Back when I started collecting comic books, one of my favorite series was Who’s Who: The Definite Directory of the DC Universe. Published between 1984 and 1987, it was a sort of companion to Crisis on Infinite Earths, the twelve issue maxiseries designed to streamline the DC Universe and eliminate any problems in continuity. The character biographies contained inside were my introduction to the DC Universe at large, and they proved useful as I began my scholarship of the DCAU.
While character bios of the characters from Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League, and other related shows exist, I found many of them to be lacking in depth, content, and quality. Therefore, I’ve taken it upon myself to create character bios for the characters of the DCAU based upon existing information from Series Bibles, the episodes themselves, material from the comic books, and information from the creative teams. Many of these began as bios written for my character profiles on The Justice League Watchtower. Also, the bios I’m writing are limited to characters that I consider key, so no bios for Commissioner Gordon, Angela Chen, or Max Gibson.
This time, it’s the As. Everyone noteworthy from that section of the dictionary will be included, along with voice actor information, the date and location of their first appearance, and accompanying images.
Abra Kadabra
A time traveler from the 64th Century, the criminal Abra Kadabra uses advanced technology from the future that appears to be magic to the people of this time period.
Ace
Voiced by Hynden Walch
First Appearance: Justice League of America #43 (The Royal Flush Gang, March 1966), “Wild Cards” (Ace, December 6, 2003)
One of the most tragic characters in the Justice League’s Rogues’ Gallery, Ace’s story began in her infancy, when her mutant telepathic powers began to manifest, causing her unknowing and unprepared parents to lapse into catatonic insanity. Taken into custody by the U.S. government at the behest of Amanda Waller, it could be argued that her containment was in the interest of the public good, but their true intent was to study the child and her developing abilities. In addition, they also developed a headband that, when worn by the young girl, rendered her powerless and compliant. Thus began many years of testing, where she was subject to various experiments to test the limits of both her telepathy and her now-developing telekinesis, as the black ops trials were designed to turn both her and other gifted children like her into superhuman assets for the military. That all changed, however, when the Joker learned of the program and ventured into the Arizona desert to recruit them for his own nefarious plans.
Arriving at the top-secret government facility, the Clown Prince of Crime made short work of the agents and scientists, and the children—eager to leave and not raised by the military with morality in mind—agreed to join up with him. Christening his five charges the Royal Flush Gang, the telepathic girl became Ace, as in “ace in the hole,” as her powers would play a significant part in Joker’s latest criminal stunt.
Absconding to Las Vegas, the Joker bought air time on all the major television networks to broadcast his version of reality television. Planting twenty-five bombs across the Las Vegas Strip, the Joker pitted his Royal Flush Gang against the Justice League in a mad dash to diffuse the bombs before the clock ticked down to zero. However, the Joker’s true plan was to trick America into watching the show while, at the same time, Ace used her mental powers to drive everyone viewing absolutely mad. Claiming that her telepathic ability couldn’t affect him, as he was already insane, he delighted in how 60 to 70 million people were now susceptible Ace’s psychic attack. However, during Joker’s televised confrontation with Batman, Ace discovered that even the Joker held onto the power-negating headband that would render her compliant “just in case.” Enraged, the young girl gave the Joker a full blast of her abilities from two feet away, leaving him in a drooling, vegetative state. In the end, she walked away, leaving Batman unconscious and 40 to 50 thousand permanently damaged by the episode.
Years later, Ace’s powers evolved further, as her telekinesis now was able to literally warp reality, allowing her to transform anything into whatever she chose. This came at a price, however, as Ace also learned that her powers were too much, and she would soon die from a massive brain aneurysm. Lashing out, she created her own Royal Flush Gang, as well as a castle, warping a public park to do so. The Justice League investigated and fought Ace’s team, and they were met by Amanda Waller, who revealed to them the truth of Ace’s impending death. Claiming that the only way to stop the potential psychic backlash from her death, which could slay anyone in range of her powers, would be to kill her, Waller produced a weapon from a briefcase. Taking the device, Batman volunteered to confront Ace in her fortress, as they had had a previous encounter.
Locating the child on a swing set in her castle’s courtyard, Ace knew immediately that the Dark Knight had no intention of using the weapon Waller provided, as he was going to attempt to talk her down and to undo the damage that her powers had caused. Lamenting the loss of her childhood, she discovered—through telepathy—that Batman had come from a similar background. Afraid to die alone, Batman sat with her on the swings, holding her hand until her time came. After her passing, their surroundings reverted to their original form, and the Dark Knight carried her body back to Waller.
