing with heroic duties. Her of the introspective, multicultural mystic with psychological depth has contributed to a broader representation of women in superhero stories, encouraging narratives that prioritize struggles and empowerment through self-acceptance in contemporary YA titles.

Reception and fan legacy

Raven's portrayal in the original New Teen Titans run by and received widespread critical acclaim for its emotional depth and character development, particularly Raven's internal struggles with her demonic heritage, which added psychological complexity to the superhero genre. The series earned multiple , including Best New Book in 1982 and Best Group Book in 1984, recognizing its innovative storytelling and artwork. The 2003 Teen Titans further elevated Raven's visibility, portraying her as a brooding yet relatable mystic with a dry wit, which resonated with younger audiences and garnered several Annie Award nominations, such as for Outstanding Music in an Animated Television Production in 2004 and Outstanding Storyboarding in an Animated Television Production in 2005. Among fans, Raven has endured as a cosplay staple at major conventions like and New York Comic-Con, where her iconic hooded cloak and leotard inspire elaborate interpretations ranging from classic comic versions to modern variants. Online fan communities actively engage with her character, debating recent redesigns such as the 2024 Renaissance of Raven series, where writer Sina Grace drew inspiration from Olivia Rodrigo's GUTS album to infuse Raven with themes of self-discovery and emotional turmoil. The series, launched digitally on in November 2024, quickly gained traction among readers for its fresh take on her fantasy roots and won the 2025 Ringo Award for Best Webcomic. Raven's popularity has driven notable sales impacts, with the 2024 Renaissance of Raven debuting to strong digital engagement on DC's platforms, reflecting her ongoing appeal in the direct-to-consumer market. The 2018 live-action Titans series, featuring Anna Diop as Raven, spurred a surge in merchandise, including action figures, apparel, and collectibles from brands like McFarlane Toys and Funko, capitalizing on the character's expanded fanbase. Controversies surrounding Raven often center on early depictions that emphasized her form-fitting costume, leading to perceptions of in , as critiqued in discussions of superheroine portrayals during that era. In contrast, modern interpretations, including the Titans series and recent , shift toward empowered narratives highlighting her agency and mystical prowess, addressing past criticisms by focusing on her strength and independence.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.