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Tartarus
TARTARUS: [from left to right] Red Panzer, Siren, Cheshire,
Vandal Savage, Grodd & Lady Vic |
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The Anti-Titans
The evil, immortal Vandal Savage kidnapped former Titan, Lilith Clay (Omen) and used her to formulate the perfect team of adversaries for the Titans. Forced to submit, Lilith reluctantly helped Savage track down a team of suitable villains. Vandal Savage would name this group Tartarus, after the underworld prison that held the Titans of mythology.
With Lilith's information, Vandal Savage individually recruited his team. He freed Siren from D.E.O. capture. Ne convinced Gorilla Grodd to aid him. He teleported Red Panzer by his side. And he hired the ruthless assassin, Lady Vic. When Cheshire learned that an anti-Titans group was forming under Vandal Savage, she volunteered for membership. Savage accepted – and Cheshire joined Tartarus, rounding out the membership.
Immortal Coil
Vandal Savage began tracking the H.I.V.E. Mistress, Adeline Kane, for his own purposes; 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.
During the melee, both sides suffered casualties. The third Red Panzer was killed - only to be replaced by the nihilistic H.I.V.E. soldier, Justin. Vandal Savage shot Cheshire as a means of distraction, leaving her injured in enemy hands. Damien Darhk's treachery prompted Lady Vic to plunge a sword through his back, seemingly killing him. But Darhk's blood mingled with Adeline Kane's before she died, leaving Darhk's himself immortal.
Tartarus Interruptus
Tempest eventually learned of Lilith's capture and led a team of Titans to rescue her at Tartarus' base in Scotland. During the rescue attempt, Tartarus battled the Titans, but collapsed upon itself due to each member having a different agenda. Lilith purposely chose members who wouldn't work well together when forced to formulate a team for Savage. As the team fell, Siren switched alliances during the battle and aided Tempest in escaping. Tempest was successful in his rescue mission and Lilith was free to resume her life.
DC Universe Role-Playing Games: Sourcebooks and Manuals [ West End Games], DC Secret Files, supplemented by titanstower.com
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A Long History
Roughly 50,000 years ago, Vandal Savage was a member of the Blood People, a tribe of Cro-Magnons . The young Vandal saw his father, the chieftain Vandar Adg, murdered by Rip Hunter, a time traveler from the 20th century. Hunter knew that Vandal Savage would become immortal and found the Illuminati, a secret society that would menace the Earth of his own time. Hunter killed Vandal Savage's father, thinking him to be Vandal Savage himself. But shortly afterward, Hunter realized his mistake: The chieftain's son would take the name Vandar Adg after his father's death and would succeed him as leader of the tribe. It was the son who would become Vandal Savage, master of the Illuminati.
Later, a strange fiery meteor fell from the sky and seemingly burst into flaming gases over the younger Vandar Adg's head. Vandar Adg collapsed and fell into a deep coma, from which he eventually awakened. As time passed, Vandar Adg realized that he had become immortal, for others around him grew old and died while he did not.
The man who became known as Vandal Savage embarked on a quest for power that has lasted throughout the millennia. Savage spent centuries securing power, mostly from behind the scenes. In me 1940s Vandal Savage decided to support behind the Axis powers, believing he could best achieve his goals through them. This led to confrontations between Savage and the Justice Society of America, who eventually sent Savage to prison. Years later, Savage took his revenge by capturing many members of me then-disbanded Justice Society, only to be thwarted by the first and second Flashes.
Making Enemies
Later, Vandal Savage had clashed with Wally West, the third Flash. During this time Savage made an unsuccessful attempt to take over the New York City narcotics trade by means of his new drug, Velocity 9, which vastly speeded up human metabolism.
Later still, as the teenage hero, Damage searched for his true origins, he learned Vandal Savage was behind his creation. Damage learned that Vandal Savage was involved in a series of experiments at Symbolix, working with Dathan Wahrman's father. In an experiment called Project: Telemachus, Savage took DNA sample he had collected from his encounters with various super-powered beings, and injected them into a fitting vessel: the infant Grant. Although they came into conflict, Savage exhibited a protective attitude towards Grant, seeing great potential in him.
Shortly after, Arsenal came into conflict with Vandal Savage. Savage had discovered that both Roy and his daughter Lian were blood ancestors of his. Thus, their organs were suitable for him to harvest to prolong his life. Roy was able save his daughter from Savage's manipulations.
