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Pop culture and DC are coming together as the comic giant confirms that the latest version of Teen Titans’ Raven is directly inspired by pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo. The artist’s soul-baring music, which has become the anthem of self-discovery and young adulthood for millions, is now making a big impact on comics. And once you uncover the writer’s reason for aligning the empath with Rodrigo’s GUTS album, you’ll never see Raven—or GUTS—the same way again.
Exploring the overarching themes of GUTS reveals that the album essentially embodies Raven’s core essence.
DC’s latest take on the iconic empath comes to life in Renaissance of Raven, crafted by Sina Grace, Carola Borelli, Katherine Lobo, and Nico Bascuñán. This reimagining is part of DC GO!—a platform showcasing exclusive webcomics on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.
The first issue, which debuted on November 20, introduces a bold new version of Raven who finds herself teleported to the past into a fantasy realm filled with magic and mysticism. Here, her moral compass is put to the test as doing the “right thing” might not align with what’s best for her. In a recent interview with DC, writer Sina Grace revealed that this iteration of Raven was inspired by Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS album as one particular song playing a key role in shaping her characterization and tone.
Olivia Rodrigo is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who skyrocketed to fame with her debut album,
SOUR
, cementing her status as one of pop music’s most powerful and authentic voices. Her 2023 album release,
GUTS
, builds on that legacy, showcasing her evolution as both an artist and storyteller.
Renaissance of Raven Writer Reveals Olivia Rodrigo Inspired His Take on Raven
Rodrigo’s Teenage Dream Serves as the Emotional Anchor of the Comic
In an interview with DC, Sina Grace shared insights into Renaissance of Raven, acknowledging that this version of Raven draws influence from Teen Titans Go! and the classic Wolfman/Pérez iteration. He also revealed that in a pop culture sense, Renaissance Raven is also inspired by Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS album. Grace elaborated that Raven embodies the same overarching theme as Rodrigo’s music: “…someone with the weight of the world on her shoulders—there’s a ton of expectation on her shoulders, and she’s expected to handle everything right because god forbid a young woman be too angry or mess up.”
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Grace also disclosed that he hit a creative roadblock while working on the comic’s ending. However, attending Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS concert in Los Angeles provided the breakthrough he needed. He found inspiration in Rodrigo’s song “Teenage Dream”, particularly the lyrics, “They all say that it gets better the more that you grow / they all say that it gets better, but what if I don’t?” These words became the emotional core of the series, encapsulating Raven’s greatest fear—stagnation and the inability to grow despite the immense expectations placed on her.
Sina Grace: In a larger, pop culture sense, I really modeled my version of Raven after Olivia Rodrigo’s vibe on her GUTS album. Here’s someone with the weight of the world on her shoulders—there’s a ton of expectation on her shoulders and she’s expected to handle everything right because god forbid a young woman be too angry or mess up. What’s funny is that I had gotten a note from Sabrina about my original ending when I was drafting out the final chapters of the arc. I was a little stumped and went to see Olivia Rodrigo perform GUTS live here in LA. When Olivia sang “Teenage Dream,” I was reminded of all these notes I had taken down when I started the season and found my emotional anchor for the series: “They all say that it gets better the more that you grow / they all say that it gets better, but what if I don’t?” That’s what my Raven fears for herself.
The Themes of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS Album Are the Perfect Reflection of Raven’s Character
Teen Titan’s Raven Is Defined By Her Struggles With Identity & Vulnerability
The connection between Raven and Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS album runs deeper than just Grace’s interpretation of the character. Exploring the overarching themes of GUTS reveals that the album essentially embodies Raven’s core essence. With its exploration of young adulthood’s complexities and themes like identity, insecurity, vulnerability, and the messy pursuit of happiness, the album mirrors the very struggles that have defined Raven’s character for decades. Grace’s decision to draw inspiration from this album is a fitting tribute to the emotional depth and nuance that have been integral to Raven since her inception.
Renaissance of Raven #1 is available now from DC Comics!
“}]] Raven was modeled after this Olivia Rodrigo song. Read More