Pantha

:"see panthan for the Sanskrit for "path"."Superherobox|


caption = Pantha, artist Tom Grummett
character_name = Pantha
real_name = Rosabelle Mendez
publisher = DC Comics
debut = "New Titans" #73
(February 1991)
creators = Marv Wolfman (writer)
Tom Grummett (artist)
species =
homeworld =
alliances =Teen Titans
partners =
aliases = X-24
supports =
powers = Enhanced agility and strength, razor-sharp claws, cat's-eye vision

Pantha is a fictional character, a superhero published by DC Comics. She first appeared in "New Titans" #73 (February 1991), and was created by Marv Wolfman and Tom Grummett.

Fictional character biography

Pantha, also known as subject X-24, was a cat-like member of one of the incarnations of the Teen Titans. During her time with the Titans, she had no knowledge as to her origins, whether she was a human woman or a female panther before the Wildebeest Society mutated her. But tragically, her ultimately fruitless search lead her to many dead-ends. The significance of her designation as "X-24" was also never revealed. (X-23, however, is the codename of a later fictional character in Marvel Comics.)

While many of the other Titans were close friends, Pantha went out of her way to alienate herself from the team. Pantha was overtly hostile towards her teammates, often ridiculing and berating them. She often referred to Starfire as "princess" and once teased her about Nightwing's other lovers. She also had a habit of calling Flamebird "Miss Wimbledon". Despite her attitude, her feral abilities made her a valuable asset to the team, and even earned her the affections of fellow Titan Red Star.

To her initial frustration, Pantha was "adopted" as a surrogate mother by Baby Wildebeest. She did not like this at first, often making references to grisly ways the child could perish. She eventually took responsibility for his care when she left the Titans with Red Star, forming a unique and somewhat dysfunctional family unit. ("New Titans" #114, 1994)

Later, she teams up with her old allies when Cyborg, now with an entirely new level of power, threatens the entire earth. The Justice League of America showed up also and a series of mistakes led to the entire team fighting. Pantha took on Catwoman but neither side won as they were interrupted by blasts from Orion. Baby Wildebeest himself was subdued by Superman. ("JLA Vs. Titans" #2, 1999)

During the "Infinite Crisis" storyline, she joins with another team of Titans, along with a new Doom Patrol and Justice Society of America. Their mission is to stop the deranged Superboy-Prime who has attacked this reality's version of Superboy. The battle originates at the town of Smallville, Kansas and moves to the outskirts of Keystone City. There Pantha is decapitated with a backhand blow by Superboy-Prime. He instantly claims he didn't mean to do it, but in the next few moments, he kills Baby Wildebeest and attacks Red Star with freezing breath. Red Star survives his injuries.

Rosabelle Mendez

In an alternate timeline created by Booster Gold when he saved Blue Beetle from Maxwell Lord, Pantha, who is atill alive in this timeline, is a member of Green Arrow and Hawkman's Freedom Fighters. It was revealed that Pantha was a vet student at New York University named Rosabelle Mendez who was captured by Maxwell Lord and made into Pantha, then sold to the Wildebeest Society. It is unknown if this will carry over as the "official" origin of Pantha after this story is over.

Powers and abilities

*Pantha's human/panther physiology gave her superhuman strength, speed, and agility, as well as heightened senses (such as hearing, smelling, and night-vision), enhanced reflexes, and retractable claws on her hands and feet capable of slicing through tempered steel.

Other media

Teen Titans animated series

Pantha appeared in the fifth season of "Teen Titans" "Calling All Titans" played by Diane Delano. Here, she is less beastly and more of a professional wrestler. It was mentioned that she was a friend of Wildebeest's. (A nod to their comic selves in which Pantha is Wildebeest's "mother"). Cyborg met her at a wrestling ring and made her an honorary Titan. She was then attacked by Adonis and Atlas, but defeated them both. Pantha joined the team of Beast Boy, Más, Herald and Jericho to launch an assault on the Brotherhood of Evil's main headquarters, and then took part in the final battle against the various supervillains.

Pantha's first appearance in the comic series "Teen Titans Go!" was in issue #32.

External links

* [http://www.titanstower.com/source/whoswho/pantha.html Titans Tower: Pantha]
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=pantha DCU Guide: Pantha]