Terrible Trio
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The Terrible Trio is a group of
supervillains A supervillain, supervillainess or supercriminal is a major antagonist and variant of the villainous stock character who possesses Superpower (ability), superpowers. The character type is sometimes found in comic books and is often the primary ...
appearing in
comic book A comic book, comic-magazine, or simply comic is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panel (comics), panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and wri ...
s 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 ...
, first appearing in ''
Detective Comics ''Detective Comics'' (later retitled as ''Batman Detective Comics'') is an American comic book series published by Detective Comics, later shortened to DC Comics. The first volume, published from 1937 to 2011 (and later continued in 2016), is ...
'' #253 (March 1958). Individually known as Fox, Vulture, and Shark, their respective real names were originally Warren Lawford, Armand Lydecker, and Gunther Hardwick - though these have changed over the decades.


Publication history

The Terrible Trio first appeared in ''
Detective Comics ''Detective Comics'' (later retitled as ''Batman Detective Comics'') is an American comic book series published by Detective Comics, later shortened to DC Comics. The first volume, published from 1937 to 2011 (and later continued in 2016), is ...
'' #253 and were created by Dave Wood and Sheldon Moldoff.


Fictional character history

The Terrible Trio are originally three famous inventors 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 sought new challenges by starting a criminal career. As a gimmick, they dress up in business suits while wearing animal masks. From this, they become known as the Fox, the Shark and the Vulture. Tapping into their respective areas of expertise, they base their technology on their respective animal themes. The Trio are recurrent foes of
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 ...
and Robin, but also battle
G'nort G'nort (pronunciation: "nort") Esplanade G'neesmacher is a character appearing in DC Comics. He is a member of the Green Lantern Corps and later a Darkstar and a member of the Justice League Antarctica. He resembles an anthropomorphic dog and is g ...
and Doctor Mid-Nite. A second group of Terrible Trio are a group of thugs who take on the identities of Batman's old foes. Batman soon realizes that one of the members is Lucius Fox's son Timothy. He and two other friends co-opt the identities of the original Trio and attempt to rob guests of Bruce Wayne's penthouse before Batman defeats him.


''Doctor Mid-Nite''

In the '' Doctor Mid-Nite'' miniseries, the Trio have moved their operations to Portsmouth and have become the industrial leaders Fisk, Shackley, and Volper, heads of the investment firm Praeda Industries. The Trio adopt their guises as part of rituals they perform to bring good fortune to their endeavors, calling upon elemental spirits. The Trio attempt to destroy much of the city, leaving only the property in the worst sections of the city - which they own and can sell for profit. As part of their plan, the Trio also operate as drug lords, selling the steroid A39 to create zombie-like soldiers. When Pieter Cross begins investigating their affairs, they attempt to kill him, but only succeed in blinding him. Doctor Mid-Nite foils the three's plans and they are sentenced to life imprisonment.


''Detective Comics''

In ''Detective Comics'' #832 (April 2007), the presumed-to-be-deceased Shark is named as Sherman Shackley. In this issue, the Fox's last name is Fisk and the Vulture's last name Volper, though no first names are given for either character. The Shark, in an attempt to reinvent himself after suffering a psychotic breakdown, fakes his own death by replacing his teeth with shark teeth and attempts to murder his partners before Batman stops him. The Trio are imprisoned in
Arkham Asylum Arkham Asylum () is a fictional psychiatric hospital appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in stories featuring Batman. It first appeared in ''Batman'' #258 (October 1974), written by Dennis O'Neil with art by Irv N ...
, where the Fox and the Vulture ally with the
Great White Shark The great white shark (''Carcharodon carcharias''), also known as the white shark, white pointer, or simply great white, is a species of large Lamniformes, mackerel shark which can be found in the coastal surface waters of all the major ocea ...
and the latter replaces Shark in the group.


''DC Rebirth''

In the ''
DC Rebirth DC Rebirth is a 2016 relaunch by the American comic book publisher DC Comics of its entire Line (comics), line of ongoing monthly superhero comic book titles. Using the end of The New 52 (2011–2016) initiative in May 2016 as its launching point ...
'' reboot, a new Terrible Trio is introduced in '' Gotham Academy: Second Semester''. This Trio are three Academy students who are part of a secret society dedicated to the Academy's ghost Amity Arkham. Their leader is Amanda Lydecker (Fox), the descendant of the Dutch architect Ambroos Lydecker, who designed both the Academy and Arkham Asylum to honor Amity and who signed his work "Vos" (the Dutch word for "fox"). The other two members are Wendy Lawford (Shark) and Reiner Hardwick (Raven, rather than Vulture), who both immediately surrender when challenged by the Detective Club.


