Warning! Spoilers for Teen Titans Academy #1!
Masks in general have always been a staple in superhero lore, but most dangerous tools in a heroes arsenal as well. From using them to hide secret identities, gain confidence that wouldn’t otherwise be there or simply look cool as hell, costumes and masks go hand in hand in the crime-fighting scene, and they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
But just because donning a mask is more or less imperative for the business the heroes of Teen Titan trainees in Teen Titans Academy #1 by Tim Sheridan and Rafa Sandoval, the idea of losing yourself to the idea of a mask is one that is not only a valid concern for these new recruits, but one that may very well spell doom for some of them if they let it.
Kicking off this new Infinite Frontier era of DC Comics, the fan favorite Teen Titans roster of Nightwing, Starfire, Beast Boy, Raven, Donna Troy, and Cyborg have taken it upon themselves to start a school for young heroes with the hope of not exactly changing the world per se, but doing as much good in it as possible. Taking a group of trainees into the holographic training room for a quick introduction and demonstration of their new space, Nightwing is immediately bombarded with question pertaining to his one-time alter ego of Red X.
Seen only outside of comic continuity as more of a "dark" version of Nightwing until Future State brought the character into the main DC universe, Red X is a stain on Nightwing’s past that he’s trying extremely hard not to repeat. But as the holographic interface inexplicably projects an image of Red X for him to combat, Nightwing can do little but show off his skills and imbue his students with a very important lesson about wearing masks.
Explaining to his students that while wearing masks can be fun and can protect and hide one’s self from bad guys and civilians alike, it’s also a tool that can be used to protect and hide yourself from, well, yourself. Saying “You have to be able to look in the mirror and recognize the person looking back – if you don’t, it’s time to take the mask off,” Nightwing alludes to his own personal struggles with being Red X and losing himself to the darkness of that role, something he doesn’t want his students to have to repeat. Further driving home this point, Nightwing its that masks are “tools born out of necessity” but goes on to say that “they can also be born out of ego and mistrust,” solidifying the danger a mask can pose to any hero should the idea of what it represents – whether well intentioned or not – get the better of them.
So while the heroes of DC have always suited up and headed out when the newest super villain threat rears its ugly head, there’s another underlying danger of wearing a mask that Nightwing is quick to point out could affect anyone at anytime if they’re not careful. The mysterious legacy of Red X may just be beginning, but Nightwing is sure to nip any repeat of his own past in the bud, a preemptive notion that hopefully plays out in the right way for these new superhero recruits.
