Mr. Terrific
Created by Charles Resizenstein & Hal Sharpe • Michael by John Ostrander and Tom Mandrake
+ History
Terry Sloane was a prodigy, a man who was good at practically everything. He used his Olympic-level athletic ability and unsurpassed knowlege to fight crime as the "Man of 1,000 Talents," Mr. Terrific. He wore his rallying cry — "Fair Play"— unabashedly on the front of his costume. He was a nominal member of the JSA during the 1940s and was not present for the team's final appearance before the HUAC committee. He'd been diverted by matters of family...
To anyone's knowledge, Terry Sloane never married, but he did leave a family legacy. In October of 1951, he rceived a ransom note for his brother Ned, who had supposedly been kidnapped by Debra Sinclair (Roulette), a casino owner in New Orleans. (JSA #69) Terry set out immediately for New Orleans but never found Ned. Instead, he discovered that Roulette had borne a daughter by Ned named Veronica; Ned was ashamed and fled the country. The ransom money was meant for Veronica's future. But naturally, Terry could not abide his neice being raised in a casino, and so he forceably took the girl. (#70) Terry then raised Veronica himself, as his daughter. It seems Veronica eventually married because in recent times, a second Roulette (Victoria Sinclair) has surfaced, calling Terry her "grandfather." (JSA #30)
After the JSA's gradual revival, he participated in only one JLA/JSA team-up — which was to be his last case. Terry was murdered at a JLA meeting by the Spirit King. His death was very soon avenged by the JSA with the help of the Spectre. (JLofA #171)
At one time he dated his personal assistant, Wanda Wilson.
Sloane never met the man who would become his successor, Michael Holt. Like Sloane, Holt possesses one of the most gifted intellects in the world (as well as several Olympic gold medals). He met his future wife, Paula, at Harvard Law School. His mind could not save him however, Paula and their unborn child were killed. Only the intervention of the Spectre put Holt’s life back on track. He was inspired by the legend of “Fair Play” begun by his equally gifted predecessor, and has become an adventurer in his own right.
In a very short time, Mr. Terrific has become a noted inventor and a skilled and decisive leader. Even the Batman appropriated his “T-sphere” technology and he was recently voted chairman of the JSA. Recently, Director Bones of the D.E.O. revealed to Michael that his wife was pregnant when she died. Recently, Mr. Terrific was critically injured in battle against the Spirit King. Near death, he met the spirits of his wife and child on the edge of the afterlife. They convinced him to return to life instead and assured him that they would be there waiting for him, when the time was right. (JSA #62)
Holt does not keep his identity a secret.
Geoff
Johns Says: I find it astonishing how much Mr. Terrific has grown since he was first
introduced. He took a major supporting role in a Justice League cartoon.
It’s fantastic. And just like the JSA itself, if
you ever said Mr. Terrific would be a popular character back in ’98
you’d be laughed at. Now he’s one of the most capable leaders
in the DC Universe. I’m as proud of how far we’ve brought
Mr. Terrific as I am Stargirl. (from Newsarama)
+ Powers
Neither Mr. Terrific possessed any metahuman powers, but their intellects and physical abilities have proven them formidable in their own right. Holt's mental prowess has even garnered the admiration of one of the world's ultimate self-made men: the Batman.
Appearances + References
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All-Star
Comics #24
