The 2003 Teen Titans series features an array of villains who have a history with the Titans throughout the DC Comic universe. While many villains are only featured front and center for an episode or two, the show is sure to depict their motives and evil inspirations. Teen Titans' thematic messaging comes predominantly from the worldviews of Jump City's villains clashing with those of its heroes- or, at times, coming dangerously close to not clashing at all. The show's biggest overarching villain, Slade, embodies this well. The root of Robin's obsession with Slade comes from his need to prove that he is different from the evil mastermind. Slade gets in Robin's head, painting himself as a father figure to the young hero and pointing out their similarities, and it's clear that Robin's fierce rejection of these claims comes from an ultimate uncertainty of their truth.