.gif)
Mento (comics)
Encyclopedia
Mento is a fictional superhero
published by DC Comics
. He first appeared in Doom Patrol #91 (November 1964), and was created by Arnold Drake
and Bruno Premiani
.
(a.k.a Rita Farr) of the Doom Patrol
. Although his arrogant manner annoys the male field members of the team, he is successful, and in Doom Patrol #104 (June 1966), Mento and Elasti-Girl are married. They soon adopt Beast Boy
(a.k.a. Garfield Logan). After Elasti-Girl's death, Mento becomes involved in the hunt for her killers, General Zahl
and Madame Rouge
.
In Swamp Thing #49-50, Steve is recruited by John Constantine
for a small gathering of powerful beings, in order to assist in a battle taking place in hell. The demonic forces are facing an entity
that could easily overwhelm and destroy them, even with the aid of Heavenly beings. Using Mento to get a 'read' on the situation, John assists the battle with magical power. Despite the defeat of the entity, Sargon the Sorcerer
and Zatara
burn to death and Mento is left insane. (This was before Swamp Thing and John Constantine switched into Vertigo continuity and the event has subsequently been referenced in several regular DC universe comic books.) Shortly thereefter, Dayton, now in a wheelchair, resumes his Mento identity and lashes out at Garfield Logan, blaming him for the deaths of the original Doom Patrol. He then proceeds to create his own team, the Hybrid
, to challenge the Teen Titans. After multiple encounters, the members of the Hybrid defy Dayton and join the Titans in curing him. Raven
cures him of his madness and he seems to discard the helmet.
Much later, Dayton hires Deathstroke the Terminator to find the Titans during the Titan Hunt. Afterwards, he becomes Crimelord and tries to frame
Deathstroke for murder, but Dayton's dual identity and plans are revealed and Deathstroke is cleared of all charges. Crimelord's plans also involved nuclear bombs placed across the country, but this is neutralized by a large gathering of superheroes, mainly current and former Teen Titans members.
. Though a member of the Patrol, he furiously writes novels (remarking that he intends to entitle the series My Greatest Adventure
), supposedly spurred on by a creative streak created by the helmet. He also seems to have developed an addiction again to his helmet, as he claims that Rita is only in love with Mento and not Steve Dayton. He claims to remember his days as The Crimelord, calling them "a glitch in the helmet".
Retaining his age though clean shaven again, Dayton's Mento helmet is now red, and he wears a black costume with a yellow lightning bolt across it; this coloration of helmet and costume resembles his original look from the original incarnation of the Patrol.
Seeing the truth about Dr. Niles Caulder (a.k.a. The Chief
), who is trying to convince Kid Devil
to join the Doom Patrol by telling him his own teammates, the Titans, will always despise him as a freak, Dayton shakes off his addiction and finally removes the helmet. Thinking clearly again for the first time in years, he takes the control of the Doom Patrol from The Chief, claiming respect for the other members of the squad, and threatening The Chief if he ever reclaimed his leading role from him.
Mento is later shown, fully in possession of his mental faculties, as an occasional helper of the Justice League
, filling with his cybernetically augmented mental abilities the role once held by the late Martian Manhunter
. In such a role, he diagnoses Jericho
's dissociative identity disorder
, spurring the League to seek professional help for him.
In Final Crisis
#6, Mento (along with Miss Martian
) is shown amongst a group of psychics trying to purge the world of the Anti-Life Equation.
In the current (2010) run of the Doom Patrol, Mento is revealed to have left the Patrol, despite still being in contact with Caulder. Currently estranged from his wife, as his marriage failed when Rita found out how Dayton routinely used his mind-reading powers on her, he's called back from Caulder to stop an alien hive mind by using Rita's enlarged form as a proxy. Upon becoming aware of the newest violation Rita decides to break every remaining tie with him, blaming Caulder too for her mistreatment.
powers. While wearing the helmet, he has the powers of telepathy
, psychokinesis
, intangibility
, and limited mind control. The helmet has the negative side effect of increasing Dayton's paranoia and dementia. Raven is eventually able to cure him of these side effects.
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. He first appeared in Doom Patrol #91 (November 1964), and was created by Arnold Drake
Arnold Drake
Arnold Drake was an American comic book writer and screenwriter best known for co-creating the DC Comics characters Deadman and the Doom Patrol, and the Marvel Comics characters the Guardians of the Galaxy, among others....
and Bruno Premiani
Bruno Premiani
Giordano Bruno Premiani , whose work is credited as Bruno Premiani, was an Italian illustrator known for his work for several American comic book publishers, particularly DC Comics...
.
Fictional character biography
Steve Dayton, one of the world's richest men, builds a helmet to enhance his mental abilities and calls himself Mento. This is an attempt on Dayton's part to impress Elasti-GirlElasti-Girl
Elasti-Girl is a fictional character, a superhero of the DC Comics universe and a member of the Doom Patrol.-Fictional character biography:...
