| “ | Despero is the beginning. Despero is the end. Despero is all. | „ |
| ~ The prayings Despero forces his followers to recite in his presence. |
| “ | O Flame of Pitar, the time is at hand. Infuse me with your power so that I may carry out your will. Together we will transform kalanor into a paradise. And spread your light throughout the universe. It begins now. Prepare now to receive the gift of pitar. Open yourselves to the will of the flame. Go. The conquest begins now. Emblazon my word and will across the cosmos. | „ |
| ~ Despero to his army. |
| “ | Hear me, o children of Kalanor. Behold, I am the Py'tar, the living soul of this planet. Despero is a great deceiver. He has misused my power for his own petty ends. I say unto thee the Py'tar is not a source of hatred. But a beacon of hope. In times gone by, Kalanor was a paradise. It can be again. But thou must reject the dark ways of Despero. And step into the light. The choice is thine. | „ |
| ~ Py'tar possessing J'onn J'onzz in order to reveal to the people of Kalanor that Despero is the true evil. |
Despero, best known as Lord Despero, is a minor antagonist in the Cartoon Network television series Justice League, serving as the main antagonist of the Season 2 two-parter episode "Hearts and Minds".
He is the alien ruler of Kalanor thanks to him discovering the Flame of Py'tar and mastering its will through his third eye, a deformity he was born with and initially scorned because of. However, as Martian Manhunter later reveals, Despero used the Flame's power for his own petty and malevolent ends, enslaving all of his people and planning to repeat the process in different worlds until he could subjugate all of the galaxy.
He was voiced by Keith David, who also played Chaos in Final Fantasy, Thailog in Gargoyles, Big Tim in Requiem for a Dream, Tublat in The Legend of Tarzan, Atlas in Teen Titans, Thel 'Vadam in the Halo video game series, Julius Little and himself in the Saints Row video game series, Tombstone in The Spectacular Spider-Man, Dr. Facilier in The Princess and the Frog, Psycho Delic in the Megamind video games, Internet in Regular Show, President Andre Curtis in Rick and Morty, Lord Marmoo in Kulipari: An Army of Frogs, Malcolm Kane in Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters, Thrull in The Last Kids on Earth and King Andrias in Amphibia.
History[]
Past[]
Years ago, Despero was a Kalanorian peasant who lived in the planet of Kalanor, a dry world that was once a lush paradise. However, Despero was born with a deformity in the form of his third eye, resulting in Kalanor's population despising him and casting him out, exiling him from his town when he was merely a youngster. One night, as he wandered over Kalanor's wasterland, Despero was assaulted by three thieves, who planned to kill him to deprive him of the few things he had, but suddenly, the Flame of Py'tar emerged from the ground and killed the Kalanorian criminals. Amazed, Despero was infused with the Flame's mystical power, harnessing it through his third eye.
However, rather than truly listening to the Flame's words about restore the paradise Kalanor once was, Despero interpreted this message as an indicator that he had to impose his rule over those weaker than him: starting with Kalanor and then proceeding with all the universe. Desiring revenge over his people for exiling him, Despero came back to his town and used his powers to subjugate the townsfolk. Growing up, Despero rose to power and became Kalanor's ruler as the Emperor of the Legion of the Third Eye, his own empire, while claiming that his third eye was his link to the Flame of Py'tar. Over his years of ruling Kalanor with an iron fist, Despero established certain rules like outlawing his subjects from reading books.
Justice League[]
In the episode "Hearts and Minds", Despero sends his forces to attack the planet of Ranstad-7 as part of his world-conquering campaign across the galaxy. The attack results in the Green Lantern Corps coming to the rescue, but Despero's forces ultimately outmatch and defeat them, resulting in the deaths of Arkkis Chummuck and Galius Zed, forcing Katma Tui to send Kilowog to the Earth and surrender to Despero, "allowing" him to turn her into his priestess. In doing so, Katma joins the resistance movement against Despero's rule, led by the Kalanorian rebels Shifflet and Radocko, recruiting most of the sacrifices Despero threw into the Flame of Py'tar with a matter transporter.
