Riot | |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | Superman: Man of Steel #61 (October 1996) |
Created by | Louise Simonson |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Frederick Von Frankenstein |
Team affiliations | Superman Revenge Squad |
Abilities | Self-Duplication |
Riot is the name of two different characters in DC Comics.
The Frederick von Frankenstein version of Riot first appeared in Superman: Man of Steel #61 and was created by Louise Simonson
The first Riot appeared in New Titans #98.
Frederick Von Frankenstein is the last of a long line of scientists in his family. His father put tremendous pressure on him to succeed in school and in the lab. The sheer volume of work proved too much for one man, so Freddy used his Uncle Hal's Phase Shifter to create duplicate copies of himself, trying to be the best at everything. During this time, he developed a means to allow himself to stick to virtually any surface. Unfortunately, the duplication process activated a metagene that had surfaced in him. He discovered that he can create clones of himself without a cloning machine. His face then resembled a skeleton. Having all the duplicates deprived him of sleep causing him to have insomnia. He was soon driven insane by it and turned to a life of crime under the alias of Riot.
When Riot was committing a series of thefts from bio-tech facilities, he had his first encounter with Superman. Superman discovered that when he attacks Riot, he clones himself. Superman corralled all the Riot clones, but the real Riot got away.
Riot later resurface and stole photon fuel sample from S.T.A.R. Labs. He managed to evade Superman, but was caught by Morgan Edge as Riot hadn't cloned himself that time. Morgan had Anomaly beat up Riot until the cage was full. Riot was able to accept Morgan Edge's offer to join the Superman Revenge Squad alongside Maxima, Misa, Barrage, and Anomaly.
Despite the team's bickering, they managed to beat Superman to a stand-still.
The Superman Revenge Squad quickly fell apart when all the members realized that Morgan Edge could not fulfill all the promises he made to them. Riot used the chaos to send his duplicates back to the squad's lair. Morgan had further ensured his loyalty by keeping one copy behind, shackled with a device that prevented the others from integrating him. Riot freed his copy and slipped away, while Superman defeated the others.
Riot then plotted to steal a phase/time integrater that will enable him to stay together and get to sleep. When Superman came across him, he caused chaos and created a legion which crashed the tower where Lex Luthor was holding a party in. Riot's uncle Hal was present and told Lois about Riot's backstory. Superman stopped the S.C.U. from disturbing Riot until after he had reintegrated and fallen asleep. Once asleep, he was taken into custody.