- One last thing, Flash -- Take a good look at your girl friend! I intend using her dead body as an example of what happens to people who resist me!
- — The Thinker src
Clifford DeVoe is the Thinker, a Keystone City underworld figure that could boost his already great intelligence by means of a Thinking Cap.
History
Origins
Clifford DeVoe was Keystone City's district attorney in 1913. In mob boss Hunk Norvock's trial, DeVoe was stumped when the defense put a young woman on the stand, and he withdrew his case rather than offend the jury by harshly questioning her. This failure, coupled with the knowledge that crime could be made to pay, drove him to alcohol. Visiting Norvock while drunk one night, he offered his services as a "thinker" - a preparer of alibis and legal precedents to keep his organization out of jail. Norvock gave him a house and a stipend and he set to work.
Thinker
For a decade, Clifford DeVoe worked anonymously, until two of Norvock's underlings threatened to implicate him in major crime to the police. On Norvock's prodding, DeVoe infiltrated the police station in a police uniform, stole the evidence and killed the two lieutenants. However, this made Norvock paranoid that DeVoe planned to replace him. Going to his house to kill DeVoe, Norvock was tricked into shooting a reflection in a steel mirror. The bullets ricocheted, killing him. The police ruled a suicide, and the Keystone City underworld fell into disarray... until a coalition of senior bosses chose DeVoe as their leader, citing his previous work. Taking the alias "The Thinker", DeVoe set to work.
The Thinker was first confronted by the Flash, which drove the two men to become mortal enemies.[1] He always sought out new scientific devices to use and his most important was the "Thinking Cap," a metal hat that could project mental force. The Thinker would use this device repeatedly over the years.
The Thinker was a member of the Injustice Society, and, together with the Fiddler and the Shade, he was the man behind the decades-long "abduction" of Keystone City and the original Flash, after which he was defeated by the Flashes of two eras.[2] His "suspended animation-time" in Keystone kept the Thinker young over the years, and he continued his criminal career in modern times.
In recent years, however, DeVoe accepted a mission with the Suicide Squad in exchange for a full pardon. Although he was seemingly killed by the Weasel during this mission, he survived and made his way to Keystone City. He reformed, dedicated his life to good works, even becoming friends with his former nemesis Jay Garrick. However, he developed terminal cancer, apparently connected to the Thinking-Cap. Garrick, attempted to save him with the Thinking Cap, but DeVoe refused, preferring to rest in peace. His last words, to Garrick, were "Learn to lose every once in a while. A little humility prepares you for what lies ahead."
Artificial Intelligence
After DeVoe's death, Mister Terrific used the Thinking-Cap to create an artificial intelligence based on DeVoe's brain-patterns, which would then turn evil itself and become the new Thinker.
Powers and Abilities
Abilities
Paraphernalia
Equipment
Notes
- Although this character was originally introduced during DC's Earth-Two era of publication, their existence following the events of the 1985–86 limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths remains intact. However, some elements of the character's Pre-Crisis history may have been altered or removed for Post-Crisis New Earth continuity, and no longer apply.
Related
- 39 Appearances of Clifford DeVoe (New Earth)
- 13 Images featuring Clifford DeVoe (New Earth)
- 1 Quotations by or about Clifford DeVoe (New Earth)
- Character Gallery: Clifford DeVoe (New Earth)
Footnotes
Justice Society Villain(s) This character, team or organization is or was primarily an enemy of the Justice Society, in any of its various incarnations. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Justice Society Villains" category. |
Flash Villain(s) |
Atom Villain(s) This character is or was primarily an enemy of one or more of the heroes called the Atom. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Atom Villains category." |
Suicide Squad member |