Rose Psychic
Encyclopedia
Rose Psychic is a DC Comics
heroine affiliated with the company's first superhero
, Doctor Occult
. They were created by Jerry Siegel
and Joe Shuster
, the creators of Superman
. She first appeared in More Fun Comics
#6 (October 1935). She appeared in Dr. Occult's first story, and then disappears from the story until 1938. After Dr. Occult's original stories ended in late 1938, Rose did not appear again for more than fifty years.
later added to their origin, Richard Occult and Rose Psychic were raised by a group of mystics known as the Seven, characters from a story in More Fun Comics #14-17.
In 1991 Neil Gaiman
brought the characters back to public awareness, when he featured them in the miniseries The Books of Magic
. In the third issue Doctor Occult
acts as Tim Hunter's guide to otherworlds. When visiting Faerie
, he transforms into Rose. Although only alluded to, Gaiman suggests that Rose Psychic and Richard Occult
represent anima
and animus
, feminine and masculine versions of the same person. Throughout the third issue of The Books of Magic
, Rose Psychic and Richard Occult
switch back and forth depending upon the situation. During gentle negotiations, the feminine Rose is in control; during a tense conflict between a giant guardian, a semi-sexual encounter with an amorous bard
, and bitter negotiations with the queen of the fairies, Titania
, the masculine Doctor Occult
is in charge.
Eventually, in the miniseries The Return of the Justice Society
, it would be explained that when Doctor Occult was once killed in battle against an otherworldly entity, Rose bonded their souls together to restore him.
In the Reign in Hell
miniseries, it is revealed that during one of their cases, Rose was killed by a pack of demons and her soul was separated from their shared body. In the midst of an infernal civil war, Doctor Occult descends into Hell
to retrieve her soul. He finds Rose serving in the army of Purgatory
but she refuses his offer of rescue, choosing instead to remain in Hell bringing hope to damned souls who believe they have no chance at redemption.
, Doctor Occult and Rose Psychic have not aged and still look the same as they always have. Rose's hairstyle is a flapper
bob cut
. Sometimes, she dresses in a sports jacket with a skirt
.
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...
heroine affiliated with the company's first 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 —...
, Doctor Occult
Doctor Occult
Doctor Occult is a fictional character, a magic user in the . Created by Superman's creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Doctor Occult is the earliest character created by DC Comics still currently in use in its shared universe fiction....
. They were created by Jerry Siegel
Jerry Siegel
Jerome "Jerry" Siegel , who also used pseudonyms including Joe Carter, Jerry Ess, and Herbert S...
and Joe Shuster
Joe Shuster
Joseph "Joe" Shuster was a Canadian-born American comic book artist. He was best known for co-creating the DC Comics character Superman, with writer Jerry Siegel, first published in Action Comics #1...
, the creators of Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
. She first appeared in More Fun Comics
More Fun Comics
More Fun Comics, originally titled New Fun: The Big Comic Magazine a.k.a. New Fun Comics, was a 1935-1947 American comic book anthology that introduced several major superhero characters and was the first American comic-book series to feature solely original material rather than reprints of...
#6 (October 1935). She appeared in Dr. Occult's first story, and then disappears from the story until 1938. After Dr. Occult's original stories ended in late 1938, Rose did not appear again for more than fifty years.
Fictional character biography
In a retconRetcon
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...
later added to their origin, Richard Occult and Rose Psychic were raised by a group of mystics known as the Seven, characters from a story in More Fun Comics #14-17.
In 1991 Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
brought the characters back to public awareness, when he featured them in the miniseries The Books of Magic
The Books of Magic
The Books of Magic is a four-issue English-language comic book mini-series written by Neil Gaiman, published by DC Comics, and later an ongoing series under the imprint Vertigo. Since its original publication, the mini-series has also been published in a single-volume collection under the Vertigo...
. In the third issue Doctor Occult
Doctor Occult
Doctor Occult is a fictional character, a magic user in the . Created by Superman's creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Doctor Occult is the earliest character created by DC Comics still currently in use in its shared universe fiction....
acts as Tim Hunter's guide to otherworlds. When visiting Faerie
Faerie (DC Comics)
Faerie, The Fair Lands or The Twilight Realm is one of two fictional otherdimensional homelands for the Faerie, as published by DC Comics. The Vertigo Comics realm of Faerie is an amalgam of the mythological realms of Álfheimr, Otherworld, the Fortunate Isles, Tír na nÓg and Avalon. This mix is...
