WARNING: Contains potential spoilers for Titans #18!One of the most iconic supervillain teams is returning to the DC Universe, with its sinister focus aimed squarely at the Justice League and Titans. However, this return is in name only, as a cunning DC villain is involved in a case of "stolen group identity", commandeering the team's name for himself and rebuilding it with a bold new lineup.
John Layman and Pete Woods' Titans #17 dropped a huge bombshell at the end of the issue with the reveal of Deathstroke returning to the Titans narrative after being last seen during the events of the Dark Crisis plot. In the final scene, he approaches Clock King and forms an alliance with the newly powerful villain.
Titans #18 continues the narrative wrapped up in Deathstroke with another jaw-dropping last page reveal, showing that Slade is not only working with Clock King, but he has also established plans to form the new CRIME SYNDICATE—one of DC's most infamous supervillain teams.
Deathstroke's New Master Plan: Reform the CRIME SYNDICATE
Comic panel comes from the last page of Titans #18 (2024)
Some fans may be surprised by the revelation that Deathstroke is reforming the Crime Syndicate – and rightly so. This marks a major change in the villains (and even Earth) typically associated with this infamous supervillain team. Traditionally, the Crime Syndicate is linked to Earth-3 and comprises evil counterparts to 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 reforming the Crime Syndicate, Deathstroke is essentially co-opting the name of this iconic Earth-3 team and turning it into something entirely newcomplete with a different list. In Titans #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 at the end of his monologue when he declares: “…the newly reformed Crime Syndicate will hold all the power.”
Will the Earth-3 Crime Syndicate join Deathstroke's new team?
Cover variant B with Owlman, Ultraman and more by Skan Srisuwan for Crime Syndicate #1 (2021)
With Deathstroke declaring his plans to reform the Crime Syndicate, some fans may wonder if the lineup will include any villains from Earth-3, given that they are the original members of the team. The short answer is no. Fans who followed the events of Absolute power we will remember that one of the consequences of the heroes' victory against Amanda Waller was Earth-Prime is being isolated from the multiverse, including Earth-3. This means that even if Slade wanted to, he wouldn't be able to contact the original members of the Crime Syndicate.
Absolute power #4, by 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 attempting to access Earth-3 via Amanda Waller's transmatter machine, but Barry's interruption sealed them back to their respective Earths. This moment also implied that the other The Crime Syndicate members were similarly locked up on their home planet. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that there will be a twist revealing Slade working with the original members of the Crime Syndicate.
Who's in DC's revamped Crime Syndicate lineup?
Main cover with Psycho-Pirate by Pete Woods for Titans #21 (2025)
With the original members of the Crime Syndicate out of contention for Deathstroke's reformed team, the question arises: which villains will fill out the roster? Titans #17 teased Clock King as a member of Deathstroke's Crime Syndicate, and Titans #18 confirmed his membership. The issue also reveals Slade's intention to recruit Mammoth. Although Mammoth's sister Shimmer is currently in the Titans' custody, it's possible she could join the team in the future. Other potential members were revealed through synopses and covers of upcoming Titans problems.
Titans #19 suggests that Killer Frost will be joining the team, with the issue's synopsis and cover art strongly suggesting his involvement. While Titans #20 offers no clues about additional members, Titans #21 confirms the arrival of Psycho-Pirate in the narrativemaking him a strong candidate for the Crime Syndicate. It looks like Layman is taking the team in a direction that highlights less prominent and lesser-known villains, setting the stage for a fun dynamic and bringing some new faces to the Titans storyline.
Deathstroke's Crime Syndicate Will Take On The Titans AND The Justice League
Cover F 1:25 Wraparound card variant featuring Superman, Wonder Woman and more by Fico Ossio for Justice League Unlimited #4 (2025)
During his villainous monologue in Titans #18, Deathstroke lays out his motivations and intentions for forming the Crime Syndicate, revealing that he intends to use the team to “Toppling the first domino of this new Justice League: my old enemies, the Titans.” Slade makes it clear that his main target is the Titans, but with DC's ALL IN initiative expanding the Justice League's roster to include all of Earth's heroes, a blow to the Titans would also cause significant damage to the League. Deathblow then further clarifies that its ambitions go beyond the Titanssince he plans to take down the rest of the Justice League Unlimited too.
Titans #18 is now available from DC Comics!