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Adversaries:
Teen Titans I |
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| Antithesis |
| The Gargoyle/Mr. Twister |
| Ding Dong Daddy |
| Dimension X |
| The Mad Mod |
| Andre Le Blanc |
| Mr. ESPer/Captain
Calamity |
| Nicholas Galtry |
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THE ANTITHESIS |
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The Teen Titans first case... defeating the evil Antithesis! First detailed in TEEN TITANS #53 [1978]. |
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Not much is known about the strange entity known as Antithesis. In an untold
case, the Justice League imprisoned him in their mainframe computer. Accidentally
released by Bromwell Stikk (see Gargoyle, Mr. Twister), Antithesis used his
powers to send members of the Justice League on a crime spree. Teenage heroes
Robin, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, Aqualad and Speedy joined together to stop
the evil entity and release their mentors from his thrall. This was the first
official case of the Teen Titans (who adopted the team name after this adventure).
Antithesis vowed revenge - particularly on Robin, who led the attack.
Sometime later, Antithesis pulled Stikk into limbo, turning him into the
Gargoyle, a creature with strange powers. Antithesis has tried to escape limbo
a few times, but has been thwarted each time.
Gargoyle also corrupted Mal Duncan's computer-programed "Gabriel's Horn",
so that each time Mal used it, the fabric of limbo would be slightly torn.
The cumulative effect would break the barrier between limbo and earth and
free Gargoyle and Antithesis. The Titans discovered this, and Mal destroyed
his Gabriel Horn, thwarting the evil pair once again.
Full powers unknown; can mentally manipulate individuals and feed off negative
emotions.
Teen Titans #53 [1978]: The origin of the Teen Titans is revealed
in flashback as an Untold Tale from the Teen Titans Casebook: the story of
how Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad, Wonder Girl, and Speedy met and formally organized
and named the Teen Titans team, between the events of The Brave and the Bold
#54 and 60. Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad, Wonder Girl and Speedy unite when the
Justice League of America goes on a crime spree; It is discovered that the
JLA was possessed by the Antithesis; The name "Teen Titans" is coined, with
Speedy acting as a part-time member. The group disbands a second time to pursue
their solo careers and studies; First appearance of Antithesis. First
mention of Speedy as a founding member.
Secret Origins Annual #3 [1989]: Dick Grayson's dream are invaded by
the Antithesis, who seeks to break Dick's spirit so that he will remain in
Limbo; Dick survives with the help of old and new Titans alike. The Special
gives a post-Crisis history of the Titans, including some revamps and revisions.
Includes: First Appearance of Flame-Bird (Post-Crisis ret-con of Bat-Girl);
First Appearance of Herald (Post Crisis ret-con of Hornblower and Guardian);
First Appearance of Golden Eagle's new costume; Includes Who's Who entries
for Flamebird, Golden Eagle, Bumblebee, The Herald, Antithesis, and Gargoyle.
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The Gargoyle/Mr. Twister
Alias: Bromwell Stick
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MR. TWISTER
later transformed into
the
GARGOYLE
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Mr. Twister & Teen Titans
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Gargoyle sows the seeds of doubt in the minds of all
but Robin in TEEN TITANS #14 [1968]. |
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Bromwell Stikk demanded back rent from the citizens of Hatton Corners. He
claimed that an ancestor of his was due this, and vowed to enslave the children
of Hatton Corners if his demands were not met. The town laughed at him. Later,
upon fiddling with a computer, Stikk came upon the evil entity known as Antithesis.
Stikk released the Antithesis, and the entity gave stick a mystical staff,
and, as Mr. Twister, Stikk terrorized Hatton Corners. Mr. Twister was promptly
defeated with the intervention of Robin, Kid Flash and Aqualad (this was the
first Unofficial teaming of the Teen Titans).
