"I now pronounce you.. Mr. and Mrs. DEAD!"
You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of Koriand'r of Tamaran, and Richard Grayson of Gotham City to be held at Twelve o'Clock Noon at the home of Terrance and Donna Troy-Long, 14218 Athena Dr, Princeton, N.J.
Reception and dinner will immediately follow the ceremony. R.S.V.P.
The Darkening is a 1993 New Titans storyline that celebrates 100 issues of New Titans. The storyline spans from issues #97-100.
The story involves the events surrounding the wedding of Nightwing and Starfire. However, not all is well with the Titans, as Changling is trying to bring Cyborg back from the dead, which brings him and the Titans in conflict with the Brotherhood of Evil. And to make matters worse, a dark version of Raven is wrecking havok in the name of her father Trigon.
The Darkening provides examples of:
- '90s Hair: Per the page image (and within the comic), Dick Grayson sported a 1990s mullet around this time.
- Common Law Marriage: In issue #100 of title New Titans, Dick Grayson and Kori'ander try out for marriage licenses, but they are denied by the Obstructive Bureaucrat, who rejects theirs due to Kori'ander being an alien. Offended, Dick then angrily explains he and Kory "have been living together" for years (an in, a co-habitation).
- Dark Is Evil: Trigon-possessed Raven wears a black-coloured outfit, and has black hair.
- Evil Costume Switch: Trigon-possessed Raven wears a black stripe on her chest, black panties, black boots and black gloves.
- Fantastic Racism: Kory'ander, despite being alien, worked as a model for a time, and her identity is known by the public. However, because she is an alien, people are objecting to her marriage to human Dick Grayson.
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First Appearance: The story arc is the first appearance of Roy Harper as Arsenal. - Maligned Mixed Marriage: In issue #100 of the title New Titans, Dick Grayson and alien princess Starfire try out for marriage licenses, but they are denied. When they leave the City Hall, a mob is right there demonstrating against their union, shouting that humans don't marry alien monsters.
- Milestone Celebration: As mentioned above, The Darkening celebrates 100 issues of New Teen Titans.
- Put on a Bus: Nightwing and Starfire are put on one following the storyline.
- Sensible Heroes, Skimpy Villains: Raven's heroic costume was a heavy cloak. When she returns as the villain in this arc, she's wearing a skimpy outfit.
- Victory Pose On Person: In issue #98, Beast Boy gets knocked out by someone who looks like Rita Farr. The fake Rita then proceeds to pose on his chest.
- Wedding Smashers: A Trigon-possessed Raven incinerates the minister and interrupts the wedding.
- Wedding Episode: Issue #100 involves the wedding of Nightwing and Starfire.
Dick: "Kory...Kory?"
Miriam: "Dick...Don't. There's nothing you can do. It's up to them and God, X'hal, or whoever to help her now."
