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Offspring |
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| Alias: Luke Ernie O'Brian |
Titans Member
Joined: Teen Titans (third series) #34 [2006] |
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| Offspring Quick Bio: As son of Plastic Man, Luke O'Brian inherited super-stretching powers of his own. Taking the name Offspring, Luke's exploits mix humor and heroism, much like his father. Despite his infectious sense of humor, Offspring wants to prove to the world that he's not just a walking punchline. |
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Offspring rallies the troops in his first
non-continuity appearance in
THE KINGDOM: OFFSPRING #1 [1998]. |
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Offspring and Plastic Man in
52: WEEK THIRTY FIVE [2007]. |
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As son of Plastic Man, Luke "Ernie" O'Brian inherited super-stretching powers of his own. Taking the name Offspring, Luke's exploits mix humor and heroism, much like his father. Despite his infectious sense of humor, Offspring wants to prove to the world that he's not just a walking punchline.
Luke has a good relationship with Plastic Man, but sometimes finds it difficult to relate to his father's goofball charm. Plas calls Offspring by his middle name, Ernie, even though he'd prefer to be known as Luke. "No, no.... Luke is that whiny kid from Star Wars," Plas insists.
During his short stint on the team, Offspring helped the Titans contain a riot in Metropolis and stormed Luthorcorp with Steel and the Titans when Luthor's Everyman Project spun out of control.
From the original script of Teen Titans (third series) #34 [2006], by Geoff Johns: "The static goes away to reveal the Titans arguing in front of Cyborg. But not the Titans we’re familiar with. HAWK and AQUAGIRL are in an argument, Aquagirl taking offense to what the cocky redhead is saying. DOVE is holding Hawk back while Plastic Man’s son, OFFSPRING, is holding back Aquagirl. Offspring’s arms are like taffy, stretching around her. Offspring’s costume should be a version of Plastic Man’s but lose the bare legs and maybe make the goggles more intricate, like there’s an MP3 player in them. "
Offspring possesses the ability to stretch his body into any form or shape.
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The Kingdom: Offspring #1 [1998]: The most offbeat of all the KINGDOM one-shots introduces Offspring, the crime-fighting son of Plastic Man - featuring art by Frank Quitely (BATMAN: THE SCOTTISH CONNECTION)! Up until now, Offspring's greatest challenge was just being taken seriously. Now, with everyone nervously awaiting the end of existence, Offspring's running out of chances to prove to the world that he's not just a walking punchline. Will joining other young heroes on a last-ditch mission prove his heroism, or merely cement his reputation as comic relief? First appearance of Offspring.
JLA #65 [2003]: When his son gets in some trouble, Plastic Man requests Batman's help in scaring him straight. Ten year old Luke McDunnagh learns he has inherited his father's stretching powers. It is revealed Plastic Man has an ex-wife named Angel. They divorced on bad terms and Plas had little to do with his son's upbringing. Although Luke has never been told his father's identity, he knows the truth. First appearance of Plastic Man's son, Luke McDunnagh.
Teen Titans #34 [2006]: One Year Later, it's "The New Teen Titans!" A new year of exciting adventures begins with the "new" Teen Titans. Hawk, Dove, Aquagirl II, Zatara III, Offspring and Miss Martian are revealed as Titans members during the one year gap in a brief flashback panel. First DCU appearances of Zatara III, Offspring and Miss Martian.
Teen Titans #38 [2006]: The new story arc "Titans Around the World" begins as the Teen Titans journey into the heart of Russia to meet its greatest super-hero: Red Star! On a quest to locate a former member, the Titans head to Moscow to learn how Red Star has rebuilt his life following Superboy-Prime's rampage and where they can find their lost friend and ally Raven! The "One Year Gap" Titans membership is revealed in a double page spread. First appearances of Talon, Power Boy, Little Barda, Molecule, Mas Y Menos, Young Frankenstein, Bombshell, Osiris and Riddler's Daughter. First appearance of Joto as Hotspot. One Year Gap Titans include: Beast Boy, Raven, Speedy, Kid Devil, Ravager, Hawk, Dove, Aquagirl II, Zatara III, Offspring, Miss Martian, Talon, Power Boy, Little Barda, Molecule, Mas, Menos, Young Frankenstein, Bombshell, Osiris, Riddler's Daughter, Joker's Daughter, Captain Marvel Jr., Argent, Hotspot [a renamed Joto], Mirage, Flamebird and Red Star.