Mr. Stick Becomes Gargoyle
Sometime later, Antithesis pulled Stikk into limbo and transformed him into
the Gargoyle... a hideous beast with strange powers. Since then, Gargoyle
has worked as a pawn of Antithesis, trying to vex the Teen Titans, or help
his master escape limbo. He has been thwarted each time.
Gargoyle also corrupted Mal Duncan's computer-programed "Gabriel's Horn",
so that each time Mal used it, the fabric of limbo would be slightly torn.
The cumulative effect would break the barrier between limbo and earth and
free Gargoyle and Antithesis. The Titans discovered this, and Mal destroyed
his Gabriel Horn, thwarting the evil pair once again.
The Gargoyle tortured the Titans once more. On the heels of an exhausting
battle with the H.I.V.E. and Tartarus, the original Titans gathered together for a weekend summit on a deserted island. The Gargoyle heightened tensions among
the group, in an effort to free himself once more. His plan was exposed and
Gargoyle remains imprisoned.
As Mr. Twister, Stikk used blackmail and weather-related catastrophes to do battle. As the Gargoyle, Stikk thrives on negativity and violence using hypnotic powers. Feeling unjustly imprisoned, he has sworn vengeance against Dick Grayson if it takes all eternity and plans to escape Limbo.
Brave & The Bold #54 [1964]: The future Teen Titans make their
first appearance as a team in this story, but the team is not officially organized
or named. Robin, Kid Flash and Aqualad are asked by the teenagers of Hatton
Corners to resolve a generation gap dispute; The young heroes defeat a villain
called Mr. Twister. First un-official appearance of the Teen Titans. First
appearance of Mr. Twister.
Teen Titans #14 [1968]: The Gargoyle, a former Teen Titans foe who
claims he was unjustly imprisoned by the team, sows the seeds of doubt in
the minds of all but Robin, enabling him to banish them to the dimension of
Limbo by means of his mystic ring. Finally, Robin surrenders and allows himself
to be transported to Limbo, so that he can fight the Gargoyle and his thralls
on their home ground. Smashing the Gargoyle's ring traps the villain in the
extra-dimensional realm, and restores Robin and his teammates to Earth and
normalcy. First appearance of the Gargoyle, later revealed as Mr. Twister.
Teen Titans #35 [1971]: While the Teen Titans are on an overseas case,
Mal is minding Titans' Lair when the Gargoyle is accidentally released from
his banishment in Limbo; Mal proves himself a hero by sending the Gargoyle
back.
Secret Origins Annual #3 [1989]: Dick Grayson's dream are invaded by
the Antithesis, who seeks to break Dick's spirit so that he will remain in
Limbo; Dick survives with the help of old and new Titans alike. The Special
gives a post-Crisis history of the Titans, including some revamps and revisions.
Includes: First Appearance of Flame-Bird (Post-Crisis Ret-con of Bat-Girl);
First Appearance of Herald (Post Crisis Ret-con of Hornblower and Guardian);
First Appearance of Golden Eagle's new costume; Includes Who's Who entries
for Flamebird, Golden Eagle, Bumblebee, The Herald, Antithesis, and Gargoyle.
Gargoyle and Mr. Twister revealed as the same entity.
Titans #15-16 [2000]: Nightwing, Flash, Troia, Tempest, and Arsenal
try to reconcile their recent differences, but instead wind up fighting for
their lives as their tropical getaway turns stormy. The Gargoyle gives the
Titans what it believes are their fondest wishes: to never have been Titans
at all. It's an emotional struggle for survival as the Titans fight Gargoyle's
influence.
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The President's Commission on Education asked the Teen Titans to help deal with the problem of High School dropouts. In the town of Harrison, the young heroes discovered dropouts being hired by Ding-Dong Daddy Dowd, proprietor of a custom hot-rod and bike shop. Uncovering evidence that Dowd's operation was a front for criminals, the Titans went undercover as would-be drop-outs and exposed his schemes, and persuaded his teenage employees to return to school.
