The Cadre

+ Cadre of the Immortal

	Crowbar	Fastball	Black Mass
Overmaster	Nightfall	Shrike	Shatterfist

The Cadre are a group of Earth villains originally assembled by the alien Overmaster. The Overmaster claimed to be a 580 million year-old alien who needed to determine humanity's fitness to survive. He transformed various humans to serve as his agents, including:

• Black Mass, a former M.I.T. physicist whose special wristbands give him complete control over graviton particles, enabling him to transform himself from a 6 foot 97 pound weakling to a 9 feet half-ton monstrosity
• Crowbar, a former Detroit gang leader whose favorite weapon is transformed into an instrument of devastating power (recruited in Justice League of America #233)
• Fastball, a former minor league baseball player, then syndicate assassin, whose exoskeleton armor and power gloves give him the ability to throw high-velocity metal spheres of great explosive power
• Nightfall, a former college student whose wristbands can create a null-field of pure darkness, absorbing all light and kinetic energy in a given area
• Shatterfist, one of the world's greatest living martial artists, who can generate a destructive aura around his hands that can disintegrate solid matter. He was the prisoner of a South Korean monastery for 15 years until the Overmaster freed him.
• Shrike, the Overmaster's most trusted aide, an escaped mental patient who possesses a shrill, powerful shriek that can paralyze or kill her opponent, and wings with which she can fly at speeds exceeding Mach 3.

The Justice League battled the Cadre at a mountain in the Arctic Circle, where they discovered that the Overmaster was apparently a parasitic creature with delusions of grandeur. The real Overmaster, an alien giant, disappeared and took his mountain headquarters, the false Overmaster, and the Cadre with him. (#235-236)

Ay some point one or all of the Cadre were captured. Shrike was later recruited by the Suicide Squad. Sadly, although she had since reformed, she perished on that mission (Suicide Squad v.1 #24-25).

The Overmaster traveled the galaxy destroying whole worlds and species, fulfilling the expectations of each race's apocalyptic prophesies; he became their god and destroyer.. Because of its metahuman potential, he declared that the Earth must be his next target. He began first by recruiting new agents and attempting to establish a foothold from where he would spearhead his mission of destruction. This foothold was to be the Arctic home of the Justice Leaguer, Ice. Overmaster granted Ewald Olafson (Ice's brother) the power to conquer his homeland. Ewald was granted weapons and soldiers to overthrow his father, the king. Ice's mother escaped and contacted the JLA, who helped Ice defeat Ewald. The Overmaster predicted Ewald's defeat, and detonated one of his weapons. Ewald died in the explosion, and Ice absorbed the Overmaster's power. The villain then turned his attention to his other new "surrogates" ... (Justice League America #83-85)

Meanwhile, certain other parties sought to warn the JLA of his arrival. These included the great Darkseid, who still believed that Earth housed the secret to the anti-life equation. Darkseid sent DeSaad to the League; Vandal Savage was concerned about the future of the planet he was "destined" to rule; and T.O. Morrow was having visions of Overmaster's arrival. In Colorado, Overmaster fostered a longtime cult who believed he was a god. This "Flock of the Machine" built a great machine to channel his energies. Their machine unwittingly transformed the Overmaster's power into global chaos. The machine also happened to pierce the hell-dimension containing Dreamslayer. Dreamslayer then took full control of the machine (and the Overmaster's power therein). He again summoned his New Extremists but was halted when the cult's leader destroyed the machine. The Overmaster reclaimed the Extremists and returned Dreamslayer to his other-dimensional prison. (Justice League America #86-88)

Via the man called the Immortal, the Overmaster recruited and empowered individuals from around the globe. The Immortal claimed to be the legendary Prester John, the Crusader who built an empire in the east and possessed the Philosopher's Stone. The Immortal used the Overmaster's gifts to amass an army of great pre-industrial warriors:

