Mother Panic, also known as Violet Paige, is a fictional vigilante appearing in comic books published by
DC Comics
DC Comics (originally DC Comics, Inc., and also known simply as DC) is an American comic book publisher owned by DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC is an initialism for "Detective Comics", an American comic book seri ...
and its
imprint Young Animal
In the English language, many animals have different names depending on whether they are male, female, young, domesticated, or in groups.
The best-known source of many English words used for collective groupings of animals is ''Book of St. Alba ...
, focused on
mature readers. The character was created by writers
Jody Houser and
Gerard Way
Gerard Arthur Way (born April 9, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter, and comic book writer. He is best known as the lead vocalist and co-founder of the Rock music, rock band My Chemical Romance. He released his debut solo album, ''Hesitan ...
and illustrator
Tommy Lee Edwards
Tommy Lee Edwards is an People of the United States, American illustrator. Edwards's varied portfolio includes works created in the realm of comics, video games, books, advertising, film, and animation.
Career
As well as comic-related work he ha ...
, first appearing in an
insert preview of her own series in ''DC's Young Animal
Ashcan Edition'' (2016).
Publication history
Creation
Young Animal
In the English language, many animals have different names depending on whether they are male, female, young, domesticated, or in groups.
The best-known source of many English words used for collective groupings of animals is ''Book of St. Alba ...
is an
imprint of
DC Comics
DC Comics (originally DC Comics, Inc., and also known simply as DC) is an American comic book publisher owned by DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC is an initialism for "Detective Comics", an American comic book seri ...
, designed to tell stories set within the
DC Universe
The DC Universe (DCU) is the shared universe in which most stories in American comic book titles published by DC Comics take place. In context, the term "DC Universe" usually refers to the main DC Continuity (fiction), continuity. It contains v ...
aimed specifically at
mature readers.
''Mother Panic'' was the final of the imprint's four launch titles to release. The series and its title character, Violet Paige, was conceived by Young Animal curator
Gerard Way
Gerard Arthur Way (born April 9, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter, and comic book writer. He is best known as the lead vocalist and co-founder of the Rock music, rock band My Chemical Romance. He released his debut solo album, ''Hesitan ...
and illustrator
Tommy Lee Edwards
Tommy Lee Edwards is an People of the United States, American illustrator. Edwards's varied portfolio includes works created in the realm of comics, video games, books, advertising, film, and animation.
Career
As well as comic-related work he ha ...
, both of whom conceptualized the character's background.
Jody Houser, the author of
Valiant Comics
Valiant Comics is an American comic books, comic book publisher, the first incarnation of which was founded in 1989 by former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter along with lawyer and businessman Steven Massarsky. In 1994, the company was ...
' ''Faith'', was asked by Young Animal editor Molly Mahan to write several sample pages featuring Mother Panic to see if she "could nail
ervoice". Houser, who had grown up reading ''
Batman
Batman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on M ...
'', was hired shortly after turning in her work and began to write the series. She expanded upon Way's and Edwards' concept to "flesh out" the main character and establish her within
Gotham City
Gotham City ( ), or simply Gotham, is a fictional city in the Northeastern United States that serves as the primary city appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. It is best known as the home of the superhero Batman and his List ...
and the
Batman
Batman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on M ...
mythos.
Unlike the other Young Animal titles, which feature established DC characters such as the
Doom Patrol
Doom Patrol is a superhero team from DC Comics. The original Doom Patrol first appeared in ''My Greatest Adventure'' #80 (June 1963), and was created by writers Arnold Drake and Bob Haney, along with artist Bruno Premiani. Doom Patrol has appear ...
, ''Mother Panic'' features an original character created for the series.
Houser's vision of Paige was essentially that of an anti-Batman: unlike Batman, Paige's identity as a vigilante is "not entirely an act" and the character as a whole is "messed up". Houser hoped that the series would last for several years and that Paige will continue to evolve. She also wanted to explore aspects of Gotham not seen in other Batman-related comics, due to the mature themes of ''Mother Panic''; for this reason, she excluded well-known adversaries such as the
Penguin
Penguins are a group of aquatic flightless birds from the family Spheniscidae () of the order Sphenisciformes (). They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere. Only one species, the Galápagos penguin, is equatorial, with a sm ...
and
Catwoman
Catwoman is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, she debuted as "the Cat" in ''Batman (comic book), Batman'' #1 (spring 1940). She has become one of the superhero Batman' ...
. The first several issues were illustrated by Edwards,
followed by Shawn Crystal and
John Paul Leon
John Paul Leon (April 26, 1972 – May 2, 2021) was an American comic book artist, known for his work on the Milestone Comics series '' Static'', and the Marvel Comics limited series '' Earth X''.