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The Titans meet Ding Dong Daddy in the classic TEEN TITANS #3 [1966]. |
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When "Ding Dong Daddy" Dowd appeared in the Teen Titans comic book, he was patterned after "Big Daddy" Roth, a famous model-car customizer. Although Ding Dong Daddy had exactly one appearance, he's one of the most fondly remembered villains of the first Teen Titans series. He's often referenced along with Mad Mod - another outlandish adversary that fans took a liking to. Ding Dong Daddy has also appeared in the fifth season of Cartoon Network's Teen Titans series in 2005.
Teen Titans #3 [1966]: The Titans go undercover to expose Ding Dong Daddy. First and only appearance of Ding Dong Daddy.
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Dimension X Aliens
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| The sinister Dimension X Aliens |
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The Titans investigated an incident where high school students were being
kidnapped by aliens from Dimension X and were being replaced by duplicates.
The high school was a base for a plan of alien takeover. Kid Flash used his
vibration powers to sever the link between earth and Dimension X.
The treachery of these aliens resurfaced soon after. The aliens backed a
criminal organization (headed by a man referred to as "The Fat Man")
that tried to pave the way for their eventual plan of invasion. The aliens
tried to release a monstrous creature known as Meroul Being from their dimension.
Their plan was thwarted by The Teen Titans with the aid of the costumed hero
known as Joshua.
The Teen Titans would battle the Dimension X aliens once more. In the ensuing
battle, The Teen Titans discovered another dimension, with one sole sentient
being. This sentient being aided the Titans in the form of an archer (in imitation
of Speedy) and drove the Dimension X aliens back to their own world. This
sentient being assured the Titans that these Dimension X Aliens will not bother
them again.
Years later, The Dimension X aliens attempted another invasion of earth,
only to come into conflict with Booster Gold. Booster battled the X-Aliens
to thwart their plans, until he found himself in a double-bind: he could save
his sister's life, or stop the invasion of Earth! Sadly, Booster's sister
Michelle perished as Booster defeated the aliens.
Teen Titans #16 [1968]: First appearance of Aliens of "Dimension X."
The Teen Titans discover that Hillsdale High actually is the secret base for
an alien takeover, and that the school principal is one of the extra-dimensional
alien leaders. Entering "Dimension X," they rescue Chet and his fellow students.
First appearance of Dimension X.
Teen Titans #21-22 [1969]: Speedy and Wonder Girl are left to search
for Robin and Kid Flash, who are still prisoners of the Dimension X aliens.
The battle between Titans and aliens is cut short when a community-intelligence
being, the sole sentient native of the newly discovered dimension, takes on
the form of a giant archer in imitation of Speedy, and drives the minions
of Dimension X back to their own world.
Booster Gold #20-22 [1987]: The "Aliens from Dimension X" are back,
and Booster Gold's got them. The aliens (who originally appeared in the original
Teen Titans #16, 20-22) have been discovered by Booster's sister Michelle,
who is using the Goldstar costume. When she is kidnapped by the aliens, Booster
must search for her - finding his way into Dimension X (in issue #21) Booster
battles the X-Aliens to thwart their plans, until he finds himself in a double-bind:
he can save his sister's life, or he can stop the invasion of Earth! "He can't
save both," says creator Dan Jurgens, "so he has to make a very frightening
decision."
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The Mad Mod
Alias: Neil Richards
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The Criminal of Carnaby Street
| The Loverly Mad Mod from the pages of TEEN TITANS #17 [1968]. |
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The Mad Mod was a fashion designer who lived on Carnaby Street
in London, where Mod clothes were the rage. Mod used his fashion label as
a front to conceal contraband items in the clothes he made.
After traveling to London as a sort of opening act for teen
idol/rock star Holly Hip, the Teen Titans discovered that the Mad Mod was
using the clothes he designed specifically for Holley Hip to transport various
valuables between the U.S. and Europe. Robin resolved the case, the Mad Mod
went to prison, and Wonder Girl was glad that "dreamy" Holley Hip
wasn't behind the crimes.
