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Gypsy (comics)
Encyclopedia
Gypsy is a fictional character
, a DC Comics
superheroine. She first appeared in Justice League Annual #2 (November 1984) and was created by Gerry Conway
and Chuck Patton
. She is a member of the Birds of Prey
and has been a member of the Justice League
.
.
disbands the original League.
Shortly after the League moves into their new headquarters Gypsy begins to test and penetrate the League's security measures. Eventually, she becomes brave enough to follow along with them and to aid in the battle against the Overmaster
and his Cadre
. After this, Gypsy receives an offer to become a full-time member of the Justice League. Gypsy goes on to participate in the League's struggles against the power-mad Anton Allegro and a reactivated Amazo
.
Cindy does indeed descend from the line of Romani people. Yet for whatever reason (perhaps a sense of mistrust bred by centuries of persecution), she tends to guard the secrets of her superhuman powers. Gypsy finds cause to test these powers to their limits when the new JLA is unexpectedly ambushed by the Royal Flush Gang
during a wilderness retreat. While her teammates are incapacitated, Gypsy ventures outside her own body, in astral form. In this form, she can spy on the Gang's activities. Also during this mission, she receives a dire premonition about the fates of her teammates Steel and Vibe
.
This League is doomed, though. In his bid to wipe out the new JLA, Professor Ivo
sends an android to destroy Gypsy, but she manages to find its conscience and convinces it not to kill her. Though Ivo succeeds in killing Vibe (as she'd foreseen), the android sees Cindy safely returned to her parents' keeping.
Gypsy's domestic happiness is short-lived, as some time after she has left the JLA, a vengeful Despero
arrives at her home and murders her parents. Gypsy would have been Despero's next victim, if not for the intervention of the Martian Manhunter
and the rest of the Justice League. Devastated by the loss of her family, Gypsy is immediately recruited by Booster Gold
to become a member of the corporate-sponsored team of heroes known as the Conglomerate
.
Over time, she grows very close to the Martian Manhunter
, developing a sort of father/daughter relationship. The two of them are the mainstays of the short-lived Justice League Task Force
. During her time in the JLTF, she is nearly forced to battle Lady Shiva
in one early adventure, and is left for dead on another mission. She later joins the revamped Task Force along with L-Ron
(in the body of Despero
), The Ray
, and Triumph
. Gypsy and Ray are both later mind-controlled and used by Triumph during his strike against the reformed JLA.
There have also been hints of a romantic relationship between Gypsy and the Bronze Tiger
.
After the Justice League Task Force title was canceled, Gypsy and J'onn keep in touch. At one point, after she had been killed, Gypsy is resurrected by the Manhunter, who pleads with his Martian god, Hronmeer, to restore her life. She also aids Wonder Woman
during a massive battle against Circe
.
Birds of Prey. She has demonstrated greater flexibility with her powers as well, now able to extend her powers of invisibility to others and things around her. Gypsy also teams up with her JLA and BoP teammate Vixen
to clean up the remnants of an old case. The two heroines rescue Stargirl when after discovering that Amos Fortune
was kidnapping members of the JSA.
Gypsy is one of the imprisoned heroes forced to fight on the behest of the Apokoliptan
gods on Earth in the Dark Side Club
. In Final Crisis: Requiem
, Gypsy is part of Martian Manhunter
's funeral. She, along with several other heroes are telepathically compelled by the Martian Manhunter to recall Martian history. Later still, she is again accosted by Despero (off-panel). The villain then brings her unconscious body to Happy Harbor
and fights Vixen's ragtag Justice League.
Gypsy's latest appearance is in the 2 part Blackest Night tie-in arc along with her former JLA Detroit teammates.
in nature, and hence are only effective on living beings (The only known exception to this rule being her appearance in the JLA: Blackest Night Tie-in where she was able to affect Steel's reanimated corpse by trying to repel him with an illusion. This might be because the Black Lanterns take over the body and mind of their hosts, making it possible for Gypsy to use her illusion casting even though he was technically dead). However, it also allows her to adapt to rapidly changing backgrounds without betraying the illusion. She can camouflage both herself and someone standing in close proximity to her. In Gypsy's first appearance, only her shadow is shown from the Bunker's monitor, and she appears to teleport
at the end of the issue.
