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Cheshire
Alias: Jade Nguyen
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Cheshire makes her deadly debut in
NEW TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #2 [1983]. |
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Origins
Born of a French father and a Vietnamese mother, Jade was separated from her parents under unrevealed circumstances before the age of ten. Left to wander the Far East, the young orphan was eventually sold into slavery. She swore, however, that no man would ever be her master and killed her new "master," making her escape. Sometime later, Jade was unofficially adopted by Weng Chan, Chinese freedom fighter who, during the Second World War, had battled tyranny as a member of the Blackhawks. Together, Jade and Chan explored the Far and Middle East.
By the time she was sixteen, Chan had taught Jade everything he knew about guerilla fighting, skills which have served her well over the years. She then gleaned her tremendous knowledge of the craft of poison at the feet of Kruen Musenda, a famed African assassin known as the "Spitting Cobra," to whom Jade was married for the two years prior to his death. The now eighteen-year-old Jade returned to Wen Ch'ang.
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Kid Flash tastes Cheshire's claws in
NEW TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #2 [1983]. |
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An Arrow Through The Heart
Cheshire first encountered the Titans when she and five other super-powered assassins were hired by mob boss Anthony Scarapelli to destroy the young super-heroes. Though Scarapelli's employees failed in their mission, Cheshire escaped to battle the Titans again... but not before, some months later; meeting Roy Harper. Harper; who had temporarily abandoned his identity as the costumed archer called Speedy, was working undercover for the U.S. government. His assignment was to track down Cheshire, gain her confidence, and hand her over to the authorities; however, he fell in love with Cheshire and she with him. Though he could not bring himself to turn her in, he knew his presence would eventually lead his people to her; consequently, he walked out on Jade, vanishing in the night and leaving her to learn much later his true name and affiliations.
A year later; having returned to super-heroing, Speedy was among a number of Titans summoned to Switzerland to prevent Cheshire from sabotaging a critical international arms control meeting. It was during this encounter that he learned for the first time of Lian, the daughter brought about by his union with Jade.
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Cheshire reveals Roy Harper as the
father of her child in NEW TEEN TITANS
(second series) #21 [1986] |
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Later, Speedy enlisted Nightwing's help in tracking down Cheshire. The two heroes prevented Cheshire’s assassination attempt on various ambassadors. Speedy's true objective was later discovered: He used Nightwing to track down Cheshire so he could retrieve Lian from Cheshire’s custody. Roy was captured by Cheshire's friend Wen Ch'ang, who despised Roy as the man who represented his mistress’ one weakness. Nightwing located and freed Roy, who battled Cheshire as she cursed herself for loving him. As she gave Roy a slow-acting poison, she was able to escape. As Roy recuperated in the hospital, Nightwing surprised him with his daughter; Cheshire left Lian behind and Roy was reunited with his daughter at last.
An Unspeakable Act
After the loss of her daughter, Cheshire resumed her mercenary career and her actions became increasingly erratic and unstable. Cheshire brought back Deathstroke from the brink of death and recruited his aid in her latest twisted scheme. Meanwhile, Checkmate sent agent Roy Harper undercover to stop Cheshire. With Slade's help, Cheshire secured nuclear weapons from Russia in an attempt to blackmail the world. As a display of her power, Cheshire nuked the nation of Quarac. Cheshire chose Quarac, thinking it is a country full of terrorists and criminals, and although the world would act outraged, they would secretly be glad she did it. Slade revealed he was actually working undercover for the CIA, and with Roy Harper and Checkmate's help, they prevented Cheshire from blackmailing the world. Cheshire’s bombing of Quarac put her on the top of the World’s Most Wanted list of criminals.
Cheshire later organized her own mercenary group – a trio of females known as the Ravens - who often clashed with Oracle and Black Canary. Ever the opportunist, Cheshire worked with the Ravens only when it suited her needs.
Declawed
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| Roy meets Lian for the first time in NEW TEEN TITANS (second series) #21 [1986] |
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Cheshire finally pays for her crimes in TITANS #30 [2001] |
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When Cheshire learned that an anti-Titans super-group was forming under Vandal Savage, she volunteered for membership. Savage accepted – and Cheshire joined the villainous group known as Tartarus. During a conflict with the H.I.V.E. and the Titans, Vandal Savage shot Cheshire, using her as a distraction for the Titan, Arsenal, who still had strong feelings for her. Cheshire was taken to a hospital and recovered. She was placed under custody to stand trial for her crimes – particularly, the bombing of Quarac
After Cheshire was sentenced to life in prison, she resigned herself to her fate. A break-out attempt by Cheshire's former allies in the Ravens afforded Cheshire an opportunity to escape - but Roy Harper took a heartbreaking stand against her - and she was taken back into custody.
