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William Randolph Wintergreen |
Early Years
William Randolph Wintergreen grew up in Oxford, England. He avoided sports and squirreled himself away in the University library, which because of his father's title, was open to him. Research came easy to him, and knowing the conduits through which information flowed aided him in his work with MI-5 and the British Army. During his time with the British Army he met Slade Wilson. The two developed a close friendship.
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Wintergreen tells Adeline Kane how the Deathstroke,
The Terminator was born in TALES OF THE TEEN
TITANS #44 [1984]. |
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General Sampson sent Slade Wilson on a suicide mission. Wintergreen saw through it and through the grace of God, Slade survived. Wintergreen disobeyed Sampson's orders and charged in to rescue Slade. Sampson was given a minor reprimand, but remembered Wintergreen's disobedience.
After Slade met Adeline, Wintergreen was reassigned closer to Slade, and was the best man when Slade wed Adeline.
Wintergreen came under the command of General Sampson. Remembering the slight of years ago, Sampson sent Wintergreen on a suicide mission. Shortly afterward, Slade received word that Wintergreen was captured as a prisoner of war. Disobeying orders, Slade commandeered a plane and made his way to Hanoi, where he intended to rescue Wintergreen. Wintergreen had been brutally tortured, and Slade charged in, garbed in an outlandish uniform (similar to his later uniform as Deathstroke). Slade easily bested all the soldiers with an unrivaled ferocity. Wintergreen was shocked when Slade unmasked himself.
Slade revealed to Wintergreen that his senses and abilities had been enhanced. Slade was discharged for disobeying orders. Wintergreen felt he owed Slade his life – a debt he intended to repay.
Following this, Slade secretly became the mercenary known as Deathstroke, the Terminator. Soon, a terrorist known as the Jackal kidnapped a young Joseph Wilson to gain leverage against Slade. This forced Slade to admit to his wife that he was secretly the mercenary known as Deathstroke, the Terminator. Adeline and Slade (outfitted as Deathstroke) together confronted the Jackal. Slade refused to give the Jackal the information he requested because it would violate his professional code of ethics. Slade gambled he could react fast enough to save his son; He saved Joseph's life, but not before one of Jackal's men had begun to slit his throat. Joseph was now mute.
Adeline, furious at Slade's betrayal and the risking of her son's life, confronted Slade with a gun. Slade's quick reflexes saved his life, but he lost his right eye due to the gunshot inflicted by his wife. Adeline then divorced Slade and raised her two sons by herself.
Feeling he owed Slade a great debt, Wintergreen took Addie's place at his side. Wintergreen hoped that he could prevent Slade from becoming cold and ruthless. Wintergreen began cataloguing Slade's adventures in his journals for years. He has been Slade's right hand man, acting alternately as moral conscience, comrade in arms and nursemaid.
Enter the Titans
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| Wintergreen explains his debt to Slade Wilson in TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS #44 [1984]. |
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After Slade's son Grant (the Ravager) died, Slade aimed to fulfill the contract his son had left. Slade had to deliver the Teen Titans to the H.I.V.E. To this end, he allied himself with a 15 year old sociopath with earth powers. Tara Markov (Terra) would infiltrate the Titans and betray their secrets to Slade. Wintergreen feared this contract, and his alliance with the stable young girl, would prove Slade's undoing. With Terra's help, Slade was able to deliver the Teen Titans to the H.I.V.E. (except for Dick Grayson, who eluded capture). Dick Grayson (now Nightwing) with the help of Slade's son Joe Wilson (assuming the name Jericho) were able to infiltrate H.I.V.E. headquarters and rescue the Titans. In the ensuing battle, Terra died and Slade was captured to stand trial. Slade's case was thrown out of court because the prosecutor failed to prove that the Terminator who did the kidnapping was indeed Slade Wilson.
Slade took up hunting in Africa for a brief time, with Wintergreen back at his side. Eventually, he returned to his mercenary ways, only with a stronger code of ethics. Wintergreen continued to catalog his adventures.