Gypsy's illusion casting can also be used to project frightening illusions into the minds of other people. These illusions usually show what the affected person fears most. This ability can affect other living things besides people, and Gypsy can use this ability in combat situations. In one issue of Martian Manhunter, Gypsy is shown as having the ability to project an illusion over herself in order to appear as another person, but that person needs to be her approximate height and weight for it to appear authentic.
In recent issues of Birds of Prey, it has been stated that Gypsy's powers have "hit puberty", and she can now use her chameleon powers to cloak not only herself, but a moving vehicle and its passengers. In JLA Classified #25, it is revealed that Gypsy also has limited precognitive
abilities. She also appears to be able to project her spirit from her body.
Aside from her powers, Gypsy is an expert in hand-to-hand combat stealth. She's also an accomplished acrobat, able to leap high, run fast, swim, and execute unexpectedly quick martial arts
tactics with relative ease. Gypsy also has a strong aptitude in electronics and computers, and has become skilled in the use of firearms. She has been trained by Bronze Tiger
, and in issues of Birds of Prey, Lady Shiva
has offered to train her as well.
. This version is a member of the Crime Syndicate of America
, and can become intangible.
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...
, a 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...
superheroine. She first appeared in Justice League Annual #2 (November 1984) and was created by Gerry Conway
Gerry Conway
Gerard F. "Gerry" Conway is an American writer of comic books and television shows. He is known for co-creating the Marvel Comics vigilante The Punisher and scripting the death of the character Gwen Stacy during his long run on The Amazing Spider-Man...
and Chuck Patton
Chuck Patton
Francis Chuck Patton is an African American comic book artist and animator. He is best known in comics circles for his work on DC Comics' Justice League of America in the 1980s, specifically for the period in which the team relocated to Detroit, Michigan, and was staffed with new, multicultural...
. She is a member of the Birds of Prey
Birds of Prey (comic book)
Birds of Prey is a comic book series published by DC Comics that features the adventures of the heroine Oracle and her group of superheroines. The group is initially based in Gotham City and later operates in Metropolis and then relocates once more to "Platinum Flats", California, a new locale...
and has been a member of 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....
.
Fictional character biography
Cindy Reynolds is born to suburban couple Edward and June Reynolds. Cindy grows to adulthood, and soon after Cindy's brother is born, which destabilizes her parents' marriage. When her powers of illusion begin to manifest at age fourteen, Cindy runs away from home, buying a one-way bus ticket to DetroitDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
.
JLA Detroit
Once in Detroit, Cindy uses her chameleon and illusion-casting powers to protect herself. As she grows to adulthood, she adopts the identity of Gypsy, patterning her dress after the popular image of the gypsy. The Justice League would soon take up residence in a neighborhood near Gypsy's stomping grounds after AquamanAquaman
Aquaman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73 . Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo title...
disbands the original League.
Shortly after the League moves into their new headquarters Gypsy begins to test and penetrate the League's security measures. Eventually, she becomes brave enough to follow along with them and to aid in the battle against the Overmaster
Overmaster
The Overmaster is a DC Comics supervillain. He first appeared behind the scenes in Justice League of America #233 , and was created by Gerry Conway and Chuck Patton.-Fictional character biography:...
and his Cadre
Cadre (comics)
The Cadre is a DC Comics supervillain group, except for members of the Cadre of the Immortal, most of whom were redeemed and became heroes by story's end...
. After this, Gypsy receives an offer to become a full-time member of the Justice League. Gypsy goes on to participate in the League's struggles against the power-mad Anton Allegro and a reactivated Amazo
Amazo
Amazo is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in The Brave and the Bold #30 and was created by Gardner Fox and Murphy Anderson. An android, Amazo's special ability is to replicate the special abilities of various superheroes and...