Ace the Bathound
Voiced by Frank Welker
As a puppy, Ace was given to a trainer named Ronny Boxer, who tortured the dog in preparation for the dogfighting ring. However, during Ace’s first fight, the police raided the match, and the dog escaped during the confusion into the streets. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne was paying his annual visit to the site of his parents’ deaths in Crime Alley when he was attacked by a Jokerz gang member. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Ace saved Bruce from the brute. Seeing signs of abuse on the dog, Bruce took him in as a companion and gave him the name “Ace.” Since then, Ace serves as a vigilant watchdog and protector of Bruce Wayne … and he’s grown very fond of the new Batman as well.
The Adversary
First Appearance: Adventures of Superman #579 (June 2000)
A wheelchair-bound child who was a neighbor of Clark Kent, Cary Richards was granted psionic powers through a deal with the demon Lord Satanus. Using his abilities, he created a supervillain with which to fight both Superman and the Justice League.
Amanda Waller
Voiced by C.C.H. Pounder
Born in East St. Louis, Amanda Blake later relocated in her youth to Chicago’s infamous Cabrini-Green district. It was there that she married Joseph Waller and started a family, eventually having six children. However, following a series of tragedies that claimed the lives of two of her children and her husband, Amanda Waller struggled to carry on, seeing to it that her surviving children received college educations and, later, she went on to get her own degree. It was during her own studies that she applied for and received a Rhodes Scholarship, which allowed her to study at the University of Oxford in England. In the end, she graduated with a PhD in Political Science.
Following her graduation, Waller went to work for Marvin Collins, a man who was campaigning for a congressional seat. His campaign’s success was largely due to Waller’s political savvy, and she would later use that savvy while serving Intelligence for three Presidential Administrations. Among her accomplishments during this period was the reactivation of Task Force X, a covert military group with history dating back to World War II. Under Waller’s guidance, the program was reconceived as a top-secret unit that offers convicted supervillains commuted sentences in exchange for their participation in clandestine paramilitary missions … missions so dangerous that they are considered suicidal, hence the unit’s nickname of “Suicide Squad.” Considered to be a success by her superiors, Task Force X furthered Waller’s political career, as she became an expert in metahuman affairs.
Following the incident where Superman was brainwashed by Darkseid and forced to attack the Earth, it was decided that the United States needed a program dedicated to protecting itself from possible metahuman attack. Given her success with Task Force X, Waller was chosen to head this new organization, named Project: Cadmus. Accepting the job offer, she disappeared from public life and began to organize the fledgling Cadmus program. Today, Waller has created a preventive measure that can successfully contend with the Man of Steel and the organization of which he is a member, using technology and science pioneered by Lex Luthor and refined by a council of organizers with ties to both the U.S. military and the supervillain community.
Initially hostile to the Justice League, her stance has softened following their conflict with Luthor and Brainiac, and she is beginning to see the value that the League possesses. However, this should not be confused with weakness. Possessing an indomitable will, Amanda Waller is as formidable as the program she created, as she has stared down Batman himself in a face-to-face confrontation and made him blink.
AMAZO
Voiced by Robert Picardo
First Appearance: The Brave and the Bold #30 (June 1960)
Developed by the late Professor Ivo, the project known by the name AMAZO was intended to be the pinnacle of accelerated evolution. Utilizing “absorption cells” designed to duplicate the abilities of super-powered beings, the nanotech android was able to replicate anything, from super-strength to telepathy. Unfortunately, Ivo died shortly after AMAZO’s creation, leaving the android alone. Discovered by Lex Luthor, the mastermind took advantage of the naïve automaton, sending it out to destroy the Justice League, However, the rapidly evolving android began to question its orders, which led to awareness and revolt against its new master. Finally, after duplicating the powers and weapons of the entire Justice League, AMAZO left Earth to pursue its destiny among the stars.
Later, the android—now possessing godlike levels of power—returned to Earth seeking Lex Luthor. After tearing through the Justice League’s defenses, it confronted Luthor, who quickly realized that AMAZO was interrogating him in an attempt to discover its own purpose in life. After being talked down, AMAZO accepted Doctor Fate’s offer of assistance and, under his tutelage, it now seeks its purpose in the universe.
Angle Man
Voiced by Phil LaMarr (Uncredited)
First Appearance: Wonder Woman #70 (November 1954)
A career criminal, Angelo Bend was relatively unsuccessful until he came into possession of the Angler, a triangular device of unknown composition that allowed him to distort spatial relationships. Able to shift through dimensions, travel through time, and generate force fields (among other things), this non-Euclidian rogue enjoyed greater success as the Angle Man.