Slade eventually learned that his powers also granted him immortality, and he would regenerate after ‘dying.' When the third Ravager (Wade DeFarge) abducted Rose Wilson, Slade and Rose discovered they were father and daughter. After the death of Rose's mother, Slade feared he would not be a good father. He left Rose primarily in the care of Wintergreen, and then, the Titans. Wintergreen cared very much for Rose and was even prepared to adopt her. Rose became a member of the Titans briefly and eventually embarked off on her own.
The End of a Partnership
After that, on a routine mission with Vigilante, Slade was caught in yet another explosion, this time involving volatile chemicals. The explosion ‘killed' Slade and triggered another regeneration. After that incident, Slade's actions became somewhat erratic, and he cut ties with both Pat Trayce and Wintergreen, claiming they were no longer part of his life, since he did not remember them. So Pat Trayce continued running Vigilance, Inc. (Trayce had salvaged what was left of Adeline Kane's company, Searchers, Inc., and created her own search & rescue operation) with Wintergreen as her right hand man. Wintergreen suspected that this second explosion restored Slade's memory, since details of his past life crept up in idle conversation. Knowing that Slade must have his reasons for cutting ties with he and Pat, Wintergreen respected this unspoken request from Slade, and gave him his space.
I Lost My Head
Sometime later, Deathstroke discovered the spirit of his son, Jericho, had actually survived and taken refuge deep inside his body. With the help of Wintergreen, Deathstroke attempted to exorcise his son from him, but was quickly overpowered. Jericho murdered Wintergreen and embarked on a hunt for the newly-formed Teen Titans. Jericho/Deathstroke mounted the severed head of his trusted friend as he vowed "Deathstroke hunts alone."
Slade would forever be haunted by Wintergreen's dying words: "I suppose it was only a matter of time."
New Teen Titans #2 [1980]: The H.I.V.E. seeks to destroy the New Teen Titans and gives Grant Wilson powers that make him the Ravager; His father, Deathstroke the Terminator, joins in on the attack against the Titans, but the Ravager is killed due to a side effect of his powers: the Terminator takes up his son's contract with the H.I.V.E.; First appearance of Deathstroke, Wintergreen and the Ravager.
New Teen Titans #39 [1984]: Terra and the Terminator plot the fall of the Titans. Wally West decides to quit being Kid Flash, leaves his ring and costume with the Titans, and returns to Blue Valley; Dick Grayson gives up his Robin identity, turning Titan leadership over to Wonder Girl; Terra's contact lens camera relays Robin's and Kid Flash's civilian identities to the Terminator
Tales of the Teen Titans #42-44, Tales of the Teen Titans Annual #3 [1984]: Terra gives her collected information on the Titans to Deathstroke, who captures each of the teen heroes and delivers them to the H.I.V.E., except Dick Grayson. Joseph and Adeline Wilson confront Dick at Titans' Tower, telling him of Terra's association with the Terminator, who brings the Titans to the H.I.V.E.'s Rocky Mountain headquarters. Dick Grayson learns the origin of The Terminator and about the accident that made his son Joseph a mute; Dick becomes Nightwing and agrees to let Adeline and Joseph accompany him to the H.I.V.E. base after Joseph takes the identity of Jericho and "possesses" him. They help free the Titans, but not before Terra kills herself. This event is catalogued as "The Judas Contract." First appearance of Adeline Kane Wilson and her son, Joseph in issue #41. First appearance of Nightwing and Jericho in issue #44. Origin/Histories of Deathstroke, Wintergreen, Adeline Kane and Jericho in issue #44.
Deathstroke: The Hunted #0, 41-45[1994-1995]: THE HUNTED STORYLINE. Deathstroke is implicated in a presidential assassination attempt, making him a wanted man. Crimelord plots against Slade. The Ravager holds Rose hostage & reveals Slade is her father. Sweet Lili and Wintergreen mount a rescue attempt. Wintergreen rescues Rose Wilson but Sweet Lili [Rose's mother] dies. Concludes the Hunted storyline.
