WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for TITANS #20!As a die-hardTitansfan, I have been loving the ever-changing and expanding roster of the team in recent months, with notable additions like Wally West’s Flash, Tempest, and Arsenal. While not all of these members have stuck around, it was still great to see them working with the team, even if only for a brief time. Just when I thought DC was done bringing back characters from the past, I was proven wrong with the team’s latest addition–Bumblebee.
Karen“Bumblebee”Beecher first appeared in Bob Rozakis and Irv Novick’sTeen Titans#45(1976) and has been a part of various iterations of the team over the decades. Yet, despite her recurring role in the Titans’ narratives, she remains one of the lesser-known members of the team, especially among newer readers.
Although Karen has a long and commendable history in comics, I, as a Gen Z reader, wasn’t properly introduced to her until I read Mark Waid and Emanuela Lupacchino’sTeen Titans: World’s Finest(2023). Unfortunately, after this series,Karen’s character seemed to drop off the map again—until John Layman and Pete Woods’Titans#20, that is.
Karen“Bumblebee”Beecher Returns to Mainstream Continuity in Layman’sTitans
Comic Page Comes From John Layman’sTitans#20 (2025) – Art by Pete Woods
Bumblebee is an underrated character who doesn’t get enough spotlight in ongoing narratives. Current continuity has set her up to retire from heroics, effectively removing her from most storylines. However, ever since I readWaid’sTeen Titans: World’s Finest, I have been craving more content featuring this self-made hero who designed and built her own super-suit. This suit grants her the ability to fly on insect-like wings and shoot powerful “stinger” blasts from her hands—essentially making her a bug-themed Iron Man. How could you not want to read more about her?So, I was thrilled to discover Layman had found a creative way to bring Bumblebee back into theTitans’narrative.
As those following the run will remember, Raven has been struggling to control her empath abilities, which have affected the moods of those around her and overwhelmed her in the heat of battle. To help Raven regain control,the team heads to a shared base with S.T.A.R. Labs, where they reunite with Bumblebee.She explains her return to continuity, stating that while she is happy with her husband, Mal, and their child, retirement didn’t suit her. Now,she’s working with S.T.A.R. Labsand the hero community.
With the goal of helping Raven manage her empath abilities, Karen leads the group to one of the lab rooms, where she explains that Raven is about to undergo a“spa day”for her amygdala and hypothalamus—the parts of the brain that control emotions. Karen describes the process as essentially a massage for Raven’s“sprained brain.”Thus, DC’s reasoning for Karen’s return to the hero world—retirement not suiting her—andher characteristic brilliance being put to use makes for a perfectly fitting reintroduction of her characterinto the narrative.
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Bumblebee’s Long-Term Return to the Titans is Uncertain But Hopeful
To clarify, there is no indication that Karen, despite reclaiming her Bumblebee mantle, is officially rejoining the Titans. As of now, she appears to be strictly associated with S.T.A.R. Labs but is actively working with the hero community. However, this doesn’t mean that her status won’t change. With Karen once again involved with the hero community, it’s likely she willreceive an invitation to join the Titans or even the Justice League, as all of DC’s heroes now make up the League. Thus, while there’s a possibility this is just a one-shot appearance, there is also a chance Bumblebee will be returning for the long haul.
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I’m DYING for a Bumblebee & Cyborg Team-Up
One of the main reasons I’m hopeful that Bumblebee will reclaim her role as a Titan is the potential for an intriguing dynamic between her and Cyborg. Both she and Victor are exceptionally brilliant and recognized as the Titans' tech geniuses, making their collaboration a recipe for innovation. I can only imagine the groundbreaking inventions and strategies they could develop together. Furthermore, their contrasting backgrounds—Bumblebee’s ties to S.T.A.R. Labs and Cyborg’s struggles with his past traumas—could introduce compelling tension into the narrative. This interplay could lead to powerful character development and rich storytelling, enhancing theTitans’overall narrative and providing depth to both characters.