When John Stewart, a member of the Justice League whom Tui mentored as Green Lantern, is warned by Kilowog about Despero's threat, he goes undercover to Kalador to save Katma, but is captured by Despero's soldiers and brought before him. In presene of the Green Lantern, Despero proceeds to explain his conquering plans, offering Stewart to join him, but once Stewart refuses and tries to fight him, Despero neutralizes him with his third eye, breaking his will and rendering his power ring useless for a while. He then asks Katma to throw John off to his death into the Flame of Py'tar, unaware that the matter transporter instead saves and transports him into the resistance's sewer headquarters.
Bestowing the Flame of Py'tar's energies to his soldiers after their successful attack on Ranstad-7, Despero dispatches them to other worlds to invade them and begin his conquest over all of the cosmos. However, the resistance movement against his rule, assisted by the Flash, Hawkgirl and Martian Manhunter, strikes then and manages to avoid his troopers. Furious, Despero summons Lieutenant Franzi, the man in charge of his troopers, and threatens him for his failure until Franzi pleads him for mercy, leading Despero to "pardon" him if he goes with no provisions to the desert until he finds a vision of himself, essentially sending Franzi to his death before asking Prime Minister Kritzblack to send his troops after the resistance and the Justice League out of fear that they may corrupt his government. However, Radocko defects from the resistance and tips Despero off, who allows him a position on his side and dispatches his men to where the resistance is hiding.
Despero resumes his conquest and eventually comes to see John, Katma and Hawkgirl once they are captured and chained. Seeing his offer of recruitment rejected again, Despero forcibly infuses Katma with the Flame of Py'tar, successfully enslaving her to his will, before approaching Hawkgirl and declaring his intentions to let her be one of his personal attendants due to her "exotic" wings instead of sending her to fight, infuriating John as he tries to bind Hawkgirl to his will. Not wishing to see Despero hurt his friend, John finally regains the will for his power ring, breaking free of his restraints and engaging Despero in a destructive duel that involves them leaving a trail of destruction over the cave they are. During the fight, Despero tries to offer Green Lantern a place in his government, but Green Lantern doesn't accept and ends up sealing Despero's third eye shut when he punches it with his ring.
Unknown to both fighters, however, Martian Manhunter, the Flahs and Kilowog had been able to communicate the former with Py'tar, who in turn communicated with all his people through Martian Manhunter and told them about Despero's trickery, leading them to finally renounce to Despero's fake teachings and go for the true paradise Py'tar wished to create with a power to benefit, not to subjugate. Thus, Despero loses his powers and all his forces offword are turned into trees as Py'tar reestablishes the paradise it wished to restore over Kalanor. Despero is subsequently wrapped by the brances of a tree that emerges from the ground under him. However, as he witnesses through a vision what paradise Py'tar wished to create, Despero doesn't struggle and peacefully embraces the Flame of Py'tar's revelation, accepting his fate and being absorbed into the tree. As for his kingdom, Despero's government was claimed by Kalanor's returning green foliage, which replenished the wastelands, prompting Kalanor's population to thank the Justice League for their assistance and to rebuild their civilization with the assistance of the surviving Green Lanterns.
