Red X (DC Comics)
| Red X | |
|---|---|
| Teen Titans character | |
 Red X with Robin in the episode "X" | |
| First appearance | Masks |
| Created by |
Glen Murakami David Slack |
| Portrayed by | Scott Menville |
| Information | |
| Full name | Unknown |
| Aliases | X |
| Affiliations | Brotherhood of Evil (formerly) |
| Abilities |
With Xenothium-Powered Suit
|
Red X is a mysterious character from the Teen Titans animated show who debuted in the episode "Masks".[1] Originally Red X was used an alternate identity for Robin in order to get closer to Slade, however someone later stole the name & costume.[2] The new Red X's motives are usually selfish & unknown. Both versions of the character uses a variety of skill and gadgets to defeat anyone who stands in his way. He has also appeared in the show's comic book adaptation and in the spin-off Teen Titans Go! as well. The character was voiced by Scott Menville.[3]
History
Robin as Red X
Red X was originally a villainous cover identity Robin had conceived for an attempt to get closer to Slade. Mystified by the enigma the shady villain presented, Robin approached Professor Chang for the necessary items - particularly Xenothium for a power source - to create the Red X suit, and posing as a superpowered master thief, Robin stole several computer chips Slade was after and offered them with a proposition to enter a partnership.
However, Robin's haste in trying to get too close exposed his identity to Slade, and in fear that if he told his teammates about his plans, they wouldn't play their parts convincingly, he chose not to tell them. But the plan went awry; Slade revealed his knowledge of Robin's identity, and while Robin managed to retrieve the chips, Slade managed to elude him yet again. Robin was back at square one, with one additional step backwards: he had lost the trust of his friends.
Since the Xenothium power core could not be disposed safely, Robin stored the suit inside a vault in Titans Tower, never to be used again.
The New Red X
Some time later, however, the suit came into the possession of an unknown culprit who intended to use it for his own financial gain. Because the Xenothium supply in the suit's power belt was nearly exhausted, Red X stole a scanner which could locate the substance. Not knowing where to look for him, Robin coerced Professor Chang into revealing the most likely location where Red X could get his hands on more Xenothium: a highly secured tech company at the city's south end. Red X managed to penetrate the facility, with the Teen Titans in pursuit - but Professor Chang's henchmen were following them; Chang intended to swipe the Xenothium for his own to power a gigantic disintegrator cannon of his own construction. In order to ensure no interference from Robin, he captured the other Titans and held them hostage.
Robin confronted Red X about his self-serving attitudes, while Red X kept taunting Robin about the one mistake which helped create him. Unimpressed and willing to make amends, Robin went after Chang himself, but almost ended up his victim as well. At the last moment, Red X saved Robin from certain death and aided him in freeing his teammates and bringing down Chang. When the Titans intended to do the same with him, he escaped by detonating a tube of Xenothium at their feet, though he had to leave his power belt in Robin's hands.
Later on, Red X was seen as a recruit among the ranks of the Brotherhood of Evil. With his power belt replaced, he participated in a race initiated by Ding Dong Daddy for Robin's most prized possession, in order to sell it to the highest bidder. A bomb dropped by Daddy blew him off the road, but he was saved by Robin at the last instant. Because of this, and because he realized how desperate Robin was, Red X attacked the other villains participating in the race, thoroughly disabling their vehicles. His last target was a bus driven by Raven and Starfire, from which he withheld; he told the two girls "Tell Robin we're even ... for now", and disappeared.
Red X did not appear in the final confrontation with the Brotherhood afterward, implying he quit the organization. His current whereabouts and activities are unknown.
Personality
Red X's personality is the one major difference between him and Robin. While Robin was Red X, he was even more serious than normal and kept his goal of capturing Slade as his top priority. The new X, however, is a thief who is "just looking out for number one", stealing purely for monetary gain. This Red X is revealed to be far less serious, finding his battle with the Titans amusing and voicing derogatory quips as he immobilizes them with his gadgets. He even flirts with Starfire, indicating that he and Robin both share similar tastes when it comes to girls though it might also be an example of his flippant sense of humor.
On the other hand, despite being a self-serving robber, he is not without heroic qualities. He rarely performs acts of true evil and, when the time comes for him to use his powers to prevent disaster, he tends to rise to the occasion. In his initial appearance, in the episode "X", he ends up helping Robin against Professor Chang and freeing the rest of the Titans. Later, in "Revved Up", he enters the race for Robin's personal secret, but, after Robin saves his life, he repays the favor by taking out the other villains participating in the race and disappears right afterwards. He has since become one of the most popular characters to have been created for the series.
Powers and Abilities
Physically, Red X is an accomplished acrobat and martial arts fighter on par with Robin. In fact, their combat techniques are quite similar, giving weight to the common suspicion that both once had the same tutor (which would be Batman).
Red X's powers derive from his suit's belt. The belt relies on power from a (possibly artificial) element called Xenothium. The suit is also fitted with an invisibility or cloaking device, and a teleportation device. The palms of his gloves can also form x-shaped manifestations which can act as shuriken, wrist-mounted blades, restraints (by constriction or adhesion), timed explosives, electric X's, instant openings, or any other conceivable function.[4]
Robin noted that he created Red X's main weapon systems as specific ways to beat each of his fellow Titans.
Identity
Many fans of the series believe Red X's identity to be Jason Todd, who served as Robin after Dick Grayson left Batman and became Nightwing.[5] This theory came about after fans noticed the similarities between the characters.
In the episode "X", a humorous reference to this possibility is made through a theory table set by Beast Boy about the identity of the new Red X, which includes Jason Todd as a candidate.[6] Beast Boy's other theories included: an evil twin; "a bionic monkey infused with Robin's DNA"; Larry, the inter-dimensional imp that the Titans had met in "Fractured"; or a time-traveling version of Nightwing, Robin's future identity
Appearances
Television
Teen Titans
- Season 1: Masks (as Robin)
- Season 3: X (As Own Character)[7]
- Season 5: Homecoming - Part 2 (cameo)[8] and Revved Up[9]
New Teen Titans (shorts)
- Red X Unmasked
Teen Titans Go!
- Season 1: In and Out (Robin's identity, debut)
- Season 3: The True Meaning of Christmas (mentioned)
Comics
Teen Titans Go!
- Knockoff!
- Bad Girls (mentioned only)[10]
Video Games
References
- ↑ Season 1; Episode 9 - "Masks"
- ↑ "Red X (character)". Comic Vine. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
- ↑ "Voice Of Red X - Teen Titans". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
- ↑ "Red X". DC Universe Amino Amino. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
- ↑ "Do we ever find out who Red X is?". Retrieved 5 July 2017.
- ↑ Darhk, Damien. "Who is Red-X?". Movie Pilot. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
- ↑ Season 3; Episode 2 - "X"
- ↑ Season 5; Episode 2 - "Homecoming Part 2"
- ↑ Season 5; Episode 9 - "Revved Up"
- ↑ "Teen Titans GO! Comic book series". Retrieved 5 July 2017.
- ↑ "Red X (Character)". IMDb. Retrieved 6 July 2017.