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Lilith/Omen
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| Alias: Lilith Clay |
Titans Member
Joined: Teen Titans (first series) #25 [1970] |
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| Lilith/Omen Quick Bio: Lilith Clay - a mysterious precognitive telepath - long sought the truth behind her own parentage. Lilith later discovered her father was none other than Titans mentor, Loren Jupiter. Upon meeting her mysterious mother, Lilith's powers intensified and she adopted the persona of Omen. Tragically, Lilith was later killed in battle. |
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LILITH as mysterious Omen. |
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Lilith's origin is recounted in the classic TEEN TITANS #38 [1972].
The "red haired woman" was later revealed as a nurse, not Lilith's true mum.
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 Mysterious Origins
An orphaned child adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Will Clay, Lilith was told she was left by her mother due to difficulties with her father. She later found out that her nurse was the one who dropped her off at the Kentucky orphanage, although the reason why still remains a mystery.
At age 13, Lilith's mental powers began to manifest themselves. She read her foster parents' minds and discovered she was adopted. Upon learning this, Lilith set out to find her true parents. At age 16, she left home and embarked on a journey to find her true origins. Lilith encountered many dead ends, but also became the object of scorn; people were fearful of her powers and accused her of being a witch.
And Then Came Titans
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| Lilith meets the Titans at the Canary Cottage Disco in TEEN TITANS #25 [1970]. |
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Her travels eventually took her to New York, where she took a job as a go-go dancer at the Canary Cottage disco. It was also during this time that she encountered Mr. Jupiter and began to aid his cause. On one occasion, when the Titans were relaxing in the disco in their civilian guises, Lilith approached them and asked to join the Teen Titans. Lilith also warned them of an upcoming incident involving pacifist Arthur Swenson. The Titans were initially mistrustful, but Lilith's premonition came to pass, and the Teen Titans were unable to prevent Arthur Swenson's death. Feeling ashamed, The Teen Titans encountered Lilith again. She introduced them to Loren Jupiter, a wealthy philanthropist willing to fund the Titans. The Titans, with Lilith as a new member, accepted Jupiter's offer.
During the time Jupiter funded the team, the Titans encountered Haze, a bitter teen with mental abilities. Haze forced the Titans to believe they were being attacked by their mentors. The Titans defeated Haze, who was revealed to be Jarrod Jupiter, Loren Jupiter's son. Jarrod felt bitter and abandoned by his father, and lashed out against the Titans. Jarrod was believed to have perished during his battle with the Titans. Unknown to Jupiter and the team, Jarrod would live to terrorize them in the future. Lilith and Mr. Jupiter erased this battle from the Teen Titans' minds, since it was such a traumatic experience.
Titans West
Lilith left the Titans after a number of adventures and resettled on the West Coast. There, she eventually started a West Coast branch of the Teen Titans, called Titans West. Members included Lilith herself, Beast Boy, Golden Eagle, Flamebird, Hawk and Dove. It was at this time that Lilith started dating Don Hall (Dove). Also, the Titans West team would work with their East Coast counterparts on a number of cases. One particular case involved the discovery of a caveman named Gnarrk. Lilith bonded with the gentle soul, but attempts to save him failed. Lilith established a psychic bond with him before he passed away. The East and West Coast teams also teamed up to defeat Mr. Esper. Shortly after that, the Teen Titans East coast division disbanded, and the West Coast division followed suit.
Titans West: Herald, Golden Eagle, Flamebird, Hawk & Dove,
Lilith, Bumblebee and Beast Boy. |
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Azrael sweeps Lilith off her feet - from
NEW TEEN TITANS (second series) #7 [1985]. |
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Rejoining Old Friends
The next incarnation of the Teen Titans was gathered by Raven, which Lilith was not to be a part of, although she did assist the team on various cases. Lilith re-forged her Titans bonds when Donna Troy wed Terry Long; Lilith served as one of her bridesmaids. Following that, Lilith remained in New York, as the Titans encountered a mysterious winged alien who knew nothing of his past or purpose in life (Brother Blood would later dub him ‘Azrael'). Azrael was instantly infatuated with Lilith and professed his love for her. Lilith had strong feelings for the mysterious alien, but didn't return his affections with the same intensity he felt.
