Paula Brooks
Encyclopedia
Paula Brooks is a fictional comic book character published by DC Comics
. She is one of many characters to use the names Tigress and Huntress
. Brooks first appeared in Sensation Comics
#68 as the Huntress, seeking to add the superhero
Wildcat
to her collection of big game hunting
trophies. Later, it is retroactively revealed that she was a heroine named the Tigress before becoming a criminal.
named the Huntress that resides on Earth-Two
, she fights the Justice Society of America
. During this period she meets the original Sportsmaster
, whom she later marries.
Prior to the Crisis on Infinite Earths
, she battles Helena Wayne (who had become the new Huntress) and is defeated. During this time, an Earth-1
Huntress and Sportsmaster are revealed. They fight Batgirl
and Robin
in "Batman Family
" and then challenge the Earth-1 superheroes to a baseball game between heroes and villains. When the heroes win, the Earth-1 Huntress and Sportsmaster reform and aren't seen again. After the Crisis on Infinite Earths
, the Earth-1 pair cease to exist and the Golden Age versions become the dominant version in the new unified universe.
She never uses the Tigress name or her real name (Paula Brooks) during her Pre-Crisis adventures.
she was retroactively
renamed the Tigress. These stories took place prior to her villainous career as the Huntress.
At this point, the young Paula Brooks (approximately age 18-19) is a super-heroine, and fights both Nazis and criminals alongside Iron Munro
, the first Fury
, Neptune Perkins, Tsunami, and Dan the Dyna-Mite
. During these stories, Paula expresses a fan worship of Paul Kirk, the Manhunter
. She frequently makes a play for Iron Munro as well. During a battle with the Nazi warriors known as Axis Amerika
, Tigress is attacked and seemingly killed by the Valkyrie known as Gudra. She comes back to life or was revived (it is unclear if she really was actually dead) with a new attitude, which eventually leads to her becoming the villainous Huntress. In the late 1990s JSA Returns mini-series, Tigress has yet to fully embrace her villainous attitude and was still operating as a heroine and companion of Manhunter.
At a later point, she permanently becomes a criminal, and eventually one of Wildcat's biggest foes. She also joins the Injustice Society, and renames herself the Huntress. She later marries Sportsmaster
(Crusher Crock), one of the major foes of the Golden Age Green Lantern
. They become known as Mr. and Mrs. Menace and fight Black Canary
and Starman
in the 1960s, as well as continuing to serve as members of the Injustice Society.
At some point, Huntress and Sportsmaster have a daughter named Artemis Crock. Artemis grows up to become a super-villain much like her parents. As Artemis, she serves as a member of Injustice Unlimited, fighting Infinity, Inc. She later takes the name Tigress III and serves as part of the new Injustice Society.
The Paula Brooks Tigress/Huntress is later seen out of uniform in Young Justice
at an Olympic Games-type event where her daughter Artemis competes on behalf of Zandia, a country that harbors super-villains.
s.
. mini-series. In August 1948, Paula Brooks is granted amnesty for her crimes in return for her allegiance to Tex Thompson's
newly created anti-communism force. After learning that Thompson is actually the ruthless Ultra-Humanite
Brooks joins other heroes on January 8, 1950 in opposing him and his allies. Traumatized by the deaths of her lover, Lance Gallant
, and friends such as Miss America
and the Sportsmaster in the ensuing conflict, Paula returns to crime. By 1955, she is reported to have "made the F.B.I.'s most wanted list".
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...
. She is one of many characters to use the names Tigress and Huntress
Huntress (comics)
The Huntress is a name used by several characters in DC Comics.The Golden Age Huntress is a supervillainess, while the Bronze Age and Modern Age Huntresses are superheroines....
. Brooks first appeared in Sensation Comics
Sensation Comics
Sensation Comics is the title of a comic book series published by DC Comics that ran for 109 issues between 1942 and 1952. For most of its run, the lead feature was Wonder Woman. Other series that appeared were the Black Pirate, the Gay Ghost, Mr...
#68 as the Huntress, seeking to add the superhero
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 —...
Wildcat
Wildcat (comics)
Wildcat is the name of several fictional characters, all DC Comics superheroes. The first and most famous of these is Ted Grant, a long-time member of the Justice Society of America...
to her collection of big game hunting
Big game hunting
Big game hunting is the hunting of large game. The term is historically associated with the hunting of Africa's Big Five game , and with tigers and rhinos on the Indian subcontinent. In North America, animals such as bears and bison were hunted...
trophies. Later, it is retroactively revealed that she was a heroine named the Tigress before becoming a criminal.
Pre-Crisis
As a member of the Injustice SocietyInjustice Society
The Injustice Society is a group of fictional supervillains in the . They are the main antagonists of the Justice Society of America.-Original team:...
named the Huntress that resides on Earth-Two
Earth-Two
Earth-Two is a fictional universe appearing in American comic book stories published by DC Comics. First appearing in The Flash #123 , Earth-Two was created to explain how Silver-Age versions of characters such as the Flash could appear in stories with their Golden Age counterparts...