Secrets and Six
Cheshire later escaped prison to fulfill a mission of a more personal nature. When Black Canary and Lady Shiva investigated the death of their Sensei, the trail led directly to Cheshire. Insisting her innocence, Cheshire blamed the murder on U.S. Senator Robert Pullman. Oracle and Canary later discovered that Cheshire did indeed kill the Sensei in an elaborate scheme to exact revenge on the unscrupulous senator, who Cheshire claimed was her real father. Seeking to kill Pullman for abandoning her mother, Cheshire was prevented from doing so by Black Canary.
Cheshire later joined a cadre of villains known as the Secret Six. But Jade's loyalties never run deep - and she soon betrayed the team to secure her own safety. During her time with the Six, Cheshire took a sadistic, romantic interest in her teammate, Catman. The two briefly became lovers and unknown to Catman, Cheshire became pregnant with his child. Cheshire later retreated to the Himalaya Mountains and gave birth to a son.
Cheshire is a woman with her own code of ethics. She does what she is paid to do, but if her employers repulse her, Cheshire may find a way to get back at them. The only person who can cause Jade's personal feelings to interfere with her work is Roy Harper, the father of her child. Wen Ch'ang, however, has the privilege of being the only person allowed to call Cheshire 'Jade" while she is in her villainous persona, reflecting the closeness these two have fostered over the years.
Artist George Pérez on Cheshire [from The Titans Companion, 2005]: "Ah, she was fun! Basically, she was designed as an Oriental Victoria Principle. I just loved that big smile of hers. Her smile, actually, has a bit of my wife’s smile in there. Again, a fun, slightly amoral [character]. I just thought it was a great name that Marv came up with. Cheshire; that smile became very, very important in her character, and the green costume, the way it was designed to empathize the oriental influence by having a color like green, like jade, to further the emphasis. I liked her. Again, more of a little fetishy in the costume. Hey, why would she be wearing a skirt? Because she looked hot in it! I didn’t care! She was just a lot of fun, and she was inspired by Catwoman and Black Cat and all those other feline villain characters, so it’s like, Cheshire, named after, in this case, a fictional cat."
Besides being a skilled hand-to-hand combatant trained in several martial arts thought forever lost, Cheshire is an expert triple-jointed acrobat and uses this skill to move quickly and unexpectedly. Of bigger concern are her artificial fingernails, which she dips in several varieties of poisons.
DC Secret Files, supplemented by titanstower.com
New Teen Titans Annual #2 [1983]: Mob boss Scarapelli gets the Monitor to sic several villains-for-hire on the Titans, including Cheshire and the Scorcher; Kid Flash almost dies from Cheshire's poisoned claws. First appearance of Cheshire.
Tales of the Teen Titans #51-52 [1985]: President Marlo of Qurac hires Cheshire, who abducts Adeline Wilson, Jericho's mother, a former agent of his who had stolen information on the military strength of Kyran, a bordering nation which he intends to invade. Jericho travels to Qurac with one of his mother's agents, a young woman named Amber, to rescue Adeline. Jericho uses his powers to help them get free and to defeat Cheshire. Cheshire reveals that she has borne the child of one of the Teen Titans in this story. First appearance of Lian Harper, Cheshire and Roy Harper's daughter, although not revealed as Roy's daughter.
New Teen Titans (second series) #20-21 [1986]: In Switzerland, the villainess Cheshire resurfaces and battles Wonder Girl's "new" Titans; Hawk is out for blood, and Wonder Girl stops him from needlessly killing one of Cheshire's henchmen; Cheshire comes face to face with Speedy and informs him that he is the father of her child. Roy claims that he didn't know about the child; Cheshire fakes an assassination attempt for the Church of Blood, battles the Titans, and escapes with some Church of Blood acolytes, who arrive via helicopter for her; The Titans' popularity is now at an all-time low, having been set up to look like the assassins; Speedy goes to Hong Kong to find Cheshire and is allowed to hold his daughter, Lian.