Tartarus
The evil, immortal Vandal Savage kidnapped former Titan, Lilith Clay (Omen) and used her to formulate the perfect team of adversaries for the Titans. Forced to submit, Lilith reluctantly helped Savage track down a team of suitable villains. Vandal Savage would name this group Tartarus, after the underworld prison that held the Titans of mythology. With Lilith's information, Vandal Savage individually recruited his team: Siren, Gorilla Grodd, Red Panzer, Lady Vic and Cheshire.
Vandal Savage began tracking the H.I.V.E. Mistress, Adeline Kane, for his own purposes; 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's scheme was thwarted when Starfire atomized Addie Kane's brain dead body.
Tempest eventually learned of Lilith's capture and led a team of Titans to rescue her at Tartarus' base in Scotland. During the rescue attempt, Tartarus battled the Titans, but collapsed upon itself due to each member having a different agenda. Lilith purposely chose members who wouldn't work well together when forced to formulate a team for Savage.
Tartarus had disbanded, but Vandal Savage continues to scheme…
Vandal Savage is immortal in the sense that he does not age and therefore cannot die from old age. He can, however, be killed through other means, such as severe injury.
Vandal Savage has regained the use of various superhuman powers that he had lost earlier. The most notable of these is vast superhuman strength. He also possesses an ability to create interdimensional warps. Savage renews these powers through the consumption of his enemies' blood. Savage must also harvest the organs of his blood ancestors to sustain his immortal life.
DC Universe Role-Playing Games: Sourcebooks and Manuals [ West End Games], DC Secret Files, supplemented by titanstower.com
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Grodd
First Appearance: Flash #106
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Once an ordinary lowland gorilla, Grodd and his fellow primates were accelerated up the evolutionary ladder when an alien spacecraft crashed into the African veldt and its occupant imbued the gorillas with great intelligence. Grodd and the more peaceable Solovar evolved awesome telekinetic and telepathic powers as well. Founding a futuristic "Gorilla City" deep within the African veldt, the gorillas pursued their own advancement under the alien's leadership until explorers stumbled upon their haven. The evil Grodd forced one of the explorers to kill his alien benefactor and staged a coup to enslave Gorilla City. Telepathically contacting the Flash, Solovar warned the hero of Grodd's plans to conquer all of Earth. Though defeated in battle by the Scarlet Speedster, Grodd would return to plague the Flash and other costumed heroes many times after.
Vandal Savage approached Grodd, offering him membership in his new anti-Titans group, Tartarus. Savage sweetened the offer with promises of power and immortality. Grodd accepted.
Grodd joined Tartarus on their mission to synthesize the immortal blood of the H.I.V.E. Mistress, Addie Kane. Savage sought to create a serum that would grant immortality. Their schemes were thwarted when the Titans intervened, and Tartarus retreated.
Tempest later led a rescue mission to save captured Titans teammate, Lilith Clay (Omen). Vandal Savage kidnapped Lilith and used her to formulate the perfect team of adversaries for the Titans, thus creating Tartarus. During the rescue attempt, Tartarus battled the Titans, but collapsed upon itself due to each member having a different agenda; Lilith purposely chose members who wouldn't work well together when forced to formulate a team for Savage. Following these events, Tartarus members went their separate ways and the group disbanded.
Grodd's psionic abilities allow him to place other beings under his mental thrall. Grodd can also project mental attack beams and transfer his consciousness into other bodies. Moreover, he possesses great physical strength far exceeding that of an ordinary gorilla. He is a scientific genius who has mastered Gorilla City's advanced technology and who has created many incredible inventions of his own.
DC Universe Role-Playing Games: Sourcebooks and Manuals [ West End Games], DC Secret Files, supplemented by titanstower.com
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Lady Vic
Alias: Lady Elaine Marsh-Morton
First Appearance: Nightwing #4
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Lady Vic or "Lady Victim" is the sobriquet of Lady Elaine Marsh-Morton, one of a long and distinguished line of British mercenaries extending back to her family's Norman roots. Aided and abetted by valet Bivens and an arsenal of exotic weapons-all relics of her ancestors' military excursions-Lady Vic operates as a hired killer to prevent foreclosure on her family estate. Recently, Lady Vic accepted a sizable contract with Bludhaven mobster Angel Mann, who refused to make payment. In order to collect, Lady Vic threatened Mann's lawyer Maxwell Reed, thus drawing the attention of Nightwing, who rescued Reed and his daughter and caused the assassin to lose her cherished ancestral Bundi daggers. To recoup her losses, Lady Vic became one of several hired killers on retainer for Roland Desmond, each anxious to bring Blockbuster the head of Nightwing on a silver platter.
