Anton Sevarius
Dr. Anton Sevarius is a noted geneticist, employed by the various clients to assist them in matters of genetic engineering.
"For science, which, as my associateFang indicated, must ever move forward. Plus there's the money... and I do love the drama!" - Dr. Sevarius explains his motivations to one of hisvictims, ("Louse")
Contents
History
Sevarius was originally in the employ ofHalcyon Renard atCyberbiotics(perhaps working in its underground research facility), butXanatos lured him into his service.("Outfoxed")[1] (Considering the fact that Xanatos was far more ready to tolerate, and even request, the sort of amoral experiments that Sevarius busies himself with than Renard would have been, it is doubtful that this was a particularly difficult achievement.)[2] He became the head ofGen-U-Tech Systems, the genetic engineering division ofXanatos Enterprises.
Xanatos put Sevarius to work on twogargoyle-related projects. The first of these was to mutate somehumans into gargoyle-like creatures, for Xanatos to use as henchmen in the event that he was unable to recruitGoliath and hisclan to his cause.("Metamorphosis") Sevarius successfully mutatedDerek Maza,Maggie Reed,Fred Sykes, and the human now known asClaw, but they afterwards decided to go their own way and not serve Xanatos. Goliath temporarily kidnapped Sevarius in the hopes of forcing him to provide acure for theMutates, but released him afterElisa brought him to his senses.("The Cage")
The second project was toclone Goliath. Sevarius succeeded at this, creatingThailog. However, Thailog proceeded to trick Sevarius into "kidnapping" him and hold him for ransom from Xanatos at theBlack Rock Point oil rig, then tried to kill Xanatos, Sevarius, and Goliath after making off with the ransom money. However, Elisa managed to rescue Thailog's three "fathers", including Sevarius.("Double Jeopardy")
It was revealed byDingo that Sevarius was the one who turnedWolf into amutate.("Estranged")Although hitherto, he has not been shown to be an expert in cybernetics, Sevarius may have assisted inJackal andHyena's upgrade.[3]
Later on, Sevarius went toLoch Ness to capture theLoch Ness Monsters and use their genes as a basis for more breeding experiments (presumably on Xanatos's behest, since theXanatos Goon Squad accompanied him there). During that time, he encounteredAngela and discovered that she was really Goliath andDemona's biological daughter, revealing this information to her. He also took a sample of her DNA, which he later used to create agargate mutagen.[4] Goliath and his companions rescuedNessie, the Loch Ness Monster from Sevarius. While most of the Xanatos Goon Squad drowned when the Loch Ness monsters attacked their submarine, Sevarius escaped and eventually returned toNew York.("Monsters","Louse")
There, he entered the employ of Demona and Thailog atNightstone Unlimited, and created the clones ofHudson and thetrio for them.("The Reckoning") (He also secretly createdDelilah at Thailog's request, without informing Demona.)During this time, he informed Demona that Angela was her biological daughter.[5][6]
Sevarius might know that Demona and Dominique Destine are one in the same.[7]
After the failure of Demona and Thailog's attempt to destroy the clan, Sevarius remained a Nightstone Unlimited employee, and developed theCV-1000 Carrier Virus for Demona (presumably without knowing what purpose she intended to use it for).("Hunter's Moon" Part Two)
OnHalloween1996, Sevarius was seen working at Nightstone, under the employ of Thailog. Furthermore, the corrupt clone recently collected new genetic samples of the entireManhattan Clan, including Elisa, for the geneticist's use for any upcoming projects.("Bash") According toRobyn Canmore, he currently works on a freelance basis, his employers include Xanatos Enterprises, Nightstone Unlimited, and a company calledBushido Concepts. Sevarius was also responsible for theTazmanian Tiger being in possession of twothylacines, a species that had gone extinct.("Estranged")
Later that year, Sevarius infiltrated theLabyrinth in the guise of a homeless man named Fred, in order to gain access toFang's cell. (His choice of alias was another example of his sardonic humor; "Fred" was Fang's original name.) Freeing Fang, Sevarius abducted several human residents of the Labyrinth and mutated them into various forms. He alleged that a client was interested in obtaining an army of armored mutates and the newest mutate batch was early testing. His next plot was to release theCV-1997 Carrier Virus upon the humans gathered atTimes Square for the New Year's celebration being held there, causing them to become mutates as well. His plan was foiled by the actions of theRedemption Squad, but Sevarius was able to escape.("The Lost", "Louse")
Bankrolled by Thailog once more, in May1997 Sevarius kidnapped Maggie the Cat again, this time while she was in labor with herson. After running a genetic test and seeing the child with his own eyes, he was disappointed to discover that the infant was completely human.("A Little Crazy","Idyll or Nightmare","Miracle Child")[8]
When Thailog bargained with Demona to acquire the haft ofGungnir for her in exchange for one share of stock in Nightstone Unlimited, Sevarius participated in the scheme to steal theHand of Valmont fromPaolo Prospero. Disguised as a cyclist, while Thailog provided the distraction, Brentwood handed the Hand off to Sevarius who deposited it into a mailbox for delivery back to Nightstone Unlimited.("Quo Vadis Cum Hoc?")
