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Avatar (comics)
Encyclopedia
Tiger, also known as Avatar, is a fictional
comic book
character created by Charlton Comics
and now published by DC Comics
. Tiger first appeared in Judomaster
#91 (October 1966), and was created by Joe Gill
and Frank McLaughlin.
of the superhero
Judomaster
(Hadley "Rip" Jagger, a United States Army
sergeant in World War II
). In the "Nightshade
" backup series in Captain Atom
, an adult Tiger is shown to be Nightshade's martial arts
instructor.
purchased the rights to this character and others in 1983
, during Charlton's final years. Here he was retconned as a member of the All-Star Squadron
, DC's team of WWII superheroes, although he has never appeared in an actual published story as a member of said team.
history, during World War II, Tiger was a Japanese
orphan who impressed the U.S. soldier Rip Jagger (Judomaster). Despite his young age, Tiger was skilled at martial arts and proved himself a worthy partner of Jagger. The team of Judomaster and Tiger became renowned throughout the Pacific, and both became members of the All-Star Squadron. After the War, Rip wanted to adopt Tiger and take him with him to the US, but immigration services denied his request. For many years, Rip and Tiger traveled the globe seeking out lost secrets of the martial arts. During this time, Tiger's anger grew and he started to unjustly believe that Rip resented him because he was what kept Rip from returning home. In 1953, Tiger had a final falling out with Rip and vanished.
legends of the Parashurama
, the slayer of the warrior caste, Tiger set out to recover the belongings of the god — the Ax of Shiva
, the All-Seeing Eye of Andhaka
, and the precious Soma
(a Serum of Immortality) which bestows upon its user eternal life when taken regularly. The serum came with a price — it would supposedly drive its user mad over time — but Tiger was willing to take that chance.
Renaming himself Avatar, Tiger used his powerful tools to declare war against the world's war makers, intending to save the children of the world in his own twisted way. He defeated and kidnapped the Justice League
, but was ultimately defeated by a new team of heroes (made up of Judomaster, Peacemaker
, Blue Beetle
, Nightshade
, The Question
, Captain Atom
and Sarge Steel
, all former Charlton Comics characters ) called the L.A.W.
. Rip regretted battling his old friend and partner, but realized that Tiger had become truly insane.
(vol. 3) #11 (2008
) and is referred to as the deadliest Yakuza
assassin
in Japan
.
In his work as a contract killer, he kills the father of Sonia Sato, a young metahuman who is spurred to be the third Judomaster
, and follow him to America to enact her vengeance. When they later catch up, Sonia, acting on her dead lover Grant Emerson
last wishes and King Chimera
advice decides to spare him, administering him instead a vicious beating before taking away his assassination money and having him sent to jail
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
character created by Charlton Comics
Charlton Comics
Charlton Comics was an American comic book publishing company that existed from 1946 to 1985, having begun under a different name in 1944. It was based in Derby, Connecticut...
and now published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. Tiger first appeared in Judomaster
Judomaster
Judomaster is the name given to three fictional superheroes published by DC Comics. The first Judomaster debuted in Special War Series #4 published by Charlton Comics, and was created by Joe Gill and Frank McLaughlin.-Hadley Jagger:...
#91 (October 1966), and was created by Joe Gill
Joe Gill
Joseph Gill was an American magazine writer and highly prolific comic book scripter. Most of his work was for Charlton Comics, where he co-created the superheroes Captain Atom, Peacemaker, and Judomaster, among others. Comics historians consider Gill a top contender as the comic-book field's most...
and Frank McLaughlin.
Charlton Comics
Tiger was the kid sidekickSidekick
A sidekick is a close companion who is generally regarded as subordinate to the one he accompanies. Some well-known fictional sidekicks are Don Quixote's Sancho Panza, Sherlock Holmes' Doctor Watson, The Lone Ranger's Tonto, The Green Hornet's Kato and Batman's Robin.-Origins:The origin of the...
of the superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
Judomaster
Judomaster
Judomaster is the name given to three fictional superheroes published by DC Comics. The first Judomaster debuted in Special War Series #4 published by Charlton Comics, and was created by Joe Gill and Frank McLaughlin.-Hadley Jagger:...