Vandal Savage approached Lady Vic, offering her membership in his new anti-Titans group, Tartarus. Lady Vic accepted when they settled on the right price.
Lady Vic joined Tartarus on their mission to synthesize the immortal blood of the H.I.V.E. Mistress, Addie Kane. Savage sought to create a serum that would grant immortality. Their schemes were thwarted when the Titans intervened, and Tartarus retreated.
Tempest later led a rescue mission to save captured Titans teammate, Lilith Clay (Omen). Vandal Savage kidnapped Lilith and used her to formulate the perfect team of adversaries for the Titans, thus creating Tartarus. During the rescue attempt, Tartarus battled the Titans, but collapsed upon itself due to each member having a different agenda; Lilith purposely chose members who wouldn't work well together when forced to formulate a team for Savage. Following these events, Tartarus members went their separate ways and the group disbanded.
Lady Vic's arsenal includes Kukhris, Kris daggers, Thuggee strangling cloth, Zulu Knobkerry and Zulu Asegai spear. She also favors the Webley-Fosberry .45.5 revolver. Lady Vic is also an above-average fighter and athlete.
DC Universe Role-Playing Games: Sourcebooks and Manuals [ West End Games], DC Secret Files, supplemented by titanstower.com
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History: Red Panzer II
The original Red Panzer was a neo-Nazi bent on upholding his beliefs on white supremacy. When his son was born, his coloring betrayed his bloodline. It was then revealed that Red Panzer's wife had African American blood in her; Her great-great grandmother was a slave. Horrified at learning this, Red Panzer murdered his wife. His son was raised in foster homes.
He adopted the identity of Red Panzer, named after a Nazi general that had fought the golden age Wonder Woman, and cloaked himself in a symbolic uniform of Aryan hatred. He came into conflict with Wonder Woman and Troia and was killed in battle.
History: Red Panzer III
Growing up in foster homes, Panzer's son waited for his skin to betray him again, which it never did. When he saw the paper stating that his father had died, he took up his father's cause. Removing his right hand so his father's gun would fit correctly, he became the second Red Panzer.
Red Panzer incited a conflict with Troia and Arsenal. During the battle, Red Panzer became trapped under rubble with Troia. After talking with her, Red Panzer expressed his bitterness and confusion. Just as Panzer was about to reach out to Troia, he was teleported away by Vandal Savage. Savage offered him membership in his new anti-Titans group, Tartarus. He accepted.
Red Panzer joined Tartarus on their mission to synthesize the immortal blood of the H.I.V.E. Mistress, Addie Kane. Savage sought to create a serum that would grant immortality. Their schemes were thwarted when the Titans intervened, and Tartarus retreated. During the conflict with the H.I.V.E. and the Titans, Damien Darhk (H.I.V.E. second-in-command) killed Red Panzer.
History: Red Panzer IV
At the death of Red Panzer III, H.I.V.E. operative Justin was offered the chance to replace him. Justin accepted, becoming the fourth Red Panzer.
Justin, as Red Panzer, remained with Tartarus, even though he did not share the former Panzer's neo-Nazi beliefs. Justin was, in fact, a nihilist. Nonetheless, he remained at Vandal Savage's side.
Tempest later led a rescue mission to save captured Titans teammate, Lilith Clay (Omen). Vandal Savage kidnapped Lilith and used her to formulate the perfect team of adversaries for the Titans, thus creating Tartarus. During the rescue attempt, Tartarus battled the Titans, but collapsed upon itself due to each member having a different agenda; Lilith purposely chose members who wouldn't work well together when forced to formulate a team for Savage. Following these events, Tartarus members went their separate ways and the group disbanded.
Most of Red Panzer's abilities are part of his costume. He is armed with a cannon on his arm and his body armor is an indestructible shell. The second and third Red Panzer also gathered an army of Neo-Nazis that acted as his own personal army.
DC Secret Files, supplemented by titanstower.com
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Siren bewitches Tempest in
TITANS #5 [1999]. |
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Siren is a minor voduo spirit from the Gulf of Benin. Rumored to be born to a voduo Rada-Lwa and a mortal man possessed by Gede, Siren is able to take the shape of a mermaid and hypnotize mortals with songs she has learned in dozens of different languages. Primarily, she uses these powers to induce hydrophobia, successfully keeping land dwellers away from the waters she guards.