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Mad Mod explains he's no longer a scoundrel in
TEEN TITANS #5 [1997]. |
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The Mad Mod soon returned to steal the Queen of England's royal
scepter. The Teen Titans were on hand, and after some merry chases across
the countryside, Aqualad captured the thief. The young heroes returned the
scepter to the queen and brought Mad Mod to justice.
The Straight And Narrow
Richards later resurfaced as a friend and confidant to
Loren Jupiter. In the years since his second capture by the Titans, Richards
has reformed, and become a very successful fashion designer with a retro collection
of Mad Mod fashions. Richards aided Jupiter's second
attempt at forming a group of young teens – Argent, Risk, Prysm, Joto
and Atom - as the Teen Titans. In fact, Richards helped design the costumes for
this new team of heroes. Although this incarnation of Titans has since disbanded,
Richards remains an ally and friend to the Titans, and has resisted any urges
to return to his criminal ways.
During the Mad Mod's heyday as a villain, he would match his outrageous clothing with a way out approach in his intricate but deadly traps. He would employ a gang of toughs to do most of the handiwork that needed muscle.
Although it occurred purely by coincidence, the Teen Titans were just getting
started when the Batman craze hit. Teen Titans #2 appeared about the same
time as the tv show's premiere. Soon after, since anything that had even a
remote connection with Batman or Robin was selling like hotcakes, Robin got
special billing on the covers. From #5 through #10, the boy wonder was the
only one of the four Titans to have his picture inset above the logo.
Unfortunately, along with the Batman show came camp humor and before long,
the Teen Titans and almost every other DC series reeked of it. One villain,
the Mad Mod, was probably the most blatant example of the trend. Mod was a
criminal fashion designer who worked out of Ye Mad Mod's Real Gear Garb in
his first appearance (TT #7) and out of The Ungrotty Grotto Boutique In his
second (TT #17). Bob Haney maintains, however, that he did not consciously
write the Titans to be camp. In fact, he said, he barely paid attention to
the Batman TV show.
Teen Titans #7 [1967]: First Mad Mod; The U. S. Treasury Department
sends the Teen Titans on a personal appearance tour of Europe with rock star
Holley Hip in order to stop a suspected smuggling operation. The singer's
clothing designer, known as the Mad Mod, turns out to be the smuggling mastermind,
with Holley an unwitting dupe, and the Titans and Halley together evade his
traps and capture him and his henchmen. First appearance of the Mad Mod.
Teen Titans #17 [1968]: The Teen Titans travel to London for a Command
Performance at which they will meet Queen Elizabeth II. On a sightseeing tour,
Robin becomes accidentally locked in the Tower of London, leaving Kid Flash,
Aqualad, and Wonder Girl to retrieve the Queen's royal scepter, stolen by
the Mad Mod, without the Boy Wonder's aid. Their costumes gimmicked by the
Mod so as to halve their super-powers, the Titans are unable to stop the villain,
until the ruse is discovered and they change uniforms. Then Aqualad rescues
an escaping Mod from drowning, while Kid Flash and Wonder Girl defeat his
henchmen, and the scepter is returned to the Royal Family.
Teen Titans #2 [1996]: "Titan's Children," Part 2 of 3: At the mercy
of the aliens on Saturn's Moon, the Titans are forced to shatter the virtual
fantasy world of a trapped young girl. What they unleash is Prysm. First Modern
Appearance of Mad Mod, now Mr. Jupiter's ally and famous clothes designer.
Teen Titans #12-15 [1997]: "Then and Now: Parts One-Four":
Nightwing gathers his old teammates to help find their former mentor, Mr.
Jupiter, and the missing Omen, which leads to a confrontation with Haze, a
never-before-seen villain from their past. Meanwhile, the current Titans are
missing in action! The original Titans meet the reformed Mad Mod.