Although he sided with Grodd during his mutiny against Lex Luthor, Angle Man was not singled out for punishment by the victorious Luthor. However, it appears that he died in the Hall of Doom’s destruction following Darkseid's attack.
The Annihilator
First Appearance: “Hawk and Dove” (July 23, 2005)
An enchanted suit of armor created by the Greek god Hephaestus, the Annihilator was created at the behest of Ares, who sought to expand the civil war in Kasnia. Taking care in his craft, Hephaestus no doubt based his design on Talos, a similar bronze automaton that protected Queen Europa on Crete millennia ago. The newer model required no soldier to wear it, and it was fueled by aggression and rage, but in the absence of such forces the Annihilator would become inert. This was discovered by Wonder Woman, who defeated Ares and allowed the Justice League to confiscate the armor.
Later, the weapon was stolen by Task Force X, who infiltrated the Watchtower under the orders of Amanda Waller and the Cadmus Project, who saw value in the item being in service to the United States government. However, the armor was possessed by the spirit of Felix Faust, who returned to Tartarus to oust Hades from the throne. Wonder Woman and Shayera Hol went on a mission to the underworld to help Hades resume power, and the armor was destroyed with the aid of Shayera’s Nth metal mace.
Aquagirl
Voiced by Jodi Benson
First Appearance: Aquaman #33 (Tula, June 1967), Showcase #79 (Dolphin, December 1968), “The Call, Part 1” (November 11, 2000)
Fifty years into the Justice League's future, the child of Aquaman and his wife, Mera, Mareena serves as a full-time member of the Justice League Unlimited while either her father or Arthur, her older brother, serves as ruler of Atlantis. In addition to the abilities inherent in native Atlanteans, she also possesses her father’s telepathic abilities with marine life, as well as hydrokinesis, the ability to manipulate water.
Aquaman
Voiced by Miguel Ferrer (STAS), Scott Rummell (Justice League, JLU)
First Appearance: More Fun Comics #73 (November 1941)
Originally regarded as an urban legend, the being whom the public dubbed “The Aquaman” (because of the stylized symbol worn on his belt) made his first public appearance to protest the underwater testing of explosives by LexCorp, which killed untold numbers of marine creatures and caused significant damage to Atlantis’ territories. His hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis proved unsuccessful, however, as Arthur was captured, imprisoned, and nearly murdered by Luthor’s forces. These events served to foster his xenophobic tendencies and would have eventually lead to open warfare against the “surface dwellers” had it not been for the intervention of Superman. Convinced to give humanity one more chance, Arthur withdrew his forces, but vowed to renew the conflict should Atlantis be provoked once more.
Over time, Arthur made good on his promise, designing elaborate contingency plans and keeping his military in a constant state of readiness. His paranoia, however, was tempered by the birth of his son, as he now has a renewed interest in diplomacy and finding a way for Atlantis to exist peacefully with the nations above. This peace was threatened, however, by the machinations of his brother Orm, who sought to destroy the surface world and usurp his brother’s throne. Orm’s plot was stopped with the aid of the Justice League, but it came at a terrible price, as Arthur was forced to sacrifice a hand in order to save the life of his infant son.
While he may be considered by some as a weak opponent whose only power is to “talk to fish,” Arthur’s ability to communicate with marine life is a formidable weapon, as schools of dolphins, giant octopi, sharks, and even whales can be called upon to aid him in battle. Even alone, however, he is still a daunting foe—possessing a durable body tempered by the deepest ocean depths, enhanced night vision (as there is little light at the bottom of the ocean), and a harpoon hand that can be fired and retracted like a grappling hook. In addition, he possesses the legendary Trident of Poseidon—a weapon forged by the ancient king that can channel unknown levels of magical power. These gifts, coupled with the command of the armies of Atlantis, make Arthur a challenging opponent to face on the battlefield.
As a monarch responsible for the well-being of Atlantis and its territories—over three-fourths of the planet’s surface—Arthur has no time or interest in costumed heroics. However, should Atlantis ever be threatened, Arthur is willing to resume his role as Aquaman and assist the Justice League with whatever threat they may face.
Ares
Voiced by Michael York
First Appearance: Wonder Woman #1 (June 1942)
Ares is the Greek god of war, but unlike his sister Athena—who focuses on wisdom, military strategy, and leadership—this god specializes in the aspects related to violence and bloodshed. It is perhaps due to this that he frequently finds himself at odds with Wonder Woman, both in the physical and metaphysical sense.