.
Cindy does indeed descend from the line of Romani people. Yet for whatever reason (perhaps a sense of mistrust bred by centuries of persecution), she tends to guard the secrets of her superhuman powers. Gypsy finds cause to test these powers to their limits when the new JLA is unexpectedly ambushed by the Royal Flush Gang
Royal Flush Gang
The Royal Flush Gang or RFG are fictional characters in DC Comics. They first appeared in Justice League of America #43 in March 1966 under the leadership of Professor Amos Fortune.-History:...
during a wilderness retreat. While her teammates are incapacitated, Gypsy ventures outside her own body, in astral form. In this form, she can spy on the Gang's activities. Also during this mission, she receives a dire premonition about the fates of her teammates Steel and Vibe
Vibe (comics)
Vibe is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Justice League of America Annual #2 , and was created by Gerry Conway and Chuck Patton.-Paco Ramone:...
.
This League is doomed, though. In his bid to wipe out the new JLA, Professor Ivo
Professor Ivo
Professor Anthony Ivo is a fictional character, a mad scientist in the DC universe and is the creator of the androids Amazo, Kid Amazo, Tomorrow Woman and Composite Superman in his retconned origin.-Fictional character biography:...
sends an android to destroy Gypsy, but she manages to find its conscience and convinces it not to kill her. Though Ivo succeeds in killing Vibe (as she'd foreseen), the android sees Cindy safely returned to her parents' keeping.
Gypsy's domestic happiness is short-lived, as some time after she has left the JLA, a vengeful Despero
Despero
Despero is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in Justice League of America #1 Despero is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in Justice League of America #1 Despero...
arrives at her home and murders her parents. Gypsy would have been Despero's next victim, if not for the intervention of the Martian Manhunter
Martian Manhunter
The Martian Manhunter is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225...
and the rest of the Justice League. Devastated by the loss of her family, Gypsy is immediately recruited by Booster Gold
Booster Gold
Booster Gold is a fictional DC Comics superhero. Created by Dan Jurgens, he first appeared in Booster Gold #1 and has been a member of the Justice League, DC Comics' all-star team of heroes. The character is initially depicted as a glory-seeking showboat from the future, using knowledge of...
to become a member of the corporate-sponsored team of heroes known as the Conglomerate
The Conglomerate (comics)
The Conglomerate is a fictional DC Comics superhero team. They first appeared in Justice League Quarterly #1 .-Fictional background:...
.
Justice League Task Force
Martian Manhunter
The Martian Manhunter is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225...
, developing a sort of father/daughter relationship. The two of them are the mainstays of the short-lived Justice League Task Force
Justice League Task Force (comics)
Justice League Task Force was an American monthly comic book series published by DC Comics from June 1993 to August 1996; it lasted 37 issues. At the time the Justice League was featured in three separate series: Justice League America, Justice League Europe and Justice League Quarterly...
. During her time in the JLTF, she is nearly forced to battle Lady Shiva
Lady Shiva
Lady Shiva is a fictional comic book character co-created by Dennis O'Neil and Ric Estrada, and published by DC Comics. She first appeared in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter as an antagonist of Richard Dragon...
in one early adventure, and is left for dead on another mission. She later joins the revamped Task Force along with L-Ron
L-Ron
L-Ron is a fictional character, a robot in the DC Comics universe. L-Ron first appeared in Justice League International #14...
(in the body of Despero
Despero
Despero is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in Justice League of America #1 Despero is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in Justice League of America #1 Despero...
), The Ray
Ray (Ray Terrill)
The Ray is a fictional character, a superhero in the . He is the second character to use the codename The Ray. Ray Terrill first appeared in The Ray #1 , and was created by Jack C...
, and Triumph
Triumph (comics)
Triumph is a fictional character, a former superhero in the DC Comics universe who first appeared in Justice League America #92 , and was created by Brian Augustyn, Mark Waid and Howard Porter, though the character is primarily associated with writer Christopher Priest...