(a.k.a Rita Farr) of the Doom Patrol
Doom Patrol
The Doom Patrol is a superhero team appearing in publications from DC Comics. The original Doom Patrol first appeared in My Greatest Adventure #80...
. Although his arrogant manner annoys the male field members of the team, he is successful, and in Doom Patrol #104 (June 1966), Mento and Elasti-Girl are married. They soon adopt Beast Boy
Beast Boy
Garfield Mark "Gar" Logan, known as Beast Boy or Changeling, is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics...
(a.k.a. Garfield Logan). After Elasti-Girl's death, Mento becomes involved in the hunt for her killers, General Zahl
General Zahl
General Zahl is a DC Comics villain. He first appeared in Doom Patrol vol. 1 #121.-Biography:General Zahl is a former Nazi U-boat captain who tangled from time to time with the Doom Patrol, originally as "Captain Zahl."...
and Madame Rouge
Madame Rouge
Madame Rouge is a fictional DC Comics supervillainess. She first appeared in Doom Patrol v.1 #86.-Fictional character biography:Laura De Mille was originally a French stage actress. After an automobile accident, she developed a dual good/evil split personality. At this point, she attracted the...
.
In Swamp Thing #49-50, Steve is recruited by John Constantine
John Constantine
John Constantine is a fictional character, an occult detective anti-hero in comic books published by DC Comics, mostly under the Vertigo imprint. The character first appeared in Swamp Thing #37 , and was created by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, John Totleben and Rick Veitch...
for a small gathering of powerful beings, in order to assist in a battle taking place in hell. The demonic forces are facing an entity
Great Evil Beast
The Great Evil Beast, also known as The Great Darkness or The Ultimate Darkness, is a powerful cosmic entity that appeared in the DC Comics Swamp Thing storyline, "American Gothic."-Fictional character biography:...
that could easily overwhelm and destroy them, even with the aid of Heavenly beings. Using Mento to get a 'read' on the situation, John assists the battle with magical power. Despite the defeat of the entity, Sargon the Sorcerer
Sargon the Sorcerer
Sargon the Sorcerer is a fictional character, a second string mystic, superhero and sorcerer appearing in DC Comics during the Golden Age. The original Sargon first appeared in All-American Comics # 26, , and was created by John B. Wentworth and Howard Purcell...
and Zatara
Zatara
Giovanni "John" Zatara is a fictional character in the DC Universe. He first appeared in Action Comics #1 , and was created by writer and artist Fred Guardineer. He is a stage magician who also practices actual magic...
burn to death and Mento is left insane. (This was before Swamp Thing and John Constantine switched into Vertigo continuity and the event has subsequently been referenced in several regular DC universe comic books.) Shortly thereefter, Dayton, now in a wheelchair, resumes his Mento identity and lashes out at Garfield Logan, blaming him for the deaths of the original Doom Patrol. He then proceeds to create his own team, the Hybrid
Hybrid (DC Comics)
The Hybrid are a fictional group of supervillains appearing in DC Comics. Their first appearance as a group was in New Teen Titans vol. 2, #24, which was marketed in October 1986...
, to challenge the Teen Titans. After multiple encounters, the members of the Hybrid defy Dayton and join the Titans in curing him. Raven
Raven (comics)
Raven is a fictional superheroine who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in a special insert in DC Comics Presents #26 , and was created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Pérez...
cures him of his madness and he seems to discard the helmet.
Much later, Dayton hires Deathstroke the Terminator to find the Titans during the Titan Hunt. Afterwards, he becomes Crimelord and tries to frame
Frameup
A frame-up or setup is an American term referring to the act of framing someone, that is, providing false evidence or false testimony in order to falsely prove someone guilty of a crime....
Deathstroke for murder, but Dayton's dual identity and plans are revealed and Deathstroke is cleared of all charges. Crimelord's plans also involved nuclear bombs placed across the country, but this is neutralized by a large gathering of superheroes, mainly current and former Teen Titans members.
One Year Later
In Teen Titans (v. 3) #36, Steve Dayton is revealed to have returned with the rest of the Doom PatrolDoom Patrol
The Doom Patrol is a superhero team appearing in publications from DC Comics. The original Doom Patrol first appeared in My Greatest Adventure #80...
. Though a member of the Patrol, he furiously writes novels (remarking that he intends to entitle the series My Greatest Adventure
My Greatest Adventure
My Greatest Adventure was a DC Comics comic book that began in 1955 and is best known as the original title for the superhero team, the Doom Patrol.-Publication history:...
), supposedly spurred on by a creative streak created by the helmet. He also seems to have developed an addiction again to his helmet, as he claims that Rita is only in love with Mento and not Steve Dayton. He claims to remember his days as The Crimelord, calling them "a glitch in the helmet".
Retaining his age though clean shaven again, Dayton's Mento helmet is now red, and he wears a black costume with a yellow lightning bolt across it; this coloration of helmet and costume resembles his original look from the original incarnation of the Patrol.
