Trickster (comics)
The
Trickster is the name of two
DC Comics supervillains and an
enemy of
the Flash. He first appeared in
Flash #113.
The original Trickster is a practical joker and conman whose favourite occupation is damaging enemies like the Flash with items such as
explosive teddies.
His alter ego is
James Jesse, although his real name is
Giovanni Giuseppe. He was a circus acrobat who decided to become a criminal for the thrill. He created shoes that allowed him to walk on air and other dangerous gag gadgets for his crimes. He would clash with Flash many times.
He was among the villains who were brainwashed into giving up crime by
The Top. He spent a time working in special effects with
Blue Devil, before defeating
Neron, with
Captain Marvel's help. Justifying his change of heart by saying he no longer dared to go to Hell, he began using his con-artist skills for good, before joining the
FBI.
A little later, teenager
Axel Walker stole all of Jesse's gadgets and shoes and became the new Trickster. He joined
Blacksmith's Network and destroyed files from
Goldface and
Hunter Zolomon for her. He soon joined
Captain Cold's rogues.
Working as an agent of the FBI, James Jesse gathered the reformed rogues to stop Captain Cold and his rogues. When Trickster I and II clashed, the Top appeared and undid his brainwashing of Jesse. Jesse soundly defeated the younger Trickster and rejoined the rogues. Walker is expected to resurface under a different alias.
In the live-action television series
The Flash (1990–1991), the Trickster was played by
Mark Hamill (who played
Luke Skywalker in the
Star Wars saga,
the Hobgoblin in
Spider-Man: The Animated Series and the
Joker in
Batman: The Animated Series). In the episode "The Trickster",
private investigator Megan Lockhart (played by
Joyce Hyser) attempts to capture a wanted criminal
psychopath named James Jesse. During the pursuit, Jesse manages to get the upper hand and capture Lockhart, but not before she is able to call her friend Barry Allen (played by
John Wesley Shipp), whom she had learned was the Flash in an earlier episode. The Flash saves Megan, and Jesse is arrested. As a result, The Flash and Megan Lockhart become James Jesse's new fixation. After escaping from police custody, he takes on the costumed identity of The Trickster. He has psychotic delusions that Lockhart had been his true love, a costumed sidekick named Prank. He believes that Prank has been kidnapped and brainwashed by the "evil" Flash. He manages to coerce Lockhart into wearing the Prank costume and being his sidekick after delivering a death threat to Barry Allen. Barry manages to escape from a drowning stunt, changes into the Flash costume, and sends the Trickster back behind bars, thanks to Lockhart's "betrayal".
In the final episode of the series ("Trial Of The Trickster"), James Jesse escapes from his criminal trial with an unexpected help from a fake court
stenographer (played by
Corinne Bohrer) named Zoey Clark, a wealthy owner of Clarx Toys. She is a huge fan of the Trickster and would do anything to get her hands on him. As they arrive safely to her toy store as a hideout Clark admits she found kindred spirit from the Trickster and wants to be his fantasy sidekick Prank. She takes her clothes off to reveal the Prank costume underneath and seduces the Trickster into thinking that "she" is the Prank of his delusion.
After a brief "reunion", both the Trickster and his new sidekick Prank kidnaps the Flash and brainwashes him into evil, and the fastest man alive quickly becomes the crazed clown's new partner. Prank becomes jealous of the Flash for replacing her position as a sidekick and annoyingly complains to the Trickster. Annoyed by her utterly nonsense rambling, the Trickster sents Prank into her toy store and ties her up in there for being such a nuisance.
Meanwhile, the Trickster plans to put Central City into trial but failed after his brand new partner the Flash regains back his consciousness. He hurriedly escapes from the court only to be rescued again by Prank, who manages to break free from her binds and is still in love with him. The Trickster shows his gratitude by pushing Prank out of the getaway car and runs off solo, leaving Prank behind again. In the end, the Trickster loses the battle with the Flash and gets arrested...including Prank. The Trickster is incarcerated into a high-restricted prison cell, isolating him away from anyone else.
In the
Justice League Unlimited episode "Flash and Substance", Mark Hamill reprises his role of The Trickster. The Trickster helps other Flash villains
Captain Cold,
Captain Boomerang, and
Mirror Master plan in destroying Flash. When none of them would accept his plan, Trickster complained that, "Nobody gets me." He was next seen disgruntled at the bar where Flash's enemies hang out. Upon Flash,
Batman, and
Orion's arrival. Orion tries to force the Trickster into revealing the other bad guys plans until Flash intervenes and talks to him in a friendly manner. "You're off your meds again, James," says the Flash. Trickster tells Flash their plan in exchange that Flash visits him in the hospital, and agrees to Flash's suggestion to turn himself in. The animated Trickster is apparently not a total villain, aware of his psychoses, and does seek treatment if encouraged.
*
The Trickster Bio*
The Trickster II Bio*
Alan Kistler's profile on the Flash - A detailed analysis of the history of the Flash by comic book historian Kistler. Covers information all the way from
Jay Garrick to Barry Allen to today, as well as discussions on the various villains and rogues who fought the Flash. Various art scans.
*
Crimson Lightning, an online index to the comic book adventures of the Modern Age Flash.
