Dan Turpin

Dan Turpin
Dan Turpin as depicted in The Adventures of Superman #499 (Feb. 1993). Art by Tom Grummett.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceNew Gods #5 (November 1971)
Created byJack Kirby
In-story information
Full nameDaniel Turpin
SpeciesHuman
Team affiliationsMetropolis SCU
Boy Commandos
Notable aliasesTerrible

Daniel "Terrible" Turpin is a character published by DC Comics. Created by Jack Kirby, he first appeared in New Gods #5 (November 1971).

Turpin is a supporting character of Superman and a member of the Metropolis police. Turpin has appeared in various media outside comics, primarily in association with Superman. Joseph Bologna voices the character in Superman: The Animated Series, where he is modeled after Kirby.

Fictional character biography

In Turpin's first appearance, he is one of the few citizens of Metropolis aware that a secretive war is taking place in the city between super-powered beings. When this war turns violent, Turpin's boss tries to take him off the case, but Turpin ignores him. Turpin leads the fight against Kalibak, using the city's energy to assist Lightray and Orion in defeating him. Turpin is injured, but survives.[1]

He keeps his job and becomes Lieutenant Inspector of the Metropolis Special Crimes Unit.[2] In the third Superboy series, Turpin is sent to Hawaii to investigate whether they need a Special Crimes Unit of their own. While initially skeptical, a visit from the Female Furies convinces Turpin that the islands need an SCU.[3] In later Superman titles, Turpin is loyal to Maggie Sawyer before her transfer to Gotham City. His romantic feelings for her fall apart when he learns she is lesbian.

He has spent a long time fighting threats in Metropolis; such as the rampaging group of mutants called the 'Underworlders'.[4]

In Final Crisis, Turpin investigates the case of several missing children and Orion's death.[5] He is possessed by Darkseid, but freed after Batman shoots him with a poisonous Radion bullet.[6][7][8]

Other versions

  • An alternate universe variant of Dan Turpin appears in Superman: The Dark Side.
  • An alternate universe variant of Dan Turpin appears in Superman's Metropolis. This version is a low-class worker and member of a revolution against Superman, who is the ruler of a dystopian Metropolis.
  • Dan Turpin appears in Elseworld's Finest.

In other media

Television

  • Dan Turpin appears in Superman: The Animated Series, voiced by Joseph Bologna.[9] This version is the leader of the Metropolis Special Crimes Unit and is physically modeled after Jack Kirby.[10] In the two-part episode "Apokolips... Now!", Darkseid kills Turpin during his attack on Earth.
  • Dan Turpin appears in the Smallville episode "Bulletproof", portrayed by David Paetkau. This version is a rookie Metropolis police officer.

Film

Video games

Dan Turpin appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[11]

Miscellaneous

  • Dan Turpin appears in the GraphicAudio production of Superman: The Never Ending Battle.
  • Dan Turpin appears in the Smallville: Season Eleven comic-book continuation of Smallville.
  • Dan Turpin appears in the Injustice 2 prequel comic. After Superman is defeated and his Regime disassembled, Turpin is assigned to oversee his imprisonment before being killed by Talia al Ghul's daughter Athanasia.[12][13]

References

  1. ^ The New Gods #8 (April 1972)
  2. ^ Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 447. ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
  3. ^ Superboy (vol. 3) #20 (October 1995)
  4. ^ The Adventures of Superman #499 (1993). DC Comics.
  5. ^ Final Crisis #1. DC Comics.
  6. ^ Final Crisis #2. DC Comics.
  7. ^ Final Crisis #4. DC Comics.
  8. ^ Final Crisis #6. DC Comics.
  9. ^ a b "Dan Turpin Voices (Superman)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved July 2, 2024. 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.
  10. ^ Bruce Timm in Khoury, George; Khoury, Pedro III (October 1998). "Bruce Timm Interviewed". Jack Kirby Collector. No. #21. TwoMorrows Publishing. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016.
  11. ^ Eisen, Andrew (October 4, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  12. ^ Injustice 2 #2. DC Comics.
  13. ^ Injustice 2 #3. DC Comics.