Bio

Calliope (aka Dominique Dane)

Origin: Dominique is an orphan who was left in the stands of the Gotham Circus after an evening performance. Unable to find her parents, the denizens of the Circus agreed to take her in. She was raised primarily by Roman “The Vanishing” Vinchinzi – a circus performer specializing in daring escapes, acrobatics, and stage magic. Dominique doesn’t know or care who her biological parents are. As far as she is concerned, Roman raised her so he is her father.

When she was a child, Roman was dating Selina Kyle. Selina quickly developed a fondness for the precious and daring Dominque. For a time, Dominique came to think of Selina as being like a mother to her.

Unfortunately, Roman and Selina broke up when Dominique was 11. Dominique came upon the two just as they were in the middle of a terrible argument. Dominique never knew what the argument was about. All she knew was that Selina didn’t come around the circus much after that night.

Not long after that, Selina was exposed as Cat Woman. The authorities tried to portray her as a vicious criminal. Dominique, however, saw her as a strong and daring woman who pursued what she wanted in life. Unknown to Roman, Dominique began following Selina’s exploits and saved several news clippings about her. She also went to visit her in Blackgate Prison during the various times she was incarcerated there.

Growing up, Dominique spent all of her time with circus folk. As a result, she came to feel more at home around freaks and outcasts than she did around “normal” people. One of Dominique’s closest friends growing up was Killer Croc. He performed as a side show freak and strongman at the circus. Croc left the circus shortly after he realized he was falling in love with Dominique. He never told her about his feelings because he was afraid of rejection. The two haven’t had the opportunity to talk much since Croc moved on to his life of crime.

Having spent so much time at the circus, Dominique could not help but learn several unusual skills. She demonstrated a particular talent for acrobatics, high wire work, ribbon dancing, knife throwing, sleight of hand, hypnosis, and escape artistry. She mastered any skill that her friends could teach her. When Dominique turned 16, Roman gave her the stage name Calliope and allowed her to join Gotham’s hottest new show – Cirque Du Gothik.

As part of a publicity campaign to promote the show, Dominique staged a high profile stunt where she proved she could escape from the most secure cells in Arkham Asylum. During the event, Dominique caught the attention of the Joker. Impressed with her moxy and her skills, the Joker decided that she would make a perfect side kick for him. For a time, he was an obsessed stalker who tracked her every move. He has, however, more recently been distracted by Bane’s take over of Gotham.

On Dominique’s 18th birthday, Roman revealed to her that he was a member of the Society of Assassins. He said that he originally joined the Society because he believed in their mission to guide the world by cutting away those who would burden or abuse society. He said he left the society when he discovered that it’s supposed purpose had been corrupted by it’s leaders. He said he still believed in the society’s original mission and he had been doing his best to fight against the corrupt order. He offered to train Dominique if she were interested in joining his cause. Dominique gratefully took him up on his offer and began training in ernest.

Some of Dominique’s training missions brought her into conflict with Batman. He immediately recognized her fighting style and suspected that she was being trained by the Society of Assassins. He labeled her as a potential threat, but took no immediate action against her since she had not actually broken the law. Before he could look further into her past, however, Bane began his campaign of terror.

Dominique was shocked when Bane broke Batman. For the longest time, everyone had believed that the Dark Knight was unbeatable. It did not take long, however, to see just how much trouble Gotham was in once it’s defender had been defeated. Bane wasted little time in eliminating rival threats and consolidating his power. The city quickly fell under a reign of terror.

Roman informed Dominique that Bane would be the first real test of her commitment and skills. He was clearly an evil man who was intent on abusing society for his own gain. Roman argued that the world would clearly be better off without him. So it was that he set Dominique on the mission of finding a way to eliminate Bane. Dominique took some initial steps against some of Bane’s agents to see how he would react. He responded by attacking the Gotham Circus during an evening performance and trying to burn the big top down. The action sent a clear message… Dominique realized that that Bane was too strong for her to defeat alone. She knew she needed to find allies if she wanted to avoid the same fate the Batman suffered…

SEASON 2 PRELUDE
For a short time after Bane’s defeat, Dominique knew some manner of peace. Vincent held a party to celebrate Steven and Dominique’s success in the Amusement Mile Big Top. Patience Phillips was embarrassed and sent to jail – repayment for her vain attempt to claim the title of Catwoman and frame Selina for crimes she didn’t commit. Her dear friend, Selina Kyle, was released from Blackgate after it was discovered that the evidence against her had been manufactured. For a brief time, it seemed as if everything was going to turn out for the best.

