Gypsy
(Cindy Reynolds) (Early)
Context
At the close of 1984, DC Comics attempted an overhaul of the Justice League. It would no longer be it’s all-star characters grouping, but a dedicated team of heroes. It would also be more grounded, and have a more varied roster of younger heroes – such as Gypsy.
The attempt completely tanked – it led to the book being cancelled then relaunched. This era has often been derided, though personally I wouldn’t call it the JLA’s worst.
Curiously some characters from that era — Gypsy included — have since resurfaced. Perhaps this is because they are JSAers, yet easy to reinvent due to their low footprint.
This entry covers Gypsy from her first appearance until the end of Justice League of America in 1987, plus flashbacks taking place during that time. It excludes the JLA Classified #22-25 flashback, since her powers and personality were decidedly different from other appearances.
FWIW, “gypsy” as a word is loaded with racist and xenophobic connotations. It’s not something an US writer would likely know during the 1980s, mind.
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Background
- Real Name: Cindy Reynolds.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Edward (father), June (mother), Evan (brother).
- Group Affiliation: Justice League of America.
- Base Of Operations: New York; formerly Detroit.
- Height: 5’6” Weight: 110 lbs.
- Eyes: Blue Hair: Black
Powers and Abilities
Gypsy’s basic power is casting illusions. She mainly uses it to camouflage herself. This makes her, and anyone she touches, virtually invisible.
While her powers are supposed to be telepathic, she’s:
- Been shown to be invisible to cameras even when the viewers aren’t in her immediate vicinity.
- Affected one of Professor Ivo’s androids, and created illusions for its camera to carry a fair distance away [beyond her Range].
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Gypsy can also use her power to make targets see themselves in a completely different environment. She thus managed to distract Despero, even though he knew what she was doing. Some are terrified into immobility, while stronger minds will lash out at the illusions.
She doesn’t use this ability as often as she could. This might be due to the uncomfortable memories of the situation in which it first manifested. She usually only uses it on a single target. This often is the person who triggered the intense emotional reaction which makes her lash out with the power.
She’s also fairly agile and stealthy, and has had some combat training.
History
Growing up in the suburbs, Cindy’s home life wasn’t happy. Her parents were always fighting, and her drunken father beat her younger brother. Her father never hit her, though, until one day when she tried to show him her good grade. He was drunk, and lashed out.
The shock activated her powers, and she created a fearful illusion around her family.
Scared herself, she fled, and ended up living on the streets of Detroit. Learning to use her abilities to camouflage herself, she stole what she needed. Cindy built a new identity of being a gypsy, becoming almost an urban myth.
Justice League Detroit
When the Justice League relocated to Detroit, building a new team with some junior members, she became fascinated with them. She followed them around and stalked their base, but disappeared whenever they tried to talk to her.
She eventually overcame this, aiding them in battle against the Overmaster and his Cadre. As a result, she was accepted on the team. She still wouldn’t open up to anybody, inventing stories about her history.
With the League she battled menaces such as Amazo and Despero, and became close with Martian Manhunter and Vixen. When the team moved to Manhattan, Vixen let Gypsy stay with her, in hopes of getting her to open up about her history.
On the road
Helping Martian Manhunter on a case in his human identity, Gypsy befriended young runaway, Pamela Cross. She convinced her to return home. Helping Pamela convinced Cindy that she should do likewise, so she started hitchhiking.
The driver who picked her up turned out to be one of Professor Ivo’s androids. They had already killed her teammates Vibe and Steel, but the android was hesitant about killing the teenager. He let her project an illusion of her death back to Ivo, then took her home.
She was reunited with her family, her father having given up drink from the shock of her departure. Martian Manhunter found her soon after, worried given the fates of the others. Shocked at their deaths, Gypsy was prepared to accompany J’Onn in hunting Ivo. But he convinced her to stay with her family and have a normal life.
Personality
Curious and reserved, Gypsy is quiet until she gets to know people. Her powers have made her likely to observe things before letting her presence be felt. And her inquisitiveness often leads her to sneak about gathering information.
During this period she’s reluctant to talk about herself, deflecting people with fanciful stories about her history. She’s extremely loyal to her friends, though, and has little hesitation venturing into highly dangerous situations.
Quotes
“I’m the lost queen of Serbo-Croatia. You’re looking at royalty, Ralph. Honest injun.”
“I’ll show you a dump, you… you… pheasant!”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Gypsy
| Dex: 05 | Str: 02 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Unwanted Power |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 05 | Min: 05 | Occupation: Runaway |
| Inf: 05 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: 001 |
| Init: 017 | HP: 030 |
Powers:
Invisibility: 07, Illusion: 13, Phobia: 06
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Invisibility does not hide her shadow (-1), has a Range of Touch (+1), and is Contingent on Illusion (-1).
- Illusion and Phobia can use the Combined Power Usage Bonus (+2).
- Illusion is Minor Marginal (-1).
- Phobia can only be used after a successful Illusion roll (-1).
Skills:
Acrobatics*: 05, Martial Artist: 03, Thief (Stealth)*: 05, Weaponry (Firearms): 04
Advantages:
Area Knowledge (Detroit streets), Rich Friends (JLA).
Connections:
Justice League of America (High), Vixen (High), Martian Manhunter (High).
Drawbacks:
Age (Young).
Source of Character: DC Comics (Covering her time with the Justice League of America, up to Justice League of America #261).
Writeup completed on the 2nd of February, 2012.