The Teen Titans Academy Yearbook revealed a rich backstory for one of its quirkiest characters, Stitch.
WARNING: The following article contains spoilers from “Stitch in Time” in Teen Titans Academy Yearbook #1 by Tim Sheridan, Bernard Chang, Marcelo Maiolo and Rob Leigh, on sale now.
The yearbook for the new Teen Titans Academy is out and with it comes insights into new and old characters. Of particular interest is the inaugural class’s student president, Stitch. Not a lot was known about this quirky figure up until now, but readers got an exciting glimpse into who they are, where they came from, and what they want most of all. What’s most shocking of all is that Stitch was actually created by Doctor Fate, who is currently training them.
In Stitch’s own words they are a “magically animated, gender-nonconforming rag doll, sorcerer’s apprentice” A mouthful to be sure, but it makes Stitch the most interesting student in attendance. Not simply because of their unique state of existence, but because that description also implies that Stitch is getting a secondary education from outside the academy. This arcane apprenticeship being taken under one of the most prominent sorcerers in the DCU, Doctor Fate.
But Stitch’s relationship with Fate seems to be more than just that of master and apprentice. Stitch claims to have been magically animated, meaning someone brought them to life. They never explicitly stated it was Fate who performed the spell that brought them into the world, but there were context clues to imply that Fate was the one to do so. Aside from claiming Stitch as his apprentice during a late-night meeting, Stitch referred to him as “Pop” when Fate left the room.
This is perhaps the greatest sign of what Stitch’s relationship with Fate is. Stitch clearly views Fate as a parental figure, but due to their relatively new existence, they’re hesitant to share these feelings with Doctor Fate. But it isn’t as if these feelings of care aren’t reciprocated. Fate’s meeting with Stitch implies he wants his young apprentice to succeed and was clearly pleased when a story Stitch told him ended with Stitch being more accepted by the rest of the students at the academy.
Fate seems to want Stitch to have a more normal life, at least, as normal as anyone can be when they wield magic. But their conversation seems to imply that it was Fate who enrolled Stitch at the academy, in the hopes that being around the Teen Titans would bring Stitch out of their shell. That is usually something a parent would want for their child. Even the ending of their conversation implied that Fate has a fatherly concern for Stitch’s wellbeing, seemingly disappointed that their talk ended so abruptly when Stitch told him to leave to respect the lights-out rule.
All in all, Stitch has an incredibly rich tapestry for an origin story. The creation of one of the most powerful sorcerers in the DCU, a developing familial bond between them, all the while juggling that with attempting to fit in at a school for super-powered teenagers and hopefully discover their place in the vast superhero community. The Infinite Frontier has only just begun, but Stitch has already made themself one of the most fascinating characters to keep an eye on.
About The Author
