Argent (character)
| Argent | |
|---|---|
| File:ArgentTitans.jpg Argent | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Teen Titans (v2) #1 (1996) |
| Created by | Dan Jurgens |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Toni Monetti |
| Team affiliations | Titans East, Teen Titans |
| Abilities | Creates and wields plasma energy |
Argent is a DC Comics fictional superhero. She first appeared in the second series of the Teen Titans comics in issue #1. She remained a regular member of that team for a long time, up until the events of Graduation Day when the Titans were disbanded by Nightwing.
Character history
Teen Titans
Toni Monetti was the daughter of a former U.S. Senator from New Jersey. Around the time she turned sixteen, Toni's skin gained a silver sheen to it. At a pool party for her sixteenth birthday, Toni was mysteriously teleported away. Toni, along with a few other teens, learned that they were half-alien, and their mothers were impregnated by an alien race called the H'San Natall years ago. The teens were part of a sleeper agent program created by the H'San Natall to defeat the super-powered beings already on Earth. The group of teens stayed together, and with the funding of Loren Jupiter, became the newest incarnation of the Teen Titans. Toni’s ability to control burst of silver plasma energy earned her the codename, Argent.
At first, Toni was not a very serious adventurer. However, after fellow teammate Joto apparently died, Argent took his death particularly hard and she vowed to become a better hero. It was then that Mr. Jupiter disbanded the team, and Argent sought training advice from Robin. She accompanied him on a mission to stop drug runners, but when she found out her father was involved, she decided to keep the information secret.
When the Teen Titans reformed, Argent was instrumental in initiating a membership drive. The team took on new members Fringe and Captain Marvel Jr. (also known as CM3). A possible romance of Argent with CM3 was explored, but after a particularly horrible date (CM3 was unable to cover the bill), it was abandoned.
After another battle with the H'San Natall, the team discovered that Joto was in fact alive. When members Prysm and Fringe decided to stay in space, and with CM3 having left earlier, the team decided to disband.
The Titans
When the original five Titans (Nightwing, Troia, Flash, Tempest and Arsenal) decided to reform the Teen Titans in the wake of the Technis Imperative conflict (in which Toni had fought alongside the former Titans and the JLA), Argent was invited to join.
Later, the Titans were involved in another case involving the highly addictive speed drug, Velocity 9. During the investigation, the role of Argent's father being a distributor of the drug came to light. Argent had to choose between her father and the Titans, and ultimately allowed her father to be arrested.
In the Graduation Day story arc, a mysterious android from the future known as Indigo attacked the Titans and Young Justice, resulting in the apparent deaths of Troia and Omen. After the funeral, Nightwing disbanded the Titans.
When the Teen Titans were once again reformed by former members Cyborg, Starfire and Beast Boy, Argent was not invited. However, when this version of the Teen Titans fought against Dr. Light and all reserve members were called, she was present. She also joined the Titans in their battle against Superboy-Prime, wherein she saved Risk by stopping the blood flowing from his shoulder after Superboy-Prime ripped his arm off.
Titans East
Geoff Johns has confirmed that Argent and Risk are members of the mysterious Titans East.
Other media
Argent appeared in Season 5 of the Teen Titans animated series in the episode "Calling All Titans" in which she meets Starfire and becomes an honorary Titan, but she is soon captured by General Immortus of the Brotherhood of Evil. Argent can fire crimson energy beams, and use that energy to form objects. Unlike the comic book version of the character, this version of Argent appears to hail from New Zealand (in the comics, she is Italian); the character speaks with a New Zealand accent, and Robin received her distress call from a small island similar in appearance to New Zealand. When Más Y Menos unfreeze all of the captured titans during the final battle of "Titans Together", Argent joins the fight. She is seen sending two energy beams in the form of hands after a fleeing Johnny Rancid. Later she is seen in the Titans Tower and prepares for "battle" against Dr. Light. Argent is played by Hynden Walch who also voices Starfire.
Appears in:
- "Calling All Titans"
- "Titans Together" (cameo)