Characteristics
Sevarius is noted not only for his considerable expertise in genetic matters and utter amorality and unscrupulousness, but also for being an utter ham. He eagerly takes on the role of the stereotypical mad scientist, reveling in its clichés with considerable gusto, often prizing dramatic acts alongside scientific or monetary gain. He has thrice shown talent in the art of disguise.
While his current citizenship is unknown, Sevarius is either American or British.[9]
Sevarius owns a gray monogrammed, albeit misspelled,briefcase where he keeps his notes. He also has acar.
His exact age is unknown, though he is at least in his late forties.[10]
Appearances
- "Metamorphosis" (First Appearance)
- "Outfoxed" (Mentioned Only)
- "Double Jeopardy"
- "The Cage"
- "Monsters"
- "Future Tense" (Mentioned Only)
- "Vendettas" (No Lines)
- "The Reckoning"
- "Hunter's Moon" Part Two
- "Invitation Only" (No Lines)
- "Bash"
- "The Lost"
- "Estranged" (No Lines)
- "Louse"
- "A Little Crazy" (No Lines)
- "Idyll or Nightmare"
- "Miracle Child"
- "New Rules" (No Lines)
- "Quo Vadis Cum Hoc?" (No Lines)
- "Queen of All She Surveys" (No Lines)
Apocrypha
The Goliath Chronicles
When theClones contracted a strange disease, the Manhattan Clan brought them to Sevarius and insisted that he cure them. He collected fresh DNA samples from the Manhattan Clan, supposedly for use in a serum, but used the samples to bring to life a giantgargoyle he dubbed "Little Anton." Sevarius has Little Anton protect him from the angered Manhattan Clan and a seriously illThailog. But when Thailog succumbs to the illness, a grievingGoliath injects Little Anton with a vial of fast-acting disease, which quickly turns him tostone. Because Sevarius never actually developed an antidote, he is unable to save his "son." Sevarius seems to have oddly paternal feelings towards Little Anton, far different than his dismissive attitude towards the Clones. He appears to be genuinely grief stricken when Little Anton is turned to stone permanently, continuing to reassure the gargoyle even after his creation can no longer hear him.("Genesis Undone")
For reasons unexplained, Sevarius is later arrested.("Seeing Isn't Believing") Sevarius's middle name was revealed to be Bartholomew, though this has never been mentioned outside ofThe Goliath Chronicles.Greg Weisman did mention that while he doesn't consider "Bartholomew" to be canon, he doesn't object to it, either.[11]
Unlike the canon version, this Sevarius has grown tired of his role and the constant kidnapping attempts and threats on his life that come with it, his only remaining desire is to be left alone. By contrast, the canon version of Sevarius still revels in his work and has expanded his operation, working not only for Xanatos and Thailog but anyone willing to pay.
Production Background
Voice Actor:Tim Curry
Sevarius's name is similar to that ofSeverino Antinori, a controversial real-world embryologist who has a public interest in human cloning. The staff ofGargoyles were not aware of Antinori during the series' production (and the series predates his work on human cloning), so the similarity in the two names is purely coincidental.[12][13][14]
Sevarius was named byMichael Reaves.Greg Weisman initially did not like the name, but deferred to Reaves's judgement at the time and later decided that the name was perfect for the character.[15]
Brent Spiner was among those considered for Sevarius.[16] He was later cast asPuck.