Deathstroke #59-60 [1996]: On a routine mission with Vigilante, Slade is caught in yet another explosion, this time involving volatile chemicals. The explosion ‘kills' Slade and triggers another regeneration. After that incident, Slade's actions become somewhat erratic, and he cuts ties with both Pat Trayce and Wintergreen, claiming they are no longer part of his life, since he did not remember them. So Pat Trayce continues running Vigilance, Inc., with Wintergreen as her right hand man. Wintergreen suspects that this second explosion restored Slade's memory, since details of his past life crept up in idle conversation. Knowing that Slade must have his reasons for cutting ties with he and Pat, Wintergreen respects this unspoken request from Slade, and gives him his space. Series ends with issue #60.
Teen Titans #2 [2003]: Deathstroke mounts the severed head of his trusted friend, Wintergreen before hunting down the latest group of Teen Titans. Death of Wintergreen revealed.
DC Universe Role-Playing Games: Sourcebooks and Manuals [ West End Games], DC Secret Files, supplemented by titanstower.com
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Adeline Kane Wilson
Alias: H.I.V.E. Mistress II
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Early Years
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You'll shoot your eye out! Addie exacts her revenge, as related in
TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS #44 [1984]. |
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Adeline Kane grew up the daughter of wealthy parents. Her father taught her everything he had learned while working as a liaison for communist guerrilla fighters during World War II. In turn, Adeline served in the U.S. Army as an instructor in a special training program at Camp Washington. Adeline had a brief relationship with Wade DeFarge (Slade's half-brother). Although the two parted ways, Wade remained bitter over the break-up.
Joe Wilson is the son of Slade Wilson (See Deathstroke, the Terminator) and Adeline Kane Wilson. The couple met while in service in the United States Army (Adeline had been Slade's instructor in guerilla warfare). Sparks ignited immediately between the two, and they quickly fell in love and wed. Shortly thereafter, Adeline gave birth to a son, Grant (who would later become the Ravager). Slade continued on active duty, and volunteered for a medical experiment in resisting truth serums.
The experiment had an unforeseen side effect: it gave Slade enhanced strength and heightened reflexes. Shortly after this, Adeline gave birth to a second son, Joseph. Slade soon was discharged from the army. He took up hunting for awhile, but it failed to quench his thirst for the life he once led. Unknown to his wife and family, Slade secretly became a mercenary known as Deathstroke, the Terminator. One one of his assignments, Slade assassinated a Colonel from the country of Quarac.
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| Wintergreen explains his debt to Slade Wilson in TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS #44 [1984]. |
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| Addie relates the Wilson family history in TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS #44 [1984]. |
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| Slade realizes Addie is immortal after she recovers from a fatal wound in DEATHSTROKE ANNUAL #4 [1995]. |
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The president from Quarac sent a terrorist known as the Jackal to find Slade, and find out who hired him to kill the Colonel. To gain leverage, the Jackal kidnapped a young Joseph Wilson (who was now 5 years old, or so).
This forced Slade to admit to his wife that he was secretly the mercenary known as Deathstroke, the Terminator. Adeline and Slade (outfitted as Deathstroke) together confronted the Jackal. Slade refused to give the Jackal the information he requested, because it would violate his professional code of ethics. Slade gambled he could react fast enough to save his son; He saved Joseph's life, but not before one of Jackal's men had begun to slit his throat. Joseph was now mute.
Breaking Up is Hard to Do
Adeline - furious at Slade's betrayal and the risking of her son's life - confronted Slade with a gun. Slade's quick reflexes saved his life, but he lost his right eye due to the gunshot inflicted by his wife. Adeline then divorced Slade and raised her two sons by herself. Grant followed in his father's footsteps and attended military school.
