Warning: The following contains SPOILERS for TItans season 4.The sorceress Jinx made her live-action premiere in Titans season 4, but the series' take on the character has a different backstory than in the comics and different powers than her most famous incarnation from Teen Titans Go! Whereas the animated Jinx had luck manipulation powers akin to Scarlet Witch's hex powers, the Jinx of the classic Teen Titans comics was a powerful sorceress with elemental abilities. The Jinx of Titans has the same powers and weaknesses as in the comics, but a totally new history as one of Nightwing's former lovers.
Jinx was created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist Chuck Patton and first appeared in Tales of the Teen Titans #56 in 1985. Incarcerated at STAR Labs for undefined crimes at the request of her native India, Jinx was freed by the supervillain team known as the Fearsome Five and has been a thorn in the Titans' side ever since. A career criminal, Jinx has also put her magical powers to work as part of several sinister groups, including the Secret Society of Supervillains, the Injustice League and the all-female Villainy Inc. The Jinx of Titans seems to be similarly opportunistic but shares the animated Jinx's willingness to work for the good guys for the right price. Here are Jinx's Titans season 4 powers and backstory fully explained.
Jinx's Magic In Titans Season 4 Explained
When Jinx first appears in Titans season 4, she is able to escape from prison in a whirlwind after removing her shoes and touching her bare feet to the ground below her. This is a nod to the comics, where Jinx's magic required her to make contact with the earth with her bare skin in order to use her powers to their fullest. While she could store some residual magical energies for use later, Jinx's powers could become weakened or lost altogether if she did not maintain her connection with the ground. This was why the comics version of Jinx was usually barefoot and wore little more than a bikini top and a loincloth. The Jinx of Titans season 4 seems to be similarly empowered, though the preview images of Lisa Hayley Ambalavana in her Jinx costume reveal shiny gold boots and a much more conservative bodysuit than in the comics.
Regardless of how often she must connect with the earth, it is clear that Titans' Jinx is a figure of power. She is able to summon a whirlwind to cover her escape from prison with little effort and can bend the laser lights of a security grid enough to allow her to pass without disrupting the beams. This is in keeping with Jinx's powers in the comics, which allow her to manipulate the classic elements of earth, wind, fire and water as well as craft intricate illusions.
Who Are DC's Fearsome 5 (Will They Appear In Titans?)
While Jinx has been part of many supervillain groups, she is most often affiliated with the Fearsome Five, which are the chief villain team that faces the Titans in the comics. Originally established by Doctor Light to help him get revenge on the Teen Titans after they defeated him, the Fearsome Five has reemerged to challenge the Titans in multiple incarnations. Apart from Jinx, their membership usually includes the super-strong Mammoth, the telepathic Psimon, the matter-transmuting Shimmer, and the genius inventor Gizmo.
With Jinx emerging as a key figure in Titans season 4, many are wondering if the Fearsome Five can be far behind. Unfortunately, this seems unlikely, as other members of the Fearsome Five have also appeared in earlier episodes of Titans and there was no indication of a larger team existing. Shimmer had a brief cameo in Titans season 2, fighting Donna Troy and Starfire while they were working with the FBI. Gizmo had a similarly brief cameo as the thief the Titans captured in Titans season 3 premiere. There is a possibility the Fearsome Five might come together in Titans season 5, but there doesn't seem to be any room for them in the already villain-heavy story of Titans season 4.
What We Know About Jinx's Titans History
Amazingly, the Titans season 4 episode "Jinx" gives us far more backstory for Earth-9's version of Jinx than her comic book counterpart has received in nearly four decades of publication. A thief and grifter who worked out of Gotham City and Bludhaven, Jinx is said to be well-connected to both the criminal underworld and the dark side of the magic community. Jinx is established as having had a bad romance with Nightwing at some point in the past, cracking wise about him enjoying rough sex and having her on top of him. She was also apparently close enough to Dick Grayson to have visited Wayne Manor, joking about how a petrified Starfire would "look really good on Bruce's terrace."
Despite being an unrepentant thief with a sarcastic sense of humor, Jinx does have some moral scruples. Nightwing notes that Jinx "wouldn't get anyone else killed unless your life was on the line." This makes the Titans version of Jinx comparable to the warlock John Constantine, whom Jinx makes an unflattering reference to as she and Nightwing discuss their past together. Reportedly Nightwing's inability to trust Jinx led to her getting burned in a confrontation with Constantine and Jinx likewise ruined Nightwing's chance to capture Two-Face. This dark history promises more drama to follow as Titans season 4 continues.