Action Comics Weekly #613-618 [1988]: In 1988, Action Comics experimented with a new format from issues #601-642: Each issue contained six 8-page short stories and switched to a weekly format. "The Cheshire Contract" A 6-part Nightwing story with Speedy. Nightwing encounters Speedy as they stop some illegal contraband. Speedy tells Nightwing he is on a case for the Central Bureau of Intelligence [CBI] and enlists his help in tracking down Cheshire. The two heroes try to prevent Cheshire from fulfilling her contract, which is to assassinate various ambassadors to prevent a peace treaty from taking place. Speedy and Nightwing prevent one assassination attempt, and Nightwing starts to become suspicious of Speedy's actions. By checking up with the CBI through Danny Chase, Nightwing discovers Roy [Speedy] had been fired from the CBI months ago. Meanwhile, Speedy reveals his true objective: He used Nightwing to track down Cheshire so he could get his daughter, Lian, from her. Roy is attacked and captured by Cheshire's friend Wen Ch'ang, who despises Roy as the man who represents Cheshire's one weakness. Nightwing tracks down Cheshire, stops her bombing attempt of the peace treaty and is able to plant a trace on her. Nightwing tracks down and frees Roy, who battles Cheshire as she curses herself for loving him. She gives Roy a slow-acting poison and leaves. As Roy recuperates in the hospital, Nightwing surprises him with his daughter; Cheshire left Lian behind and Roy is reunited with his daughter at last.
Deathstroke #17-20 [1992]: Deathstroke is brought back from the brink of death by Cheshire, who recruits him to help her. Checkmate is reactivated and agent Roy Harper is sent undercover to stop Cheshire. Cheshire, with Slade's help, secures nuclear weapons from Russia in an attempt to blackmail the world. As a display that she is not bluffing, she nukes the nation of Quarac. Cheshire chooses Quarac, thinking it is a country full of terrorists and criminals, and although the world would act outraged, they would secretly be glad she did it. Slade reveals he is actually working undercover for the CIA, and with Roy Harper and Checkmate's help, they prevent Cheshire from blackmailing the world. Although she escapes. Cheshire bombs Quarac in issue #19. Roy Harper appears throughout the storyline. Mammoth and Shimmer appear throughout the storyline, working for Cheshire.
Titans #10-12 [1999-2000]: "Immortal Coil": The newly formed super-villain team of Tartarus takes on the H.I.V.E., with the Titans caught in the middle. Cyborg faces the ultimate test of his loyalty when the immortal Vandal Savage offers him a human body to call his own. As the battles with Vandal Savage's villain team, Tartarus, and the malevolent H.I.V.E. heat up, the Titans are at odds...with one another.
Titans #21-22 [2000]: The Titans have never met anyone quite like the assassins know as the Hangmen! Their ultimate target is Cheshire, but to get to her, they've targeted her and Arsenal's daughter, Lian. Lian's babysitter, Chanda, is torn when Quaraci nationals approach her for aid. Meanwhile, they hire the assassin Deathstroke - and it's Arsenal vs. Deathstroke for the life of Cheshire. During the melee, Cheshire avoids capture. Meanwhile, guest star Green Lantern teams up with the mysterious Epsilon to stop a new threat to the Titans.
Titans #30 [2001]: "Sins of the Past" presents the definitive conclusion to the long-running love affair between Titans member Arsenal and Cheshire - the mother of Arsenal's child and the terrorist wanted around the world for her international crimes. After Cheshire is sentenced to life in prison, she resigns herself to her fate. A break-out attempt by Cheshire's former allies in the Ravens affords Cheshire an opportunity to escape - but Roy Harper takes a heartbreaking stand against her - as she is taken back into custody. Cheshire is seen in her jail cell, left to reflect on her crimes.
Birds of Prey #62-67 [2004]: "Sensei & Student": When Black Canary and Lady Shiva investigate the death of their Sensei, the trail leads directly to Cheshire. She has plans to kill the man she claims is her real father, U.S. Senator Robert Pullman, and part of her plan includes the Sensei’s death. Cheshire later has an emotional stand-off with Pullman, but Black Canary prevents Cheshire from murdering the unscrupulous senator.
Villains United #1-6 [2005]: Six of justice's deadliest enemies band together under the enigmatic Mockingbird: Catman, Deadshot, Cheshire, Ragdoll, Scandal Savage, and Parademon. Cheshire takes a sadistic yet romantic interest in Catman. She later betrays the team and announces she is pregnant with Catman’s child, before being shot by Deathstroke.