. Gypsy and Ray are both later mind-controlled and used by Triumph during his strike against the reformed JLA.
There have also been hints of a romantic relationship between Gypsy and the Bronze Tiger
Bronze Tiger
Bronze Tiger is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Universe. He is a martial artist who first appeared in Dragon's Fists, a novel by Dennis O'Neil and Jim Berry, starring Richard Dragon. His first DC Comics appearance was in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter.-Early years:Ben Turner comes...
.
After the Justice League Task Force title was canceled, Gypsy and J'onn keep in touch. At one point, after she had been killed, Gypsy is resurrected by the Manhunter, who pleads with his Martian god, Hronmeer, to restore her life. She also aids Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
during a massive battle against Circe
Circe (comics)
Circe is a fictional character, a villainous sorceress and a major adversary of Wonder Woman appearing in DC Comics publications and related media. Based upon the Greek mythological character of the same name who imprisoned Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey, the comic book incarnation of Circe first...
.
Recent history
Gypsy joined the cast of Oracle'sBarbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino...
Birds of Prey. She has demonstrated greater flexibility with her powers as well, now able to extend her powers of invisibility to others and things around her. Gypsy also teams up with her JLA and BoP teammate Vixen
Vixen (comics)
Vixen is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine published by DC Comics universe. She debuted in Action Comics #521 , and was created by Gerry Conway and Bob Oksner.-Publication history:...
to clean up the remnants of an old case. The two heroines rescue Stargirl when after discovering that Amos Fortune
Amos Fortune (comics)
Amos Fortune is a DC Comics supervillain who first appeared in Justice League of America #6 .-Fictional character biography:...
was kidnapping members of the JSA.
Gypsy is one of the imprisoned heroes forced to fight on the behest of the Apokoliptan
Apokolips
In the DC Comics fictional shared Universe, Apokolips is the planet ruled by Darkseid, established in Jack Kirby's Fourth World series. It is also integral to many DC Comics stories. The planet is considered the opposite of New Genesis....
gods on Earth in the Dark Side Club
Darkseid
Darkseid is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 and was created by writer-artist Jack Kirby....
. In Final Crisis: Requiem
Final Crisis
Final Crisis is a crossover storyline that appeared in comic books published by DC Comics in 2008, primarily the seven-issue miniseries of the same name written by Grant Morrison. Originally DC announced the project as being illustrated solely by J. G. Jones; artists Carlos Pacheco, Marco Rudy and...
, Gypsy is part of Martian Manhunter
Martian Manhunter
The Martian Manhunter is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225...
's funeral. She, along with several other heroes are telepathically compelled by the Martian Manhunter to recall Martian history. Later still, she is again accosted by Despero (off-panel). The villain then brings her unconscious body to Happy Harbor
Happy Harbor
Happy Harbor is a fictional United States location in Rhode Island, referenced in DC Comics as the location of the first headquarters, "Justice Mountain" or the "Secret Sanctuary", of the Justice League of America, first appearing in The Brave and the Bold #28.-History:As the home of the Justice...
and fights Vixen's ragtag Justice League.
Gypsy's latest appearance is in the 2 part Blackest Night tie-in arc along with her former JLA Detroit teammates.
Powers and abilities
Gypsy's primary power is that of illusion casting, which allows her to blend into her background, effectively becoming invisible. Her abilities are telepathicTelepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
in nature, and hence are only effective on living beings (The only known exception to this rule being her appearance in the JLA: Blackest Night Tie-in where she was able to affect Steel's reanimated corpse by trying to repel him with an illusion. This might be because the Black Lanterns take over the body and mind of their hosts, making it possible for Gypsy to use her illusion casting even though he was technically dead). However, it also allows her to adapt to rapidly changing backgrounds without betraying the illusion. She can camouflage both herself and someone standing in close proximity to her. In Gypsy's first appearance, only her shadow is shown from the Bunker's monitor, and she appears to teleport
Teleportation
Teleportation is the fictional or imagined process by which matter is instantaneously transferred from one place to another.Teleportation may also refer to:*Quantum teleportation, a method of transmitting quantum data...
at the end of the issue.