She eventually came into conflict with the Titans when Tempest became aware of her manipulations to the townsfolk of a small hamlet in Maine. Tempest, Argent and Damage helped subdue her and turned her over to the Department of Extra-Normal Operations (known as the D.E.O.). As the D.E.O. transported her to their facilities, Vandal Savage intervened, freeing Siren and offering her membership in his new anti-Titans group, Tartarus. She accepted.
Siren joined Tartarus on their mission to synthesize the immortal blood of the H.I.V.E. Mistress, Addie Kane. Savage sought to create a serum that would grant immortality. Their schemes were thwarted when the Titans intervened, and Tartarus retreated.
Tempest later led a rescue mission to save captured Titans teammate, Lilith Clay (Omen). Vandal Savage kidnapped Lilith and used her to formulate the perfect team of adversaries for the Titans, thus creating Tartarus. During the rescue attempt, Tartarus battled the Titans, but collapsed upon itself due to each member having a different agenda; Lilith purposely chose members who wouldn't work well together when forced to formulate a team for Savage.
Siren switched alliances during the battle and aided Tempest in escaping. Following these events, Tartarus members went their separate ways and the group disbanded.
Siren is able to take the shape of a mermaid and hypnotize mortals with songs she has learned in dozens of different languages.
DC Secret Files, supplemented by titanstower.com
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Cheshire
Alias: Jade Nguyen
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Vietnamese orphan Jade Nguyen learned to survive in the Far East through the study of martial arts and the craft of poison. Taking the name Cheshire, she became a feared and famous international assassin. Jade later had a daughter named Lian, the product of a brief yet passionate affair with government agent, Roy Harper. Cheshire has often clashed with Harper, who is also the Titan known as Arsenal. During one encounter, Cheshire nuked the entire Middle-Eastern country of Qurac.
When Cheshire learned that an anti-Titans super-group was forming under Vandal Savage, she volunteered for membership. Savage accepted – and Cheshire joined the villainous group known as Tartarus. During a conflict with the H.I.V.E. And the Titans, Vandal Savage shot Cheshire, using her as a distraction for the Titan, Arsenal, who still had strong feelings for her. Cheshire was taken to a hospital and recovered. She was placed under custody to stand trial for her crimes.
For more on Cheshire, see her individual entry
Besides being a skilled hand-to-hand combatant trained in several martial arts thought forever lost, Cheshire is an expert triple-jointed acrobat and uses this skill to move quickly and unexpectedly. Of bigger concern are her artificial fingernails, which she dips in several varieties of poisons.
DC Universe Role-Playing Games: Sourcebooks and Manuals [ West End Games], DC Secret Files, supplemented by titanstower.com
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Girlfrenzy: Donna Troy [June 1998]: Written and drawn by Phil Jimenez, this Donna Troy one-shot deals with racism. Donna Troy reflects back on a past adventure as Troia; She teams up with Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman to confront the fanatical Red Panzer.
Titans #5 [1999]: A small fishing town has suddenly become terrified of the water its economy depends on as, in the ocean, the mermaid known as Siren sings her song of watery death to all. Tempest, Argent and Damage manage to defeat her, but Vandal Savage rescues her. First appearance of Siren.
Titans #6 [1999]: Green Lantern guest-stars as Red Panzer attacks Troia and Arsenal. The Panzer's willing to burn all of Harlem (with the help of his neo-Nazi commandos) to kill our heroes; Lian reveals to Chanda that Cheshire is her mother. Origin of Red Panzer. Red Panzer is rescued by Vandal Savage.
Secret Origins of Super-Villains 80-Page Giant [1998]: The bad guys -- some new, some classic -- take center stage. Vandal Savage organizes Gorilla Grodd, Lady Vic, Cheshire, Siren and Red Panzer into Tartarus (written by Devin Grayson with art by Drew Johnson and Jose Marzan, Jr.), the group plaguing the Titans beginning this month. The origin of Tartarus. Omen revealed as Vandal Savage's captive. Leads into Titans #10-12.
Titans #10-12 [1999-2000]: "Immortal Coil": Changeling and Deathstroke guest-star as Tartarus (introduced in Secret Origins of Super-Villains 80-Page Giant #1) 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 H.I.V.E. Mistress in issue #11 and dies in issue #12. Red Panzer killed in #12 and replaced with a H.I.V.E. agent. Damien Darhk becomes immortal in issue #12.
Titans #14 [2000]: Still picking up the pieces from their face-off against the super-villain group Tartarus, the Titans head to Scotland to save Lilith (Omen) from the clutches of the villains. Siren defects and helps Tempest. Tartarus disbands.
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