Phantasm (comics)

For the Phantasm character that first appeared in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, see Andrea Beaumont.

Phantasm
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	New Teen Titans vol. 2, Annual #3 (1988)
Created by	Marv Wolfman
In-story information
Alter ego	Danny Chase, later the souls of Azarath
Team affiliations	New Teen Titans
Abilities	Telekinesis, Extremely intelligent with a photographic memory

Danny Chase is a fictional superhero in DC Comics publications.

Fictional character biography

Danny Chase (later Phantasm) was a short-lived member of the New Teen Titans. A creation of Marv Wolfman, the series writer and co-creator, Danny was raised by parents who were international spies. As a result, he was extensively trained in espionage, infiltration and intelligence acquisition. In addition, he was a metahuman with powerful telekinetic abilities and a near-photographic memory. Although Wolfman hoped the character would restore the "teen hero" feel to a group composed mostly of characters in their twenties, Danny was also intended as a comic foil for one of the group's foundational characters, Changeling (now Beast Boy).

Problematically, the character was often portrayed as an overly snide, egotistical brat. This quickly proved unpopular with most fans, and pro- and anti-Chase letters sparked heated debate in the letter column. Wolfman tried various ways to make the character more appealing to the Titans' fan base, including having him briefly disguised as the mysterious "Phantasm" during the Titans Hunt storyline. However, negative fan pressure was strong enough to write Danny out of the series.

In the end, the character was redeemed somewhat when he willingly gave up his life to save Raven's homeworld of Azarath as he, Arella, and the disembodied souls of Azarath were all merged into a new entity that would also refer to itself as the Phantasm.

The character of Danny Chase briefly returned as an undead slave to Brother Blood in the most recent series of the Teen Titans.

One Year Later

In Teen Titans (vol.3) #39, Zachary Zatara mentioned that he and Kid Devil went on a trip to New Azarath, where they were almost eaten by the Phantasm.

Blackest Night

Danny Chase was briefly revived as a Black Lantern in the Blackest Night: Titans miniseries. However, his body was soon destroyed by a burst of white light emanating from Dawn Granger.^[1]

Other versions

• A Phantasm appeared in "Adventure Comics" #485. He was a ghost-like supervillain who is a member of the Master's Evil Eight and had fought Chris King and Vicki Grant.

External links

• Titanstower.com Danny Chase Article
• Titanstower.com Phantasm Article

References

1. ^ "Blackest Night: Titans" #3 (December 2009)