Lilith continued to aid the Titans, most notably in their second encounter with the demon, Trigon. Lilith was instrumental in his defeat. Following that, Lilith left to presumably continue her search for her parents.
Lilith would return to aid the Titans on occasion. Specifically, she helped Dick Grayson defeat the Gargoyle and helped Donna Troy during the War of the Gods.
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Lilith reveals
herself as Omen!
From
TEEN TITANS
(second series)
#15 [1997]. |
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Lilith's Secret Past Revealed
It would seem that some time between the Titans Hunt and the formation of the Teen Titans team led by the teen-aged Atom, Lilith discovered her parentage. She met her mother, whose identity has yet to be revealed; Lilith's mother informed her that Loren Jupiter was her biological father. Lilith's mother helped Lilith unlock untapped abilities including teleportation and enhanced mental/mystical abilities.
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And you think your family is dysfunctional?
The Jupiters have an impromptu therapy session in TEEN TITANS #15 [1997]. |
Lilith eventually resurfaced under the new guise of Omen. She sought to reclaim her ties with Mr. Jupiter, who funded a new team of Teen Titans including a teen-aged Atom (de-aged by events in Zero Hour) and new heroes Argent, Risk, Joto and Prysm.
Omen kept her identity hidden and remained a mysterious presence on this new incarnation of the Titans. Soon, Jupiter gathered together the original Titans – Nightwing, Tempest, Flash and Arsenal – to combat the threat of his bitter, super-powered son Jarrod Jupiter (Haze). Haze kidnapped Omen, and used her psychic powers to augment his own. During the battle, Omen was revealed to be Lilith, and her former teammates were shocked to learn this. It was at this time that her fellow Titans learned that Mr. Jupiter was actually her father. After this revelation, new and old Titans joined forces to defeat Haze.
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Ever the mystery woman, the Titans still don't get the complete story...
from TEEN TITANS (second series) #16 [1997] |
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Shortly after this adventure, this incarnation of the Teen Titans disbanded. But all Titans - past and present - helped to save their teammate, Cyborg, from alien influence.
Shortly after that, Lilith was abducted by Vandal Savage. Savage used Lilith to divine a perfect team to take down the Titans. Forcing her to submit, Lilith reluctantly helped Savage track down a team of Titans adversaries, including Gorilla Grodd, Siren, Red Panzer, Lady Vic and Cheshire – who as a team were known as Tartarus. Tempest eventually learned of Lilith's capture and led a team of Titans to rescue her. During the rescue attempt, Tartarus battled the Titans, but collapsed upon itself due to each member having a different agenda. Lilith purposely chose members who wouldn't work well together when forced to formulate a team for Savage.
Tempest was successful in his rescue mission and Lilith resumed her previous life.
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| Lilith is brutally slain by a rogue Superman android in THE TITANS/YOUNG JUSTICE: GRADUATION DAY #2 [2003]. |
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Graduation Day: Day of Death
Shortly afterward, both the Titans and Young Justice were attacked by a mysterious cybernetic girl from the future - who unwittingly unleashed an army of Superman androids. The attack resulted in the death of Lilith Clay. Caught by surprise, Lilith has her neck snapped by the Superman android, killing her instantly.
The rogue Superman android also seemingly killed Donna Troy before finally being shut down by Indigo.
Mother Mayhem
Repelled to another realm by Raven, the newest Brother Blood planned his next strike with the hordes of demons he encountered. Blood siphoned the powers of Kid Eternity, who was protecting the door between life and death. With the doors of death cracked open, Blood summoned the lost soul of Lilith Clay to serve as his latest Mother Mayhem. Once Blood created a dimensional doorway to Los Angeles, he summoned a collection of dead Titans - Hawk, Dove, Danny Chase, Aquagirl and Kole - to attack the current Titans. Raven and Beast Boy freed Kid Eternity, who defeated Blood by summoning the previous seven Brother Bloods to descend upon him. Once Kid Eternity was freed from Blood's thrall, the dead Titans - including Lilith - returned to their eternal rest.