Seeing the truth about Dr. Niles Caulder (a.k.a. The Chief
Chief (comics)
The Chief is a fictional character from DC Comics and the leader of the Doom Patrol. He first appeared in My Greatest Adventure #80...
), who is trying to convince Kid Devil
Kid Devil
Red Devil , formerly known as Kid Devil, was a superhero in the DC Comics universe. Created by Alan Kupperberg, Dan Mishkin, and Gary Cohn, he first appeared in Blue Devil #14.-Origin and early heroics:...
to join the Doom Patrol by telling him his own teammates, the Titans, will always despise him as a freak, Dayton shakes off his addiction and finally removes the helmet. Thinking clearly again for the first time in years, he takes the control of the Doom Patrol from The Chief, claiming respect for the other members of the squad, and threatening The Chief if he ever reclaimed his leading role from him.
Mento is later shown, fully in possession of his mental faculties, as an occasional helper of the Justice League
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
, filling with his cybernetically augmented mental abilities the role once held by the late Martian Manhunter
Martian Manhunter
The Martian Manhunter is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225...
. In such a role, he diagnoses Jericho
Jericho (comics)
Jericho is a fictional character, originally a superhero who was a member of the Teen Titans in the acclaimed 1980s period of The New Teen Titans by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, published by DC Comics...
's dissociative identity disorder
Dissociative identity disorder
Dissociative identity disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis and describes a condition in which a person displays multiple distinct identities , each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment....
, spurring the League to seek professional help for him.
In Final Crisis
Final Crisis
Final Crisis is a crossover storyline that appeared in comic books published by DC Comics in 2008, primarily the seven-issue miniseries of the same name written by Grant Morrison. Originally DC announced the project as being illustrated solely by J. G. Jones; artists Carlos Pacheco, Marco Rudy and...
#6, Mento (along with Miss Martian
Miss Martian
Miss Martian is a superhero in the . Miss Martian was created by Geoff Johns and Tony Daniel and first appeared in Teen Titans #37 . Miss Martian is named "Megan Morse" after Marvel Comics associate editor Ben Morse's wife, Megan...
) is shown amongst a group of psychics trying to purge the world of the Anti-Life Equation.
In the current (2010) run of the Doom Patrol, Mento is revealed to have left the Patrol, despite still being in contact with Caulder. Currently estranged from his wife, as his marriage failed when Rita found out how Dayton routinely used his mind-reading powers on her, he's called back from Caulder to stop an alien hive mind by using Rita's enlarged form as a proxy. Upon becoming aware of the newest violation Rita decides to break every remaining tie with him, blaming Caulder too for her mistreatment.
Powers and abilities
Steve Dayton wears a helmet of his own invention that amplifies his own latent psychicPsychic
A psychic is a person who professes an ability to perceive information hidden from the normal senses through extrasensory perception , or is said by others to have such abilities. It is also used to describe theatrical performers who use techniques such as prestidigitation, cold reading, and hot...
powers. While wearing the helmet, he has the powers of telepathy
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
, psychokinesis
Psychokinesis
The term psychokinesis , also referred to as telekinesis with respect to strictly describing movement of matter, sometimes abbreviated PK and TK respectively, is a term...
, intangibility
Intangibility
Intangibility is used in marketing to describe the inability to assess the value gained from engaging in an activity using any tangible evidence...
, and limited mind control. The helmet has the negative side effect of increasing Dayton's paranoia and dementia. Raven is eventually able to cure him of these side effects.
Television
- Mento appears in Teen TitansTeen Titans (TV series)Teen Titans is an American animated television series based on the DC Comics characters of the same name. The show was created by Glen Murakami, developed by David Slack, and produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It premiered on Cartoon Network on July 19, 2003, and the final episode "Things Change"...
season 5 episodes "Homecoming: Part 1" and "Homecoming: Part 2" voiced by Xander BerkeleyXander BerkeleyAlexander Harper "Xander" Berkeley is an American actor. His roles include George Mason on the television series 24.-Early life:Berkeley was born in Brooklyn, New York, but has lived most of his life in New Jersey...
. He is depicted as being the Doom Patrol's stubborn leader and obsessed with stopping the Brotherhood of EvilBrotherhood of EvilThe Brotherhood of Evil is a group of DC Comics supervillains, archenemies of the original Doom Patrol and the Teen Titans.-Origins:The Brotherhood of Evil was founded by the engimatic villain the Brain. In the beginning, the group's motivation was world domination...
. As in the comics, he possesses the power of telekinesis, and he also displays telepathic abilities. He has issues with Beast Boy's inability to follow orders even when the boy's actions are justifiable; the implication is that this is the reason Beast Boy left the Doom Patrol. Although it is never clarified whether or not Steve is Beast Boy's adoptive father in the series, he does refer to him as "son" and at one time says, "That's my boy".