Question (character)

This article is about the first Question. For his successor, see Renee Montoya.
"Charles Victor Szasz" redirects here. For the DC supervillain with a similar name, see Victor Zsasz.
The Question
The Question (vol. 2) #3 (March 2005), art by Tommy Lee Edwards.
Publication information
PublisherCharlton Comics
DC Comics
First appearanceBlue Beetle (vol. 4) #1 November 30, 1967
Created bySteve Ditko
In-story information
Alter egoCharles Victor Szasz
Renee Montoya
Narcissus (New 52)[1]
Team affiliationsJustice League
L.A.W.
Black Lantern Corps
Suicide Squad
Notable aliasesVictor "Vic" Sage
Abilities
  • Use of pseudoderm mask
  • Genius-level intelligence
  • Master detective and journalist
  • Skilled martial artist, stealth and hand-to-hand combatant
  • Mystical powers derived from zen buddhism and urban shamanism

The Question is a name used by several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Steve Ditko, the Question first appeared in Charlton Comics' Blue Beetle #1 (June 1967), and was acquired by DC Comics in the early 1980s and incorporated into the DC Universe.[2]

The Question's secret identity was originally Vic Sage, later retconned as Charles Victor Szasz. However, after the events of the 2006–2007 miniseries 52, Sage's protégé Renee Montoya took up his mantle and became his successor. Following The New 52 relaunch, Question was reintroduced as a unknown mystical entity and Sage as a government agent, before being restored to his traditional detective persona and name after the events of DC Rebirth.

As conceived by Ditko, the Question was an adherent of Objectivism during his career as a Charlton hero, much like Ditko's earlier creation, Mr. A.[3] In the 1987–1990 solo series from DC, the character developed a Zen-like philosophy.[4] Since then, various writers have added their own philosophical stances to the Question.[5][6][7]

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 241. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
  3. ^ "The Question's Fraternal Twin". vicsage.com. Archived from the original on 21 August 2006. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  4. ^ "The Question: Zen And Violence". Geekscape. 2007-12-02. Archived from the original on 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Vocal was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference CBR22 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ George, Joe (2019-11-22). "A Comic Book Vigilante Turned Zen Buddhist Is the Missing Link Between Watchmen's Rorschach and Looking Glass". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2020-08-25.