Lilith/Omen has various mental abilities that include precognition, limited telepathy, and other sensory powers. She also has the ability of teleportation, as well as other psychic/mystical abilities that have yet to be cataloged.
Lilith started out as a precog, able to predict future events with some accuracy, but as she has matured into Omen, her abilities have grown to mind-reading to the extent that she absorbs a part of a person's psyche. An imprint of those she meets is left with her, so she becomes a psychic reflection of them. What this has done to her own personality has yet to be fully studied. How this has allowed her a teleportation power is also unknown. Simply, an air of mystery remains Lilith's greatest power.
, DC Secret Files, supplemented by titanstower.com
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Teen Titans #25 [1970]: The Teen Titans meet Lilith and are soon framed for killing Dr. Arthur Swenson, a famous philanthropist and pacifist; After being reprimanded for their part in the killing by their Justice League mentors, the young heroes are recruited, through Lilith, by Mr. Jupiter, one of the world's richest men and the financier of a secret government-sponsored training project for teenagers. First appearance of Lilith and Mr. Jupiter. Lilith, Hawk and Dove join the Titans.
Teen Titans #33 [1971]: Gnarrk becomes a part-time member of the Teen Titans, learns the Teen Titans' secret identities, and begins a romance with Lilith in this story.
Teen Titans #36, 38, 41, 43 [1972-1973] These issues feature solo Lilith stories where she searches her past - see below for more info.
Teen Titans #50-52 [1976]: Titans West, comprised of Golden Eagle, Flamebird, Hawk, Dove and Beast Boy, is formed by Lilith; Captain Calamity/Mr. Esper battles the two Titan groups; Lilith and her "Titans West" group, including Gnarrk, rescue victims of more incredible disasters, and discover a connection between these events and the crimes of Captain Calamity on the East Coast. Lilith and Gnarrk revealed to be engaged. First appearance of Titans West in issue #50.
Tales of the Teen Titans #50 [1985]: Donna Troy and Terry Long wed this issue. Appearances by just about every Titan, past and present.
Tales of the Teen Titans #53 [1985]: Lilith and the Titans then return to STAR Labs, where the precognitive Titan inexplicably begins to radiate heat and frees the amnesiac winged alien from the testing equipment of the resident scientists. Holding off her teammates with her new powers, Lilith allows the extraterrestrial to escape.
New Teen Titans (second series) #7-10 [1985]: After a series of strange manifestations of flames and dreams, Lilith discovers her true origin as the daughter of Thia, renegade member of the legendary Titans (the predecessors of the Olympian gods). First appearance of Thia in issue #7. First appearance of Kole in issue #9. First appearance of Children of the Sun in issue #9. Thia and Hyperion die in issue #9. Lilith is proclaimed a goddess and leaves the Titans in issue #10. The events of this issue have been negated by the Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Secret Origins Annual #3 [1989]: Dick Grayson's dream are invaded by the Antithesis, who seeks to break Dick's spirit so that he will remain in Limbo; Dick survives with the help of old and new Titans alike. The Special gives a post-Crisis history of the Titans, including some revamps and revisions. Includes: First Appearance of Flame-Bird (Post-Crisis ret-con of Bat-Girl); First Appearance of Herald (Post Crisis Ret-con of Hornblower and Guardian); First Appearance of Golden Eagle's new costume; Includes Who's Who entries for Flamebird, Golden Eagle, Bumblebee, The Herald, Antithesis, and Gargoyle.
New Titans #56 [1989]: Mal Duncan and Karen Beecher recall an old Titans case from the past. Based on psychic flashes from Lilith, the Teen Titans travel to Southeast Asia, where they eventually find Gnarrk, still encased in ice. He was psychically calling out to Lilith - who responded. Although Lilith was dating Don Hall (Dove) at the time, she nonetheless found herself attracted to the gentle soul. The Titans brought Gnarrk back to S.T.A.R. Labs. It was established that Gnarrk was dying; the S.T.A.R. scientists wanted to dissect him, but the Titans prevented them from doing so until he died. Lilith used her powers to establish a mental rapport with Gnarrk before he died. First appearance of Gnarrk post-Crisis.