Joseph, however, was quite different from his brother; He was a kind, gentle soul who flourished in the arts. Joseph was both a talented artist and musician. Adeline nurtured this side of Joseph, and he grew up to be a fine young man under Adeline's care.
Sometime after her divorce from Slade, Adeline established her own organization, Searchers, Inc. – a worldwide information network that passes itself off as a detective agency. As he grew older, Joseph worked closely with his mother, apparently receiving combat training and tactical fighting maneuvers from her. Searchers, Inc. provided espionage services for a number of clients. On a mission for the US government, Joseph and his mother separated briefly for reconnaissance. Joseph spotted his mother in danger from an assassin she did not see. Joseph wanted to scream, but couldn't. The assassin laughed and prepared to fire at Adeline. Joseph intensely stared at him across the room, desperately wanting to stop him. It was at this moment that his mutant power first manifested; Joseph felt his bodies separate and enter into the assassin, controlling the man's motor skills. Joseph's DNA had been mutated, because of the biological experimentation that had been done on Slade Wilson. Joseph was a mutant.
Addie, Joey & the Titans
Joseph continued to use his abilities for Searchers Inc. Shortly thereafter, Adeline discovered the Terminator's latest activities involving the Titans. With the help of Terra, Slade had finally fulfilled the HIVE deliver the Titans into their hands. Adeline and Joseph surveyed Slade's activities, and approached Nightwing, offering to help rescue the captured Titans. At this time, Joseph first adopted the name Jericho, and fashioned a costume for himself. Nightwing and Jericho successfully freed the kidnapped Titans and brought Slade Wilson to justice. Adeline was quite pleased with herself; It appears she wanted Joseph to become a member of this team of young adults.
Eventually, Slade Wilson stood trial and re-examined his life. He developed a stricter code of ethics and even became an ally to the Titans. Addie continued to run Searchers, Inc. and even aided her ex-husband on some of his missions. However, when Slade was forced to kill their son Joe, it drove a wedge between Slade and Addie.
Still, some time later, Slade was able to save Addie's life. While in Egypt, Addie was dying from a slow acting poison. It was a blood transfusion from Slade that saved her life.
Crazy for You
Soon, a new man assuming the identity of the Ravager was hunting down Slade's friends and loved ones. At the same time, Adeline Wilson was exhibiting strange behavior, blaming Slade for her sons' deaths... vowing to kill him and his new lover, Pat Trayce (Vigilante). It was during this ordeal that Slade made some shocking discoveries about himself. After being riddled with bullets and brought to a morgue, Slade awoke from the dead. Apparently, Slade had an unknown extra-ability to add to his enhanced healing factor: Immortality.
Now completely over the edge, Addie donned a Vigilante costume and came into conflict with Slade and the Ravager. After Adeline was bruised and healed immediately, Slade guessed the truth: Slade's blood transfusion gave her rapid-healing powers, but also was driving her quite mad. During the fracas with Ravager, Addie was shot between the eyes and presumed dead. Later, in the morgue, Adeline awoke. Apparently, she had gained Slade's immortality as well.
H.I.V.E. Mistress R.I.P.
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Addie as the H.I.V.E. Mistress meets her
end in TITANS #12 [2000]. |
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Addie eventually resurfaced - founding a new H.I.V.E. made up of nihilistic youths. The all-new H.I.V.E.'s mission was a simple one: rid the world of all super-powered meta-humans, as she blamed super heroes for the deaths of her two sons.
Addie lured the Titans and other heroes to Zandia with the intention of detonating a thermo-nuclear bomb to destroy as many heroes as possible in one fell swoop. Meanwhile, the anti-Titans group known as Tartarus was tracking Adeline Kane for their own purposes; Tartarus leader Vandal Savage sought to harvest Addie's immortal blood to create an immortality serum.
The Titans – with the help of Deathstroke – tracked Tartarus to Zandia and found themselves in a dangerous three-way battle for their lives.