Aresia
Voiced by Julie Bowen
First Appearance: Wonder Woman #300 (Fury, February 1983), “Fury, Part 1” (Aresia, April 7, 2002)
Forced to abandon her war-torn homeland, young Helena Kosmatos fled with her mother to avoid the systematic genocide of her friends and family. Making their way to a refugee ship, they were struck by further tragedy when pirates attacked, stealing their meager possessions and sinking the vessel. Surviving by clinging to a piece of driftwood, Helena survived long enough to wash ashore on Themyscira, where she was discovered by Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons.
Adopted by Hippolyta and raised alongside her own daughter Diana, Helena—renamed Aresia to reflect her new life as an Amazon—was trained in the ways of the Amazons and imbued with enhanced strength and reflexes. However, unknown to her sisters, Aresia’s memories haunted her and, combined with the Amazon’s attitudes towards men, these thoughts fermented into a burning hatred of all men. Seeking revenge against the male gender by any means necessary, Aresia fled the island via unknown means to carry out her vengeance.
Now a terrorist who finds herself opposed by her former friend and sister, Wonder Woman, she is nearly equal to the Amazing Amazon in terms of strength, speed, and hand-to-hand combat. However, while Aresia seeks the death of all men for their crimes against her and all women, she must continuously wrestle with the knowledge that, had it not been for the noble sacrifice of the refugee ship’s male captain, who helped her cling to that driftwood, Helena Kosmatos would not have lived to see Themyscira.
Arkkis Chummuck
Voiced by Michael Rosenbaum (Uncredited)
First Appearance: Green Lantern #130 (July 1980)
A native of the world Toomey IV, Arkkis Chummuck gained his power ring after accidentally killing the Green Lantern on Xanshi in battle. Having been chosen by the ring as a worthy successor, he then used his powers to end the conflict between Xanshi and his home world. Following a tribunal hearing on Oa, Chummuck was inducted into the Green Lantern Corps, where he proved himself to be a valuable asset. A celebrated warrior, he died in battle against the forces of Despero.
Atomic Skull
Voiced by Lex Lang (“The Cat and the Canary,” “Alive!”), Raphael Sbarge (“Dead Reckoning”)
First Appearance: Superman #303 (Albert Michaels, September 1976), Superman #323 (Becomes Atomic Skull, May 1978)
His mutant powers triggered during an alien invasion, film student Joe Martin found himself with superhuman strength, endurance, and the ability to fire energy bolts from his hands. Unfortunately, these gifts came with a price, as the skin on his head became transparent and a fount of radioactive energy. Suffering from brain damage following the incident, Martin came to identify himself as the Atomic Skull, an old movie serial hero—an association that put him in direct opposition with Superman, whom he now believes to be the Skull’s arch nemesis Dr. Electron.
Not truly a supervillain, the misguided Martin often finds himself allied with other criminals, either fighting in the cage at Meta-Brawl or within the ranks of the Legion of Doom. Siding with Luthor during Grodd’s mutiny, Atomic Skull was one of the few fortunate Legion members to survive the headquarters’ destruction.
The Atom
Voiced by John C. McGinley
First Appearance: All-American Comics #19 (Golden Age, October 1940), Showcase #34 (Ray Palmer, October 1961)
Utilizing a piece of dwarf star matter as a power source, Boston college professor and physicist Raymond “Ray” Palmer possesses the ability to reduce his size and mass, allowing him to shrink himself down to microscopic levels. While mainly using his powers for scientific research, he also finds time to moonlight as the superhero known as the Atom.
Atom Smasher
First Appearance: The All-Star Squadron #25 (Nuklon, September 1983), JSA Secret Files and Origins #1 (Atom Smasher, August 1999)
Grandson of the Golden Age Atom (a character unrelated to Ray Palmer), Albert Rothstein acquired his mutant powers of super strength and control over his molecular structure (allowing him to alter the size and density of his body) from his grandfather, allowing him to fight crime as Atom Smasher.
Aztek
Voiced by Chris Cox (“Question Authority,” Uncredited), Corey Burton (“I Am Legion,” Uncredited)
First Appearance: Aztek, The Ultimate Man #1 (August 1996)
Raised by an organization known as the Q Foundation, Uno was trained from birth to be a champion of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl and to fight his nemesis, the dark god Tezcatlipoca, who is fated to return to menace Earth sometime in the future. In the meantime, Uno has established himself in the city of Vanity, assuming the identity of a deceased doctor named Curt Falconer and fighting crime at night as Aztek, the Ultimate Man. However, what Uno does not know is that one of the main contributors to the Q Foundation—one who personally paid millions of dollars for his training—was Lex Luthor.
Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, and DC Comics.
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