As it always does, however, things started to go south in Gotham. Vincent and several of the other circus performers began disappearing at night. Dominique asked Vincent where he was going, but he was coy with her. One night, Dominique decided to follow them and see what they were up to. Much to her surprise, she discovered that they were the “Circus of Crime” Bane had eluded to during their final confrontation. When Dominique confronted Roman, he claimed his actions were justified. He talked about how the carnival robs from the rich to give to the poor.

Dominique was unconvinced that his reasons justified crime, but she was also reluctant to turn in her mentor and closest friend. Uncertain what to do, she confided what she had discovered to Steven. He was surprisingly upset about the news and began to distance himself from Roman. Steven warned Dominique that if she wasn’t careful, Roman might lead her astray.

While she was deciding what to do about Roman and the Carnival of Crime, Harlequin discharged herself from Arkum Asylum. She quickly took up the mantel of the Crown Princess of Crime and set to work recovering the territory the Joker lost when he committed himself for treatment. Harlequin quickly came into conflict with the Circus of Crime. Vincent asked for Dominique’s help protecting the carnival folk from Harlequin’s crazed and brutal attacks. Although she was still uncomfortable with Roman’s life of crime, she agreed that he ran Amusement Mile with a far kinder hand than Harlequin ever would. During the last several months, Dominique has stopped several of Harlequin’s schemes to take over Amusement Mile. She has not, however, been able to apprehend Harlequin or push her out of Amusement Mile. The conflict has become a staple in the news recently and has drawn comparisons between some of the prior battles between Batman and the Joker.

About four months ago, Roman approached Dominique and explained that he had recently become aware of a new problem in Gotham. He said that there was a cult working towards some dark purpose that needed to be stopped. Roman explained that he had some old friends who were trying to deal with the problem. He introduced Dominique to Boston Brand – a former arial artist who died several years ago and now had the ability to possess others. Brand explained that he was working with Dr. Fate and the Merlin, amongst others, to discover what the cult was doing and stop them. As a favor to Roman, Dominique reluctantly agreed to help Brand, Fate, and Merlin with their quest. Since then, she has been helping them explore sites of possible magical significance.

Several weeks ago, Dominique discovered that Waylon Jones had escaped from Blackgate Penitentiary. He came to her seeking help because he was on the run. She found a place for him to hide in the sewers and stole away some food from the carnival for him. Although her relationship with Waylon was still good, it quickly became apparent that he was more savage than he had been in the past. Dominique became concerned that Waylon was beginning to devolve. When it became clear that she could not help him alone, she began searching for anyone who might be able to help her discover a solution for Waylon’s problem. Dominique knew she needed someone brilliant who might understand enough science to help him and the only person she could think of was Victor Fries.

Dominique approached Victor Fries to see if he might be willing to help her. She fully expected the heartless monster to attack her. She was surprised to discover that he was willing to listen. He said he wasn’t sure if he could help Waylon, but he would be willing to try… for a price to be named later. Dominique, unsure of what else to do, agreed and left.

When she returned to the circus, however, she found Steven waiting for her. He said he needed help badly and he wasn’t sure who else to turn to. He talked about how Victor Fries was slowly taking control of Gotham. Aware of his previous crimes, Steven was convinced that Fries was a major menace that needed to be stopped. Most of the other vigilantes, however, decided that other villains were greater priorities. Dominique, reluctant to abandon her “brother” agreed to do what she could to help him.

At the moment, Dominique’s relationship with Selina is one of the few things that is still positive. Dominique has been thrilled to have the opportunity to visit with Selina somewhere other than Blackgate. The two have a weekly meeting where they catch up with each other drinking coffee in the cafe at the Gotham Museum.

When she has spare time, Dominique has taken to spending time at Electrocity.

NO MAN’S LAND
When Gotham was declared a No Man’s Land, Dominique wanted to stay. Bruce Wayne, however, insisted that she come with him to lobby congress on the city’s behalf. He tried to convince her that she could do more good in Washington D.C. than in Gotham. Dominique played along for a few months, but quickly became frustrated. She knew Gotham needed her and she was desperately worried about the friends she had left behind. Against Bruce’s wishes, she eventually returned to Gotham to see what had become of her beloved home.