52: Week Thirty-Five [2007]: Offspring recovers at Plastic Man's side after saving saving people during a crisis in Metropolis. He is called "Ernie" by Plastic Man.
52: Week Forty [2007]: Offspring and the Titans assist Steel in assaulting Lexcorp.
Countdown to Mystery #2 (8-issue mini-series) [2007]: Eclipso has discovered Plastic Man's weak point: attacking him through his son, the Titan known as "The Offspring!" Offspring reveals his full name: Luke Ernie O'Brian.
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Offspring: Kingdom Origins
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| Offspring proves his worth in THE KINGDOM: OFFSPRING #1 [1998]. |
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Set at the dawn of the 21st century in a world spinning inexorably out of control, Mark Waid and Alex Ross weave a tale of youth versus experience, tradition versus change, and what defines a hero. KINGDOM COME is a riveting story pitting the old guard - Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and their peers -- against a new, uncompromising generation of heroes that declare war against each other to determine the future of the planet.
The original mini-series rocked comicdom in 1996 and is still regarded as one of the most influencial stories from DC Comics. The series featured hundreds of characters, with new takes on old characters and new characters based on classic DC icons. Set in the future, the Kingdom Come universe also featured the sons and daughters of many current DC characters.
KINGDOM COME was so successful that DC Comics published a sequel: seven KINGDOM books (the two-issue KINGDOM miniseries and five one-shots, THE KINGDOM: KID FLASH #1, THE KINGDOM: NIGHTSTAR #1, THE KINGDOM: OFFSPRING #1, THE KINGDOM: PLANET KRYPTON #1, and THE KINGDOM: SON OF THE BAT #1)
The most offbeat of all the KINGDOM one-shots introduces Offspring (Ernie O'Brian), the crime-fighting son of Plastic Man. Offspring's greatest challenge was just being taken seriously. With everyone nervously awaiting the end of existence, Offspring set out to prove he's not just a walking punchline.Offspring teams with Kid Flash, Nightstar, and Ibn al Xu'ffasch to attempt to save the timestream from Gog. With the help of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, they succeed.
Kingdom Come #1-4 [1996]: Set just after the dawn of the 21st Century in a world spinning inexorably out of control comes this grim tale of youth versus experience, tradition versus change and what defines a hero. KINGDOM COME is a riveting story pitting the old guard — Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and their peers — against a new uncompromising generation and ultimately in the final war against each other to determine nothing less than the future of the planet.
THE KINGDOM Trade Paperback [1998]: A reality-bending trade paperback collects the miniseries and one-shots of THE
KINGDOM, the bold event that teamed writer Mark Waid (THE FLASH, KINGDOM COME) with some of comics' greatest artists to tell stories of a future world of DC heroes in desperate peril. This handsome volume collects the seven KINGDOM books (the two-issue miniseries and five one-shots) as well as the hard-to-find NEW YEAR'S EVIL: GOG one-shot that introduced Gog, the deranged villain whose time-twisting multiple murders of Superman threaten to reveal the most closely guarded secret of them all: the secret of Hypertime. THE KINGDOM trade paperback also reprints the one-shots — THE KINGDOM: KID FLASH #1, THE KINGDOM: NIGHTSTAR #1, THE KINGDOM: OFFSPRING #1, THE KINGDOM: PLANET KRYPTON #1, and THE KINGDOM: SON OF THE BAT #1
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The One Year Gap Titans
"You call this the Titans? Since Superboy died, the Titans have gone through over twenty new members. But no one wanted to stay very long. No one got along."
