Squire (identity)

Last updated
Squire
Squire Beryl.jpg
Beryl Hutchinson as Squire. Art by Billy Tucci.
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance (Cyril)
Batman #62,
(December 1950)
(Percy)
Young All-Stars #21,
(January 1988)
(Beryl)
JLA #26, (February 1999)
Created by (Cyril)
Bill Finger (writer)
Dick Sprang (artist)
(Percy)
Roy Thomas (writer)
Michael Bair (artist)
(Beryl)
Grant Morrison (writer)
Howard Porter (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoPercy Sheldrake
Cyril Sheldrake
Beryl Hutchinson
Place of origin England
Team affiliations(Percy)
Young All-Stars
(Cyril)
Ultramarine Corps
Global Guardians
Club of Heroes
(Beryl)
Ultramarine Corps
Abilities(Percy, Cyril)
Swordsmanship, martial artist, outfitted in special armor that repels swords or light projectiles.
(Beryl)
Swordsmanship, skilled martial artist, expert in all forms of communication.

Squire is the name of three fictional characters, they are comic book superheroes published by DC Comics. Percival Sheldrake debuted as the Squire in Young All-Stars #21 (January 1988), and was created by Roy Thomas and Michael Bair. Cyril Sheldrake debuted as the Squire in Batman #62 (December 1950), and was created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang. Beryl Hutchinson debuted as the Squire in JLA #26 (February 1999), and was created by Grant Morrison and Howard Porter.

Contents

Publication history

Originally created in the 1950s as a counterpart to Robin for the Knight, a subsequent retcon made the Knight himself Squire to the Golden Age hero, the Shining Knight. [1]

Fictional character biography

Cyril Sheldrake

First appearing in the pages of Batman #62, Cyril was Percy Sheldrake's son, who was trained in manner much like his father had been, thus becoming the new Squire. They were constantly compared to Batman and Robin, and they considered themselves to be their European counterparts. Coincidentally, the dynamic duo made their way to England on one occasion, where they met up with Knight and Squire and formed an alliance to take down neo-Nazi supporters at their hidden base at Stonehenge. Tragically, Percy was eventually killed by his archenemy Spring-Heeled Jack, leading Cyril to become the second Knight. Cyril subsequently joined the Ultramarine Corps, alongside his own Squire, Beryl Hutchinson.

He reappears in Batman #667-669. He, Beryl, Batman, Robin and the rest of the Batmen of All Nations, sometimes known as the 'Club of Heroes', have become trapped on an island. It was seemingly to be an innocent reunion sponsored by their billionaire benefactor, Mayhew. All the possible transports off the island have been destroyed and everyone currently believes their lives to be in danger, as the Legionary and Wingman have been killed. [2]

Percy Sheldrake

At age 20, young Percy came into leadership of his family (thus becoming Earl of Wordenshire) when his father was captured in France during the Dunkirk Evacuation and his mother was killed in a bombing raid over London in the fall of 1941. About this time, a knight from the Middle Ages named Sir Justin (the Shining Knight) had recently thawed out from centuries of suspended animation and was assisting the war effort in his native land. Unable to save either of Percy's parents, Shining Knight vowed to bring the Nazis to justice and end their regime once and for all. He took Percy under his wing and trained him just as a knight would train a squire in his original 6th century Camelot. He bestowed upon him the name Squire, and with the help of the All-Star Squadron, they fought against Nazi Germany until the end of World War II.

During the war, the Squire was also part of a team of adolescent superheroes called the Young Allies. Remaining together after the war, they fought against the rising threat of post-war nationals in Europe until inner conflicts caused the group to split up. Now on his own, and feeling his requisite training had been complete, Squire bestowed upon himself the name Knight, and joined yet another team (the Global Guardians) under this new name. He continued to fight for justice even after he fathered a son years later named Cyril. [3]

Beryl Hutchinson

Beryl Hutchinson first appeared in JLA #26 (February, 1999) and became the new Squire while assisting Knight II. According to Grant Morrison, she was named after Beryl the Peril , a popular British comic-strip. [4] Brave and courageous, she and Knight joined the Ultramarine Corps of Superbia after assisting them in saving a crime-ridden micro-Earth. As well as being an expert in swordplay, she is also naturally gifted in several forms of communication, including foreign languages, gestures, and interpretation. She can even read information patterns by touch. She cares a good deal for Cyril and will protect him at any cost.

