Gypsy (Cynthia "Cindy" Reynolds) is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was originally introduced in Justice League of America #2 (October 1984), and was created by Gerry Conway and Chuck Patton. Conway and Patton based the character's name and design on the Romani people (also known as gypsies). Despite her name, Gypsy is not depicted as Romani in-universe. In The New 52 reboot, Gypsy is the daughter of Quell Mordeth and originates from another dimension.
Publication history
Gypsy was created by Gerry Conway and Chuck Patton, and first appeared in Justice League of America Annual #2 (October 1984).
In a 2018 interview, Patton discussed the character's creation, stating:
Fictional character biography
Cynthia Reynolds is the daughter of Edward Reynolds and June Reynolds who live in a peaceful, suburban home. Cindy grows up as an intelligent and experienced barefooter, which becomes one of her trademarks as a teenager. Soon after Cindy's brother is born, Edward and June begin to fight. Cindy attempts to keep her parents together, but suffers abuse. When her illusion powers manifest at the age of fourteen, Cindy buys a one-way bus ticket to Detroit and runs away from home.
Once Cindy arrives in Detroit, she uses her powers to protect herself from the dangers of city life. As she grows to adulthood, Cindy adopts the identity of "Gypsy", patterning her dress after common stereotypes of Romani dress. The Justice League take up residence in a neighborhood near Gypsy's residence after Aquaman disbands the original League. After Gypsy assists the League in battling Overmaster, she is invited to join the group.
Gypsy's teammates Steel and Vibe are attacked by Professor Ivo's androids, with Steel being mortally wounded and Vibe killed. In a later story, it is revealed that Gypsy foresaw the two's deaths, but was unable to save them. Ivo sends an android to kill Gypsy as well, but she convinces it not to kill her, finding its conscience. Amazo makes sure that Gypsy safely returns to her parents.
Gypsy's domestic happiness is short-lived, as Despero kills her parents some time after she leaves the Justice League.150px|thumb|right|Gypsy in battle armor, during her time serving in the Justice League Task Force.
During her time on the Justice League Task Force team, Gypsy grows close to Martian Manhunter. Gypsy and Martian Manhunter are both mainstays of the team and form a familial relationship. At one point, after she had been killed, Gypsy is resurrected by Martian Manhunter, who pleads with the Martian god H'ronmeer to restore her to life.
Gypsy later joins Barbara Gordon's Birds of Prey. She demonstrates greater flexibility with her powers, being able to extend invisibility to hide other people and things around her.
In The New 52 continuity reboot, Gypsy appears as one of several metahumans imprisoned by Amanda Waller. She is later revealed to be a refugee from another dimension and the daughter of Quell Mordeth. She had fled from Vibe's brother Armando Ramon, who was enslaved by Mordeth.
Powers and abilities
Gypsy's primary power is that of illusion casting, which allows her to blend into her background, effectively becoming invisible. This version is a bounty hunter from Earth-19 who possesses similar powers to Vibe.
Film
A villainous, alternate universe incarnation of Gypsy named Gypsy Woman makes a non-speaking appearance in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths as a member of the Crime Syndicate who can turn intangible.
Video games
Gypsy appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.
Miscellaneous
Gypsy appears in issue #22 of the Justice League Unlimited tie-in comic.