WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Teen Titans #39, by Adam Glass, Robbie Thompson, Eduardo Pansica, Julio Ferreira, Marcelo Maiolo and Rob Leigh, on sale Feb. 19 from DC Comics.
Due to the rivalry between the two companies, Marvel and DC Comics have historically snuck good-natured jabs at each other into their various publications. The newest one comes in DC's preview for Teen Titans #39, which sees the titular team throwing shade at an iconic Avengers catchphrase -- and potentially an event from the '90s.
At the start of Teen Titans #39, the team is in Qurac and looking for a way to free Djinn from her ring after she was trapped in it by an angry Billy Wu/Roundhouse during the previous arc. On the preview's first page, Roundhouse tries out various catchphrases for the team, which has let him back in despite his actions. "Titans Assemble," he says. "Nah, that sucks. How about Titans Reborn! Too cheesy." He's then shut down by Wallace West/Kid Flash, who implores him to focus. The team then encounters their target: Elias, Djinn's brother.
The first reference Roundhouse makes is an obvious jab at "Avengers Assemble," one of the most iconic phrases in the Marvel Universe. Although the line is most associated with Captain America, "Avengers Assemble" was actually first said by Thor in 1964's Avengers #10. The Sentinel of Liberty only later spoke the line in Avengers #16. The catchphrase has since followed Captain America through his various iterations across the media landscape, and was even uttered by the hero in Avengers: Endgame during the final battle with Thanos.
The second catchphrase Roundhouse picks, although not as clearly targeted at Marvel, may be a reference to "Heroes Reborn." Running in 1996 and 1997, "Heroes Reborn" was a pretty key event for the publisher at the time. Prior to "Heroes Reborn," the Avengers and Fantastic Four seemingly died fighting Onslaught, which was the combination of Charles Xavier and Magneto. In reality, Franklin Richards had transported them to a pocket universe. After a few pretty substantial retcons, the Fantastic Four and Avengers returned to the regular Marvel Universe.
It's not as clear if the second joke is actually meant to be a reference to "Heroes Reborn," though having Roundhouse dunk on "Avengers Assemble" right before does make it sound like that's what he's going for. Still, by the end of the preview, the teenage DC heroes do seemingly find a catchphrase that captures how they've come together again despite almost falling apart: Titans United.
Teen Titans #39 goes on sale Feb. 19 from DC Comics.