Titano
Encyclopedia
Titano the Super-Ape is a fictional character appearing in DC Comics
, primarily as a foe of Superman
. He was clearly inspired by King Kong
.
Titano first appeared in Superman #127 (February 1959). Originally named Toto, he was dubbed "one of the world's most intelligent apes". Rocketed into space, he and his ship were bombarded with radiation, which changed him into a giant ape with incredible strength and the ability to emit beams of Kryptonite
radiation from his eyes. This made the ape a difficult menace for Superman to face.
This version appears in a dream of the character Ambush Bug
.
used in cruel scientific experiments for the U.S. government. This lab is headed by Dr. Thomas Moyers, an irresponsible man who caused the creation of Rampage
, the super-strong alter-ego of Dr. Kitty Faulkner. This scientist is not associated with Moyer's Titano project. The chimpanzee gains his name from a mean-spirited joke by the other staffers.
A brief visit by Lois Lane
to the government laboratories ended soon after Titano tried to escape his tormentors by leaping into Lane's arms. An accident caused the ape to gain super-strength and grow to enormous proportions. Attempting to kill Dr. Thomas Moyers, whom he saw as his tormentor, Titano was stopped by and engaged in a battle with Superman. The presence of Lane causes Titano to calm down, as he considered her a friend. Moyers used his equipment to reverse the transformation. The reversal is too much for the chimpanzee, who dies in Lane's arms. Lois later wrote the Daily Planet article "Tears for Titano" in honor of the animal.
Another version of Titano later appeared as the mascot of Titano's Pizza. Television advertisements showed a giant ape in a chef's hat defeating "Turtle Boy
", who represented the slower delivery of other pizzerias. However, Turtle Boy (played by Jimmy Olsen
) proved to be much more popular than Titano, and the commercials were discontinued.
In Action Comics #854, a monkey experimented upon by the Kryptonite Man
was imbued with Kryptonite
radiation, gaining the ability to grow in size and fire kryptonite beams from his eyes, like the pre-crisis Titano. He was eventually calmed down by 'Mr. Action' (Jimmy Olsen) and placed in the care of STAR Labs.
Titano's pre-Crisis version would make a reappearance of sorts in Superman/Batman
#28, as a guise for a shape-shifting telepathic alien entity.
's JLA: Earth 2
. This version is actually a genetic experiement conducted by Brainiac
and Ultraman
(Subject 773, "Ultra-Titanus") freed by Brainiac. and fires Anti-Kryptonite
beams at Superman. Being an opposite version of Titano, the beams make him stronger. He is later caught by Kyle Rayner the Green Lantern
.
In the New 52 revamped DC Universe, Titano was redesigned and given a new origin. Titano was now only slightly bigger than a regular gorilla and not as gigantic as the earlier versions, as well, he was now albino with white fur. He also was given a new origin where now he was a genetic mutation created by a deranged biophysicist.
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
, primarily as a foe of Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
. He was clearly inspired by King Kong
King Kong
King Kong is a fictional character, a giant movie monster resembling a gorilla, that has appeared in several movies since 1933. These include the groundbreaking 1933 movie, the film remakes of 1976 and 2005, as well as various sequels of the first two films...
.
Pre-Crisis (Silver Age) version
The Pre-CrisisCrisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
Titano first appeared in Superman #127 (February 1959). Originally named Toto, he was dubbed "one of the world's most intelligent apes". Rocketed into space, he and his ship were bombarded with radiation, which changed him into a giant ape with incredible strength and the ability to emit beams of Kryptonite
Kryptonite
Kryptonite is a fictional material from the Superman mythos —the ore form of a radioactive element from Superman's home planet of Krypton. It is famous for being the ultimate physical weakness of Superman, and the word kryptonite has since become synonymous with an Achilles' heel —the one weakness...
radiation from his eyes. This made the ape a difficult menace for Superman to face.
This version appears in a dream of the character Ambush Bug
Ambush Bug
Ambush Bug is a fictional character who has appeared in several comic books published by DC Comics.His real name is supposedly Irwin Schwab, but he has mental problems that prevent him from truly understanding reality around him, so even his true identity might be no more than a delusion on his part...
.
Post-Crisis version
The Post-Crisis version first appeared in the "Tears for Titano" story in Superman Annual #1. Titano was originally a normal baby chimpanzeeChimpanzee
Chimpanzee, sometimes colloquially chimp, is the common name for the two extant species of ape in the genus Pan. The Congo River forms the boundary between the native habitat of the two species:...
used in cruel scientific experiments for the U.S. government. This lab is headed by Dr. Thomas Moyers, an irresponsible man who caused the creation of Rampage
Rampage (DC Comics)
Rampage is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. The character first appeared in Superman comic books, and was later utilized in Starman. Rampage has a distinct appearance, with orange skin, a towering, muscular build, and a fiery red mohawk...
, the super-strong alter-ego of Dr. Kitty Faulkner. This scientist is not associated with Moyer's Titano project. The chimpanzee gains his name from a mean-spirited joke by the other staffers.
