While his technological abilities make him one of DC’s greatest heroes, Cyborg‘s transformation came at a cost, with one issue of Teen Titans making it clear that even his usual humanoid form isn’t an accurate reflection of how much he was changed by the accident that gave him his powers.
The founding Teen Titans member – who eventually became a core part of the New 52’s Justice League – stands out in the DC Universe as a particularly tortured hero. Throughout his many iterations, he has often been written with a Frankenstein sensibility, believing himself to be a monster. Although that has changed in more recent years, with arcs less focused on his physical appearance, it was the case for a long time, influencing Ray Fisher’s depiction of the hero in the Justice League movie.
Of course, to comics fans, having an awesome cyborg body doesn’t seem like much to be sad about, but Teen Titans #9 – written by Geoff Johns with art by Mike McKone – made it clear that Victor Stone’s everyday appearance is only part of the truth. When Superboy and Krypto wander into a room in Titans Tower, they find Cyborg’s body disassembled. Cyborg explains his body requires incredible levels of maintenance, saying, “I could spend half the week at S.T.A.R. Labs getting parts replaced and cleaned – or I could do it myself. Working while I sleep.” Superboy even asks after Cyborg’s biological components, which Victor reveals need to soak in a nutrient bath to prevent degradation.
The sight of Cyborg’s head disconnected from his body is pretty disturbing, even for Superboy. Krypto is clearly disturbed as well, as he doesn’t recognize Victor and barks at him. The amount of work that Cyborg must put in just to be alive and function properly would be a lot for anyone. He has always been on a journey of self-acceptance, working to embrace who he is as a result of tragedy. Having a cybernetic body that can change shape and interface with machinery sounds like it might make life easier, but this comic showcases how time-consuming and exhausting even basic maintenance is for Vic.
From the outside, it’s easy to assume that Cyborg’s biological body is relatively intact and just supported by armor, but Superboy learns this isn’t the case, taken aback even as Victor reflects that people have been staring at him ever since he was sixteen. Fans don’t see Cyborg disassembled often, so this Teen Titans moment was a useful piece of context that made it clear why Victor might not consider the incredible upkeep his body requires, and the alienation it has caused him, as a fair trade for being able to shape his arm into a cannon.
