Mastermartial artist, hand-to-hand combatant and instructor
Peak physical condition
Nine lives at any given time
Theodore "Ted"Grant is a fictional character, aDC Comicssuperhero, known as the originalWildcat and a long-time member of theJustice Society of America (JSA).[1] A world-class heavyweightboxer, Grant became inadvertently entangled in the criminal underworld and developed a costumed identity to clear his name.
Modern depictions of Wildcat show him to be a rowdy, tough guy with a streak ofmale chauvinism, leading to frequent clashes with the relatively progressivePower Girl, as well as exploring some of the character's insecurities. Additionally, his longevity has been explained as being derived from a magic spell that gives him "nine lives". Like many older JSA members, he has been a mentor to younger heroes, particularly the secondBlack Canary.
The Ted Grant version of Wildcat first appeared inSensation Comics #1, and was created by writerBill Finger and illustratorIrwin Hasen.[2] He continued inSensation Comics until issue #90 (June 1949).[3]
Theodore "Ted" Grant is a normal human who was magically given nine lives. He remains at the peak of human condition due to his extensive workouts.[4] He is a world-classboxer who trainedBatman,Black Canary, andSuperman. Grant was, in turn, trained by ex-boxer Joe Morgan, who also tutoredAtom andGuardian.
Wildcat's origin is chronicled inSensation Comics #1 as well asSecret Origins #3 (1973) andAll-Star Squadron Annual #1 (1982). Henry Grant vowed on his baby son's crib that the child would not grow up afraid of life, so he encouraged his son to participate in sports. Orphaned during theGreat Depression, Ted becomes a heavyweight boxing champion. He also became tangled unknowingly in his manager's sinister plans. His mentor "Socker" Smith was killed by Grant's managers Flint and Skinner who used a syringe, loaded with poison, in a boxing glove. The dose was only intended to slow down Smith, but the duo misjudged the potency. When Grant was arrested for the crime, Flint and Skinner, afraid that he might know what had really happened, arranged for the young fighter to be killed. Grant escaped the attempt and survived, but the policemen with him were killed. As a result, he became a fugitive. Later, he came upon a child who had been robbed of hisGreen Lantern comic. The boy, describing the mystery-man Green Lantern, inspired Grant to create a cat-themed costume. He took the name Wildcat and vowed to clear his name. He brought Flint and Skinner to justice; the criminals were forced to confess, clearing Grant's name, and obtaining justice for Smith. Using the identity of Wildcat, Grant continued to fight crime.[6]
By issue #4, Wildcat had a custom motorbike, the "Cat-o-Cycle", and a comedy sidekick namedStretch Skinner.[7][8]
In the pages ofAll Star Comics, Wildcat had a few adventures as a member of theJustice Society of America (JSA). In the 1980s, when theAll-Star Squadron was published, it created a retroactive continuity in which the majority of WWII mystery-men interacted with each other. Wildcat had a place as a member of that conglomeration of heroes as well. The 1970s run ofAll Star Comics (1976–1979) had Wildcat play a central role as a JSA member, where he defeatsPsycho-Pirate.
