WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Titans #18!One of the most iconic supervillain teams is making its return to the DC Universe, with its sinister focus aimed squarely at theJustice LeagueandTitans. However, this comeback is in name only, as one cunning DC villain is engaging in a case of"stolen group identity,“commandeering the team name for himself and rebuilding it with a bold new roster.
John Layman and Pete Woods’Titans#17 dropped a major bombshell at the end of the issue with the reveal ofDeathstroke returning to theTitansnarrativeafter last being seen during the events of theDark Crisisstoryline. In the closing scene, he approaches Clock King and strikes an alliance with the newly powered villain.
Titans#18 continues the Deathstroke-involved narrative with another jaw-dropping last-page reveal, showing thatSlade is not only working with Clock King but has also set plans in motion to form the new CRIME SYNDICATE—one of DC’s most infamous supervillain teams.
Deathstroke’s New Master Plan: Re-Form The CRIME SYNDICATE
Comic Panel Comes From the Last Page ofTitans#18 (2024)
Some fans might be surprised by the revelation that Deathstroke is re-forming the Crime Syndicate—and rightfully so. This marks a major shift from the villains (and even the Earth) typically associated with this infamous supervillain team.Traditionally, the Crime Syndicate is tied to Earth-3 and comprises evil counterparts of the Justice League.Its members include Atomica, Deathstorm, Grid, Johnny Quick, The Martian, The Outsider, Owlman, Power Ring, The Sea King, Superwoman, and Ultraman—villains who mirror The Atom, Firestorm, Cyborg, The Flash, Martian Manhunter, Alfred Pennyworth, Batman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and Superman, respectively.
By declaring that he is re-forming the Crime Syndicate,Deathstroke is essentially co-opting the name of this iconic Earth-3 team and transforming it into something entirely new, complete with a different roster.InTitans#18, Slade makes this clear when he refers to the Crime Syndicate as the“fake Justice League”while laying out his plans. This connection is confirmed by the end of his monologue when he declares,“…the newly re-formed Crime Syndicate will hold all the power.”
Will the Crime Syndicate of Earth-3 Join Deathstroke’s New Team?
Cover B Variant featuring Owlman, Ultraman, and More by Skan Srisuwan forCrime Syndicate#1 (2021)
With Deathstroke declaring his plans to re-form the Crime Syndicate, some fans may wonder if the lineup will include any villains from Earth-3, as they are the original members of the team. The short answer is no. Fans who followed the events ofAbsolute Powerwill recall that one of the consequences of the heroes' victory against Amanda Waller wasEarth-Prime being sealed off from the multiverse, including Earth-3.This means that even if Slade wanted to, he wouldn’t be able to contact the original Crime Syndicate members.
Absolute Power#4by Mark Waid and Dan Mora provided visual confirmation of this multiverse barrier when Flash (Barry Allen) severed Earth-Prime’s connections to the other Earths in the DCU. Ultraman and Owlman were among the villains trying to access Earth-3 through Amanda Waller’s transmatter machine, but Barry’s disruption sealed them back on their respective Earth. This moment also implied that the otherCrime Syndicate members were similarly locked away on their home planet.Therefore, it’s highly unlikely that there will be a twist revealing Slade working with the original Crime Syndicate members.
“The Multiverse… It’s Gone”: DC Rewrites a Cornerstone Rule of Its Entire Continuity, Beginning Bold New Era
Amanda Waller’s attack on the DC Universe reaches its apex and though the heroes make it out alive, the multiverse suffers a devastating blow.
Who’s in DC’s Revamped Crime Syndicate Lineup?
Main Cover Featuring Psycho-Pirate By Pete Woods forTitans#21 (2025)
With the original Crime Syndicate members out of the running for Deathstroke’s re-formed team, the question arises: which villains will fill the roster?Titans#17 teased Clock Kingas a member of Deathstroke’s Crime Syndicate, andTitans#18 confirmed his membership.The issue also reveals Slade’s intention to recruit Mammoth.Although Mammoth’s sister, Shimmer, is currently in the custody of the Titans, it’s possible she could join the team in the future. Other potential members have been teased through synopses and cover art for upcomingTitansissues.
Titans#19 hints at Killer Frost joining the team, with both the issue’s synopsis and cover art strongly suggesting her involvement. WhileTitans#20 offers no clues about additional members,Titans#21 confirms the arrival of Psycho-Pirate in the narrative, making him a strong candidate for the Crime Syndicate. It appears Layman is steering the team in a direction that highlights less prominent and less well-known villains, setting the stage for an entertaining dynamic and bringing some fresh faces into the Titans’ storyline.
Deathstroke’s Crime Syndicate Will Take on the Titans AND the Justice League
Cover F 1:25 Wraparound Card Stock Variant Featuring Superman, Wonder Woman, and More by Fico Ossio forJustice League Unlimited#4 (2025)
During his villainous monologue inTitans#18, Deathstroke lays out his motivations and intentions for forming the Crime Syndicate, revealing that he aims to use the team to“topple the first domino of this sprawling new Justice League: my old enemies, the Titans.”Slade makes it clear that his primary target is the Titans, but with DC’s ALL IN initiative expanding the Justice League roster to include all of Earth’s heroes, a blow to the Titans would also deal significant damage to the League.Deathstrokethenfurther clarifies that his ambitions extend beyond theTitans, as he plans to take down the rest of theJustice LeagueUnlimited as well.
Teen Titansis a superhero animated TV series based on the DC Comics team of the same name. Airing from 2003 to 2006, the show follows five young heroes—Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy—as they battle villains while navigating adolescence. The series was widely praised for its blend of action, humor, and character development, and it spawned a popular spin-off,Teen Titans Go!.