Teen Titans #12-15 [1997]: "Then and Now: Parts One-Four": Nightwing gathers his old teammates to help find their former mentor, Mr. Jupiter, and the missing Omen, which leads to a confrontation with Haze. Omen's identity is revealed as Lilith, as is her connection to Mr. Jupiter [her father] and the wicked Haze [her half-brother]. Issue #12 features a never-before-revealed flashback tale involving Haze [First Appearance of Jarrod Jupiter, Loren Jupiter's son; First Appearance of Haze]. In Issue #15: Omen is revealed to be Lilith. Lilith is revealed as the daughter of Loren Jupiter.
Titans #14 [2000]: Still picking up the pieces from their face-off against the super-villain group Tartarus, the Titans head to Scotland to save Lilith (Omen) from the clutches of the villains.
The Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day #1-3 [2003]: The fate of two teams is decided in this thrilling 3-issue miniseries! A mysterious conglomerate offers to sponsor the Titans and Young Justice, but will either team take the offer? Before they can decide, Indigo, a mysterious, cyborg girl from the future, attacks and seriously wounds several of the two teams' members... perhaps fatally! Apparent Death of Lilith in issue #2. Apparent Death of Troia in issue #3.
Teen Titans [third series] #26 [2005]: Blood plots his return with the latest Mother Mayhem: Omen!
Teen Titans [third series] #30-31 [2005]: Blood returns with a zombie Omen and a horde or dead Titans. Lilith is returned to dust when Kid Eternity is freed.
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Crisis Ripples in the Titansverse
The Crisis on Infinite Earths: It was the end of everything! Countless universes were erased from existence in a spreading tide of antimatter unleashed by the Anti-Monitor, a being of undiluted hate birthed at the moment of creation. Watching helpless as the otherworldly Spectre grappled with the Anti-Monitor, those heroes witnessed the rebirth of a single universe, with one Earth and one unified reality. In the final conflict, the Anti-Monitor sent this reborn Earth to the antimatter universe, where the greatest assemblage of super-humans ever known ended his threat for all time - though continuity in the DC Universe was forever altered in his wake.
Many TITANS characters' histories were altered by continuity-changing CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS. Most notably, Donna Troy. Also affected were Dick Grayson, Lilith, Mal Duncan, Harlequin, Gnarrk, Bat-Girl/Flamebird, Golden Eagle, and Kole. Other characters have had elements of their back stories refined, but nothing has been severely altered or negated [such as additions like the Flash Year One arc or speed force revelations].
See Secret Origins Annual #3 [the post-Crisis origin of the team], New Titans #50-55 [Who Is Wonder Girl?] and New Titans #56 [a Titans flashback with Gnarrk] for the major post-Crisis revisions that effect the Titans-verse.
Lilith's origin as Thia's daughter (New Teen Titans (second series) #7-10) is negated by the Post-Crisis events of New Titans #50-55; Her revised origin is detailed in Teen Titans (second series) #14-15 as Mr. Jupiter's daughter.
Lilith Pre-Crisis History
First appearance: Teen Titans #25
Origin: Teen Titans #36 (in part) and New Teen Titans (second series) #8
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Thia reveals herself as Lilith's mother... an origin with a short expiration
date - from NEW TEEN TITANS (second series) #7 [1985]. |
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An orphaned child of unknown parentage adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Will Clay of Kentucky, Lilith apparently inherited her mental powers from bet mother, who, according to Miss Hardin, an orphanage official, was forced to abandon her infant daughter to the care of the county orphanage when faced with some "mysterious trouble" having to do with Lilith's father. As was later revealed, the woman who brought the baby Lilith to the orphanage was actually her nurse, who had stolen her from her mother's custody. Neither parent ever returned to claim the child, and Lilith remained unaware of her origins until her powers of telepathy and precognition began to develop just before her thirteenth birthday, and she learned of her adoptive status by reading her foster parents' minds.
