Art by Jesus Saiz
Damon Mathews is federal prosecutor Kate Spencer’s assistant. We first see Damon during Spencer’s closing argument in the trial to prosecute Copperhead. In a brief scene he tires to cheer up Kate while the jury deliberates. Unfortunately, the
jury acquits Copperhead.
Damon is next seen in issue #5 when JLA members arrive at the Los Angeles Federal Building. They’ve come to talk with Spencer about the murder of Firestorm (Ronny Raymond) by the Shadow Thief. Damon does his best to make an impression on the Leaguers, especially Hawkman, with whom he flirts and tries to ask out for sushi. Issues #6, 7, and 9 have brief appearances related to work matters with Kate.
Some friendly banter between the pair in issue #11 reveals that Damon is going out on a date with a man. Cameron Chase of the DEO becomes a recurring character with the next issue. She compliments Damon on his “super-heroic physique” as he dashes off to the gym, but not before lamenting that Hawkman wasn’t impressed. He and Kate have a brief conversation in the Federal Building in which she tells him to take charge in a case, but he’s also left wondering how straight men date women because of her secretiveness (issue #16).
A big development comes in a scene in issue #18. Todd Rice (AKA Obsidian) arrives at the front desk asking to speak with Damon, which is quite a surprise for Damon. Todd had hoped to persuade Damon to play hooky with him for the afternoon. Damon begs off though because of heavy caseload and then asks if their date for that night at a sushi place is still on. It seems Damon really does like sushi. They kiss goodbye at the elevator while the on-looking secretary smiles.
Issue #19 has a two-page scene. It opens in Todd’s apartment with Damon and Todd snuggling under the sheets after sex as they try to make plans for the rest of the night. Todd decides to take a shower that is cut short when Damon calls out he has a visitor. Damon is shocked to see projected image of Green Lantern (Alan Scott), and even more surprised when Todd calls him “Dad.”
It’s “One Year Later” in issue #20, and we learn through an “on the super-hero job” conversation between Kate (Manhunter) and Todd (Obsidian) that he and Damon are still dating. In fact, Todd’s returned to surprise Damon for his birthday. Check back for details to be added!
Damon first appears in Manhunter #1 (vol 4) and is outed in Manhunter #5. See the bio for Obsidian and Ramsey Robinson.
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Tags: couple, DC, gay, Manhunter, Marc Andreyko