The DC Universe is still reeling from the death of Wildcat, one of the oldest comic book superheroes from the Justice Society's golden age. But as with every major death in comics, the rumors and speculation turn almost immediately to resurrection. So, has the time truly run out for Ted "Wildcat" Grant, or will his sacrifice see him removed from the DCU for good?

It's impossible to take almost any comic book death at face value, in the same way skeptics can't be blamed for assuming a heroic and 'shocking' return from the grave is inevitable. The sheer number of dead DC heroes who have come back to life would even argue Wildcat's death should be taken as temporary from tthe outset. After all, the otherwise mortal Wildcat is blessed with nine lives, making him immortal to death of any kind, right? That used to be true, but DC's stance on Ted's mortality isn't as clear as it seems.

Wildcat's Death is DC History, No Matter What Comes Next

Ted "Wildcat" Grant Sacrificed His Life, Dying A Hero's Death

Every superhero death should be valued for the sacrifice, impact, and story it is used to tell, since a comic death doesn't need to be permanent to 'matter' (at least not in every case). For Ted Grant in particular, that's even more accurate than usual, existing as one of DC's first costumed superheroes ever created. Since he was introduced in 1942, the tough-nosed vigilante has put his bare-handed fighting to work alongside the JSA's speedsters, cosmic champions, mystic warriors, and demigods. And therein lies the point.

The events of JSA #6 which cost Ted his life were shaped to highlight this key difference, putting him on the sidelines of a magical battle. Leaving Wildcat behind to act as a bodyguard to Doctor Fate made sense when it seemed like the real danger was of cosmic importance. But the Injustice Society proved that Fate, like the aging hero protecting him, was secretly the key to it all. A painful lession for all of the JSA (and the rest of thee DCU) to learn, whether a resurrection takes place or not.

Will Wildcat's Nine Lives Bring Him Back From The Dead?

Ted Grant's Superhuman Cat-Power Isn't A Guarantee

As many comic books fans were quick to point out, 'death' means almost nothing to Wildcat, since he is blessed with nine lives. The origin story there is accurate, when an attempted curse targeting Ted Grant was twisted by the heroic sorcerer Giovanni "John" Zatara (father of Justice Leaguer Zatanna). Rather than cursing Ted to take the form of a cat, Zatara blessed Wildcat with a cat's famous nine lives. Of course, the amount of comic book lore from the 1940s that exists to the modern day could fit into Zatara's hat.

Whether or not Ted Grant's nine lives have been spent, the friends who witnessed his past resurrections are the ones now mourning his loss as legitimate.

Still, DC has referenced this form of immortality more than once. When Ted's heart was destroyed in 1999's JLA #31 (by Grant Morrison, Howard Porter, John Dell, and Patt Garrahy) he recovered immediately, explaining the curse was also what kept him in his physical prime. But the more modern reference to Ted's multiple lives isn't as clean-cut, with his "death" depicted more ambiguously and more lighthearted in Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular (2021) by Tom Taylor, Nicola Scott, and Annette Kwok.

Fans can debate the canonicity of Ted's lives, how many have been spent, how many recharged, or how his removal and return from DC continuity should be counted. Whether or not Ted Grant's nine lives have been spent, the friends who witnessed his past resurrections are the ones now mourning his loss as legitimate. So readers should do the same, since that's exactly what a hero like Wildcat has earned.

JSA #6 is available now from DC Comics.