Apr 1
April Fools! Watch out for the Trickster!
Watercolor, 6 x 9 inches JoJo Seames, 2026
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Sweden
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Singapore
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from Russia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Japan
seen from South Africa
seen from Canada
seen from Azerbaijan
April Fools! Watch out for the Trickster!
Watercolor, 6 x 9 inches JoJo Seames, 2026
365 DC Comics Heroes & Villains Paper Cut-Outs
The Pied Piper
Hartley Rathaway was born into a wealthy family. Early in his toddlerhood, Hartley’s parents discovered that he was deaf. They spared no expense in their efforts to help their son hear, including experimental treatments. They financed and ultimately developed highly sophisticated hearing implants that were designed by the cybernetic progeny William Magnus. These implants proved successful and young Hartley was able to hear.
Later in his adolescence, Hartley discovered that the implants not only allowed for normal hearing but could also be enhanced so that he could hear all manner of sounds, frequencies outside of the range of human hearing.
He became a master of sound and experimented with sonic vibrations that could affect the thoughts, moods and actions of those around him. He devised specialized melodies that could effectively hypnotize others and other vibrations that could break apart solid matter.
Now a young man, Hartley found himself quite bored and he decided to try his hand at being a super villain, seeing as a fun lark. He crafted up a costume along with a specialized flute and dubbed himself ‘The Pied Piper.’ This flute could hypnotize people and, at its highest frequency, deliver a sonic blast that could break through concrete. With this flute, The Piper set about a crime spree in Keystone City and it was not long before he ran afoul of the city’s speedster protectors, The Flash (Barry Allen).
Following a number of defeats at the hands of The Flash, The Pied Piper threw in with team of supervillains known as the Rogues (composed of The Flash’s most persistent of foes). Hartley continued to operate as the Pied Piper simply for the sport of it, because it was fun. This changed in the wake of the Crisis on Multiple Earths event wherein the Flash valiantly sacrificed his life. Hartley was moved by the hero’s selfless action and he decided to reform and discontinue his villainous ways.
Hartley rededicated himself to prosocial causes and, when Wally Wets took up the mantle as the new Flash, Hartley became an alley to him as well as a friend to Wally and his girlfriend Linda Park. Around this time, Hartley also came out as gay (this was one of the first main characters in a DC comic book to be openly queer).
Following further misadventures, Hartley completely retired from his role as the Pied Piper and ultimately became the conductor of the Central City Philharmonic Orchestra. Although he continued to have ties with The Flash and has been in a longterm relationship with David Singh, the director of the crime lab at the Central City Police Department.
Actors Andy Mientus and Martin Mull have each portrayed live-action versions of The Pied Piper. The former villain first appeared in the pages of The Flash Vol 1 #106 (1959).
He looks very polite.
The glaciers that covered this planet levelled mountains and carved valleys into it. What do you think I could do to you with my cold-gun?
Captain Cold by Guillem March
A warm-up doodle. So to speak. I'm really, really, really, really, really enjoying the North/Guidry run (ha) on "The Flash" so far, even though it's only two issues in. I'm being very normal about it. Astonishingly normal. I'm being so chill about it, you guys.
Ink & Digital, 10 x 10 inches JoJo Seames, 2026
Supporter original art reward! This person asked for a sketch of Captain Cold and Heat Wave, for morale. I decided to draw them, just, the happiest these characters are capable of being. The Flash got distracted, so their robbery went swimmingly and they got away with all the loot, and now they're back at their hideout. All is as well as it can be.😌
(Patreon.com/JoJoSeames)
Supporter sketch request! This person asked for a sketch of any comic book blorbo, and I have still by no means had my fill of drawing Flash's Rogues, so here's a sketch of Golden Glider and Captain Cold! I have a lot of feelings about this sibling relationship. They, ironically, warm my heart.
(Patreon.com/JoJoSeames)