Snapper Carr
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Snapper Carr is a fictional supporting character in the DC Universe. Most famous as a sidekick to, and the first civilian member of, the Justice League, he got his nickname from his habit of continually snapping his fingers. He was introduced in the League's first story in The Brave and the Bold #28, in which he helps them defeat Starro the Conqueror.
[edit] Character history
As the JLA could not have the sidekicks of all its members occasionally wandering through its secret headquarters, but needed a character to whom the reader could relate, the group needed a distinct character not associated with the home town of any of its members. In order to rationalize that an ordinary person could become an honorary member of the JLA, he had to be important to them at the moment of that group's formation. This was done by a gimmick devised by Gardner Fox: Carr is immune to Starro's attacks, explained by his just having put lime on the lawn. It is Aquaman who recalls that various sea invertebrates are susceptible to lime and by this means, Starro is defeated.
After he is manipulated into betraying the League by the Joker (Justice League of America #77, December 1969), Snapper decides to go his own way.
During the Invasion storyline, Carr is among a number of prisoners of the Dominators who are deliberately fired upon to see if any of them develop superpowers in response. Carr and a number of prisoners do develop powers and escape, forming a minor superhero team called the Blasters. Carr's superpower is teleportation, which he activates with his finger-snaps. He later loses these powers.
After the breakup of the Blasters, Carr befriends the third Hourman, an android from the distant future, and later briefly mentors the teenage superhero team Young Justice. A recurring gag in both these titles is his wearing of various superhero-logo T-shirts.
In current continuity (shown in JLA: Year One) he is working for the JLA as their handyman, as the League's finances are being supplied by his uncle, Simon Carr (fronting for Oliver Queen).
[edit] Other media
Snapper Carr appears frequently in the animated television series, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited voiced by actor Jason Marsden. In these appearances Carr is a television news reporter giving color commentary to the events in the stories. The Justice League episode "Legends" parodies Carr's role as JLA sidekick by featuring a similar character acting as sidekick for the Justice Guild, an alternate universe version of the Justice League.
Carr also made a cameo appearance in Alex Ross's Elseworlds title Kingdom Come, as a television reporter. He also appeared, with his given name of Lucas, in the Elseworlds' title The Island of Doctor Moreau