Question (comics)

The Question
Vic Sage as the Question on The Question vol. 2, #3 (2004). Cover art by Tommy Lee Edwards.
Publication information
Publisher	Charlton Comics DC Comics
First appearance	Blue Beetle #1 (June 1967)
Created by	Steve Ditko
In-story information
Alter ego	Charles Victor Zsasz
Team affiliations	L.A.W. Black Lantern Corps Justice League
Notable aliases	Vic Sage
Abilities	Urban shaman Proficient acrobat Genius-level intelligence Master detective One of the world's foremost martial artists and hand-to-hand combatants Knowledge of possible events in the past, present and future

The Question (real name Charles Victor Szasz aka Vic Sage) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer-artist Steve Ditko, the Question first appeared in Charlton Comics Blue Beetle #1 (June 1967). The character was acquired by DC Comics in the early 1980s and incorporated into the DC Universe. Following the events of the 2006–2007 miniseries 52, his protégé Renee Montoya took up his mantle and became his successor. Following the DC relaunch The New 52, Vic Sage is reintroduced as a government agent. As conceived by Ditko, the Question was an adherent of Objectivism during his career as a minor Charlton hero, much like Ditko's earlier creation, Mr. A. In a 1987–1990 solo series from DC, the character developed a Zen-like philosophy.

Based in Hub City, Vic Sage made his mark as a highly outspoken and aggressive investigative journalist. Not long after starting his TV appearances, he began to investigate Dr. Barby Twain.

Sage was approached by Aristotle Rodor, his former professor, currently a scientist. Rodor told Sage about an artificial skin he had co-developed with Dr. Twain called Pseudoderm. Pseudoderm was intended to work as an applied skin-like bandage with the help of a bonding gas, but it had an unforeseen toxicity which was sometimes fatal when applied to open wounds. Rodor and Twain agreed to abandon the project and parted ways, but Professor Rodor discovered that Dr. Twain had decided to proceed with an illegal sale of the invention to Third World nations, regardless of the risk to human health.

Sage resolved to stop him but had no way of going after Dr. Twain without exposing himself. Rodor suggested that Sage use a mask made of Pseudoderm to cover his famous features. Armed with information, and more importantly a disguise, Sage eventually caught up with Dr. Twain, stopping the transaction and extracting a confession, then leaving Twain bound in Pseudoderm. On television, Sage reported on Dr. Twain's illegal activities.