Raven's Titans powers were finally fixed in season 3, and it laid the groundwork for Rachel Roth's character development in the fourth — and apparently last — season of the HBO Max series. In DC Comics, Raven first appeared in 1980's DC Comics Presents #26. The daughter of the human Arella (Angela in the HBO show) and the demon Trigon, Raven is an empath and magical conduit whose dark and mystical powers make her the most powerful member of DC's Teen Titans. In the comics, Raven's power far surpasses even that of the mythical Merlin — Trigon's grandson and Raven's nephew. For long-time DC Comics readers and viewers of the original Teen Titans animated series, this made Raven arguably the most highly anticipated Titans character.
Raven's Titans season 3 story arc gave her control of her powers, and some much-needed character growth in time for the live-action debut of Rachel's White Raven transformation in Titans season 4. Unfortunately, the reboot of the new DCU has led to the confirmed cancellation of Titans — but the show's not over just yet. Titans season 4, part 2 has no release date, but is expected to appear on HBO Max's slate sometime soon, which means that Raven and the rest of the team's stories are far from over. Though Raven began as a somewhat disappointing live-action adaptation of one of DC's most interesting young superheroes, Titans eventually got a handle on the character in its later seasons. Here's a full breakdown of how the show pulled it off — and what's in store for Raven's future.
Titans Seasons 1 and 2 Mishandled Raven's Powers
The early problem with Raven's Titans powers is that they didn't truly reflect the character's true potential throughout season 1 and 2. Played by Teagan Croft, Rachel Roth debuted in Titans as a troubled youngster coming to terms with the long line of death and violence in her wake. Teenagers not getting along with their fathers is nothing out of the ordinary, but Rachel really took "dad from hell" to an entirely different level. Titans season 1 Rachel was a ticking time bomb of dark energy, an innocent child harboring power far beyond her fellow Titans, relying on Dick Grayson and his pals to ensure that she didn't accidentally murder anyone due to some careless burst of emotion.
After a full season spent finding herself, Rachel came good at the end of season 1, mastering her abilities to vanquish Trigon — the show's first tease of what Raven is truly capable of. Frustratingly, Titans season 2 failed to capitalize on what should've been Raven's coming-out party on the superhero stage. Rachel immediately reverted to being the Titans' resident dangerous teen. She was still unable to control her abilities, still deeply unsure of herself, and those around her still sleeping with one eye open as Raven's black goop insisted on doing its own thing. While every other Titan was improved and developed in season 2, Rachel wound up right where she began.
The Titans season 3, the time skip allowed a much-needed character reset. When Rachel eventually returned in Titans season 3 she was much stronger, wiser, and longer a slave to her powers. A period of training under the Amazons at Themyscira had rejuvenated Rachel, giving her a handle on the Raven she once struggled to keep tethered. The change was demonstrated in Rachel's very first Titans season 3 scene, where she leaked a tiny bit of power to aid Donna's ritual, but immediately withdrew it after a stern shake of the head from her Amazonian mentor. Later in the episode, Raven expertly wielded her dark gifts to rebuild Themyscira's intricate soul statue, proving how far her control had come between seasons.
How Titans Season 3 Fixed Raven
The show hasn't rewritten the core ingredients of Rachel's personality or even Raven's Titans powers — she's remained a stubborn young superhero/demigod who isn't afraid to speak her mind. But while the Raven of Titans season 1 and 2 was shackled by fear, post-season 3 Rachel exudes confidence, both in herself, and her abilities. Instead of being scared to unleash the Raven in case she hurts those around her, Rachel even rebelled against the Amazons because she believed her methods held more hope of reviving Donna than theirs. This is the steely, determined Rachel that should've emerged after Raven defeated Titans' main villain Trigon had the show handled Raven's powers well.
Following Raven's Titans season 3 story arc, the group's dynamic changed completely as Dick and others didn't need to be vigilant of Raven's wandering tendrils, and the young crime-fighting collective looked more comic-book-authentic as a result — with Raven a vital cog in their operation. Rachel's newfound confidence also means her Beast Boy romance can advance to the next stage, with Gar very obviously still in love. Once portrayed as a liability, Raven wasn't fulfilling her potential. However, thanks to the good folks of Themyscira, the Raven that Titans fans wanted all along had arrived.
How Titans Season 4 Transformed Raven's Powers
Raven's Titans powers got another upgrade in the Titans season 4 finale when she became the live-action White Raven. Titans first teased White Raven's debut when Mother Mayhem siphoned Rachel's powers earlier in Titans season 4, which caused her forehead gem to disappear and her hair to turn white. Finally, Titans' White Raven reveal came near the climax of the battle between the Titans and the Church of Blood, when Gar — in his signature comic book gorilla form - destroys the vessel that held Rachel's power, causing the surprising transformation and finally paying off Raven's Titans season 3 story arc.
Many recognize White Raven from the Teen Titans animated series, where Rachel's most powerful form first appeared in the 2003 episode titled "Nevermore." However, Titans season 4' story suggests that the live-action White Raven is more directly based on her first DC Comics appearance — 2004's Teen Titans' Rising Raven arc — which has a similar plot to the HBO series. In any case, Titans season 4 part 2 still needs to wrap up eight multiple plot points before the show ends, and this will likely include a final confrontation between Trigon, White Raven, and a now fully empowered Sebastian.
While viewers unfamiliar with Teen Titans source material were understandably confused by Rachel's White Raven transformation, what's crucial to understand is that this isn't just another power upgrade, but a crucial set-up to the Titans endgame. White Raven's fate may even determine whether James Gunn and Peter Safran can fold Titans' established continuity into the new DCU.