At age 16, Lilith left home to begin a long search for her true parents, which ultimately proved fruitless. Suspected by many of being a witch or a sorceress because of her unexplained abilities, the red-haired, green-eyed teenager eventually found her way to New York, where she became part of millionaire Loren Jupiter's unique training program for young people, to which she was instrumental in recruiting the Teen Titans. Lilith then joined the Titans, and despite their initial distrust of her, proved invaluable on their subsequent adventures with Mr. Jupiter's organization. After the Titans retrieved Gnarrk, a young caveman, from the prehistoric past, and educated him as a modern-day man, he and Lilith developed a romance.
Lilith and Gnarrk left the Titans when Mr. Jupiter's program was disbanded, became engaged, and moved to California, where they would become involved with the team again briefly two years later as members of "Titans West."
Like the other members of that short-lived team, Lilith next appeared as a guest at Donna Troy's wedding, This recent contact led to her coming to the Titans' aid in their second battle against Trigon, the demonic father of Raven, and her subsequent replacement of Raven, who vanished in the aftermath of that struggle. The unexplained disappearance and death of Gnarrk left Lilith free to be-come romantically involved with Azrael, a winged alien of unknown origin whom the Titans encountered at this time, only to part company with him when her true origin as the daughter of Thia, renegade member of the legendary Titans (the predecessors of the Olympian gods) was revealed at last. At this time she also learned that Thia had murdered Lilith's father, as she did all of her many mortal lovers, soon after their daughter was conceived. Lilith has now left earth behind to dwell among the deities worshipped by the ancient Greeks and the Amazons of Paradise Island. Granted immortality, she is now considered a goddess.
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Lilith: A Girl in Search of an Origin |
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| A Lilith sketch from Nick Cardy at San Diego Comic Con 2005. |
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| A Lilith/Donna 2006 commission by David Hahn. |
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| A Lilith convention sketch by Ale Garza. |
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| An Omen commission from Dan Jurgens at Wizard World Philadelphia in 2005. |
Lilith has always been shrouded in mystery. Lilith [and the readers] have been searching for answers to her past since the character was introduced in TEEN TITANS [first series] #25!
Teen Titans [first series] #25: Go-Go Dancer Becomes a Titan
The Titans first encountered the mysterious redhead when she worked as a go-go dancer at the Canary Cottage disco. The Titans were relaxing in the disco in their civilian guises, Lilith approached them and asked to join the Teen Titans. Lilith also warned them of an upcoming incident involving pacifist Arthur Swenson. The Titans were initially mistrustful, but Lilith's premonition came to pass, and the Teen Titans were unable to prevent Arthur Swenson's death.
An orphaned child of unknown parentage adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Will Clay of Kentucky, Lilith apparently inherited her mental powers from her mother. Lilith remained unaware of her origins until her powers of telepathy and precognition began to develop just before her thirteenth birthday, and she learned of her adoptive status by reading her foster parents' minds, At age 16, Lilith left home to begin a long search for her true parents, which ultimately proved fruitless.
Lilith's Search Begins
Teen Titans (first series) #36; 38; 41; 43 [solo Lilith stories where she searches her past]
Teen Titans #36
"The Teenager from Nowhere" – As a youngster, Lilith first suspects her possession of special powers when she is able to locate a lost child. Further utilizing her strange gift, she reads her parents' minds and learns that she is actually an adopted orphan. Returning to the orphanage, she learns that her telepathy is a inherited trait from her mother, and that her true parents may still be alive, resolving to one day search out her real identity.
Teen Titans #38
"Nameless, Wander I" – Leaving home to find her real parents, Lilith joins a traveling carnival as a mentalist, where she is tricked into believing that Jack Horn, the carnival owner, and his wife, Riva, are her stepfather and stepmother. When she discovers she has been duped and tries to leave, Horn pulls a gun and Riva is accidentally killed in the ensuing struggle.
Teen Titans #41
"Her Brother's Keeper" – Still traveling in search of her true parents, Lilith joins forces with Ned, an amnesiac boy with similar mental powers whom she suspects could be her brother. When she is finally able to overcome the mental block created by his amnesia which prevents her from reading his mind, Lilith learns that the two are not related after all, but is able to reunite the boy with his parents.