, he transforms into Rose. Although only alluded to, Gaiman suggests that Rose Psychic and Richard Occult
Doctor Occult
Doctor Occult is a fictional character, a magic user in the . Created by Superman's creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Doctor Occult is the earliest character created by DC Comics still currently in use in its shared universe fiction....
represent anima
Anima
Anima may refer to:*the Latin term for the "animating principle", see vitalism**the Latin translation of Greek psyche**in Christian contexts, the soul**see also spirit...
and animus
Animus
-Psychology :* Anima and animus, Jungian concepts* The ancient Roman concept of animus or soul-Music:*Animus , a Philadelphia, PA based Eastern Mediterranean World Fusion music group...
, feminine and masculine versions of the same person. Throughout the third issue of The Books of Magic
The Books of Magic
The Books of Magic is a four-issue English-language comic book mini-series written by Neil Gaiman, published by DC Comics, and later an ongoing series under the imprint Vertigo. Since its original publication, the mini-series has also been published in a single-volume collection under the Vertigo...
, Rose Psychic and Richard Occult
Doctor Occult
Doctor Occult is a fictional character, a magic user in the . Created by Superman's creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Doctor Occult is the earliest character created by DC Comics still currently in use in its shared universe fiction....
switch back and forth depending upon the situation. During gentle negotiations, the feminine Rose is in control; during a tense conflict between a giant guardian, a semi-sexual encounter with an amorous bard
Bard
In medieval Gaelic and British culture a bard was a professional poet, employed by a patron, such as a monarch or nobleman, to commemorate the patron's ancestors and to praise the patron's own activities.Originally a specific class of poet, contrasting with another class known as fili in Ireland...
, and bitter negotiations with the queen of the fairies, Titania
Titania (DC Comics)
Titania is a fictional character, a comic book faerie published by DC Comics. She first appeared in The Sandman #19 , and was created by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess...
, the masculine Doctor Occult
Doctor Occult
Doctor Occult is a fictional character, a magic user in the . Created by Superman's creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Doctor Occult is the earliest character created by DC Comics still currently in use in its shared universe fiction....
is in charge.
Eventually, in the miniseries The Return of the Justice Society
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 ....
, it would be explained that when Doctor Occult was once killed in battle against an otherworldly entity, Rose bonded their souls together to restore him.
In the Reign in Hell
Reign in Hell
Reign in Hell is a 2008-2009 comic book limited series written by Keith Giffen, pencilled by Thomas Derenick and published by DC Comics. The title is a reference to a line spoken by Lucifer in John Milton's Paradise Lost: "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven."-Plot:During the events of...
miniseries, it is revealed that during one of their cases, Rose was killed by a pack of demons and her soul was separated from their shared body. In the midst of an infernal civil war, Doctor Occult descends into Hell
Hell (DC Comics)
Hell is a fictional location, an infernal underworld utilized in titles published by DC Comics. It is the locational antithesis of the Silver City. The DC Comics location known as Hell is based heavily on its depiction in Judeo-Christian mythology...
to retrieve her soul. He finds Rose serving in the army of Purgatory
Purgatory
Purgatory is the condition or process of purification or temporary punishment in which, it is believed, the souls of those who die in a state of grace are made ready for Heaven...
but she refuses his offer of rescue, choosing instead to remain in Hell bringing hope to damned souls who believe they have no chance at redemption.
Physical appearance
Having become magically immortalImmortality
Immortality is the ability to live forever. It is unknown whether human physical immortality is an achievable condition. Biological forms have inherent limitations which may or may not be able to be overcome through medical interventions or engineering...
, Doctor Occult and Rose Psychic have not aged and still look the same as they always have. Rose's hairstyle is a flapper
Flapper
Flapper in the 1920s was a term applied to a "new breed" of young Western women who wore short skirts, bobbed their hair, listened to jazz, and flaunted their disdain for what was then considered acceptable behavior...
bob cut
Bob cut
A "bob cut" is a short haircut for women in which the hair is typically cut straight around the head at about jaw-level, often with a fringe at the front.-The beginning:...
. Sometimes, she dresses in a sports jacket with a skirt
Skirt
A skirt is a tube- or cone-shaped garment that hangs from the waist and covers all or part of the legs.In the western world, skirts are usually considered women's clothing. However, there are exceptions...
.