One of the latest storylines of the HBO Max series Titans is centered around Garfield Logan, also known as Beast Boy, and this plot line introduces the concept of a mystic force known as “The Red.” While Beast Boy has previously struggled with his powers, initially only capable of assuming the form of a Tiger, he has recently begun tapping into this force to change into various animal forms, albeit while losing control at times.

Here, we are going to look into the origins of The Red and its counterparts while also noting how these forces can and have made their presence felt throughout the DC Universe and related properties. We’ll be detailing their presence in the source material and how heroes who are in touch with this force are affected in various ways.

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The Red

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The Red has been introduced to Garfield Logan as a force capable of allowing him to shift into different animal forms. While this is a departure from Beast Boy’s most commonly known origin, it does line up with his appearance in the New 52 reboot of DC Comics. It would be in this iteration of the character that we would see Beast Boy take on a red appearance instead of his traditional green, using his powers to transform into animals at will while being subjected to experiments by Harvest.

The Red is a mystic force that spans all of humanity, generally covering all beings, including humans, though there is a primary focus on animals. With Beast Boy carrying such a strong connection to the Red while also being tortured as a youth, he had become violent and channeled his emotions as well as his connection to the Red, and would prove to be a formidable member of the Ravagers and the Teen Titans before having his origin adapted in the Rebirth era.

How the Red Ties to Other Heroes

The Red can connect to many individuals, but like other forces (more on those later), the Red has a champion to whom the Avatars of the Red lend their power. While Titans may be leaning towards making Beast Boy the champion (or at least a significant individual), the New 52 depicts Buddy Baker, also known as Animal Man, as the champion of the Red. Animal Man could gain key animal abilities while maintaining his human form. Eventually, Buddy’s daughter would become the chosen one, gaining the power to change her form when necessary. Other notable characters connected to the Red include Vixen, B’Wana Beast, Killer Croc, Cheetah, and many more.

The Green

The main counterpart to the Red is the Green. The Green is the mystic force that embodies plant life, and the avatars of the Green have selected the creature known as the Swamp Thing to be their avatar. HBO Max fans are already keenly aware of Swamp Thing, with the creature receiving its own limited series run on the predecessor to the network’s “DC Universe.”

Other people connected to the Green, with varying significance, would include Poison Ivy, the Floronic Man, Earth-2’s Green Lantern (Alan Scott), and the many individuals who had previously taken on the mantle of Swamp Thing. With powers to manipulate plants as well as travel to anywhere on the Earth that connects to land, Swamp Thing has often proven to be a grand champion while also dealing with some of the darker elements of the DCU. It is often said that the Green and the Red are scheming to disrupt the balance; however, the creatures they have selected are generally inclined toward peace. The third force that we are covering today is much different, however.

The Rot

The third primary force involved in the Earth’s (and other planets) mystic makeup is the Rot, which encompasses the dead, whether these dead come from plants, animals, or human beings. The avatars of the Rot are the more hostile forces that are more tempted to disrupt the balance and turn the Earth into a wasteland. Giving their power to Anton Arcane, the nefarious wizard would attempt to sabotage the Green’s new champion by killing Alec Holland before he realized his potential. The avatars of the Green were able to save Holland, though Anton would remain a fierce enemy.

Other people with connections to the Rot would include Earth-2’s Solomon Grundy, an undead zombie (established well before Marvel’s take on the genre) that would rise no matter what form of destruction sought him, and Frankenstein’s Monster, an agent of the super spy agency S.H.A.D.E., though the monster would attempt to use his bolstered power to turn the tide against the undead hordes that were ravaging the Earth. There was also the curious matter of Abigail Arcane, Anton’s heir apparent, though the young witch would refuse this dark power, instead fighting alongside her lover, the Swamp Thing. With the introduction of the Red on the hit series Titans, one has to wonder if the team is working on reviving the Swamp Thing series and potentially bringing back Solomon Grundy from the recently canceled Stargirl series.