Teen Titans #43
"Please Tell Me My Name" – Continuing her search for her true identity, Lilith befriends spiritualist and convicted murderess Lily Dunbar, whom she suspects may be her mother. Using her mental powers, she attains a stay of execution from the governor, and is able to prove that the actual murderer was Lily's ex-partner, Ben Tatum. Once freed, however, Lily finds her real daughter, and Lilith is again stymied in her quest.
Lilith next appeared as a member of Titans West in TEEN TITANS #50-53; No mention was made of her search for her parents. Lilith's search for her true identity and parents is finally resolved in New Teen Titans (second series) #8; At least, for awhile.
Lilith's Search Ends, and Begins Again
New Teen Titans (second series) # 7-10
Like the other members of that short-lived team, Lilith next appeared as a guest at Donna Troy's wedding [TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS #50], This recent contact led to her coming to the Titans' aid in their second battle against Trigon, the demonic father of Raven, and her subsequent replacement of Raven, who vanished in the aftermath of that struggle [New Teen Titans [second series] #1-5]. The unexplained disappearance and death of Gnarrk left Lilith free to become romantically involved with Azrael, a winged alien of unknown origin whom the Titans encountered at this time, only to part company with him when her true origin as the daughter of Thia, renegade member of the legendary Titans (the predecessors of the Olympian gods) was revealed at last. At this time she also learned that Thia had murdered Lilith's father, as she did all of her many mortal lovers, soon after their daughter was conceived. Lilith has now left earth behind to dwell among the deities worshipped by the ancient Greeks and the Amazons of Paradise Island. Granted immortality, she is now considered a goddess [New Teen Titans [second series] #7-9].
Lilith has the record for shortest valid origin story. Established in New Teen Titans [second series] #7-9, it was in effect nullified by Crisis On Infinite Earths #12 a few short months later. In NEW TITANS #50-54, it was established that Donna's Troy's post-Crisis origin involved the Titans of Myth. Solving Donna's origin dilemma in effect nullified Lilith's origin! She was back to being a girl without a past. . So Lilith's origin expired shortly after it was revealed!
Post-Crisis Clean-up
Lilith's appearances in New Teen Titans (second series) # 7-10 had to be re-explained to gloss over her now-impossible origin story; it goes something like this:
Lilith continued to aid the Titans, most notably in their second encounter with the demon, Trigon. Lilith was instrumental in his defeat. Following that, Lilith left to presumably continue her search for her parents. There were stories that she was the daughter of the sun goddess Thia herself, but those tales have proven to be false.
Omen and the New Origin
Dan Jurgens finally provided some answers to Lilith's shrouded past in TEEN TITANS, second series #12-15.
Mr. Jupiter had a mysterious advisor known only as Omen. Omen kept her identity hidden and remained a mysterious presence on this new incarnation of the Titans.
Soon, Jupiter gathered together the original Titans – Nightwing, Tempest, Flash and Arsenal – to combat the threat of his bitter, super-powered son Jarrod Jupiter (Haze). Haze kidnapped Omen, and used her psychic powers as a way to augment his own. During the battle, Omen was revealed to be Lilith, and her former teammates were shocked at the revelation. Lilith also revealed that due to the nature of her psychic powers, she retained a psychic imprint of people she knew, which was disconcerting to her friends. It was at this time that her fellow Titans learned that Mr. Jupiter was actually her father.. After this revelation, new and old Titans joined forces to defeat Haze. Lilith's friends eventually accepted the new developments in her.
It would seem that some time between the War of the Gods [NEW TITANS #81] and the formation of the Teen Titans team led by the teen-aged Atom, Lilith discovered her parentage. She met her mother, whose identity has yet to be revealed, and learned that Loren Jupiter was her father. (Making Jarrod Jupiter (Haze) her half-brother). Lilith's mother helped Lilith unlock untapped abilities including teleportation and enhanced mental/mystical abilities.
So although some answers have been given, many questions yet remain... and Lilith still remains a girl in search of a full origin.
