James Jesse
James Jesse is a male comic supervillain who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Origin
James Jesse was a blonde haired male human born in the modern age to a family of wire walkers called the Flying Jesses who operated at a circus. (The Flash v1 #113) One account held that this was actually a stage name and that his actual name was Giovanni Giuseppe whose family were from Napoli. (Secret Origins v2 #41)
He was working at a project at the F.B.I. headquarters in Chicago when he found that the Pied Piper had broken into his office and was asking for his help. (The Flash v2 #189) James, however, refused to work with a murderer and attempted to apprehend Rathaway but Hartley used rats to distract Jesse. During this fight, more FBI agents attempted to help him but Rathway used his flute to cause them to knock each other out. Pied Piper then fled the scene as he went on the run and did not want to return to Iron Heights. Afterwards, he received a call from Wally West who had uncovered evidence to indicate Pied Piper had been framed for the death of his parents. (The Flash v2 #190)
Afterwards, he came to lament his life at how he had never fulfilled his grand ambitions in being a criminal. During this time, he came to hear that his fellow Rogues had died recently and the Trickster vowed to make a big score. He teamed up with the Rainbow Raider who had a score which was an armoured car filled with money though Jesse was not impressed at the job. During their conversation, he came to learn that someone was offering mystical candles to various supervillains and asked that they be lit at midnight. Intrigued, James came to steal it from the Rainbow Raider and lit the candle at the appointed hour leading to be transported to a place alongside numerous supervillains. They were then met by their host the demon Neron who offered everyone power in exchange for a piece of their souls. Half came to refuse and were returned back to Earth whilst others accepted the deal and thus became empowered by the demon. Trickster managed to stay behind with Neron claiming to had foreseen that Jesse would steal a candle to attend the gathering. (Underworld Unleashed v1 #1)
Though not actively involved in the incident, Piped Piper felt guilty as the rest of the Rogues in bringing about Bart Allen's death. As such, both Piper and Trickster decided to attend the funeral of the young hero from the side lines though James was reluctant at doing so in the event of them being caught. After hearing a speech by Wonder Girl, the two decided to flee and go their separate ways. (Countdown v1 #43) However, on their way out, they were ambushed by Multiplex and Deadshot who arrested the two villains. (Countdown v1 #42)
The two came to hide out in the wine cellar of the Iceberg Lounge after asking Penguin for a favour. However, Cobblepot betrayed them and notified the Suicide Squad who came to capture the pair again leading to Trickster and Pied Piper going on the run again. (Countdown v1 #40)
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. James Jesse was born in the modern age to parents who were circus acrobats that were noted conmen. From a young age, he had an interest in books and reading which was something his parents disapproved of as they wanted him to devote himself to their craft. They came to operate as tightrope walkers at the Central City Circus where they decided to tailor themselves after the Flying Graysons in order to try profit from their fame by calling themselves the Flying Jesses. When the Graysons died, the Jesses sought to capitalise on their death by performing what they claimed to be the most dangerous stunt in the world. James Jesse was scared of some of these acts and he had no desire to be a circus performer. After his parents forced him to perform one dangerous act, James decided to leave the circus where he performed his first con at S.T.A.R. Labs where he tricked a woman into revealing the company's secrets which he sold to LexCorp. (The Flash v5 #66)
Overview
Personality and attributes
He considered himself the greatest con man to had ever lived in the world. As such, he wanted to be remembered by everyone in Central City. (The Flash v5 #66)
From a young age, he developed a passion for reading books which kept his primary focus. The stories he read were about his heroes that concerned people with honor which gave him hope. These stories served as a means for him to escape reality which was why he enjoyed reading them. (The Flash v5 #66) From childhood, instead of circus work he was more obsessed with reading stories particularly those surrounding Jesse James. (The Flash v1 #113)
He embarked on a life of crime in order to begin a more exciting life and took inspiration from his name sake Jesse James. (The Flash v1 #113)
James did not care much for his parents as they often abused and treated him badly. (The Flash v5 #66)
Powers and abilities
From a young age, he showed the capacity for inventing gadgets such as special shoes that could shoot out compressed air as a form of jet propulsion with this not being seen by others. (The Flash v1 #113) These were among his first gadgets which were referred to as airwalker shoes. (Secret Origins v2 #41)
Notes
- The James Jesse Trickster was created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino where he made his first appearance in The Flash v1 #113 (July, 1960).
Alternate Versions
In other media
Television
- In The Flash, James Montgomery Jesse appeared in the setting of the 1990s live-action television series where he was portrayed by actor Mark Hamill.
- In Justice League Unlimited, the James Jesse Trickster appeared in the animated television series set in the DC Animated Universe where he appeared in the episode "Flash and Substance" and voiced by actor Mark Hamill.
- In The Flash, the James Jesse Trickster appeared in the setting of the live-action television series set in the Arrowverse where he was portrayed by actor actor Mark Hamill.
Appearances
- The Flash v1: (1960)
- Underworld Unleashed v1:
- Countdown v1:
- The Flash v5:
External Links
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