A brief visit by Lois Lane
Lois Lane
Lois Lane is a fictional character, the primary love interest of Superman in the comic books of DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in Action Comics #1 ....
to the government laboratories ended soon after Titano tried to escape his tormentors by leaping into Lane's arms. An accident caused the ape to gain super-strength and grow to enormous proportions. Attempting to kill Dr. Thomas Moyers, whom he saw as his tormentor, Titano was stopped by and engaged in a battle with Superman. The presence of Lane causes Titano to calm down, as he considered her a friend. Moyers used his equipment to reverse the transformation. The reversal is too much for the chimpanzee, who dies in Lane's arms. Lois later wrote the Daily Planet article "Tears for Titano" in honor of the animal.
Another version of Titano later appeared as the mascot of Titano's Pizza. Television advertisements showed a giant ape in a chef's hat defeating "Turtle Boy
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
", who represented the slower delivery of other pizzerias. However, Turtle Boy (played by Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen is a fictional character who appears mainly in DC Comics’ Superman stories. Olsen is a young photojournalist working for the Daily Planet. He is close friends with Lois Lane, Clark Kent/Superman and Perry White...
) proved to be much more popular than Titano, and the commercials were discontinued.
In Action Comics #854, a monkey experimented upon by the Kryptonite Man
Kryptonite Man
The Kryptonite Man is the name of several supervillains who appears in stories published by DC Comics. The character first appeared as Kryptonite Kid in Superboy #83 The Kryptonite Man is the name of several supervillains who appears in stories published by DC Comics. The character first appeared...
was imbued with Kryptonite
Kryptonite
Kryptonite is a fictional material from the Superman mythos —the ore form of a radioactive element from Superman's home planet of Krypton. It is famous for being the ultimate physical weakness of Superman, and the word kryptonite has since become synonymous with an Achilles' heel —the one weakness...
radiation, gaining the ability to grow in size and fire kryptonite beams from his eyes, like the pre-crisis Titano. He was eventually calmed down by 'Mr. Action' (Jimmy Olsen) and placed in the care of STAR Labs.
Titano's pre-Crisis version would make a reappearance of sorts in Superman/Batman
Superman/Batman
Superman/Batman was a monthly comic book series published by DC Comics that features the publisher's two most popular characters: Batman and Superman...
#28, as a guise for a shape-shifting telepathic alien entity.
Other versions
An Antimatter version of Titano, appeared near the end of Grant MorrisonGrant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
's JLA: Earth 2
JLA: Earth 2
JLA: Earth 2 is a 2000 DC Comics graphic novel written by Grant Morrison with art by Frank Quitely.It follows the first post-Crisis encounter between the Justice League of America and their evil counterparts from an antimatter universe, the Crime Syndicate of Amerika.At the time of its release, the...
. This version is actually a genetic experiement conducted by Brainiac
Brainiac (comics)
Brainiac is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Action Comics #242 , and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino....
and Ultraman
Ultraman (comics)
Ultraman is the name of several fictional characters, who are supervillains appearing in stories published by DC Comics. The characters are all evil alternate-universe counterparts of Superman. Ultraman first appeared in Justice League of America #29 .-Publication history:Ultraman first appeared as...
(Subject 773, "Ultra-Titanus") freed by Brainiac. and fires Anti-Kryptonite
Kryptonite
Kryptonite is a fictional material from the Superman mythos —the ore form of a radioactive element from Superman's home planet of Krypton. It is famous for being the ultimate physical weakness of Superman, and the word kryptonite has since become synonymous with an Achilles' heel —the one weakness...
beams at Superman. Being an opposite version of Titano, the beams make him stronger. He is later caught by Kyle Rayner the Green Lantern
Kyle Rayner
Kyle Rayner is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in books published by DC Comics, usually in those starring the Green Lantern Corps, an extraterrestrial police force of which Rayner is a member. Created by writer Ron Marz and artist Darryl Banks, Rayner first appeared in Green Lantern vol...
.
In the New 52 revamped DC Universe, Titano was redesigned and given a new origin. Titano was now only slightly bigger than a regular gorilla and not as gigantic as the earlier versions, as well, he was now albino with white fur. He also was given a new origin where now he was a genetic mutation created by a deranged biophysicist.
Television
- The 1942 episode "Terror on the MidwayTerror on the MidwayTerror on the Midway is the ninth of the seventeen animated Technicolor short films based upon the DC Comics character of Superman, originally created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. This animated short was the final production for the Fleischer Studios, which was reincorporated as Famous Studios...
" of the Fleischer Superman cartoonsSuperman (1940s cartoons)The Fleischer & Famous Superman cartoons are a series of seventeen animated Technicolor short films released by Paramount Pictures and based upon the comic book character Superman....
featured a battle between Superman and a massive escaped circus gorilla called "Gigantic".