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Creators on Lilith
George Pérez
"The Titans forgotten? Most of them well left that way! (Laughter.) With the possible exception of Lilith, 'cause I enjoy doing her but, now that she's gone, it's just as well, because of Raven's role in there. All the others, frankly, I don't care."
Dan Jurgens
"Also, a very mysterious, cloak-shrouded character known as Omen shows up early on, and if that character seems strongly reminiscent of Titan-gone-villainess Raven, who helped bring together the last version of the Titans, Jurgens will only say, 'We'll see...'"
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Lilith: Unlucky at Love
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| Lilith teaches Gnarrk the ways of the world - in TEEN TITANS #33 [1971]. |
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Lilith and Gnarrk, Round One
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Lilith dotes over Gnarrk in
TEEN TITANS #39 [1971]. |
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Gnarrk first met the Titans in Teen Titans #33 [1971], where he found himself a teenage caveman lost in time.
Accidentally transported back to prehistoric times by an invention of Mr. Jupiter's, Kid Flash and Mal unintentionally caused Gnarrk, a young cave-dweller, to be returned to the present with them. The Teen Titans then undertook the task of training Gnarrk to act as a modern-day man, which they accomplished.
Lilith bonded with the primitive teen, sensing an innate gentleness within him. After repeating the phrase "Gnarrk!", the Titans decided that was his name. Once becoming civilized, he adopted the full name, John Gnarrk. While becoming domesticated, Gnarrk and Lilith seemed to develop romantic feelings for one another. Lilith was able to reach Gnarrk telepathically, and she sensed a warmth and kindness in Gnarrk despite his gruff exterior. Gnarrk reappeared in Teen Titans #39, where Lilith's soothing influence cooled Gnarrk's cro-magnon rage. By that time, it seemed Lilith and Gnarrk were a solid couple, as Lilith cooed, "He's a real cool civilized cat, my Gnarrk is."
Gnarrk did not reappear until years later, when the Teen Titans encountered the new Titans West group in Teen Titans #50-52 [1977]. In that tale, it was revealed that Lilith and Gnarrk were engaged to be married. Although Lilith was a member, Gnarrk was not considered a part of the West Coast based team. He actually objected to Lilith's involvement in the team altogether. "You coulda gone to the cops instead of hooking up with this bunch, " Gnarrk snarled. "How many times I gotta tell ya I don't want my fiancee playin' like she's Wonder Woman? You coulda been hurt bad!" Lilith countered, "But I wasn't -- and I helped save a lot of people. Stop being so overprotective!"
The only former Teen Titan who did not attend the wedding of Donna Troy and Terry Long [Tales of the Teen Titans #50 in 1984], Gnarrk apparently died under unrevealed circumstances sometime after his last appearance.
Lilith and Gnarrk, Round Two
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Lilith bonds with Gnarrk in
NEW TITANS #56 [1989]. |
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When the Titans past was altered by the history-shattering Crisis on Infinite Earths, Lilith and Gnarrk's story was altered as well. Gnarrk's revised origin was told in New Titans #56 [1989]. George Pérez, who plotted that issue, remembered how the story was developed: "I remember how that came to be. I was asked to do a story with the characters, and decided to use the Gnarrk storyline since he was a character who was a leftover from the original Titans who had not been addressed in post-Crisis continuity."
Based on psychic flashes from Lilith, the Teen Titans traveled to Southeast Asia, where they eventually found Gnarrk, still encased in ice. He was psychically calling out to Lilith - who responded. He told her his name - Gnarrk. Although Lilith was dating Don Hall (Dove) at the time, she nonetheless found herself attracted to the gentle soul. The Titans brought Gnarrk back to S.T.A.R. Labs. It was established that Gnarrk was dying; the S.T.A.R. scientists wanted to dissect him, but the Titans prevented them from doing so until he died.