(Hadley "Rip" Jagger, a United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
sergeant in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
). In the "Nightshade
Nightshade (comics)
Nightshade is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine published by DC Comics. Created by Joe Gill and Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in Captain Atom v2 #82 originally published by Charlton Comics.-Charlton Comics:...
" backup series in Captain Atom
Captain Atom
Captain Atom is a fictional comic book superhero that has existed in three basic incarnations. Created by writer Joe Gill and artist/co-writer Steve Ditko, he first appeared in Space Adventures #33 . Captain Atom was created for Charlton Comics but was later acquired by DC Comics and revised for...
, an adult Tiger is shown to be Nightshade's martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
instructor.
DC Comics
DC ComicsDC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
purchased the rights to this character and others in 1983
1983 in comics
-Events and publications:* Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird found Northampton, Massachusetts-based Mirage Studios.* Chicago-based First Comics makes a strong entree into the publishing field, putting out four ongoing titles, American Flagg!, E-Man, Jon Sable Freelance, and Warp!; featuring the talents...
, during Charlton's final years. Here he was retconned as a member of the All-Star Squadron
All-Star Squadron
The All-Star Squadron is a DC Comics superhero team that debuted in a special insert in Justice League of America #193 . Created by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler and Jerry Ordway.-The concept:...
, DC's team of WWII superheroes, although he has never appeared in an actual published story as a member of said team.
Judomaster
According to his DC ComicsDC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
history, during World War II, Tiger was a Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
orphan who impressed the U.S. soldier Rip Jagger (Judomaster). Despite his young age, Tiger was skilled at martial arts and proved himself a worthy partner of Jagger. The team of Judomaster and Tiger became renowned throughout the Pacific, and both became members of the All-Star Squadron. After the War, Rip wanted to adopt Tiger and take him with him to the US, but immigration services denied his request. For many years, Rip and Tiger traveled the globe seeking out lost secrets of the martial arts. During this time, Tiger's anger grew and he started to unjustly believe that Rip resented him because he was what kept Rip from returning home. In 1953, Tiger had a final falling out with Rip and vanished.
Avatar
Tiger continued to travel across Asia, encountering thousands of orphans during his journeys. He began focusing his hatred upon the warmongers of the war, who had made so many children suffer. Studying the HinduHindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
legends of the Parashurama
Parashurama
Parashurama , is the sixth avatar of Vishnu and belongs to the treta yuga, and is the son of a Brahmin father Jamadagni and mother Renuka. He is considered one of the seven immortal human. He received an axe after undertaking a terrible penance to please Shiva, from whom he learned the methods of...
, the slayer of the warrior caste, Tiger set out to recover the belongings of the god — the Ax of Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
, the All-Seeing Eye of Andhaka
Andhaka
In Hinduism, Andhaka often refers to a malevolent demon.-Story:After birth, Andhaka was given to the demon Hiranyaksha to be raised, as Hiranyaksha had no sons. Later, Andhaka became the king of Hiranyaksha's kingdom....
, and the precious Soma
Soma
Soma , or Haoma , from Proto-Indo-Iranian *sauma-, was a ritual drink of importance among the early Indo-Iranians, and the subsequent Vedic and greater Persian cultures. It is frequently mentioned in the Rigveda, whose Soma Mandala contains 114 hymns, many praising its energizing qualities...
(a Serum of Immortality) which bestows upon its user eternal life when taken regularly. The serum came with a price — it would supposedly drive its user mad over time — but Tiger was willing to take that chance.