, she fights the Justice Society of America
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....
. During this period she meets the original Sportsmaster
Sportsmaster
The Sportsmaster is the name used by two DC Comics villains who used their sports skills for criminal purposes. The original Sportsmaster first appeared in All-American Comics #85 , and was created by writer John Broome and artist Irwin Hasen....
, whom she later marries.
Prior to the Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
, she battles Helena Wayne (who had become the new Huntress) and is defeated. During this time, an Earth-1
Earth-One
Earth-One is a name given to two fictional universes that have appeared in American comic book stories published by DC Comics...
Huntress and Sportsmaster are revealed. They fight Batgirl
Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino...
and Robin
Robin (comics)
Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
in "Batman Family
Batman Family
The Batman Family was a DC Comics comic book series which ran from 1975 to 1978, primarily featuring stories starring supporting characters in the Batman comics...
" and then challenge the Earth-1 superheroes to a baseball game between heroes and villains. When the heroes win, the Earth-1 Huntress and Sportsmaster reform and aren't seen again. After the Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
, the Earth-1 pair cease to exist and the Golden Age versions become the dominant version in the new unified universe.
She never uses the Tigress name or her real name (Paula Brooks) during her Pre-Crisis adventures.
Post-Crisis
In the pages of Young All-StarsYoung All-Stars
The Young All-Stars are a team of fictional DC Comics superheroes. They were created by Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas, and Michael Bair, and introduced in Young All-Stars #1, dated June 1987.-Publication history:...
she was retroactively
Retcon
Retroactive continuity is the alteration of previously established facts in a fictional work. Retcons are done for many reasons, including the accommodation of sequels or further derivative works in a series, wherein newer authors or creators want to revise the in-story history to allow a course...
renamed the Tigress. These stories took place prior to her villainous career as the Huntress.
At this point, the young Paula Brooks (approximately age 18-19) is a super-heroine, and fights both Nazis and criminals alongside Iron Munro
Iron Munro
Iron Munro is a fictional superhero, who first appeared in Shadow Comics #1 , published by Street & Smith. He is loosely based on Aarn Munro, the hero of a series of short stories written by John W. Campbell in the 1930s...
, the first Fury
Fury (comics)
Fury, in comics, may refer to:*Fury , a superheroine in DC Comics*Fury , a supervillain in Marvel Comics*Fury , a superhero in Alan Moore's comic book 1963...
, Neptune Perkins, Tsunami, and Dan the Dyna-Mite
Dan the Dyna-Mite
Dan the Dyna-Mite is a fictional character, a teen-aged superhero published by DC Comics. He was the young sidekick to the character TNT, and was created by Mort Weisinger and Hal Sharp in 1942. TNT and Dyna-Mite made their debut in World's Finest Comics # 5, and starred in Star-Spangled Comics #...
. During these stories, Paula expresses a fan worship of Paul Kirk, the Manhunter
Manhunter (comics)
-Golden Age:The first of DC's Manhunters was a non-costumed independent investigator, Paul Kirk, who helped police solve crimes during the early 1940s. Though the series was titled "Paul Kirk, Manhunter", Kirk didn't use the Manhunter name as an alias...
. She frequently makes a play for Iron Munro as well. During a battle with the Nazi warriors known as Axis Amerika
Axis Amerika
Axis Amerika is the name of two different teams of super-villains who have appeared in DC Comics.-Axis Amerika :First appearing in Young All-Stars #1 , these super-villains were Adolf Hitler's secret weapon against the All-Star Squadron...
, Tigress is attacked and seemingly killed by the Valkyrie known as Gudra. She comes back to life or was revived (it is unclear if she really was actually dead) with a new attitude, which eventually leads to her becoming the villainous Huntress. In the late 1990s JSA Returns mini-series, Tigress has yet to fully embrace her villainous attitude and was still operating as a heroine and companion of Manhunter.
At a later point, she permanently becomes a criminal, and eventually one of Wildcat's biggest foes. She also joins the Injustice Society, and renames herself the Huntress. She later marries Sportsmaster
Sportsmaster
The Sportsmaster is the name used by two DC Comics villains who used their sports skills for criminal purposes. The original Sportsmaster first appeared in All-American Comics #85 , and was created by writer John Broome and artist Irwin Hasen....
(Crusher Crock), one of the major foes of the Golden Age Green Lantern
Alan Scott
Alan Scott is a fictional character, a superhero in the and the first superhero to bear the name Green Lantern.-Publication history:The original Green Lantern was created by young struggling artist Martin Nodell, who was inspired by the sight of a New York Subway employee waving a red lantern to...
. They become known as Mr. and Mrs. Menace and fight Black Canary
Black Canary
Black Canary is the name of two fictional characters, DC Comics superheroines created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino. The first Black Canary debuted appeared in Flash Comics #86 . The first Black Canary was the alter-ego of Dinah Drake, who took part in Golden Age adventures...
and Starman
Starman (Ted Knight)
Starman is a fictional comic book superhero in the , and a member of the Justice Society of America. Created by artist Jack Burnley and editors Whit Ellsworth, Murray Boltinoff, Jack Schiff, Mort Weisinger, and Bernie Breslauer, he first appeared in Adventure Comics #61 .-Fictional character...
in the 1960s, as well as continuing to serve as members of the Injustice Society.