Lilith used her powers to establish a mental rapport with Gnarrk. During that time, she found out his true origins and his noble intentions. Gnarrk sensed Lilith's presence and called out to her while he was still encased in ice. During the rapport, Lilith and Gnarrk fell in love. Although the rapport only lasted a short time, the two forged an unspeakable bond. Gnarrk remained on life support for almost a year, with Lilith by his side. Gnarrk's light in his chest eventually faded, and he died. When S.T.A.R. scientists performed an autopsy, they found the stone no longer had any special abilities. Whatever abilities the stone possessed vanished upon Gnarrk's death.
Dove dies, then retroactively dates Lilith
In Secret Origins Annual #3, George Pérez told the post-Crisis history of the Titans. Pérez: "I'm writing a Secret Origins Annual of the Titans, while Marv writes the Titans Annual. My origin will establish the post-Crisis origin of the middle Titans; the one with Golden Eagle and Bumblebee. I'll establish who existed and who didn't, what powers they had, and how visually they might be different." Written by George Pérez with art by a series of artists (including Tom Grummett, Kevin Maguire& Karl Kesel, Colleen Doran & Romeo Tanghal, among others).
The Special gives a post-Crisis history of the Titans, including some revamps and revisions. In this revised history, Lilith was dating Dove during the forming of the Titans West. Since this was post-Crisis, Dove was already dead. This girl can't catch a break!
Lilith and the Flying Wimp
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| Azrael sweeps Lilith off her feet - from NEW TEEN TITANS (second series) #7 [1985]. |
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It all began in Tales of the Teen Titans #51 [1985], as the scientists of S.T.A.R. Labs found a winged man encased in ice. As the Titans headed to S.T.A.R. Labs in issue #52, Lilith sensed whatever was waiting there would change her life. As the ice melted away, Lilith met the winged man who would later be known as Azrael. Feeling his pain, Lilith ached for the mysterious alien. In Tales of the Teen Titans #53, Lilith helped him escape the confines of S.T.A.R. Labs as the Titans gave chase. The winged man was left directionless, as he mused, "What was it about that woman... the one they call Lilith? Why do I keep thinking of her? It's madness, I know... but I love her... and I believe she loves me..." Indeed, Lilith admitted she felt a special bond to the alien. Believing he caused her only grief, the heartbroken winged man left Lilith in Tales of the Teen Titans #54.
The winged man resurfaced in New Teen Titans (seconds series) #7 [1985], where he spirited Lilith away and proclaimed his love for her. Before the star-crossed lovers could act on their feelings, Lilith was kidnapped by the Titan goddess, Thia, who revealed her identity as Lilith's mother. After the evil Thia was engulfed in flames in New Teen Titans (seconds series) #9, Lilith accepted her new destiny among the Pantheon. There, she bade farewell to the winged alien, who didn't take the news well. "Please not Lilith!," he wailed, "You cannot leave me now. I love you.. and I've fought time and space to stand by your side. I want you, Lilith, beside me. Forever." Lilith answered, "Although my heart aches to part with you, I have no choice."
The winged man returned to earth with the Titans, still anguishing over the loss of his love, "Why did we let them take my Lilith away from me?" Cyborg has finally had enough, "Wings, knock it off with the "My Lilith" garbage! Cripes, first woman ya see an' you go crazy!"
Cyborg wasn't the only one. As George Pérez lamented, "The operatic thing, that got a little carried overboard. I am not as much a lover of deep purple prose, where people are acting like raving idiots over a lover. I mean, to me, love is always as much of the head as of the heart, if you do it right. And that bugged me. But again, that's the character. The character was supposed to be a flying wimp."
Although Lilith's connection to Thia were later negated by the Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Lilith/Azrael break-up remained part of Titans lore. Lilith had strong feelings for the mysterious alien, but didn't return his affections with the same intensity he felt. Presumably, Lilith was a bit overwhelmed by the winged alien's amorous advances.
The winged man was tricked by the Church of Blood into thinking that he was Azrael, the angel of Death in New Teen Titans (seconds series) #12. Blood's Church eventually fell, and Azrael learned he was duped in New Teen Titans (seconds series) #30-31. It was he who dropped the broken-spirited Brother Blood off at a monastery when the villain's mind was broken by Raven. Azrael then vowed to watch over the broken cult leader.
I'm sure Lilith changed her phone number after learning this.
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