Secret Six #1-6 [2006]: Dr. Psycho orchestrates a series of attacks designed to wipe out the Six. Catman discovers he has a son through his union with Cheshire. Cheshire is used to assassinate thee six, but holds back in her dealings with Catman.
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| Roy meets Lian for the first time in NEW TEEN TITANS (second series) #21 [1986] |
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Roy Harper, who had temporarily abandoned his identity as the costumed archer called Speedy, was working undercover for the US government. His assignment was to track down Cheshire, gain her confidence, and hand her over to the authorities; however, he fell in love with Cheshire and she with him. Though he could not bring himself to turn her in, he knew his presence would eventually lead his people to her; consequently, he walked out on Jade, vanishing in the night and leaving her to learn much later his true name and affiliations.
Chanda learns that Cheshire is Lian's mother in TITANS #6 [1999] |
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A year later; having returned to super-heroing, Speedy was among a number of Titans summoned to Switzerland to prevent Cheshire from sabotaging a critical international arms control meeting. It was during this encounter that he learned for the first time of Lian, the daughter brought about by his union with Jade. With Cheshire's consent, he later took custody of Lian.
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| Rose Wilson tries to protect Lian from Cheshire in TITANS #27 [2001] |
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Shortly after, Arsenal came into conflict with Vandal Savage. Savage had discovered that both Roy and his daughter Lian were blood ancestors of his. Thus, their organs were suitable for him to harvest to prolong his life. Roy was able save his daughter from Savage's manipulations. After this adventure, Roy adopted a new look to reflect his Navajo heritage.
Lian's parents, the Titan Arsenal and the terrorist Cheshire, may not be able to be together (for obvious reasons), but they both love their daughter. Currently, Arsenal is raising Lian on his own.
Lian has been through a host of nannies to accommodate Roy's adventuresome lifestyle:
Martin and Erika Santos: Two Checkmate agents and good friends of Roy, Martin and Erika often watched Lian in Roy's absence [New Titans Annual #11, New Titans #126, Arsenal mini]
Chanda Madan: Quraci teen Chanda proved resourceful and capable - but found a conflict of interests when she learned Lian's mother nuked her family's country [Arsenal mini, Titans #1-23]
Rose Wilson: Slade Wilson's daughter - with ninja skills and quick reflexes - was the perfect nanny for Lian [Titans #25-50]. She eventually left the Titans for a happy family life with a foster family in Chicago... until Slade set her on a dangerous course as the new Ravager.
Ron [last name unrevealed] : Lian's latest nanny was an asian young man [Outsiders #11]; He was later killed.
DC Secret Files, supplemented by titanstower.com
Tales of the Teen Titans #51-52 [1985]: President Marlo of Qurac hires Cheshire, who abducts Adeline Wilson, Jericho's mother, a former agent of his who had stolen information on the military strength of Kyran, a bordering nation which he intends to invade. Jericho travels to Qurac with one of his mother's agents, a young woman named Amber, to rescue Adeline. Jericho uses his powers to help them get free and to defeat Cheshire. Cheshire reveals that she has borne the child of one of the Teen Titans in this story. First appearance of Lian Harper, Cheshire and Roy Harper's daughter, although not revealed as Roy's daughter.
New Teen Titans (second series) #20-21 [1986]: In Switzerland, the villainess Cheshire resurfaces and battles Wonder Girl's "new" Titans; Hawk is out for blood, and Wonder Girl stops him from needlessly killing one of Cheshire's henchmen; Cheshire comes face to face with Speedy and informs him that he is the father of her child. Roy claims that he didn't know about the child; Cheshire fakes an assassination attempt for the Church of Blood, battles the Titans, and escapes with some Church of Blood acolytes, who arrive via helicopter for her; Speedy goes to Hong Kong to find Cheshire and is allowed to hold his daughter, Lian.