At some point, Huntress and Sportsmaster have a daughter named Artemis Crock. Artemis grows up to become a super-villain much like her parents. As Artemis, she serves as a member of Injustice Unlimited, fighting Infinity, Inc. She later takes the name Tigress III and serves as part of the new Injustice Society.
The Paula Brooks Tigress/Huntress is later seen out of uniform in Young Justice
Young Justice
Young Justice is a fictional DC Comics superhero team consisting of teenaged heroes. The team first appeared in Young Justice: The Secret , before graduating to their ongoing monthly series...
at an Olympic Games-type event where her daughter Artemis competes on behalf of Zandia, a country that harbors super-villains.
Powers and abilities
Brooks has no powers or unusual technology, but she did utilize various types of wild beasts in committing her crimes. She is also a skilled hand-to-hand fighter whose nails were once sharpened like talonTalon
A talon is a sharp claw of an animal, especially a bird of prey, such as the eagle, hawk, falcon, owl, or buzzard. It may also refer to:Places:* Talon, Nièvre, a commune in the Nièvre département in France...
s.
Elseworlds
Outside of regular DCU continuity, James Robinson and Paul Smith feature the Tigress the 1993 The Golden AgeThe Golden Age (comics)
The Golden Age is a 1993 four-issue Elseworlds comic book mini-series by writer James Robinson and artist Paul Smith. It concerns the Golden Age DC Comics superheroes entering the 1950s and facing the advent of McCarthyism.-Plot:...
. mini-series. In August 1948, Paula Brooks is granted amnesty for her crimes in return for her allegiance to Tex Thompson's
Tex Thompson
Tex Thompson is a superhero owned by DC Comics who has used the costumed identities Mr. America and The Americommando. Created by Ken Fitch and Bernard Baily, his first appearance was in Action Comics #1 , the same comic that introduced Superman.-Fictional character biography:Thomson is originally...
newly created anti-communism force. After learning that Thompson is actually the ruthless Ultra-Humanite
Ultra-Humanite
The Ultra-Humanite is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Action Comics #13 , and was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster...
Brooks joins other heroes on January 8, 1950 in opposing him and his allies. Traumatized by the deaths of her lover, Lance Gallant
Captain Triumph
Captain Triumph is a superhero from the Golden Age of Comics who first appeared in Crack Comics #27, published in January 1943 by Quality Comics. The character was later obtained by DC Comics, though by that time he had already lapsed into public domain. Some of his Golden Age adventures were...
, and friends such as Miss America
Miss America (DC Comics)
Miss America is a fictional comic book superheroine from the . She was first created by Quality Comics in Military Comics #1 , and was carried over to DC Comics when they purchased Quality in the 1950s...
and the Sportsmaster in the ensuing conflict, Paula returns to crime. By 1955, she is reported to have "made the F.B.I.'s most wanted list".
Television
- Paula Brooks (as Tigress) appears in a small cameo in the Batman: The Brave and the BoldBatman: The Brave and the BoldBatman: The Brave and the Bold is an American animated television series based in part on the DC Comics series The Brave and the Bold which features two or more super heroes coming together to solve a crime or foil a super villain...
episode "Aquaman's Outrageous Adventure." She was seen taking a family vacation with her husband Sportsmaster and her daughter Artemis.
- A modified version of Paula Brooks appears in the Young JusticeYoung Justice (TV series)Young Justice is an American animated television series created by Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti for Cartoon Network. Despite its title, it is not an adaptation of Todd Dezago and Todd Nauck's Young Justice comic series, but rather an adaptation of the entire DC Universe with a focus on young...
episode "Downtime" voiced by Kelly HuKelly HuKelly Ann Hu is an American actress and former fashion model. She was Miss Teen USA 1985 and Miss Hawaii USA 1993.-Early life:Hu was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the daughter of Juanita, an engineering drafter for Honolulu, and Herbert Hu, a salesman and exotic bird breeder; the two divorced during...
. She is portrayed as an Asian woman using a wheelchair, who lives with her daughter, Artemis (who in this continuity is a teenaged superheroine rather than the villain Tigress), in a rundown apartment in Gotham CityGotham CityGotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
. She is aware of her daughter's vigilante activities, and states that she wishes for Artemis to go to attend Gotham Academy so that Artemis can have chance a better life than she did. Artemis only was given opportunity to go to such a the prestigious school when Artemis was awarded a scholarship from the Wayne Foundation. A flashback in the episode "Home Front" reveals Paula was once in jail implying she may have been Tigress at some point prior to the show. It was also revealed that CheshireCheshire (comics)Cheshire is a DC Comics villain that first appeared in New Teen Titans Annual #2 .-Fictional character biography:Born to a French father and a Vietnamese mother, Jade Nguyen had an unhappy childhood and was sold into slavery...
is also her daughter.