Warning: Contains spoilers forMr. Terrific Year One #3!!
Thanks to Edi Gathegi’s scene-stealing portrayal of Mr. Terrific in James Gunn’sSuperman, there’s a lot of buzz around one ofDC’ssmartest heroes, yet the character wants people to remember he’s more than just a big brain…he’s also incredibly tough. This is sometimes overlooked,in comparison to Terrific’s vast intelligence, but he can hold his own in a fight.
In previews forMr. Terrific Year One #3, written By Al Letson, with art by Valentine de Landro and Edwin Galmon, Holt finds himself face to face with an Apokoliptian Hellhound, buried in rubble and not exactly able to think his way completely out of the situation.
Even one of the smartest men in the world can’t depend on his head for everything, and he knows it.
Mr. Terrific Complements His Intelligence With Toughness
Mr. Terrific: Year One#3; Written By Al Letson; Art By Valentine de Landro & Edwin Galmon; Available July 2025 From DC Comics
Michael cites thatpeople devalue the fact that he’s strong, or, in his words, “tough as hell”.As ifMister Terrific’s superior intelligenceand knack for technology weren’t enough, he also adds brawn to the mix. Fans got a glimpse of that onscreen, and now DC is highlighting the trait.
Michael Holt’sMr. Terrific first joined DC ComicsinThe Spectre #54in 1997. He’s been called a genius, ranking among DC’s most intelligent characters; he holds multiple degrees, alongside boasting Olympic-level athleticism. Holt assumed the Mr. Terrific mantle after being inspired by the original version, Terry Sloane, from whom he took his ‘Fair Play’ catchphrase.
While Holt’s intellect is typically what sets him apart, and he’s currently regarded as the third-smartest man in the world in the DC Universe, his physical prowess can’t be discounted. It’s part of what makes him such a unique hero, as he taps into both the ‘brain and brawn’ spheres.
He might not bestrong like a Kryptonian, but he can certainly take a hit and keep going. He doesn’t just fight behind a screen or with his T-Spheres, even though it’d be possible for him to do much of his work from afar. That isn’t how Mr. Terrific operates, and that’s an important element of the character.
Mr. Terrific Has A Legion Of New Fans Who Will Soon Learn He’s As Strong As He Is Smart
WithMr. Terrific: Year Oneserving as a retelling of the hero’s origin, it’s refreshing to see DC emphasize that Michael is more than just someone with a good head on his shoulders. He knows his own strength, and uses that to get back on his feet even when the odds (and a hellhound) are stacked against him.
Mr. Terrific is a modern icon of intellect and integrity, and he offers proof that being a superhero comes in all sorts of different combinations.
Ultimately, Mr. Terrific is a modern icon of intellect and integrity, and he offers proof that being a superhero comes in all sorts of different combinations. He’s a man who wears many metaphorical hats and is guided by conviction and purpose. Both his intelligence and the toughness gained from growing up in “the bottoms of Gateway City” guide him.
With many fans being introduced to Mr. Terrific for the first time by seeing Edi bring him to lifein James Gunn’sSuperman, it’s the perfect time forDC Comicsto lay out all the things that make him a successful hero;Mr. Terrific can’t be written off as merely intelligent or a talented fighter; he is a strong mix of both.
Mr. Terrific Year One#3will be available May 26, 2025 from DC Comics.