Action Comics Weekly #613-618 [1988]: In 1988, Action Comics experimented with a new format from issues #601-642: Each issue contained six 8-page short stories and switched to a weekly format. "The Cheshire Contract" A 6-part Nightwing story with Speedy. Nightwing encounters Speedy as they stop some illegal contraband. Speedy tells Nightwing he is on a case for the Central Bureau of Intelligence [CBI] and enlists his help in tracking down Cheshire. The two heroes try to prevent Cheshire from fulfilling her contract, which is to assassinate various ambassadors to prevent a peace treaty from taking place. Speedy and Nightwing prevent one assassination attempt, and Nightwing starts to become suspicious of Speedy's actions. By checking up with the CBI through Danny Chase, Nightwing discovers Roy [Speedy] had been fired from the CBI months ago. Meanwhile, Speedy reveals his true objective: He used Nightwing to track down Cheshire so he could get his daughter, Lian, from her. Roy is attacked and captured by Cheshire's friend Wen Ch'ang, who despises Roy as the man who represents Cheshire's one weakness. Nightwing tracks down Cheshire, stops her bombing attempt of the peace treaty and is able to plant a trace on her. Nightwing tracks down and frees Roy, who battles Cheshire as she curses herself for loving him. She gives Roy a slow-acting poison and leaves. As Roy recuperates in the hospital, Nightwing surprises him with his daughter; Cheshire left Lian behind and Roy is reunited with his daughter at last.
Arsenal #1-4 [October 1998 to January 1999]: Arsenal confronts Vandal Savage in a mini series written by Devin Grayson and drawn by Rick Mays. Guest starring Black Canary and Green Arrow (Connor Hawke). Roy Harper -- former heroin addict and one-time Green Arrow sidekick -- must consider the failures of his past to face the future and find his own niche as Arsenal. But before he can move forward, there's a problem from the past that needs a speedy resolution. Roy's daughter, Lian, has a fatal disorder and the only one that may be able to provide the cure is the villainous immortal, Vandal Savage. Roy Harper's daughter Lian is kidnapped by Savage and Roy learns he is part of the Vandal Savage bloodline.
Titans #6 [1999]: Green Lantern guest-stars as Red Panzer attacks Troia and Arsenal. The Panzer's willing to burn all of Harlem (with the help of his neo-Nazi commandos) to kill our heroes; Lian reveals to Chanda that Cheshire is her mother.
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Chanda learns that Cheshire is Lian's mother in TITANS #6 [1999] |
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Roy Harper long sought for the perfect nanny for Lian – one who could work around the uniqueness of his profession. He found the right qualifications in teenager Chanda Madan. Chanda became Lian's nanny and has proved to be caring and resourceful.
Chanda was faced with a conflict of interests, because while she adored Lian, she harbored a deep hatred for Cheshire, who nuked the country of Quarac, killing Chanda's grandparents.
When Cheshire was about to stand trial for her crimes, Chanda had been approached by Quraci nationals who wanted her to help them get revenge. Chanda provided some information to the nationals, but withdrew from helping them when she learned it might put Lian in danger. When Nightwing discovered that Chanda had accessed Titans information concerning Lian, Arsenal confronted her. Chanda left following these events, for fear that her presence would put Lian in further danger.
Roy Harper later offered former-Titan and daughter-of-Deathstroke Rose Wilson a job as nanny to his daughter Lian. She accepted and served as Lian's nanny for a time.
DC Secret Files, supplemented by titanstower.com
Arsenal #1-4 [October 1998 to January 1999]: Arsenal confronts Vandal Savage in a mini series written by Devin Grayson and drawn by Rick Mays. Guest starring Black Canary and Green Arrow (Connor Hawke). Roy Harper -- former heroin addict and one-time Green Arrow sidekick -- must consider the failures of his past to face the future and find his own niche as Arsenal. But before he can move forward, there's a problem from the past that needs a speedy resolution. Roy's daughter, Lian, has a fatal disorder and the only one that may be able to provide the cure is the villainous immortal, Vandal Savage. Roy Harper's daughter Lian is kidnapped by Savage and Roy learns he is part of the Vandal Savage bloodline. First appearance of Chanda Madan, Lian babysitter, in issue #3.
Titans #1-23 [1999]: Chanda Madan serves as Lian's nanny.
Titans #6 [1999]: Lian reveals to Chanda that Cheshire is her mother.
Titans Secret Files #2, Titans #21-23 [2000]: The Titans have never met anyone quite like the assassins know as the Hangmen! Their ultimate target is Cheshire, but to get to her, they've targeted her and Arsenal's daughter, Lian. Lian's babysitter, Chanda, is torn when Quaraci nationals approach her for aid. Meanwhile, they hire the assassin Deathstroke - and it's Arsenal vs. Deathstroke for the life of Cheshire. During the melee, Cheshire avoids capture. When Nightwing discovers that Chanda had accessed Titans information concerning Lian, Arsenal confronts her. Chanda leaves following these events, for fear that her presence would put Lian in further danger.
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