- For the IDW comics character, see Rapture (comics).
| “ | Do not let this trouble you, my friends. Everything you desire will come to pass, it is your destiny! | „ |
| ~ Rapture |
Phoebe Ashe, better known by her stage name Rapture, is the main guitarist of The Stingers.
She was voiced by Ellen Gerstell.
History[]
Rapture grew up with divorced parents. She would be spending nine months with her mother, a real-estate saleswoman in San Francisco. Her father is a neurologist and she would spend three months in the summer with him in Chicago, Illinois.
Joining Riot and Minx in Germany, after they had left their former band, Nirvana, Rapture makes up the third member of the "Golden Triumvirate", the rock band The Stingers, performing as the main guitarist for the band and providing backup vocals. Rapture is a skilled con-artist and is quite knowledgeable in matters of the occult. She uses that knowledge to further her own agenda, and often that of The Stingers as well.
Some of Rapture's most famous scams include: Maneuvering herself into a position to exchange a "chunk of crummy quartz" that she got from Pizzazz for a bracelet made of gold and diamonds.[4] She bilked several Greek townspeople out of their money pretending to be an oracle.[5] She persuaded a gullible rich woman called Mrs. Farnsworth to let The Stingers play at the charity concert by pretending to channel the spirit of Houdini.[6]
Personality[]
Rapture is the cunning and theatrical guitarist of The Stingers, defined by a Machiavellian and sociopathic persona that thrives on manipulation and deception. Her sharp intelligence, quick wit, and performative flair make her a master con artist, as Jem notes in “That Old Houdini Magic,” calling her “one of the best con artists around.” Rapture’s schemes, often cloaked in occult or mystical facades, exploit vulnerabilities for psychological gratification rather than necessity, given her upper middle class upbringing and the Stingers’ success. In “The Stingers Hit Town (Part 1),” she cons a woman out of a gold and diamond bracelet by claiming a worthless quartz crystal, obtained from Pizzazz, has centuries-old healing powers. The next day, in “The Stingers Hit Town (Part 2),” she exploits Pizzazz’s infatuation with Riot, tricking her into wearing a ridiculous outfit and drinking a “potion” of raw eggs and liver, gaining only amusement from her humiliation.
Her thrill-seeking escalates in “Midsummer Night’s Madness,” where, bored while her bandmates pursue their own agendas, she poses as an oracle to swindle Greek townspeople, fleeing after Aja exposes her and Riot returns the funds. In “That Old Houdini Magic,” her most reprehensible scheme sees her channel Houdini’s spirit to deceive Mrs. Farnsworth, overriding her rejection of Riot’s charm to make The Stingers the main act at a charity ball and divert both the event’s proceeds and her personal fortune to a fraudulent charity. These acts, unmotivated by financial need, highlight her sadistic delight in manipulation. Arrogant and self-centered, Rapture views others as pawns for her entertainment. Her loyalty to bandmates Riot and Minx is strategic, supporting Minx’s flirtations with Rio and following Riot’s lead to advance the Stingers’ fame. Her frantic reaction to Minx’s near-drowning in “A Change of Heart,” suggests possible care, but her sociopathy leaves it ambiguous whether this reflects genuine emotion or pragmatic concern for a valuable ally. Rapture’s unapologetic villainy and boredom-driven manipulations make her one of the series’ most morally complex and unredeemed antagonists.
Relationships[]
Riot[]
Rapture’s relationship with Riot, The Stingers’ charismatic lead singer, is a strategic alliance rooted in mutual ambition rather than emotional or romantic attachment. She willingly follows his leadership, recognizing his charm as a key to The Stingers’ success, as seen when he mitigates her failed oracle scheme in “Midsummer Night’s Madness” by returning the townspeople’s money. In “The Day the Music Died,” after Riot and Jem disappear and he forges a postcard suggesting they’ve run off together, Rapture remarks, “Ever since I first laid eyes on him, I knew we belonged together.” Despite his obvious infatuation with Jem, Rapture displays no jealousy, indicating her statement reflects admiration for his manipulative prowess or their shared destiny as power-driven partners, not romantic interest. Her confidence allows her to navigate this dynamic as an equal, leveraging Riot’s charisma to advance her own goals within The Stingers.
Minx[]
Rapture and Minx share a close alliance within the Stingers, functioning as strong allies, if not genuine friends, due to their mutual support for each other’s goals. Rapture aids Minx’s persistent flirtations with Rio, while Minx supports Rapture’s manipulative cons, such as those in “That Old Houdini Magic.” Their partnership thrives on a shared understanding of The Stingers’ callous, scheming dynamic, even when their personal objectives diverge. In “A Change of Heart,” when Minx nearly drowns after being pulled out by an undertow, Rapture appears frantic, urgently seeking Rio’s help to save her. Whether this desperation reflects genuine care or a pragmatic recognition of Minx’s value to The Stingers remains ambiguous, given Rapture’s sociopathic tendencies. This incident underscores the complexity of their bond, blending strategic alliance with potential, albeit unclear, emotional depth.
Gallery[]
Animated series[]
Fashions[]
(model sheet number RAP-1)
(model sheet number RAP-3)
(model sheet number RAP-4)
Dolls[]
Trivia[]
- Rapture's original name was going to be "Fantasy".
- In the Portuguese dub of Jem, Rapture's name was changed to "Ecstasy".
- Rapture may have been intended to have short hair based on the promotional artwork for her doll.
- Rapture's singing voice was provided by famous actress and singer Vicki Sue Robinson (1954-2000), best known for her 1976 hit "Turn the Beat Around".
- Rapture has a very close relationship with Minx and Riot, her fellow bandmates.
- Rapture scams people through the belief of false astral forces and divination, and pretends to be kind to make people trust her.
- Just like Jetta, Rapture is known for deceptive cons, although her deceptive nature excels Jetta's as her victims usually fall for it.
- In the episode The Day the Music Died, Rapture states about Riot that she "knew we belonged together". This may imply she has an unconfirmed infatuation for him, although this is unlikely, given her sociopathic tendencies and her lack of jealousy toward Riot's obvious infatuation with Jem.
- In 2013, Integrity Toys created a commemorative doll line which included Rapture, Riot, Minx and other dolls.
References[]
- ↑ Name how she appears in the Portuguese dub.
- ↑ Preliminary name while still under development.
- ↑ Temporarily and only in the episode The Day the Music Died.
- ↑ As seen in the episode The Stingers Hit Town (Part 1).
- ↑ As seen in the episode Midsummer Night's Madness.
- ↑ As seen in the episode That Old Houdini Magic.