Savage slit Addie's throat in an attempt to synthesize her blood - and offered Cyborg a human body if he would help Savage harvest the blood into a serum. Addie, although immortal, was brain dead. Cyborg agonized whether to accept Savage's offer. But before a decision was reached, Starfire fired a starbolt at Addie, killing her instantly. Starfire rationalized that she was virtually dead and in great pain, not to mention distracting half the team; Killing her, she reasoned, was the only compassionate option.
The H.I.V.E. was contained, the bomb was deactivated and Tartarus escaped, as Slade was left to mourn his ex-wife.
Searchers Inc.
Sometime after her divorce from Slade, Adeline established her own organization, Searchers, Inc. – a worldwide information network that passes itself off as a detective agency. As he grew older, Joseph Wilson worked closely with his mother, apparently receiving combat training and tactical fighting maneuvers from her. Searchers, Inc. provided espionage services for a number of clients.
Addie later went insane from a blood transfusion from her ex-husband, Slade. She was presumed dead when she was shot in the head. Actually, Addie had received Slade's immortality through the blood transfusion, woke up in the morgue, and wandered off. Pat Trayce (the Vigilante) salvaged what was left of Adeline Kane's company, Searchers, Inc., and created her own search & rescue operation known as Vigilance, Inc., with Wintergreen as her right hand man.
Tales of the Teen Titans #42-44, Tales of the Teen Titans Annual #3 [1984]: Terra gives her collected information on the Titans to Deathstroke, who captures each of the teen heroes and delivers them to the H.I.V.E., except Dick Grayson. Joseph and Adeline Wilson confront Dick at Titans' Tower, telling him of Terra's association with the Terminator, who brings the Titans to the H.I.V.E.'s Rocky Mountain headquarters. Dick Grayson learns the origin of The Terminator and about the accident that made his son Joseph a mute; Dick becomes Nightwing and agrees to let Adeline and Joseph accompany him to the H.I.V.E. base after Joseph takes the identity of Jericho and "possesses" him. They help free the Titans, but not before Terra kills herself. First appearance of Adeline Kane Wilson and her son, Joseph in issue #41. Origin/Histories of Deathstroke, Wintergreen, Adeline Kane and Jericho in issue #44.
Tales of the Teen Titans #51-52 [1985]: President Marlo of Quarac hires Cheshire, who abducts Adeline Wilson, Jericho's mother, a former agent of his who had stolen information on the military strength of Kyran, a bordering nation which he intends to invade. Jericho travels to Quarac with one of his mother's agents, a young woman named Amber, to rescue Adeline. Jericho uses his powers to help them get free and to defeat Cheshire.
Deathstroke #1-4 [1991]: A New Ravage lures Deathstroke into conflict with him. Meanwhile, Addie Kane is furious at Deathstroke over the death of their son, Joe Wilson.
Deathstroke: The Hunted #0, 41-45[1994-1995]: THE HUNTED STORYLINE. Deathstroke is implicated in a presidential assassination attempt, making him a wanted man. Crimelord plots against Slade. Addie Kane - now insane - begins a vengeance campaign against Pat Trayce.
Deathstroke Annual #4 [1995]: a YEAR ONE of Deathstroke; the third Ravager revealed as Slade's half-brother, Wade DeFarge; Wade relates how his hatred for his half-brother grew over the years [a flashback featuring Joe and Grant Wilson and Addie Kane is related]; Addie, now insane, dons the Vigilante costume and joins the fray, only to be shot between the eyes. Addie seemingly dies then rises in a morgue; Deathstroke defeats Ravager, who is brought into custody. Deathstroke believes Addie has died.
Titans #10-12 [1999-2000]: "Immortal Coil": Changeling and Deathstroke guest-star as Tartarus attacks the H.I.V.E. The newly formed super-villain team of Tartarus takes on the H.I.V.E., with the Titans caught in the middle. Cyborg faces the ultimate test of his loyalty when the immortal Vandal Savage offers him a human body to call his own. As the battles with Vandal Savage's villain team, Tartarus, and the malevolent H.I.V.E. heat up, the Titans are at odds...with one another. Adeline Kane revealed to be the HIVE Mistress in issue #11 and dies in issue #12. Damien Darhk becomes immortal in issue #12.