Leon also provided artwork for a number of sty ...
.
Jim Krueger wrote a backup story called "Gotham Radio" for the series.
Print run

The first issue of ''Mother Panic'' was published on November 9, 2016,
cover-dated January 2017. The issue's story established Violet Paige and the series' setting in Gotham City, and featured a cameo by Batman and
Batwoman
Batwoman is a name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, depicted as female counterparts and allies of Batman similarly to Batgirl. The original version of the character, Kathy Kane (eventually given t ...
.
All Young Animal titles (except ''Doom Patrol'') were placed on hiatus after 12 issues. In early 2018, DC published the five-issue crossover story ''
Milk Wars'' featuring both Young Animal characters (including Mother Panic) and more traditional DC Universe characters including the
Justice League
The Justice League, or Justice League of America (JLA), is a group of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The team first appeared in ''The Brave and the Bold'' #28 (March 1960). Writer Gardner Fox conceived the ...
.
''Mother Panic'' was relaunched in May 2018 with a new first issue and given the subtitle ''Gotham A.D.'' Unlike the first series, the second volume is set in a dystopian future where masked vigilantes are outlawed, Batman having abandoned Gotham. ''Gotham A.D.'' ended after six issues in August the same year.
Fictional character biography
Violet Paige is a controversial, bisexual celebutante in
Gotham City
Gotham City ( ), or simply Gotham, is a fictional city in the Northeastern United States that serves as the primary city appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. It is best known as the home of the superhero Batman and his List ...
who was tortured and cybernetically-enhanced by a secret organisation in her youth, becoming the vigilante Mother Panic to get revenge.
Powers and abilities
Due to being experimented on at the Gather House, Violet received cybernetic implants. These give her
superhuman strength
Superhuman strength is a superpower commonly invoked in fiction and other literary works, such as mythology. A fictionalized representation of the phenomenon of hysterical strength, it is the power to exert force and lift weights beyond what is ...
, capable of bending and breaking steel and leaving craters in concrete. These cybernetics are prone to malfunction, however, leaving Violet in extreme pain and unable to move until she can receive surgery.
Aside from her cybernetics, Violet is a capable fighter, being trained in
martial arts
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defence; military and law enforcement applications; combat sport, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; ...
and
fencing
Fencing is a combat sport that features sword fighting. It consists of three primary disciplines: Foil (fencing), foil, épée, and Sabre (fencing), sabre (also spelled ''saber''), each with its own blade and set of rules. Most competitive fe ...
.
Collected editions
Other versions
* In the possible future of ''Gotham A.D.'', Violet was thought to be dead after the Gather House burned down, but she was revealed to be held prisoner by the Collective.
* In the possible future of ''
Future State
"Future State" is a comic book storyline published by DC Comics in January and February 2021, consisting of multiple limited series released in place of DC's regular ongoing series during those months. The event is set in the aftermath of the " ...
'', the Mother Panic identity has been changed to Hunter Panic, being used by a woman named Jodi Edwards. Hunter Panic is a Mask Hunter in
Gotham City
Gotham City ( ), or simply Gotham, is a fictional city in the Northeastern United States that serves as the primary city appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. It is best known as the home of the superhero Batman and his List ...
for the Magistrate, who fights
Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn (Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel, PhD) is a fictional American character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for ''Batman: The Animated Series'' as a henchwoman for the ...
and
Punchline.
Reception
The original ''Mother Panic'' series has been generally well-received. On the
review aggregator
A review aggregator is a system that collects reviews and ratings of products and services, such as films, books, video games, music, software, hardware, or cars. This system then stores the reviews to be used for supporting a website where user ...
ComicBookRoundUp, it holds an average rating on 7.8/10, based on 135 reviews. Reviewing the first issue for ''
IGN
''IGN'' is an American video gaming and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa district and is headed by its former e ...
'', Jesse Schedeen called it the standout of the Young Animal lineup. He wrote that although it was set within Gotham City, ''Mother Panic'' felt distinctive from the
Batman family
''Batman Family'' is an American comic book anthology series published by DC Comics which ran from 1975 to 1978, primarily featuring stories starring supporting characters to the superhero Batman. An eight-issue miniseries called ''Batman: Famil ...
and surreal.
''Gotham A.D.'' was also well-received. It holds an average rating of 7.7/10 on ComicBookRoundUp, based on 45 reviews.
References
{{DC's Young Animal publications
Comics characters introduced in 2016
2016 comics debuts
Batman spinoff titles
DC Comics LGBTQ superheroes
DC Comics female superheroes
DC Comics superheroes
DC Comics American superheroes
DC Comics characters with superhuman strength
Fictional bisexual women
DC Comics cyborgs
Vigilante characters in comics