| Phantasm | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | New Teen Titans Annual (vol. 2) #3 (November 1987) |
| Created by | Marv Wolfman Mike Collins |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Daniel M. Chase, later the souls ofAzarath |
| Species | Human (originally) Fusion of Souls (currently) |
| Team affiliations | New Teen Titans Central Bureau of Intelligence |
| Abilities | Telekinesis Extremely intelligent with aphotographic memory |
Danny Chase (later calledPhantasm) is asuperhero appearing in media published byDC Comics, primarily in association with theTeen Titans.[1]
Danny Chase/Phantasm first appeared inThe New Teen Titans Annual (vol. 2) #3 and was created byMarv Wolfman and artistMike Collins. Although Wolfman hoped the character would restore the "teen hero" feel to a group composed mostly of young adults, Chase was also intended as a comic foil for one of the group's primary characters,Changeling.[2][3][4][5]
The character was often portrayed as an overly snide, egotistical brat. Conflicts with Beast Boy were one-sided, with Chase invariably delivering come-uppance. Meanwhile, other members of the team proved prone to commenting on how impressed they were by Chase's cleverness and capability. This quickly proved unpopular with fans. Wolfman tried various ways to make Chase more appealing, including having him become Phantasm during theTitans Hunt storyline. However, reception to the character continued to be negative, leading him to bekilled off.[2][3][4][5][6]
DuringJay Faerber's run onTitans, he planned for the newly introduced villain Epsilon to be Danny Chase, resurrected byTempest's evil uncle Slizzath. EditorAndrew Helfer overturned this, making Epsilon and Chase unrelated.[7]
Danny Chase is a short-lived member of theNew Teen Titans. He is raised by parents who are international spies for theCentral Bureau of Intelligence underKing Faraday.[8][2][3] As a result, he is extensively trained in espionage, infiltration, and intelligence acquisition. Failing to persuade Faraday to look into his parents' abduction byGodiva, Danny turns to the Titans andNightwing. After proving his worth as ametahuman with powerful telekinetic abilities and a near-photographic memory, he joins the group. Following the death ofJason Todd, Nightwing orders Danny to leave the Titans for his own safety.[9][2]
During theTitans Hunt storyline, Danny Chase is confronted by two members of theWildebeest Society inside a shopping mall. One of them blasts him away and assumes him to be dead. Danny survives and assembles a disguise from assorted items - ahockey mask, a bolt of fabric, and a modulator to alter his voice. He presents himself as the "Phantasm" to remain incognito.[10][2][5]
Danny later sacrifices himself to saveRaven's homeworld of Azarath, with his spirit fusing withArella and the souls of Azarath and becoming a new entity called Phantasm.[11][3][4][5] Following his death, Danny's body is resurrected on two occasions, acting as a separate entity from Phantasm. He appears as an undead slave toBrother Blood in the third volume ofTeen Titans (2006) and is resurrected as aBlack Lantern during theBlackest Night event (2009).[4] InBlackest Night, Danny's body is destroyed byDawn Granger.[12][13]
InThe New 52 continuity reboot, Phantasm appears as a captive ofA.R.G.U.S.[14]
Danny Chase is ametahuman who possesses telekinesis, and is additionally skilled in espionage and has aphotographic memory. As Phantasm, he possesses the combined magic of the souls of Azarath.