- An episode of the 1967 The New Adventures of Superman titled "The Chimp Who Made it Big" which was another version of the Toto story. In this version, a collision with a Kryptonite Meteor and a Uranium Asteroid crash near the capsule Toto was in causing it to lose control. Superman manages to save the capsule and bring it down to Earth. When Lois Lane reports to the viewers at the rocket base, Toto ends up bursting from the capsule turning into Titano. When Titano tries to grab Lois Lane, Superman tries to stop Titano only to be hit by Titano's Kryptonite eye beams as Superman suspected that a Kryptonite Meteor and a Uranium Asteroid was responsible for Toto turning into Titano. When the military ends up firing missiles toward Titano, Superman had to protect Titano from the missile attacks. Titano then made off with Lois Lane with Superman in pursuit. Superman had to make a shield out of lead in order to combat Titano. Superman manages to knock out Titano and save Lois Lane. An article was printed out in the Daily Planet's newspaper stating that the Kryptonite's effects on Titano wore off returning him to Toto.
- A different version of Titano (conceptually very similar to the original Titano from the Silver Age) appeared in the Superman: The Animated SeriesSuperman: The Animated SeriesSuperman: The Animated Series is an American animated television series starring DC Comics' flagship character, Superman. The series was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on The WB from September 6, 1996 to February 12, 2000. Warner Bros...
episode "Monkey Fun" with his vocal effects done by Frank WelkerFrank WelkerFranklin Wendell "Frank" Welker is an American actor who specializes in voice acting and has contributed character voices and other vocal effects to American television and motion pictures.-Acting career:...
. This Titano was a chimp astronaut that was kept in the home of Lt. Colonel Sam Lane. The chimp formed a bond with Lane's 8-year-old daughter LoisLois LaneLois Lane is a fictional character, the primary love interest of Superman in the comic books of DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in Action Comics #1 ....
. Titano's ship (the Titan 0, from which he got his name) got lost in space and was eventually found twenty years later in a meteor shower by Superman. Gases contained in the meteor caused him to grow to enormous proportions. The now-gigantic Titano wreaked havoc on Metropolis. Sam Lane, now a flag officerFlag OfficerA flag officer is a commissioned officer in a nation's armed forces senior enough to be entitled to fly a flag to mark where the officer exercises command. The term usually refers to the senior officers in an English-speaking nation's navy, specifically those who hold any of the admiral ranks; in...
, rushes to Metropolis to aid Lois by giving her the one thing could calm Titano: a toy monkey named BeppoBeppo (comics)Beppo is a fictional monkey in the DC Universe. Created by Otto Binder and George Papp, he first appeared in Superboy v1 076 .-Fictional character biography:...
that played Pop Goes the WeaselPop Goes the Weasel"Pop! Goes the Weasel" is an English language nursery rhyme and singing game. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 5249.-Lyrics:There are many different versions of the lyrics to the song...
when squeezed. S.T.A.R. Labs is able put an end to Titano's growth spurts. Superman then relocated Titano to a remote island to live a normal life-span, leaving Beppo for him as a memento of Lois.
Miscellaneous
- Titano would later make a cameo appearance in the comic based on Superman: The Animated SeriesSuperman: The Animated SeriesSuperman: The Animated Series is an American animated television series starring DC Comics' flagship character, Superman. The series was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on The WB from September 6, 1996 to February 12, 2000. Warner Bros...
saying that he nearly returned to Metropolis after an environmental terrorist group released Titano from his new island considering his relocation an animal rightsAnimal rightsAnimal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
abuse. Titano was subdued and returned home before he made it to Metropolis.
Homages
Characters based on Titano have occasionally appeared in comics homaging the Silver Age Superman.- In Alan MooreAlan MooreAlan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
's SupremeSupreme (comics)Supreme is a fictional superhero created by Rob Liefeld and first published by Image Comics, then Maximum Press, and later by Awesome Entertainment...
, the Titano equivalent is Stupendo, the Simian Supreme. Stupendo has a similar origin to the Silver Age Titano (except with Supremium radiation), but was subsequently befriended by Supreme, and given a home on Conqueror Island. - Tom Terrific, a superpowered version of Tom StrongTom StrongTom Strong is a comic book created by writer Alan Moore and artist Chris Sprouse initially published bi-monthly by America's Best Comics, an imprint of DC Comics' Wildstorm division.-Background:Tom Strong, the title character, is a "science hero"...
from a universe based on Silver Age tropes, has a companion named Terrifo the Super-Ape, although he may be more the result of combining Strong's gorilla friend King Solomon with KryptoKryptoKrypto, also known as Krypto the Superdog, is a fictional character. He is Superman's pet dog in the various Superman comic books published by DC Comics. Krypto's first appearance was in a Superboy story in Adventure Comics #210 in March 1955...
. - In DC Comics's DC One MillionDC One Million"DC One Million" was a crossover storyline that ran through a self titled, weekly limited series and through special issues of almost all "DCU" titles published by DC Comics in November 1998...
setting, Titano One Million is the Superman-like defender of the Gorilla Galaxy, a direct descendent of SolovarSolovarSolovar is a fictional character, a sentient gorilla in the . The character is the progressive leader of a race of gorillas that first appeared as supporting characters of the Flash.-Character history:...
.