While the Sheldrakes are nobility, Beryl apparently grew up on the streets. With regard to her education, she explained to Batman "The Hutchinsons never had no money, but they always had brains and a love of the library". However, in Knight and Squire #1, she says she "went to a lot of different schools. State ones and posh ones, back and forth". She attributes her communication powers to this, since she needed to shift dialects rapidly to match the school she was attending.

She reappears in Batman #667-669, and again in several issues of the Batman R.I.P. storyline that runs through Batman #676-681 [5] and "Battle for the Cowl" helping Tim Drake and Damian Wayne over the course of the series.

She appeared in issues of Batman and Robin [6] helping Dick Grayson in his attempts to resurrect Batman with the Lazarus Pit by placing his body in it but it is revealed that it is not Bruce Wayne's body but a clone made during Final Crisis . Knight and Squire also battle a British crime lord and help Dick Grayson fight the clone.

It was announced that Knight and Squire would star in an eponymous limited series written by Paul Cornell. [7] [8] In #4 this series, it is revealed that Beryl sought out the Knight when he was in a drunken and depressed state after his father's death, having been asked to help him by her mother. The full connection between the Sheldrake and Hutchinson families have yet to be revealed. Over the course of the series, Beryl begins a relationship with the reformed villain Shrike (Dennis Ennis - following Beryl being named after Beryl the Peril by referencing Dennis the Menace).

She also briefly shares an adventure with Batgirl while she is in London as part of a mission for Batman Incorporated. The two heroines fix a crack in the space/time continuum that nearly freezes the entire planet in time for eternity. [9]

In Batman Incorporated Squire and Knight participate in Batman's war against the Leviathan organization led by Talia Head. During a battle with The Heretic (clone of Talia's son), Cyril is killed. [10] Over the course of the series Beryl takes on the mantle of The Knight [11] and attempts to avenge Cyril's death but is stopped by Batman only for Talia to kill The Heretic herself. [12] Beryl is seen in the last issue fighting alongside other Batman Inc. members against the last remains of Leviathan. [13]

Powers and abilities

Originally, the first Squire had no powers aside from the ones he gained by wearing special armor provided for him by Shining Knight. As they were made by Merlin, they possessed special properties that allowed him to avoid harm from swords or certain projectiles. He since passed this armor to his son. The newest Squire, though lacking magic armor, has the ability to interpret information by touch, as well as communicate in a number of ways. Every one of them is highly skilled in swordplay, though they have talents using other weapons or fighting hand-to-hand as well.

Other versions

In the Elseworlds 2003-2004 graphic novel Superman & Batman: Generations III, Batman and his son Bruce Wayne Jr. meet an adult Cyril Sheldrake in 2008. Now retired in a totalitarian England, Sheldrake helps the Waynes track down information left behind by Bruce's dead wife. Afterwards, the Waynes stay in London to help Sheldrake fight for freedom, and he is eventually elected Prime Minister of Great Britain. [14]

Related Research Articles

Robin (character) identity used by several DC Comics characters

Robin is the name of several fictional superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson, to serve as a junior counterpart to the superhero Batman. The character's first incarnation, Dick Grayson, debuted in Detective Comics #38. Conceived as a way to attract young readership, Robin garnered overwhelmingly positive critical reception, doubling the sales of the Batman titles. The early adventures of Robin included Star Spangled Comics #65–130 (1947–1952), which was the character's first solo feature. Robin made regular appearances in Batman related comic books and other DC Comics publications from 1940 through the early 1980s until the character set aside the Robin identity and became the independent superhero Nightwing. The team of Batman and Robin has commonly been referred to as the Caped Crusaders or Dynamic Duo.

