Outsider (comics)

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This article is about the characters. For the superhero team, see Outsiders (comics).
The Outsider
Cover of Detective Comics #356, the first on panel appearance of the Outsider.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearancePre-Crisis Outsider:
Detective Comics #334 (December 1964)
Michael Desai:
Flashpoint: The Outsider #1 (August 2011)
The Outsider/Alfred Pennyworth of Earth-3:
Justice League (vol. 2) #6 (April 2012)
Created byPre-Crisis version:
Gardner Fox (writer)
Carmine Infantino (artist)
Michael Desai:
James Robinson (writer)
Javi Fernandez (artist)
Outsider/Alfred Pennyworth of Earth-3:
Geoff Johns (writer)
Jim Lee (artist)
In-story information
SpeciesMetahuman
AbilitiesAlfred Pennyworth:
Telekinesis
Michael Desai:
Superhuman strength and durability

The Outsider is the name of three characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first and third are variants of Alfred Pennyworth, with the first being an evil persona that Alfred assumes after nearly dying and the third being Alfred's Earth-Three counterpart. The second, Michael Desai, is an Indian metahuman and businessman introduced during the Flashpoint storyline.

Publication history

The Pre-Crisis version of the Outsider first appeared as an unseen character in Detective Comics #334 and was created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino.[1]

The Flashpoint version of the Outsider first appeared in Flashpoint: The Outsider #1 and was created by James Robinson and Javi Fernandez.

The Earth-3 Outsider first appeared in Justice League (vol. 2) #6 and was created by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee.

Fictional character biography

Pre-Crisis

Alfred Pennyworth is seemingly killed when he pushes Batman and Robin out of the way of a boulder.[2] It is later revealed that Alfred was revived by scientist Brandon Crawford and gained white skin, telekinesis, and a desire to destroy Batman and Robin. Calling himself the Outsider, he battles the Dynamic Duo before they restore him to normal, with Alfred possessing no memory of his Outsider identity.[3][4][5]

Flashpoint

A new version of the Outsider appears in the Flashpoint reality. Michael Desai was born in Chandigarh, India and possesses pale skin and superhuman strength and durability. After his mother dies during childbirth, for which he is blamed, Desai creates a massive sinkhole, killing thousands of people and leaving him the only survivor.[6] Years later, Desai assumes the alias of the Outsider and accumulates considerable wealth, turning India into a multinational criminal operation under his control.[6]

The New 52

In 2011, "The New 52" rebooted the DC universe. A man known as the Outsider is introduced as a benefactor of the Secret Society of Super Villains, where he was depicted as a pale man clad in purple.[7] He is later revealed to be the Earth-Three counterpart of Alfred Pennyworth.[8] During the "Forever Evil" storyline, Outsider is killed by Black Manta.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ Greenberger, Robert (2008). The Essential Batman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 282–283. ISBN 9780345501066.
  2. ^ Detective Comics #328 (June 1964)
  3. ^ Detective Comics #356 (October 1966)
  4. ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. p. 255. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
  5. ^ Wells, John (2014). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965-1969. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 75. ISBN 978-1605490557.
  6. ^ a b Flashpoint: The Outsider #1 (June 2011)
  7. ^ Justice League (vol. 2) #6 (April 2012)
  8. ^ Justice League (vol. 2) #23 (October 2013)
  9. ^ Forever Evil #6 (May 2014)