Phantasm (comics)
- For the Phantasm character that first appeared in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, see Andrea Beaumont.
| Phantasm | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | New Teen Titans vol. 2, Annual #3 (1988) |
| Created by | Marv Wolfman |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Danny Chase, later the souls of Azarath |
| Team affiliations |
New Teen Titans Central Bureau of Intelligence |
| Abilities |
Telekinesis Extremely intelligent with a photographic memory |
Danny Chase (later called Phantasm) is a fictional superhero in DC Comics publications.
Fictional character biography
Danny Chase 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. [1]As a result, he was extensively trained in espionage, infiltration and intelligence acquisition. In addition, he was a metahuman with powerful telekinetic abilities and a near-photographic memory. Although Wolfman hoped the character would restore the "teen hero" feel to a group composed 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).
Problematically, the character was often portrayed as an overly snide, egotistical brat. This quickly proved unpopular with most fans, and pro- and anti-Chase letters sparked heated debate in the letter column. 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. Using his telekinetic powers, Danny Chase started to take things from the shopping mall. After that, Danny Chase forged the "Phantasm" costume from a hockey mask, a bolt of fabric, and a robot-voice simulator to disguise his voice as a way to prevent anyone to know that Danny Chase was indeed alive. 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 a new entity that would also refer to itself as the Phantasm who wore the costume that Danny Chase was wearing.
Danny Chase's body briefly returned as an undead slave to Brother Blood in the most recent series of the Teen Titans.
One Year Later, Zachary Zatara mentioned that he and Kid Devil went on a trip to New Azarath where they were almost eaten by the Phantasm. [2]
During the Blackest Night storyline, Danny Chase's body was briefly revived as a Black Lantern in the Blackest Night: Titans miniseries. However, his body was soon destroyed by a burst of white light emanating from Dawn Granger.[3]
Phantasm's first appearance in the The New 52 is in Justice League of America's Vibe #6. Phantasm is among the many subjects kept under A.R.G.U.S.'s control.
Powers and abilities
Danny Chase possessed the power of telekinesis. Danny is also smart and has a photographic memory.
Phantasm has the combined powers of Danny Chase and Arella as well as the souls of Azarath making him a more advanced and powerful version of them along with new powers.
Other characters named Phantasm
- A Phantasm appeared in "Adventure Comics" #485. He was a ghost-like supervillain who is a member of the Master's Evil Eight and had fought Chris King and Vicki Grant.
Planned return
During writer Jay Faerber's run on "The Titans"", one of his plans for new series villain Epsilon was that he was to be a resurrected Danny, given new life by Tempest's evil uncle Slizzath as part of a planned storyline. Unfortunately, new editor Andrew Helfer overturned this, and a new, more confusing origin was given. [4]
References
- ↑ New Teen Titans vol. 2 #40
- ↑ Teen Titans vol. 3 #39
- ↑ "Blackest Night: Titans" #3 (December 2009)
- ↑ "Episilon and Theta". titanstower.com.
External links
- Danny Chase at Comic Vine