Ras al Ghul Fictional character, a supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics

Ra's al Ghul is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly as an adversary of the crime-fighting vigilante Batman. Created by editor Julius Schwartz, writer Dennis O'Neil, and artist Neal Adams, the character first appeared in Batman #232's "Daughter of the Demon". The character is one of Batman's most enduring enemies and belongs to the collective of adversaries that make up Batman's rogues gallery, though given his high status as a supervillain, he has also come into conflict with Superman and other heroes in the DC Universe.

Batman: Hush early 2000s story arc in Batman comic book series

Batman: Hush is an American comic book story arc published by DC Comics featuring the superhero Batman. It was published in monthly installments within the comic book series Batman, running from issue #608–619 in October 2002 until September 2003. The story arc was written by Jeph Loeb, penciled by Jim Lee, inked by Scott Williams, and colored by Alex Sinclair.

Seven Soldiers of Victory Team of fictional comic book superheroes

The Seven Soldiers of Victory is a team of fictional comic book superheroes in the DC Comics universe. They first appeared in Leading Comics #1, and were created by Mort Weisinger and Mort Meskin. The team was a short-lived assembly of some of the less famous superheroes in the DC Universe who have made occasional appearances since their Golden Age debut.

Talia al Ghul fictional character in the DC Comics universe, daughter of the supervillain Ras al Ghul

Talia al Ghul is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Batman. The character was created by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Bob Brown, and first appeared in Detective Comics #411. Talia is the daughter of the supervillain Ra's al Ghul, the granddaughter of Sensei, the half-sister of Nyssa Raatko, on-and-off girlfriend/lover of the superhero Batman and the mother of Damian Wayne. She has alternately been depicted as an anti-hero and ally to Batman at times.

The International Ultramarine Corps, formerly the Ultramarine Corps, is a fictional team of superheroes published by DC Comics. They first appeared in DC One Million #2, and were created by Grant Morrison and Howard Porter.

The Knight is the name of three fictional comic book superheroes who are properties of DC Comics.

Silver St. Cloud fictional character

Silver St. Cloud is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with the superhero Batman. The character debuted in Detective Comics #470 and was created by Steve Englehart and Walt Simonson. Silver St. Cloud is typically depicted as a romantic interest of Bruce Wayne, who is also Batman.

Batman and Son DC Comics story arc and Batman graphic novel

"Batman and Son" is a 2006 comic book story arc featuring the DC Comics character Batman. Written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Andy Kubert, the story was published in four parts in the comic book Batman starting in #655 and ending in #658. The story was the beginning of Morrison's run in the Batman comic as well as his long-term take on the character of Batman through multiple titles over the next seven years. The arc introduced Batman's son, Damian Wayne, bringing him into the mainstream continuity of the DC Universe.

Damian Wayne Fictional character

Damian Wayne is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, created by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert, commonly in association with Batman.

In addition to comic books, the superhero Robin also appears in other media, such as films, television and radio. Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake and Damian Wayne are generally the versions of Robin chosen to be portrayed.

Batmen of All Nations

Batmen of All Nations are a group of fictional superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The characters were inspired by the superhero Batman to fight crime in their respective countries. The group first appeared in Detective Comics #215. Later the Batmen of All Nations were renamed the International Club of Heroes, often known as just the Club of Heroes. Post-Crisis on Infinite Earths, they were named the Dome and were not inspired by Batman but the Justice Society of America.

<i>Green Arrow and Black Canary</i> comic book by Cliff Chiang

Green Arrow and Black Canary was a comic book ongoing series published by DC Comics starring superheroes Green Arrow and Black Canary.