- Wonder Girl (Teen Titans (third series) #36 [2006])
DC's "One Year Later" event occurred March of 2006. In Teen Titans #33, Superboy and Nightwing are in the thick of the Infinite Crisis world-shattering event. With Teen Titans #34, a full year has passed since the Crisis. A comatose Cyborg awakens to discover the only active Titans: Robin, Ravager and Kid Devil. Cyborg is told that the Titans had quite a few membership shake-ups during his "missing year."
Readers shared in Cyborg's confusion. Following the limited series, Infinite Crisis, every DC comic series jumped ahead by one year between February 2006 and March 2006. With DC's March books, the characters' histories resumed "one year later." During the "missing year" between Teen Titans #33 and #34, over 20 new or returning members joined the team. They would come and go, most only being on the team a few weeks before quitting or getting kicked out or simply disappearing. One team was glimpsed at in Teen Titans #34. Teen Titans #38 revealed all the "One Year Gap Titans" in a double page spread.
The "One Year Gap" New Titans include:
1. Kid Devil: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #34.
2. Aquagirl II: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #34.
3. Dove II: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #34.
4. Hawk III: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #34.
5. Miss Martian: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #34.
6. Zatara: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #34.
7. Offspring: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #34.
8. Talon: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
9. Power Boy: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
10. Little Barda: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
11. Molecule: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
12. Mas: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
13. Menos: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
14. Bombshell: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
15. Young Frankenstein: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
16. Riddler's Daughter: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
17. Osiris: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
The "One Year Gap" Returning Titans include:
18. Ravager: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #34.
19. Joker's Daughter : Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
20. Argent [with new costume]: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
21. Mirage: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
22. Flamebird: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
23. Red Star: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
24. Hotspot [formerly Joto]: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
25. Captain Marvel Jr.: Revealed as member in Teen Titans #38.
Offspring Timeline: Closing the “One Year Later” Gap
Here’s a list of major events revealed during the “Missing Year:”
 The Titans aid the heroes during the Infinite Crisis. While saving the universe from Superboy-Prime and Alexander Luthor, Superboy is killed in battle. [IC #1-7] With Superboy, Wonder Girl, Robin, Kid Flash, Starfire and Cyborg gone, Raven and Beast Boy try to keep the Teen Titans together. [TT #34]
Speedy tries to keep the Titans together with a team consisting of Hawk, Dove, Aquagirl, Miss Martian, Offspring and Zatara. [TT #34]
Raven and Beast Boy hold a membership drive for the Teen Titans after their ranks have been depleted. Outside Titans Tower, many would-be Titans and current-Titans gather for the team, including Argent, Flamebird, Mirage, Red Star, Joker's Daughter, Captain Marvel Jr., Aquagirl II, Kid Devil, Talon, Miss Martian, Bombshell, Offspring, Young Frankenstein, Mas Y Menos, and Molecule. Osiris arrives to join, only to have Captain Marvel Jr. doubt his intentions. After pleading his case, Osiris is granted probationary membership. [52w32]
The Titans - Beast Boy, Raven, Offspring and Aquagirl - assist a group of heroes to contain the destruction caused by the "Rain of Supermen." Offspring recovers at Plastic Man's side after saving over 20 people. [52w35]
The Titans - Beast Boy, Raven, Offspring and Aquagirl - assist Steel in assaulting Lexcorp and exposing Lex's manipulations. [52w40]
Black Adam ignites World War III. [52w49]
The Titans - Beast Boy, Raven, Offspring, Talon, Young Frankenstein, Hawk & Dove and Terra - confront a rampaging Black Adam in Greece. Black Adam brutally kills both Young Frankenstein and Terra. [ WWIIIp3: Hell is For Heroes]
The Titans gather with Donna Troy, Arsenal and all the heroes to battle Black Adam. [WWIIIp4: UNITED WE STAND, 52w50]
Note: It appears that Offspring was a member for most of the "missing year," although he may not have been present for every mission. Offspring quit the team shortly after Black Adam's worldwide rampage in 52: WEEK FIFTY. For a complete timeline of the "one year gap," click here.
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