Trickster (comics)
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The Trickster is the name of two DC Comics supervillains and an enemy of the Flash. The first one first appeared in Flash #113, and the second in Flash #183 .
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[edit] Fictional character biography
[edit] James Jesse
The original Trickster is a practical joker and conman whose favourite occupation is damaging enemies like the Flash with items such as explosive teddies.
His alter ego is James Jesse (the opposite of Jesse James), a stage name, and his real name is Giovanni Giuseppe. He was a circus acrobat who decided to become a criminal for the thrill. He created shoes that allowed him to walk on air and other dangerous gag gadgets for his crimes. He would clash with The Flash many times.
He was among the villains who were brainwashed into giving up crime by The Top. He spent a time working in special effects with Blue Devil, before defeating Neron, with Captain Marvel's help. Justifying his change of heart by saying he no longer dared to go to Hell, he began using his con-artist skills for good, before joining the FBI.
Working as an agent of the FBI, James Jesse gathered the reformed rogues to stop Captain Cold and his rogues. But the Top appeared and reverted what he did to the reformed rouges. Jesse is now a member of the rogues again.
[edit] Axel Walker
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While the first Trickser was working for the FBI, teenager Axel Walker stole all of Jesse's gadgets and shoes and became the new Trickster. He joined Blacksmith's Network and destroyed files from Goldface and Hunter Zolomon for her. He was also given new "toys" in addition to James's original ones. After the defeat of Blacksmith, He was offered to join the new rouges led by Captain Cold, and took it. He was with the new rouges until all the "reformed" rouges tried to stop Cold. While the two Tricksers were fighting, the Top gave Jesse's memory back. The first Trickster them defeted the new one and told him never to become the Trickster again. Axel current whereabouts are unknown.
[edit] Other Media
[edit] The Flash TV Series
In the live-action television series The Flash (1990–1991), the Trickster was played by Mark Hamill. In the episode "The Trickster", private investigator Megan Lockhart (played by Joyce Hyser) attempts to capture a wanted criminal psychopath named James Jesse. During the pursuit, Jesse manages to get the upper hand and capture Lockhart, but not before she is able to call her friend Barry Allen (played by John Wesley Shipp), whom she had learned was the Flash in an earlier episode. The Flash saves Megan, and Jesse is arrested. As a result, both The Flash and Megan Lockhart become James Jesse's new fixation. After escaping from police custody, he takes on the costumed identity of The Trickster. He has psychotic delusions that Lockhart had been his true love, a costumed sidekick named Prank. He believes that Prank has been kidnapped and brainwashed by the "evil" Flash, and manages to coerce Lockhart into wearing the Prank costume and serving as his sidekick after delivering a death threat to Barry Allen. Barry manages to escape from a drowning stunt, changes into his Flash costume, and sends the Trickster back behind bars, thanks to Lockhart's "betrayal".
In the final episode of the series ("Trial Of The Trickster"), James Jesse escapes from his criminal trial with an unexpected help from a fake court stenographer (played by Corinne Bohrer) named Zoey Clark, the wealthy owner of Clarx Toys. She is a huge fan of the Trickster and would do anything to get her hands on him. As they arrive safely at her toy store, Clark admits that she finds a kindred spirit in the Trickster and wants to be his fantasy sidekick Prank. She takes her clothes off to reveal the Prank costume underneath and seduces the Trickster into thinking that "she" is the Prank of his delusions.
After a brief "reunion", both the Trickster and the new Prank kidnap the Flash and brainwash him into becoming evil. The fastest man alive becomes the Trickster's new partner, causing Prank to become jealous over being replaced. She complains to the Trickster, only to end up restrained inside her toy store for being a nuisance.
Meanwhile, the Trickster plans to put Central City into trial but fails after the Flash regains his memories. He hurriedly escapes from the court and is rescued again by Prank, who manages to break free from her binds and is still in love with him. The Trickster shows his gratitude by pushing Prank out of the getaway car and runs off solo, leaving Prank behind again. In the end, the Trickster loses the battle with the Flash and gets arrested along with Prank. The Trickster is incarcerated into a high-restricted prison cell, isolating him away from anyone else.
In 1995, the two episodes were edited together into a movie and released on video as The Flash II: Revenge of the Trickster.
[edit] Justice League Unlimited
In the Justice League Unlimited episode "Flash and Substance", Mark Hamill reprises his role as the James Jesse version of The Trickster. The Trickster attempts to help three other Flash villains Captain Cold, Captain Boomerang, and Mirror Master form a plan to destroy the Flash, though his contribution to the plan (involving four hundred cases of greased, fake dog vomit and a wall of metal spikes) is rejected. He is next seen disgruntled at the bar where Flash's enemies hang out. Upon the arrivals of Flash, Batman, and Orion, Orion tries to muscle the Trickster into revealing the other villains' plans, until Flash intervenes and speaks to him in a friendlier manner, noting that James wasn't taking his medication. Trickster informs the heroes of the plan to ambush Flash at the museum opening, and agrees to turn himself in after finishing his drink. The animated Trickster is apparently not a total villain, aware of his psychosis, and does seek treatment if encouraged.
[edit] External links
- The Trickster Bio
- The Trickster II Bio
- Prank's bio
- Alan Kistler's profile on the Flash - A detailed analysis of the history of the Flash by comic book historian Kistler. Covers information all the way from Jay Garrick to Barry Allen to today, as well as discussions on the various villains and rogues who fought the Flash. Various art scans.
- Crimson Lightning, an online index to the comic book adventures of the Modern Age Flash.