<i>Batman: Battle for the Cowl</i> 2009 comic book storyline

"Batman: Battle for the Cowl" is a 2009 comic book storyline published by DC comics, consisting of an eponymous, three issue miniseries written and penciled by Tony Daniel, as well as a number of tie-in books. The central story details the chaos in Gotham City following the "Batman R.I.P." and "Final Crisis" story arcs, due to Batman's perceived absence and abandonment by the public. His disappearance is actually caused by the character's apparent death at the hands of Darkseid in Final Crisis, which causes dissension in the ranks of his allies and enemies who fight for the right to become the new Batman.

<i>Batman and Robin</i> (comic book) Ongoing comic book series

Batman and Robin is an American comic book ongoing series, created by Grant Morrison and featuring Batman and Robin. The debut of the series followed the events of "Batman R.I.P.", Final Crisis, and "Battle for the Cowl" in which the original Batman, Bruce Wayne, apparently died at the hands of DC Comics villain Darkseid and features the winner of the "Battle for the Cowl" as the new Batman. The conclusion of Battle for the Cowl shows Dick Grayson ascending to the role of Batman, while Damian Wayne becomes the new Robin.

<i>Red Robin</i> (comic book) Comic book

Red Robin was an American comic book ongoing series, written by Chris Yost with art by Ramon Bachs, featuring former Robin Tim Drake under the identity of Red Robin. The debut of the series follows the events of Batman R.I.P., Final Crisis, and Battle for the Cowl in which the original Batman, Bruce Wayne, apparently died at the hands of DC Comics villain Darkseid. Of all the characters in the so-called "Batman family", Drake is the only one that believes Bruce Wayne is still alive and leaves Gotham City to begin a global search for evidence supporting his theory and hope.

Batman Incorporated Comic book series

Batman Incorporated was an ongoing American comic book series published by DC Comics, featuring the superhero Batman. Written by Grant Morrison, the series debuted following the events of Batman R.I.P, Final Crisis, Batman and Robin, and The Return of Bruce Wayne where, after being stranded in the distant past and believed dead, Bruce Wayne has returned to the present day DC Universe. Now, he is prepared to take his war on crime to the next level, by essentially "franchising" it and drafting, training and commanding a global team of heroes who will answer to Batman himself called Batman Incorporated.

King Arthur in comics

King Arthur(Arthur Pendragon) is a legendary figure used commonly in comic books.

Merlin is a legendary character who has appeared multiple times throughout comic books especially in DC Comics and Marvel Comics.

References

  1. ↑ Greenberger, Robert (2008). The Essential Batman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 331–332. ISBN   9780345501066.
  2. ↑ "The Unofficial Knight Biography". Dcuguide.com. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  3. ↑ "The Unofficial Knight Biography". Dcuguide.com. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  4. ↑ "DC Universe: The Source » Blog Archive » Grant Morrison talks about the new characters introduced in BATMAN AND ROBIN v2". Dcu.blog.dccomics.com. 2010-11-02. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  5. ↑ "The Unofficial Squire Biography". Dcuguide.com. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  6. ↑ Batman and Robin #7-9
  7. ↑ "DC Universe: The Source » Blog Archive » Paul Cornell takes on the KNIGHT & SQUIRE". Dcu.blog.dccomics.com. 2010-07-12. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  8. ↑ "Blog@Newsarama » Blog Archive » Paul Cornell on KNIGHT AND SQUIRE Mini, BRUCE WAYNE: THE ROAD HOME Announced". Blog.newsarama.com. 2010-07-12. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  9. ↑ Batgirl (vol. 3) #22
  10. ↑ Batman Incorporated (vol. 2) #6
  11. ↑ Batman Incorporated (vol. 2) #9
  12. ↑ Batman Incorporated (vol. 2) #12
  13. ↑ Batman Incorporated (vol. 2) #13
  14. ↑ Superman & Batman: Generations III #5 (July 2003)

Further reading

← The character Lana Lang was debuted by Bill Finger and John Sikela. See Lana Lang for more info and the previous timeline. Timeline of DC Comics (1950s)
December 1950 (See also: Knight (DC Comics))		The first Red Hood was debuted by Bill Finger. See Red Hood for more info and next timeline. →
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.