FollowingCrisis on Infinite Earths, Wildcat regains his mobility and rejoins the Justice Society. The group entersLimbo to preventRagnarök, but are freed inArmageddon: Inferno. InZero Hour: Crisis in Time!, Wildcat loses his longevity toExtant and retires. During this time, he has affairs withSelina Kyle andHippolyta.[9][10][11][12]
Wildcat is not present inThe New 52 continuity reboot. InDoomsday Clock, this is revealed to be the result ofDoctor Manhattan altering the timeline and erasing the Justice Society from existence.[13] After Manhattan undoes his actions, Wildcat and the Society return.[14][15]
InJSA #6 (2025), Wildcat is killed byLady Eve.[16][17] Shortly afterward, he and several other deceased JSA members return as ghosts and recruitKid Eternity to protect the rest of the JSA.[18]
Possessing no inherent superpowers, Grant is considered an accomplished boxer and mixed martial artist in peak human condition;[19] he is skilled in various disciplines such ascapoeira,hapkido,kickboxing,krav maga,muay thai,[20]taekwondo,[21] andboxing, the last of which he typically favors.[20] In addition to his fighting abilities, Grant is a skilledmotorist,[20] investigator specializing in sports crimes, and is a proficient teacher of martial arts, teaching numerous civilians and superheroes alike.[19] Later stories revealed he has a nine lives curse, originating from Zatara's alterations to prevent a transformation into a cat. This grants him virtual immortality, provided he isn'tkilled nine times.[19]
The Caveman – John Grimm is a caveman-themed villain.[23]
Flint and Skinner – The managers of Ted Grant who orchestrated "Socker" Smith's death.[6]
Giles and Hogg – Two jewel thieves who pose as private detectives. Their activities lead to Wildcat first meeting "Stretch" Skinner when the jewel thieves try to scam him.[7]
The Headless Horseman – Van Brunt is a criminal who masquerades as theHeadless Horseman.[24]
TheHuntress – A female villain who is the mistress of traps and tracking.[25]
The Laughing Pirate – A pirate-themed villain.[26]
Second Chance – Steve Styles is a criminal who took up the name Second Chance after being saved by Wildcat. He dies when a bullet meant for Wildcat ricochets back at him.[29]
The Yellow Wasp – A wasp-themed criminal who wields a stinger gun, rides the Waspmobile, and uses chemicals to control wasps. He went on a crime wave and kidnapped "Stretch" Skinner before being defeated by Wildcat.[30] The Yellow Wasp later escapes from prison, kills the usurper of his gang, and leads his gang in a raid on Fetterman Arms Works. He and his gang are defeated by Wildcat and "Stretch" Skinner and the Yellow Wasp is returned to prison.[31] The Yellow Wasp later escaped from prison and came up with a crime spree that revolved around him having a large swarm of wasps blanketing the sky. During a fight in the subway, Wildcat and "Stetch" Skinner defeated the Yellow Wasp and his men and returned them to prison.[32] He later dies at some point and is revealed to be the father ofKiller Wasp.[33]
Ted Grant / Wildcat makes a cameo appearance in theSmallville two-part episode "Absolute Justice", portrayed by Roger Hasket. This version is a member of theJustice Society of America (JSA), who were primarily active in the 1970s, until the government forced them to retire from superheroics. Despite this, Grant remained active as a professional boxer.
Ted Grant appears in thethird season ofArrow, portrayed byJ. R. Ramirez. This version runs the "Wildcat Gym" as a place to help kids on the streets by training them to box in the hopes it will steer them straight. Additionally, he originally operated as a vigilante who fought street crime in a crime-infested district of Starling City called the Glades, but retired after his partner, Isaac Stanzler, beat someone to death; something he felt was morally wrong. In the present, he trainsLaurel Lance, providing her the foundation she would later need to become a skilled combatant while training underNyssa al Ghul. He later helps theArrow and his allies defeat Stanzler, and stopDaniel Brickwell's siege on the Glades. Grant is wounded in the battle, but survives.[37]
Ted Grant / Wildcat appears inStargirl, portrayed by Brian Stapf.[38] This version was a member of the Justice Society of America (JSA) before being killed in an attack by theInjustice Society. Ten years later,Yolanda Montez inherits Grant's suit and becomes the new Wildcat.
A character based on Ted Grant / Wildcat calledT. Blake / Catman appears in theJustice League episode "Legends", voiced byStephen Root.[39] He was an athletic superhero armed with a grappling hook and retractable claws, a skilled martial artist, and member of theJustice Guild of America from analternate universe until the team was killed in a nuclear war.
Ted Grant / Wildcat makes a cameo appearance in theYoung Justice episode "Humanity" as a member of the Justice Society of America, who were active in the 1930s.[40]
Ted Grant / Wildcat makes a non-speaking appearance inJustice League: The New Frontier as a former member of the Justice Society of America, which disbanded after the death ofHourman.
IGN listed Wildcat as the 71st greatest comic book character of all time stating that, due to his age as a superhero, he is almost more mystifying than theSpectre.[46]
^Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016).The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 327.ISBN978-1-4654-5357-0.
^"Catman Voice -Justice League (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. RetrievedApril 8, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
^abcdef"Wildcat Voices (DC Universe)". Behind The Voice Actors.Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. RetrievedApril 8, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
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