This screenshot motivational poster is dedicated to all of my SpeedStar-shipping friends, fellow artists, fans, and brethren. So, sit back, relax, and soak in that beauty, elegance, and charm which Speedy and Starfire emit as a gorgeous couple complete with fiery shades of red from their equally gorgeous hair.
I have been shipping Speedy with Starfire ever since I was a young teenager of about 13 and 14 mostly because I thought they were really cute together, and I still proudly stand by that. Nowadays, as an adult approaching his 28th year in life, I can fully appreciate how marvelously flexible, dashingly dynamic, and phenomenally elegant one of my most beloved Teen Titans OTP really is. It is mainly attributed to how Speedy’s brand of charisma, charm, and courage can mesh beautifully with Starfire’s brand of innocence, kindness, and lovability. Ergo, they are not just attractively gorgeous for the sake of appeal, but also for the sake of how chivalrous Speedy can be to Starfire and how Starfire can play a positive role in Speedy’s life.
This Teen Titans couple bears a clear parallel to Robin Hood and Maid Marian, considering that Speedy is an expert archer complete with a rebellious charm but still fights for good and that Starfire is a Tamaranean princess of noble birth who is a paradigm of righteousness, optimism, beauty, grace, reverence, and peace. One noticeable difference between Speedy and Starfire and their English literature counterpart Robin Hood and Maid Marian is that Speedy is not Teen Titans East’s leader, as that is delegated to Bumblebee, but he can still display his archer skills with finesse and that Starfire, despite having one or two moments where she was captured or pursued notably in “Sisters”, is extremely active in combat complete with super strength, her usage of laser beams through her eyes and hands, and, of course, flight. In Starfire’s case, it is especially well-demonstrated in her quote in “Divide and Conquer” to Cinderblock, “I am sorry to disappoint you, but I am stronger than I look.”
In terms of hero dynamics, one would think that Speedy would be the one to constantly save Starfire from all types of peril, and one would be right. However, one should never underestimate Starfire’s abilities, as she can use her strength, flight, and laser beams to also save Speedy from unstoppably pernicious forces and even use her knowledge of Tamaranean and Earth medicine to heal him from his wounds. At the same time, Speedy could also teach Starfire a thing or two about archery, thus helping her aim at the bull’s eye, and Starfire can help Speedy be well-acquainted with Tamaranean customs, thus opening each others’ minds in a way that makes them appreciate each other on a much deeper level. Therefore, Speedy and Starfire will always show gratitude to each other and will find themselves in a healthy, fulfilling relationship.
To conclude, Speedy’s and Starfire’s relationship may seem like your typical fairy-tale or folk tale relationship between an archer with mad skills and a Tamaranean princess especially since this couple bears loads of parallels with Robin Hood and Maid Marian but they are more than that. Speedy’s roguish charm can be a great compliment to Starfire’s lovably innocent pacifism, they can prove each other to be great in their own ways, and they can a whole lot from each other in deep, meaningful ways.
I hope you all enjoyed this and I will see you in the next submission. Take care, everybody.
Speedy and Starfire Teen Titans 2003 belong to Glen Murakami, David Slack, DC Comics, Warner Brothers Animation, and Cartoon Network.