DC Universe Role-Playing Games: Sourcebooks and Manuals [ West End Games], DC Secret Files, supplemented by titanstower.com
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Lillian 'Sweet Lili' Worth |
In Love with a Merc
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Wintergreen guesses the truth in DEATHSTROKE #15 [1992]. |
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A few years after his divorce from Adeline Kane, Slade Wilson [Deathstroke] accepted a search and rescue mission in the Orient. Slade met Lillian "Sweet Lili" Worth, an Oriental clan princess whose life fell in ruins after her kingdom was destroyed by a war in the Far East. It was Slade's mission to bring Lili from war-torn Cambodia to Thailand, where she would have relative freedom.
The mission was successful; During the journey, Slade and Lili became lovers as well. Slade and Lili remained in contact, embarking an an on/off love affair whenever their paths crossed. During one of their trysts, Slade impregnated Lili, who later gave birth to Rose Worth – Slade's daughter. Lili kept Rose a secret from Slade, rationalizing it was in the child's best interest to do so.
Lili eventually settled outside New York City, where she established a brothel and lived in luxury. Lili took good care of the girls in her employ, and raised Rose there as well. Despite the environment, Rose was raised with other children her age and was schooled by private tutors. She not only received a happy childhood, but was also taught how to defend herself.
Truths Revealed, The End of the Road for Lili...
When Slade was injured and on the lam from the law, Lili took him in and nursed his wounds. It was at this time that Wintergreen met Rose Wilson and suspected Slade was her father.
Meanwhile, a new man assuming the identity of the Ravager (who was later revealed to be Slade's half-brother, Wade DeFarge) was hunting down Slade's friends and loved ones. Ravager abducted Rose Worth when he discovered her connection to Slade. As Ravager tortured Rose, he also revealed to her that Slade Wilson was her father. Wintergreen and Lili launched a rescue attempt. Eventually, Lili and Wintergreen reached their quarry in the snow-covered wilderness. To save her daughter, Lili attempted to run over Ravager in a jeep – and her jeep careened off a cliff and exploded. Lili was presumed dead, but her body was never recovered. Rose still wears her mother's necklace as a reminder of their bond.
Lili has no superhuman abilities, but she is an above-average fighter with knowledge of martial arts.
Deathstroke #15 [1992]: Part of the 9-part TOTAL CHAOS storyline. When Slade is injured and on the lam from the law, Sweet Lili takes him in and nurses his wounds. Sweet Lili relates her turbulent life story. It is at this time that Wintergreen meets Rose Wilson and suspects Slade is her father. First appearance of Rose Wilson. First appearance and history of Sweet Lili.
Deathstroke: The Hunted #42 [1994]: Slade awakens in the morgue [the first hints of his immortality] and battles Guy Gardner, Warrior. The mystery assailant attacks Wintergreen and steals his journal, learning Slade's secrets. Slade encounters Sweet Lili and during the confusion, discovers her daughter, Rose, has been kidnapped by the mystery assailant [now calling himself the Ravager].
Deathstroke: The Hunted #43 [1995]: The Ravager holds Rose hostage & reveals Slade is her father. Sweet Lili and Wintergreen mount a rescue attempt. Addie Kane and Crimelord plot against Slade. Slade is hunted by Hawkman.
Deathstroke: The Hunted #44 [1995]: Sweet Lili & Wintergreen try to rescue Rose Wilson as she tries to escape on her own. As Slade once again awakens from death, he is attacked by Crimelord's agents.
Deathstroke: The Hunted #45 [1995]: The Titans hunt and capture Deathstroke; Wintergreen rescues Rose Wilson but Sweet Lili [Rose's mother] dies. Concludes the Hunted storyline. Death of Sweet Lili.
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