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Andre Le Blanc
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Andre Le Blanc makes his move
in TEEN TITANS (first series) #18 [1968]. |
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The self-styled "world's greatest jewel thief," arrogant Andre Le Blanc made the international most wanted list. Le Blanc often clashed with the Russian super-hero Lenoid Kovar - who was also known as Starfire. Le Blanc delighted in evading capture by the young hero.
Interpol requested that the Teen Titans team up with Starfire to safeguard the Crown Jewels of Sweden from Le Blanc. So confident in his abilities, the bragging thief announced his crimes before they were committed. Mutual antagonism spoiled the joint efforts of the American and Soviet champions, until Starfire rescued the Titans from Le Blanc's deathtraps. Kid Flash then returned the favor by saving Starfire from death on the subway tracks, while Robin defeated Le Blanc in hand-to-hand combat.
Andre Le Blanc has no super-powers, but he is an agile and clever thief.
Teen Titans #18 [1968]: Russian hero Starfire teams up with the Teen Titans to stop the French jewel thief, Andre Le Blanc. First appearance of Starfire [Lenoid Kovar]. First and only appearance of Andre Le Blanc.
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Mr. ESPer • Captain Calamity
Alias: Real Name Unknown
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| Mr. ESPer and Captain Calamity |
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Mr. Esper first gained notoriety as one of the Batman's early foes that attempted local robberies using the front that he was as stage show mentalist who claimed to read minds. Mr. Esper attempted to pave the way for a west coast syndicate to move in to Gotham before the new breed of costumed criminals that had taken over foiled him.
Leaving Gotham after a few capers, Mr. ESPer came into contact with the Teen Titans when he used his helmet's ‘sonic whisper' to tap into Lilith's mind - and gain access to her powers.
He adopted the dual identity of Captain Calamity to wreck havoc on both East
and West coasts. In a way, Mr. ESPer was responsible for bringing the Titans
West group into being. In his guise as Captain Calamity, Mr. ESPer made small
disasters happen to the Teen Titans that fought him. Initially, Captain Calamity
was just an illusion created by the helmet. As his encounters with the two
teams progressed, ESPer assumed his Calamity identity to make Mr. ESPer the
illusion. The two teams eventually deduce the deception and capture him.
Mr. Esper is driven by greed and power. He siphons the power of other psychics' users with the sonic whisper from his bronze exoskeleton helmet to manipulate the minds of others with illusions.
Detective Comics #352: First appearance of Mr. ESPer
Batman #201 and 209: Mr. ESPer returns
Teen Titans #50-52 [1976]: Titans West, comprised of Golden Eagle,
Flamebird, Hawk, Dove and Beast Boy, is formed by Lilith; Captain Calamity/Mr.
Esper battles the two Titan groups; Lilith and her "Titans West" group, including
Gnarrk, rescue victims of more incredible disasters, and discover a connection
between these events and the crimes of Captain Calamity on the East Coast.
Robin and the Titans' "first team" defeat Captain Calamity's henchmen, and
Kid Flash and Wonder Girl rejoin their teammates just in time to hear Aqualad
announce his resignation: he has diagnosed his "fainting spells" as a psychosomatic
illness brought on by his feelings of inferiority and uselessness to the land-based
Titans team. Lilith and Gnarrk revealed to be engaged. First appearance of
Titans West in issue #50. First appearance of Beast Boy, Bat-Girl [Bette Kane]
and Golden Eagle as Titans.
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Nicholas Galtry
Alias: Arsenal
Guardian from Hell
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| Gar relates his childhood in TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS mini series #3 [1982] |
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After his parents drown in a flood, the future Beast Boy dwelled alone in
the jungle with the aid of natives in a nearby village. Unknown to him, Nicholas
Galtry had been appointed his legal guardian and was searching for him. As
Gar traveled, group of diamond thieves exploited his shape-changing powers
and robbed a highly guarded vault in Johannesburg. The criminals perished,
however, when the child's idea of a practical joke caused each to suspect
the other of treachery, and they killed each other. He was then finally found
by his guardian, Nicholas Galtry, who returned with him to America.
