No matter how dark and gritty comic books and the entertainment based on them get, fans can always rely on a heavy sprinkling of witty one-liners to break up the tension. DC characters like Alfred and Beast Boy are well known for adding sarcasm and levity to scenes that would otherwise be too dark and brooding. Even the more serious characters get the occasional good zinger of a line. DC entertainment just wouldn't be the same without that little touch of humor.
HBO Max's live-action take on the Teen Titans comics, is no exception. The show has struggled with some pacing and storytelling issues, but its character depiction has never let fans down. Humorous comments and conversations are spread gratuitously throughout each of the three seasons, giving fans a good chuckle between the intense interpersonal scenes and action shots.
"Hoho! That's My Favorite One!" - Dick
Dick actually says this line several times in the eighth episode of season one, in response to Donna Troy, a founding member of the Titans, calling him all his old nicknames. Every single time she calls him Boy Wonder, Bird Boy, and any of the other names, he responds with a sarcastic, "Hoho! That's my favorite one!"
It's a funny running gag for the episode and a good establishment of history between Dick and Donna. They have known each other since their early sidekick days and have an easy report, filled with banter. It also is a fun little reference back to the different names Dick Grayson was called during his time as Robin.
"That's How Dick Likes His Fruitcake!" - Stu
In episode 12 of season 2, Dick needs a new costume and goes to Stu, the man who designed his Robin suit. Unfortunately, Stu is extremely upset that Dick burned the suit he worked so hard on. While the entire amusing scene plays out, Stu uses fruitcake as a metaphor for the Robin suit, eventually lighting it on fire to demonstrate his ire.
It's an uncomfortable moment for Dick Grayson, but hilarious for the audience. Stu's assistant even calls Dick out for being dramatic and burning the suit. It was a perfectly timed bit of levity before transitioning to the tragic final episode of the season.
"What The Fu*k is That And Why Is It Wearing Dick's Costume?" - Donna
In this scene during the first episode of season 2, Hank and Dawn have brought Jason Todd to help save Rachel and Dick. Donna sees him in the Robin costume and has an amusingly strong reaction. She knew that her friend burned the suit, but hasn't moved on from Dick Grayson being Robin. Jason's cocky attitude and Hank's annoyance play into the hilarity of the scene, foreshadowing their character's interactions in the future.
The scene also foreshadows Jason's frustration at feeling stuck in Dick's shadow and not a true member of the team. Donna's reaction is important because, looking back, fans can pinpoint this as one of the first moments someone other than Dick resists his presence as Robin. Not feeling part of the family is a small part of what started Jason's journey to ending up as Red Hood.
"I Wonder What The Penguin Is Doing Right Now." - Dick
In another hilarious moment of season 1 episode 8, Donna has just left Dick on his own during her art show, informing him that he needs more social interaction. Dick, clearly unsure how to act without being confrontational or awkward, and after one failed attempt to interact with a person, wonders what the Penguin is up to.
The scene is a hilarious highlight of the fact that Dick has spent so much time as a vigilante and police officer that he would rather be fighting bad guys than mingling with strangers. He is adorably awkward and it's a silly moment harkening back to the lighter personality Dick has in the comics.
"What About The Unconscious Naked Dude Down The Hall?" - Garfield
In season 2 episode 9, the Titans are falling apart and Garfield Logan is left to take care of the tower. He has no problem asking Dick what he is supposed to do about an unconscious and very naked Connor while everyone is gone. Dick tells him to call Batman when Connor wakes up, thrusting Gar into fanboy mode for a moment.
Gar is a lovable goofball, no matter what incarnation -- comics, animation, or live-action. He doesn't hold back his observations and questions, lightening the mood, even by accident. The writers chose well when they decided to make Gar befriend Connor, as Connor needs a more innocent influence that spends less time doing the dark and brooding schtick.
"Were You Born An A**hole?" - Dove
Right before tragedy strikes again, Hawk and Dove have a perfect moment of banter while fighting side by side. Hawk is distracting the man he is fighting by asking him a nature or nurture question when Dove pipes up and adds her two cents.
This is one of the rare times in the series fans get to see the Titans fighting together. Their dynamic as a team is a treat to witness. The lighthearted joking and working together with ease highlights the potential the team has if the writers ever allow them to actually be the protectors of the city that they were meant to be.
"More People Should Drop Their Problem Children Off Buildings. It Clarifies The Mind And Body." - Bruce
During season 2, Dick is suffering from guilt-induced hallucinations of Bruce Wayne. Bruce makes comments with the wit of a classic Alfred Pennyworth, not at all in character with Batman. In episode 7, the comments are worse when Dick is dealing with a PTSD-ridden Jason Todd, highlighting his guilt about what happened to the new Robin, and making it difficult for Dick to concentrate.
The commentary lightens the darker moments of interaction between Dick and Jason. Hilarious but entirely inaccurate claims about throwing children off of buildings being good for you are sure to make the audience crack up while poking more sharply at Dick's guilty conscience.
"Titans Are Back, Bit*hes!" - Todd
In his usual spirit of impertinence, Jason Todd, dressed as Robin, kicks off the first episode of season two by photobombing a news crew, shouting "Titans are back, bit*hes!" into the camera. His subsequent banter with Hank is a preview of their love-hate relationship throughout the season.
This quote has become an iconic way to celebrate new seasons and episodes of Titans. The situational humor was timed perfectly, and it is a spot-on representation of the kid that Jason was before he ed the team.
"Gotham, It's Mine Now." - Red Hood
In episode 2 of season 3, fans were treated to a scene that was a direct reference to the Under the Red Hood storyline. Confronting the crime lords of Gotham, Red Hood tells them, "Gotham, it's mine now." This line is important to fans because of its nod to both the comic and the movie.
The entirety of season three of Under the Red Hood, some of the most popular Batman comic story arcs. While the Red Hood identity reveal in the show doesn't hold a candle to the previous iterations, this scene was spot on.
"Fu*k Batman." - Dick
The very first thing we hear Dick Grayson say in the show, "Fu*k Batman," has become an absolutely iconic part of Titans. It immediately set the tone for the series, demonstrating to fans how Dick was trying to distance himself from his mentor.
Fans speculate that the show is setting one of the main characters to be the next replacement Batman, but from the very beginning, Dick has made it clear that him acting like Batman never ends well. Bruce alienated people, let innocents get hurt, and trained boys in need of therapy to be soldiers. Dick doesn't want to be that person, so fans will have to wait and see what plays out in future seasons.