Baby Wildebeest

Baby Wildebeest is a fictional character in DC Comics publications.

Publication history

Baby Wildebeest was introduced in New Teen Titans vol. 2 #85 (April 1992), and was created by Marv Wolfman and Tom Grummett.

Fictional character biography

The Wildebeest Society experimented with genetically-created host bodies to house the tainted souls of Azarath. The Baby Wildebeest was their only successful experiment, before the organization was destroyed by the New Titans. Taking care of the infant creature, the Titans soon realized that it could transform to a grown-up Wildebeest, and let him join the team. Much to Pantha's annoyance, 'Baby' has always regarded her as his mother.^[1] Although the size of a human toddler, he had disproportionately powerful strength. He later demonstrated the ability to gain adult form to protect his "Momma". Pantha originally didn't like the creature, often talking about various ways Baby could or would die. Her attitude softened as Wildebeest stayed with the team.^[2]

During a Titans vacation to California, Baby Wildebeest and the other Titans had time to visit the beach. While the others were distracted, he built a gigantic sandcastle, with intricate shapes and molding, resembling a cathedral.^[3]

After the New Titans disbanded, Pantha took Baby Wildebeest with her and later, along with former Titan Red Star, the three formed an unusual family unit. The three resided in Solar City in Russia, where Pantha and Red Star raise Baby Wildebeest as their son.

Baby Wildebeest would participate in the battle to save his old friend Cyborg, whose magnified power levels threatened the entire Earth. A series of misunderstandings led to the Titans' allies attacking the JLA. Baby Wildebeest was knocked out by Superman.^[4]

During the Infinite Crisis storyline, Superboy-Prime was confronted by a team of Titans (including Wildebeest and Pantha) on a highway outside of Keystone City. A mentally-ill Superboy-Prime kills Pantha with a blow to the head. Baby Wildebeest attacks and is killed instantly by a heat vision blast through his torso. Red Star survives the battle to mourn his family.^[5]

Baby Wildebeest was seen revived as a Black Lantern in the Blackest Night crossover. He has been seen with Black Lantern versions of Aqualad, Aquagirl, Dolphin, and Pantha.^[6]

Powers and abilities

Baby Wildebeest had incredible strength, stamina, and enhanced durability. When provoked, it became a twelve-foot powerhouse, and is strong enough to take blows from Superman himself.^[7]

In other media

Television

• Wildebeest appears in the Teen Titans cartoon. His vocal effects are provided by Jim Cummings in the first appearance and by Dee Bradley Baker in later appearances. In "Winner Take All," Wildebeest was called upon by the Master of Games to participate in the Tournament of Champions. Wildebeest beat Beast Boy in the first round but lost to Speedy and Robin in the second. After Robin defeated the Master of Games, Wildebeest was rescued and considered an honorary Titan. In "Trust," Wildebeest was pursued and captured by Madame Rouge. In "Calling All Titans," Wildebeest was shown to have been flash-frozen by the Brotherhood of Evil alongside Hot Spot. In "Titans Together," Wildebeest is among the young superheroes that were freed from their frozen prison. He and Hot Spot engage Madame Rouge in battle. They throw her onto a conveyor belt after Jinx makes "bad luck" for her by sinking her feet in the ground, preventing her from getting away.

Miscellaneous

In Teen Titans Go! #16 titled "Beauty & the Wildebeest", it was revealed that Wildebeest was actually a human toddler eventually causing Cyborg to laugh at Beast Boy for losing to a kid in the Tournament of Heroes. However, it would seem that he usually only assumes "Wildebeest" form when agitated.

References

1. ↑ New Titans #87
2. ↑ New Titans #91
3. ↑ New Titans #101
4. ↑ JLA/Titans #2
5. ↑ Infinite Crisis #4
6. ↑ Blackest Night: Titans #1–3
7. ↑ JLA/Titans #1

External links

• Baby Wildebeest at Comic Vine
• Baby Wildebeest at Titans Tower