Gypsy (comics)
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Gypsy (Cynthia "Cindy" Reynolds) is a fictional character, a DC Comics superheroine. She first appeared in Justice League Annual #2 (November 1984) and was created by Gerry Conway and Chuck Patton. She is a member of the Birds of Prey and has been a member of the Justice League.
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[edit] Fictional character biography
Cindy Reynolds is born to Edward and June Reynolds, who live their life in a peaceful, suburban home. Soon after Cindy's brother is born, Edward and June begin to fight. Gypsy tries to keep her parents together but mostly suffers abuse. After an incident at home in which her powers of illusion manifest, Cindy runs away from home, buying a one-way bus ticket to Detroit.
[edit] JLA Detroit
Once in Detroit, Cindy uses her chameleon and illusion-casting powers to protect herself. As the little girl grows, Cindy slowly hid the child within her and became the mysterious Gypsy, a young woman whom no one would mess with. Gypsy quickly becomes a myth amongst the people of Cameron Street, where she makes her "home" (which is a sector of Detroit in which the Justice League takes up residence shortly after Aquaman disbanded the original League in the wake of the alien invasion).
Shortly after the League moves into their new inner city HQ, the 14-year old street urchin begins to penetrate the League's defensive measures, in order to check them out. Eventually, she follows them along and aids them against the villain Cadre, and she, along with Vibe, Vixen and Steel (Hank Heywood) is invited to join the team. The team later disbands, and Gypsy returns to her family.
Gypsy's happiness is short-lived, as some time after she has left the JLA, a vengeful Despero arrives at Gypsy's home and callously murders her parents. Gypsy would have been Despero's next victim, if it had not been for the timely intervention of the Martian Manhunter and the rest of the Justice League, who manage to halt Despero's insane rampage. Devastated by the loss of her family, Gypsy is immediately recruited by Booster Gold to become a member of the corporate-sponsored team of heroes known as the Conglomerate.
[edit] Justice League Task Force
Over time, she grows very close to the Martian Manhunter, developing a father-daughter relationship. The two of them are the mainstays of the short-lived Justice League Task Force. During her time in the JLTF, she is nearly forced to battle Lady Shiva in one early adventure, and was left for dead on another mission. She later joins the reformed team along with Despero (whose body is under the control of L-Ron), Ray and Triumph. Gypsy and Ray are both later mind-controlled and used by Triumph during his strike against the reformed JLA.
Gypsy and J'onn have kept in touch since that time. In fact, she was killed at one point, but she was miraculously returned to life by the Manhunter, who pleaded with his god, Hronmeer, to restore her life. There have also been hints of a romantic relationship between Gypsy and the Bronze Tiger. She remains active in adventuring and has aided Wonder Woman during a massive battle against Circe.
[edit] Birds of Prey
She and Katana are later recruited by Black Canary to rescue Oracle. Afterward, Gypsy becomes an official member of Oracle's covert team of female operatives in Birds of Prey during the "One Year Later" event.
[edit] Powers and abilities
- She has Illusion casting abilities, which enable her to blend into her background. Her abilities are telepathic in nature, and can affect only living beings. She can camouflage both herself and someone standing within proximity to herself. Her ability is not static, but adapts to moving backgrounds. In Gypsy's first appearance, only her shadow is shown from the Bunker's monitor, and appears to teleport at the end of the issue.
- Gypsy also has the ability to project frightening illusions into the minds of other people. These illusions usually show what the affected person fears most. This ability can affect other living things besides people, and Gypsy can use this ability in combat situations. In one issue of Martian Manhunter, Gypsy is shown as having the ability to project an illusion over herself in order to appear as another person, but that person needs to be her approximate height and weight for it to appear authentic.
- Gypsy is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant who has been trained by Bronze Tiger, and in issues of Birds of Prey Lady Shiva has offered to train her as well. Gypsy also has a strong aptitude in electronics and computers, and has become skilled in the use of firearms.
- In recent issues of Birds of Prey, it has been stated that Gypsy's powers have "hit puberty", and she can now use her chameleon powers to cloak not only herself, but a moving vehicle and its passengers.
- In JLA Classified #25 it is revealed that Gypsy also has limited precognitive abilities.
[edit] In other media
Gypsy has made many background appearances in Justice League Unlimited alongside her Detroit League teammates Vibe and Steel.
Captain Atom was speaking with her in the first episode, Initiation, when he was called up for service on the active roster (concurrently, Supergirl Kara In-Ze was in conversation with Nemesis).
Gypsy's first use of powers in a superhero situation was in Flashpoint, when she phased through a solid wall in a burning building; this is a contrast to her usual powers.
She is often seen in group shots and appeared with her Detroit teammates Vixen, Vibe and Steel in the final episode. Gypsy was recently featured in Issue 22 of the Justice League Unlimited comic series based on the show.