Other versions

* An unrelated Terrible Trio appears in '' Marvel Family'' #21, consisting of an unnamed
satyr In Greek mythology, a satyr (, ), also known as a silenus or ''silenos'' ( ), and sileni (plural), is a male List of nature deities, nature spirit with ears and a tail resembling those of a horse, as well as a permanent, exaggerated erection. ...
, Hydra, and Argus. * An unrelated Terrible Trio appears in ''
Superman Superman is a superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which first appeared in the comic book ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1, published in the United States on April 18, 1938.The copyright date of ''Action Comics ...
'' #88, consisting of
Lex Luthor Alexander "Lex" Joseph Luthor () is a supervillain in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the character first appeared in ''Action Comics'' #23 (published on February 22, 1940, with a cover d ...
,
Toyman Toyman is the name of three supervillains and one adolescent superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, as an adversary for Superman. The most well-known incarnation of Toyman is Winslow Schott, a criminal who uses toy-based or to ...
, and Prankster. * An unrelated Terrible Trio appears in ''
Aquaman Aquaman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in ''More Fun Comics'' #73 (November 1941). Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles ...
'' #24, consisting of the
Fisherman A fisherman or fisher is someone who captures fish and other animals from a body of water, or gathers shellfish. Worldwide, there are about 38 million Commercial fishing, commercial and Artisan fishing, subsistence fishers and Fish farming, fi ...
, the Invisible Un-Thing, and Fire-Haired Karla.


In other media


Television

* The original Terrible Trio appear in a self-titled episode of '' Batman: The Animated Series'', with Warren Lawford / Fox voiced by
Bill Mumy Charles William Mumy Jr. (; born February 1, 1954) is an American actor, writer, producer, and musician. He came to prominence in the 1960s as a child actor whose work included television appearances on ''Bewitched'', ''I Dream of Jeannie'', ''T ...
, Armand Lydecker / Vulture voiced by David Jolliffe, and Gunther Hardwick / Shark voiced by
Peter Scolari Peter Thomas Scolari (September 12, 1955 – October 22, 2021) was an American actor. He was best known for his roles as Henry Desmond in the American Broadcasting Company, ABC sitcom ''Bosom Buddies'' (1980–1982) and Michael Harris on the C ...
. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. This version of the trio are capitalists who each inherited family fortunes, with Lawford's coming from oil, Lydecker an aerodynamics firm, and Hardwick's shipping magnate father. Out of boredom, they turn to crime using the elements that gave them their fortunes as inspiration. After outwitting
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 ...
and Robin in their first two encounters, the Terrible Trio injure Sheldon Fallbrook while robbing him, leading to his daughter and Lawford's girlfriend, Rebecca, discovering their identities. They attempt to silence her, but are ultimately defeated by Batman and Robin and arrested, with Lawford being incarcerated in Stonegate Penitentiary. * An original incarnation of the Terrible Trio appear in '' The Batman'' episode "Attack of the Terrible Trio". This version of the group are university students and social outcasts named David (voiced by David Faustino), Justin (voiced by Googy Gress), and Amber (voiced by
Grey DeLisle Grey DeLisle (; born Erin Grey Van Oosbree; August 24, 1973), sometimes credited as Grey Griffin, is an American voice actress and singer-songwriter. DeLisle is known for various roles in animated productions and video games. On September 27, ...
), who utilize a modified version of Kirk Langstrom's formula to mutate themselves into therianthropes. As the Terrible Trio, they commit crimes for amusement and vindication, transforming their bullies and fellow students into therianthropes against their will. Since she went to the same college, Barbara Gordon / Batgirl alerts Batman to their activities and assists him in combating them. Using an antidote provided by Langstrom, they succeed in curing Amber and Justin, but David is accidentally covered in mutagenic fluid meant for several other students and transforms into a chimeric griffin-like monster. He is ultimately defeated, cured and sent to prison along with Justin and Amber. * The Terrible Trio appear in the '' Batman: The Brave and the Bold'' episode "Return of the Fearsome Fangs!", with Fox voiced by Phil Morris, Vulture voiced by
Edoardo Ballerini Edoardo Ballerini (born March 20, 1970) is an American actor, narrator, writer, and film director. On screen he is best known for his work as junkie List of characters from The Sopranos in the Soprano crime family#Corky Caporale, Corky Caporale in ...
, and Shark having no dialogue. This version of the group are bored, unnamed millionaires who become martial artists and wear masks of their totem animals while studying at the Wudang Temple alongside Batman and Bronze Tiger. As members of the Shadow Clan, the Terrible Trio plot to steal the Wudang Totem from the temple. While they kill Master Wong Fei, Batman and Bronze Tiger battle the group to protect the artifact. During the fight, the trio obtain the Wudang Totem, transform into monstrous versions of their totem animals, and attempt to take over
Hong Kong Hong Kong)., Legally Hong Kong, China in international treaties and organizations. is a special administrative region of China. With 7.5 million residents in a territory, Hong Kong is the fourth most densely populated region in the wor ...
, but they are defeated by a totem-empowered Batman and Bronze Tiger. * The Terrible Trio appear in promotional artwork released for ''
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 ...
''.


Miscellaneous

The Terrible Trio appear in '' Batman: The Brave and the Bold'' #11.


See also

*
List of Batman family enemies The Batman family enemies are a collection of supervillains appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. These characters are depicted as adversaries of the superhero Batman and his allies. Since Batman first appeared in ''Detectiv ...


References


External links


Terrible Trio
at DC Wiki
Terrible Trio's bio
{{Batman characters Anthropomorphic vultures Anthropomorphic fish Anthropomorphic foxes Batman characters Characters created by Sheldon Moldoff Comics characters introduced in 1958 DC Comics businesspeople DC Comics martial artists DC Comics supervillain teams Fictional birds of prey Fictional foxes Fictional inventors in comics Fictional sharks Fictional socialites Fictional trios Male characters in comics