Gypsy's illusion casting can also be used to project frightening illusions into the minds of other people. These illusions usually show what the affected person fears most. This ability can affect other living things besides people, and Gypsy can use this ability in combat situations. In one issue of Martian Manhunter, Gypsy is shown as having the ability to project an illusion over herself in order to appear as another person, but that person needs to be her approximate height and weight for it to appear authentic.
In recent issues of Birds of Prey, it has been stated that Gypsy's powers have "hit puberty", and she can now use her chameleon powers to cloak not only herself, but a moving vehicle and its passengers. In JLA Classified #25, it is revealed that Gypsy also has limited precognitive
Precognition
In parapsychology, precognition , also called future sight, and second sight, is a type of extrasensory perception that would involve the acquisition or effect of future information that cannot be deduced from presently available and normally acquired sense-based information or laws of physics...
abilities. She also appears to be able to project her spirit from her body.
Aside from her powers, Gypsy is an expert in hand-to-hand combat stealth. She's also an accomplished acrobat, able to leap high, run fast, swim, and execute unexpectedly quick 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....
tactics with relative ease. Gypsy also has a strong aptitude in electronics and computers, and has become skilled in the use of firearms. She has been trained by Bronze Tiger
Bronze Tiger
Bronze Tiger is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Universe. He is a martial artist who first appeared in Dragon's Fists, a novel by Dennis O'Neil and Jim Berry, starring Richard Dragon. His first DC Comics appearance was in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter.-Early years:Ben Turner comes...
, and in issues of Birds of Prey, Lady Shiva
Lady Shiva
Lady Shiva is a fictional comic book character co-created by Dennis O'Neil and Ric Estrada, and published by DC Comics. She first appeared in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter as an antagonist of Richard Dragon...
has offered to train her as well.
Television
- Gypsy has made many background appearances in Justice League UnlimitedJustice League UnlimitedJustice League Unlimited is an American animated television series that was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, and specifically based on the Justice League superhero team, it is a direct sequel to the...
, alongside her Detroit League teammates VibeVibe (comics)Vibe is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Justice League of America Annual #2 , and was created by Gerry Conway and Chuck Patton.-Paco Ramone:...
and Steel. She dresses in her original outfit. This version of Gypsy has different powers from her comic book counterpart: in her limited appearances, she displays the ability to phase through walls. Captain AtomCaptain AtomCaptain 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...
speaks with her in the first episode, "Initiation", when he is called up for service on the active roster (concurrently, SupergirlSupergirlSupergirl is a female counterpart to the DC Comics Superman. As his cousin, she shares his super powers and vulnerability to Kryptonite. She was created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino in 1959. She first appeared in the Action Comics comic book series and later branched out...
Kara In-Ze is in conversation with NemesisNemesis (DC Comics)Nemesis is the name of two fictional characters in the DC Comics universe. Thomas Andrew Tresser first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #166, , and was created by Cary Burkett and Dan Spiegle. Soseh Myrkos first appeared in JSA Annual #1, , and was created by David S...
). Gypsy's first use of powers in a superhero situation is in "Flashpoint". Gypsy is also featured in Issue 22 of the Justice League Unlimited comic series based on the show.
Film
A Parallel Earth version of Gypsy, named Fortuneteller, appears in Justice League: Crisis on Two EarthsJustice League: Crisis on Two Earths
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths is a 2010 original direct-to-video animated film released on February 23, 2010. It is based on the abandoned direct-to-video feature, Justice League: Worlds Collide, which was intended as a bridge between the then-concluding Justice League animated television...
. This version is a member of the Crime Syndicate of America
Crime Syndicate of America
For the concept of crime syndicates in general, see Organized crime.The Crime Syndicate are teams of fictional supervillains, from one of DC Comics' parallel universes, who are the evil counterparts of the Justice League of America. The original team was specifically known as Crime Syndicate of...
, and can become intangible.