History:
MOTHBALL
Real Name: Joel Larson
Identity/Class: Alternate reality (New Universe) human paranormal
Occupation: Student
Group Membership: The DDTeens (Dynamite, Ghost-Driver, Quiver, Raindrop, Scuzz, Squirm), the Clinic for Paranormal Research's Therapy Group E (Blindspot, Chill, Indigo, Quiver, Raindrop)
Affiliations: Dynamite, Lenore Fenzl, Ghost-Driver (Evan Huebner), Stephanie Harrington, Dave Landers, Quiver (Annie Stevenson), Raindrop (Heather Hanneman), Scuzz (Dennis Cuzinski), Squirm (Jim Walkins)
Enemies: The Black Powers (Bazooka, Blindspot, Chill, Indigo), Mutator
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: "Forcebreaker" (rejected alias)
Base of Operations: Sheboygan, Wisconsin, USA;
formerly the Clinic for Paranormal Research, south of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
First Appearance: (unidentified) D.P.7 I#15 (January, 1988)
(as Mothball) D.P.7 I#16 (February, 1988)
Powers/Abilities: Mothball's body could generate soap-like bubbles which neutralized the energy of whatever they came into contact with. He would throw these "mothballs" at fellow paranormals to temporarily sap them of their own parabilities.
Height: Unrevealed (approximately 5'7")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 140 lbs.)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
History:
(D.P.7. I#19/The Clinic) - Following the White Event on July 22, 1986 caused by the Star Brand, Joel Larson was one of many people who discovered they had paranormal abilities. On September 1, 1987, Joel became a patient at the Clinic for Paranormal Research to receive training in controlling his parability. Joel was assigned to Therapy Group E.
(D.P.7 I#15) - Joel attended a class taught by Lenore Fenzl for the younger patients at the Clinic, which at the time included Scuzz, Evan Huebner and Annie Stevenson.
(D.P.7 I#16) - Scuzz decided to form a gang with all the young paranormals and assembled them outside the Clinic to show off their parabilities. When Scuzz went into his "Scorcher" mode, Joel threw some of his mothballs at him, draining away his Scorcher appearance. Since Scuzz had destroyed his clothing to become the Scorcher, this left him naked and Joel mocked Scuzz until he took Michael Crawley's pants to wear. Scuzz declared their gang would be called the DDTeens and told the members to choose nicknames. Joel wanted to call himself "Forcebreaker" but Scuzz insisted his name would be either "Mothball" or "Mr. Bubble." Joel insisted he'd only answer to "Forcebreaker" but Scuzz retorted, "we'll see." Joel joked that Annie Stevenson and Heather Hanneman should be called "No Great Shakes" and "Crybaby" but Annie threatened to vibrate his toes off if he ever used those names.
The DDTeens sat together in the Clinic's cafeteria for dinner and Mothball noticed the Black Powers intimidate Shock, Stalagmite and Wormhole into giving up their table. When Scuzz said they'd let themselves be bullied, Mothball called him out, claiming if he stood up to the Black Powers he'd wet himself. Realizing he had to save face, Scuzz confronted the Black Powers and wound up being assaulted by Indigo, who made him cry. Mothball mocked Scuzz but Annie took Scuzz's side, saying he'd proven his bravery. After dinner, Scuzz told the DDTeens they'd have to fight the Black Powers in retaliation for the cafeteria incident. Mothball refused, saying he had no reason to pick a fight with the Black Powers just because they'd made Scuzz "look like a chump." When the rest of DDTeens proved willing to fight the Black Powers, Mothball told them Scuzz didn't have the guts to fight the Black Powers alone and noted they'd recently been responsible for beating up Freefall and Tangler, who were security guards. The other DDTeens refused to listen to Mothball's warnings.
Mothball ran and got Dave Landers, who had been added to the Clinic's security team, and brought him to the lounge where the Black Powers and DDTeens were fighting. Mothball hurled his mothballs at Squirm, Chill and Indigo to drain their powers, helping Dave assert control over the situation. Scuzz had been frostbitten by Chill and Mothball claimed he hadn't chickened out and had even brought reinforcements but Scuzz remained insolent at Mothball.
(D.P.7 I#17) - The DDTeens started wearing matching outfits with denim jeans and jackets. Mothball tormented Mutator, throwing his mothballs at him until Jeff interceded and sent him away. The next day, all the patients were brought to an assembly held by Clinic director Tanis Newhouse, who ordered them to break up their special interest groups and return to their original therapy groups. A riot broke out and Scuzz ordered the DDTeens into the fight. Mothball hurled several of his mothballs but didn't seem to hit anyone. The riot ended when Lenore Fenzl used her parability to paralyze everyone in the room.
(D.P.7 I#21) - On January 3, 1988, the DDTeens had a snow fight, with Mothball, Dynamite and Ghost-Driver fighting against Quiver, Scuzz, Raindrop and their new member Squirm. They were observed by Jensen, a journalist who had been brought to the Clinic by ex-employee Abner Heath to view where the bodies of the dead Clinic staffers Reinforcer and Receptor had been buried. When Scuzz saw Jensen taking photographs of them he realized the entire Clinic could be brought down. Scuzz decided the DDTeens should flee the Clinic and headed to Sheboygan, arriving on January 9, 1988 and inviting themselves into Stephanie Harrington's home as her new houseguests.
(D.P.7 I#23) - The DDTeens took up residence in the Harrington's basement but Stephanie's husband Chuck didn't enjoy hosting them. On April 24, 1988, Scuzz and Mothball got into a fight in the basement and Chuck ordered them to leave that evening. Stephanie brought them to the nearest bus station and waited with them for the bus. Stephanie was confronted at the bus station by Major Edward Zentner of the U.S. Army and Dave Landers, who had been drafted. Zentner tried to recruit Stephanie into the Army but Dave turned against him and knocked him out, then told the Harringtons to flee the country for Canada. Dave asked the DDTeens to help protect Stephanie and her family. Instead, Scuzz ordered the DDTeens back to the Harringtons' house, intending to squat there.
(D.P.7 I#25) - On June 2, 1988, Scuzz led the DDTeens to King Supermarket in Sheboygan and stole a load of groceries. Joel, as usual, was against Scuzz's plan and constantly criticized him as they fled. Running to the Harringtons' station wagon, Scuzz drove them away but the supermarket staff called the police. A police car soon gave chase and as Joel and the others distracted him, Scuzz accidentally drove the station wagon off the road and down a cliffside. The police called an ambulance.
(D.P.7 I#31 (fb) - BTS) - Squirm, Scuzz, Dynamite and Raindrop were confirmed to have survived the car crash, although all were badly injured. Mothball and Quiver died from their injuries.
Comments: Created by Mark Gruenwald, Paul Ryan and Danny Bulanadi.
Profile by Prime Eternal.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Mothball should not be confused with:
images: (without ads)
D.P.7 I#17, page 6, panel 1 (main)
D.P.7 I#19, Clinic profile (face)
D.P.7 I#16, page 21, panel 2 (powers)
Appearances:
D.P.7 I#15-17 (January-March, 1988) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Paul Ryan (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Howard Mackie (editor)
D.P.7 I#21 (July, 1988) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Paul Ryan (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Howard Mackie (editor)
D.P.7 I#23 (September, 1988) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Paul Ryan (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Howard Mackie (editor)
D.P.7 I#25 (November, 1988) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Paul Ryan (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Howard Mackie (editor)
First posted: 10/27/2026
Last updated:
10/26/2026
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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