Galtry was a cruel and heartless man, who only accepted guardianship of Gar
as a means to his inheritance. Eventually, Elasti-Girl discovered the truth
behind Galtry's schemes to embezzle Beast Boy's money. Galtry became increasingly
more desperate - hiring a hitman to kill Gar and hiring Mr. 103 to get rid
of the whole Doom Patrol.
Meanwhile, Steve Dayton built a case to gain guardianship of Gar. However,
he found his legal case against Galtry for Beast Boy's guardianship was crumbling,
especially after Beast Boy's dual identity was exposed. The case was finally
decided in Dayton's favor, however, when Elasti-Girl disguised herself as
Beast Boy to make it seem that Gar and Beast Boy were two different individuals.
Following these events, Gar was adopted by Steve and Rita Dayton and allowed
to join the Doom Patrol.
Galtry's Revenge
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| Galtry - as the Arsenal - exacts his revenge in TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS mini series #3 [1982] |
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After a brief adventure with the earlier Teen Titans team, Gar
had returned to his acting job with the Space Trek: 2022 TV series, during
which an old Doom Patrol foe, the Arsenal, made an unsuccessful attempt on
his life. Out of work after the series' cancellation, Gar was reunited with
his high-school girlfriend, Jillian Jackson, only to have the Arsenal return
and kidnap her. Trailing the armored villain to his castle hideout, Beast
Boy (whose dual identity, it should be noted, was known to the world by this
time) discovered that the Arsenal was actually his former guardian, Galtry,
who had hired the original Arsenal to eliminate the Doom Patrol and who had
now usurped that costumed criminal's identity himself. His goal: to hold Jillian
for ransom and regain the money he had lost when Gar Logan's guardianship
had been taken from him.
Beast Boy contacted Vernon Questor, who was in charge of Steve
Dayton's finances while Mento searched for the killers of the Doom Patrol,
but was unable to attain the needed ransom money. Galtry then left him trapped
in an airtight room while he attempted to get the ransom paid by Jillian's
father instead. Escaping, Beast Boy battled Galtry/Arsenal, shattered the
villain's armored costume, and defeated him.
The Doom Patrol #99 [1965]: First appearance of Beast
Boy. Doom Patrol headquarters is invaded by Gar Logan, a teenager with green
skin and the ability to transform himself into any known animal. Dubbing him
"Beast Boy," the Doom Patrol grants his desire to join them on a mission,
and he manages to save the day.
The Doom Patrol #100 [1965]: Gar tells his origin story to the Doom
Patrol.
The Doom Patrol #101 [1966]: Galtry, unaware of Gar Logan's identity
as Beast Boy and secretly embezzling money from his inheritance, hires a hit-man
to do away with the youngster. Galtry's hired killer changes his plans at
the last moment, causing the Doom Patrol to disbelieve Beast Boy's story of
an assassination plot against him.
The Doom Patrol #105 [1966]: Elasti-Girl discovers the truth behind
Galtry's schemes to embezzle from Beast Boy's inheritance.
The Doom Patrol #110 [1967]: Steve Dayton finds his legal case against
Galtry for Beast Boy's guardianship crumbling, especially after Mandred breaks
free of his imprisonment in Doom Patrol headquarters and learns Beast Boy's
true identity as Gar Logan. The case is finally decided in Dayton's favor,
however, when Elasti-Girl disguises herself as Beast Boy to make it seem that
Gar and Beast Boy are two different individuals. Gar Logan is taken from the
custody of Nicholas Galtry and adopted by Steve and Rita Dayton as of this
story.
Tales of the New Teen Titans #3 [1982]: 4-issue
mini series. As the Titans take a break on a camping trip, the new members
reveal their origins. Gar details the history of his relationship with
Galtry.
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