David Winston (New Earth)

Vigilante
Mainstream Universe‎‎, 1950s-2011‎
Gallery
Real Name	David "Dave" Winston
Main Alias	Vigilante
Relatives	Richie Winston (brother) · Steven Winston (uncle)
Base Of Operations	Manhattan, New York City
Status
Alignment	Good
Identity	Secret Identity
Citizenship	American
Marital Status	Single
Occupation	Vigilante · court bailiff
Characteristics
Gender	Male
Eyes	Blue
Hair	Red
Origin
Universe	Earth-One · New Earth
Creators	Paul Kupperberg · Tod Smith
First Appearance	Vigilante #23 (November, 1985)
Appearance of Death	Vigilante #36 (December, 1986)

David Winston was the second person to adopt the Vigilante identity after Adrian Chase left it behind.

History

Dave Winston grew up in a family of cops. After the deaths of his brother and father in the line of duty, his mother made him promise not to join the police force. Winston broke this promise, but ended up drafted into the Vietnam War. He was injured, and received the Purple Heart for his wound. Doctors found a heart irregularity that kept him off of the police force.

When Adrian Chase became a judge, he gave up the Vigilante identity. Winston was his bailiff and he believed that the Vigilante's efforts had been noble and worthwhile. After Alan Welles had injured the Vigilante's reputation and been killed, (he was present, having followed Chase and heard Welles' dying confession, as well as saw Chase take Welles' body away) Winston adopted the identity in attempt to show Chase that the city needed the Vigilante.

Chase eventually learned of Winston's actions and chose to wash his hands of the whole affair. Chase and his girlfriend, Marcia King, boarded a plane to Europe which was hijacked. Winston and the Peacemaker both responded to the emergency, but Winston was killed by the Peacemaker, during the conflict.

This happened right in front of Chase, who realized he could not escape the Vigilante legacy. Chase re-assumed the Vigilante identity, but his experiences with Welles and Winston damaged his fragile psyche beyond repair. He began to adopt more vicious tactics in his war on crime.

Paraphernalia

Transportation

• Vigilante's Motorcycle

Notes

• Though Winston's first actual appearance was in Vigilante #23, his first appearance under the guise of the Vigilante was in Vigilante #28.

Related

• 17 Appearances of David Winston (New Earth)
• 4 Images featuring David Winston (New Earth)
• 1 Quotations by or about David Winston (New Earth)
• Character Gallery: David Winston (New Earth)