Quotes[]
| “ | Another green lantern. This is getting monotonous. But I'm sure it's not your fault. You were, after all, just following your master's orders. | „ |
| ~ Despero's first introduction. |
| “ | John Stewart: Despero, I presume. With a backup group, no less. Despero: The guardians would be wise to step aside. A new order to the universe is coming, One that will be written in fire. And with the blood of all who oppose me. You would be wise to join me. John Stewart: I don't know what you're selling, But I'm not buying. Despero: What you want is irrelevant. The only will that matters is mine. The one true voice of the flame of Pitar. Such was bestowed upon me in the time of before. I was but a simple peasant. Cast out because of my deformity. Alone and forlorn, I wandered in the wasteland. Guided by an unknown hand of fate. It was when I was set upon by a gang of thieves. Bent on taking what little I had. That the ultimate truth was revealed to me. Before the thieves could flee, the ground split asunder. A great flame shot forth and destroyed my assailants. But I was spared. My third eye opened, and the flame spoke to me in a voice only I could hear. It told me of a time when Kalanor would become a paradise. Pitar charged me with the honor of leading my world to greatness. And spreading its light across the galaxy. John Stewart: Huh. Your story sounds a little derivative. Despero: You doubt my word? Behold, the flame of pitar. (a gate opens and reveals the flames) John Stewart: Am I supposed to be impressed? Despero: You're not the first skeptic. You will not be the last. |
„ |
| ~ Despero tells his background story. |
| “ | Despero: Grisblack, do you have news from the ministry of conversion? Grisblack: Lieutenant Franzi has a report, lord. Despero: Step forward, my son. Franzi: Our forces stormed the enemy headquarters. Unfortunately, the nonbelievers escaped. I failed you. Despero: I see. And naturally, you've come to beg for forgiveness. Franzi: I know I'm unworthy. Despero: This is true. Franzi: What must I do to atone? Despero: March into the desert dressed in simple robes and without provisions. Stay there and await a vision from me. Only then will you be cleansed and ready to reenter my kingdom. Franzi: Thank you, lord Despero. I praise your name. Thank you. (Franzi leaves) Despero: Tell lieutenant Franzi's forces that he won't be back. Then send them out again. These nonbelievers must be brought around to my truth. Grisblack: Yes, lord. But if I may be so bold, your power is great and theirs is small. Surely they pose no threat. Despero: A lone voice in the darkness can rouse many if not snuffed out. My word is absolute and must be accepted by all. Grisblack: Of course, lord. |
„ |
| ~ Despero sends Lieutenant Franzi into exile. |
| “ | Despero: Soon, great pitar, we will receive word from our forces on our latest conquest. (a servant enters the room) Some better news this time, I trust. Servant: Indeed, lord. (Radocko arrives) Despero: Speak. Radocko: Lord Despero, the unbelievers and off worlders have regrouped in the city's ancient catacombs. I can show you where to find them. Despero: And why should I take your word? What do you gain from this betrayal? Radocko: I only wish to be part of the winning side. Despero: Ha ha ha. Well, young one, You've assured yourself a position there indeed. Prepare your forces. I will show this resistance the error of their ways. They will accept the light of Pitar, or they will die. |
„ |
| ~ Despero learns the location of his enemies. |
| “ | Despero: I admit I am puzzled as to how you survived the Pitar, but it's just as well. Killing you is a waste. When I can make better use of your talents in my army. John Stewart: We're not interested. Despero: It's not like you have a choice. I've just launched a second invasion wave. Soon, I will launch another. You three will be part of it. Prepare to embrace the power of the Pitar. |
„ |
| ~ Despero to his prisoners. |
| “ | Despero: Now, who's next? John Stewart: Keep away from her. Despero: The wings give her an exotic quality, wouldn't you agree? I don't think I'll put her in the army. I have just the place for her. As one of my personal attendants. John Stewart: Don't even think about it. |
„ |
| ~ Despero about to torture Hawkgirl. |
| “ | Pitar, do not forsake me. (a tree graps Despero) Oh, Pitar. Now I see... Paradise. | „ |
| ~ Despero's last words before he is killed. |
Trivia[]
- Although he only appeared once in the DC Animated Universe shows, Despero returns in the seemingly canonical Justice League Unlimited #1 issue, a spin-off comic book series based on the successor Justice League show: in the issue, Despero returns assisting Brainiac in his latest scheme to destroy the Justice League, but they get defeated once again. However, as the issue contradicts with Despero's death in "Hearts and Minds" (coupled with Brainiac's loss of his original body by that time), considering how several DCAU creatives said that the comics are canon as long they don't contradict the shows, it's likely that the issue in question is non-canonical.
- According to Justice League co-creator Bruce Timm, Despero outlawing his citizens to own books under the punishment of death at his men's hands was heavily influenced by several religious extremist groups.
