Phantasm (comics)

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For the Phantasm character that first appeared in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, see Andrea Beaumont.

Phantasm

Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	New Teen Titans vol. 2, Annual #3 (1988)
Created by	Marv Wolfman

Characteristics
Alter ego	Danny Chase, later the souls of Azarath
Affiliations	New Teen Titans
Abilities	telekinesis, extremely intelligent with a photographic memory

Danny Chase (later Phantasm) was a short-lived member of the New Teen Titans. A creation of Marv Wolfman, the series writer and co-creator, Danny was raised by parents who were international spies. As a result, he was extensively trained in espionage, infiltration and intelligence acquisition. In addition, he was a mutant with powerful telekinetic abilities and a near-photographic memory. Although Wolfman hoped the character would restore the "teen hero" feel to a group comprised mostly of characters in their twenties, Danny was also intended as a comic foil for one of the group's foundational characters, Changeling, (now Beast Boy).

However, problematically, the character was often portrayed as overly snide and egotistical, which quickly proved unpopular with most fans. Wolfman tried various ways to make the character more appealing to the Titans' fan base, including having him briefly disguised as the mysterious "Phantasm" during the Titans Hunt storyline. However, negative fan pressure was strong enough to write Danny out of the series.

In the end, the character was redeemed somewhat when he willingly gave up his life to save Raven's homeworld of Azarath as he, Arella, and the disembodied souls of Azarath were all merged into the entity that would refer to itself as the Phantasm.

Danny Chase

Surprisingly, the character of Danny Chase briefly returned as an undead slave to Brother Blood in the most recent series of the Teen Titans.

[edit] One Year Later

In the 5-page preview of Teen Titans (vol.3) #39, the new Zatara mentioned that he and Kid Devil went on a trip to New Azarath, where they were almost eaten by Phantasm.