Renaming himself Avatar, Tiger used his powerful tools to declare war against the world's war makers, intending to save the children of the world in his own twisted way. He defeated and kidnapped the Justice League
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
, but was ultimately defeated by a new team of heroes (made up of Judomaster, Peacemaker
Peacemaker (comics)
The Peacemaker is the name of a series of superheroes originally owned by Charlton Comics and later acquired by DC Comics. The original Peacemaker first appeared in Fightin' 5 #40 The Peacemaker is the name of a series of superheroes originally owned by Charlton Comics and later acquired by DC...
, Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle is the name of three fictional superheroes that appear in American comic books published by a variety of companies since 1939.-Publication history:...
, Nightshade
Nightshade (comics)
Nightshade is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine published by DC Comics. Created by Joe Gill and Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in Captain Atom v2 #82 originally published by Charlton Comics.-Charlton Comics:...
, The Question
Question (comics)
The Question is a fictional character, a superhero in comic books published by DC Comics. The original was created by writer-artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Blue Beetle #1...
, Captain Atom
Captain Atom
Captain Atom is a fictional comic book superhero that has existed in three basic incarnations. Created by writer Joe Gill and artist/co-writer Steve Ditko, he first appeared in Space Adventures #33 . Captain Atom was created for Charlton Comics but was later acquired by DC Comics and revised for...
and Sarge Steel
Sarge Steel
Sarge Steel is a detective/spy character published by Charlton Comics during the 1960s. As he was published during the time of Charlton's Action Heroes line of superheroes, and had loose ties to some, he is sometimes included with that group...
, all former Charlton Comics characters ) called the L.A.W.
L.A.W. (comics)
The L.A.W. was a six-issue American comic book limited series, published by DC Comics.The starring team "The L.A.W." consisted of Charlton Comics characters Blue Beetle, The Question, Judomaster, Captain Atom, The Peacemaker, Nightshade, and Sarge Steel...
. Rip regretted battling his old friend and partner, but realized that Tiger had become truly insane.
Assassin
Both judoka survived their final fight and Avatar is currently at large, although now powerless. Tiger resurfaces in Justice Society of AmericaJustice Society of America
The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....
(vol. 3) #11 (2008
2008 in comics
-January:*January 9: Teen Titans: The Lost Annual, delayed since 2003, is published.*January 23: Hellblazer #240, marking the 20th anniversary of the series, is released.-February:...
) and is referred to as the deadliest Yakuza
Yakuza
, also known as , are members of traditional organized crime syndicates in Japan. The Japanese police, and media by request of the police, call them bōryokudan , literally "violence group", while the yakuza call themselves "ninkyō dantai" , "chivalrous organizations". The yakuza are notoriously...
assassin
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
In his work as a contract killer, he kills the father of Sonia Sato, a young metahuman who is spurred to be the third Judomaster
Judomaster
Judomaster is the name given to three fictional superheroes published by DC Comics. The first Judomaster debuted in Special War Series #4 published by Charlton Comics, and was created by Joe Gill and Frank McLaughlin.-Hadley Jagger:...
, and follow him to America to enact her vengeance. When they later catch up, Sonia, acting on her dead lover Grant Emerson
Damage (comics)
Damage is a DC Comics superhero who first appeared in a comic book of the same name during the Zero Hour crisis. He is the son of the original Atom Al Pratt. He has been a member of the Titans, the Freedom Fighters, and Justice Society of America....
last wishes and King Chimera
King Chimera
King Chimera is a fictional superhero in the DC Comics Universe, a member of the superhero team the Justice Society of America. King Chimera first appeared in Justice Society of America King Chimera is a fictional superhero in the DC Comics Universe, a member of the superhero team the Justice...
advice decides to spare him, administering him instead a vicious beating before taking away his assassination money and having him sent to jail
External links
- Entry on Judomaster & Tiger
- Index to the Earth-4 adventures of the Charlton Action Heroes
- Judomaster & Tiger at the International Catalogue of Superheroes