• The Druid II, a conqueror from England who had previously encountered Justice League Europe (JLI v.2 #57)
• Mahayogi, a Hindu wraith and servant of the goddess Shiva. Mahayogi was an agent of the organization which empowered the JLE member, Maya.
• Mohammed Ibn Bornu of the Moslem Equestrian Empire of Kanem-Bornu
• Musashi, a Japanese swordsman
• Osiris, who claims to be the most recent incarnation of that Egyptian god
• Phalanx, a Roman foot soldier with the ability to multiply
• Seneca, a Native American warrior
• Xiuhtecutli, an Aztec warrior woman with the power of the sun

Not all the members of this "Cadre of the Immortal" shared the same principles, however. This group was formed under the Immortal's promise that they would rid the world of all modern technology and restore it to its ancient ways. When the Immortal revealed that their powers came from advanced technology, many of them turned on him. The Mahayogi tried to protect Maya from the Immortal's control and was slain. Seneca and Osiris defected and aided the JLI. Bornu departed in disgust. The Immortal perished in the end, consumed by the Overmaster's wrathful power. Those Cadre members whose whose cultures or goals were militaristic (Druid, Musashi, Phalanx, Xiuhtecutli) stayed true to the Overmaster's cause and were joined by many others... (JLI v.2 #63-64)

The Overmaster's ship ultimately arrived on Earth at Mt. Everest, Nepal. Captain Atom immediately led a team there, where Booster Gold lost an arm and was critically injured in battle with the massive new Cadre (including Shatterfist, Devastator, the New Extremists and the Aryan Nation). The Cadre kidnapped Ice and coerced her into joining them.

The League's UN Liaison, Hannibal Martin, ordered them to stand down against the Overmaster. Captain Atom defied orders and assembled another strike team, but the Cadre succeeded in destroying the League's New York headquarters. Ice killed Shatterfist and assumed leadership of the Cadre. She soon turned on the Overmaster and was killed. While Amazing Man subdued the Overmaster by absorbing his power, Blue Beetle discovered the ship's control room. Beetle detonated the ship (and Overmaster) ahead of the armageddon device. (J.L.A. #89-90, JLTF #13 -14, JLI v.2 #65-66)

During the Joker’s siege at the Slab, Black Mass used his powers to draw the entire facility into a gravity well. (Joker: Last Laugh #2) A bullet to the head left Black Mass a vegetable(#4) but he retained his powers and, until his recent appearances with the Cadre was the cell mate of Doctor Polaris, unwittingly keeping the magnetic villain’s powers in check. (#6)Polaris eventually tapped into an other-worldly power source. He restored Blackmass' mind and freed them both to reform the Cadre. He apparently engineered a successor to Shrike called Starshrike, and a new Shatterfist (II). They maintained a low profile for some time before encountering the Power Company during a series of raids. The Cadre attacked companies such as Ryder Technologies (Power Co. #1) and Dayton Industries. (#8) It was at Stagg Industries that the Power Company discovered Dr. Polaris’ involvement (#9). Unbeknownst to Skyrocket, S.T.A.R. Labs was the Cadre’s final destination. (#5)

Fastball was killed during the "Infinite Crisis" by OMAC drones. (OMAC Project #3)

• The Aryan Nation first appeared in Justice League Task Force #10; Druid in Justice League Europe #57; Xiuhtecutli in Justice League Europe #63. The former two were part of the Cadre of the Immortal.
• A curious character called Peregrine was shown at S.T.A.R. Labs. This woman looked exacltly like Shrike and had had her wings removed by the Organ Thief. (JSA: Classified #19)

Justice League of America #235

Justice League America #84-85 • Justice League International v.2 #63-64 • Justice League of America #233-236 • Power Company #1, 5, 8-9, 12-15 • Suicide Squad v.1 #24-25. Judgment Day Crossover: Justice League America #89-90 • Justice League International v.2 #65 • Justice League Task Force #13-14.

Captains of Industry

The Captains of Industry were formed as a small task force for the Institute for Metahuman Studies. The Institute was headed by the former Suicide Squad associate, Simon LaGrieve. It's founders included Maser, Firehawk and the former criminal, Catalyst. Firehawk soon encountered the Silver Swan in Africa and suggested that she join them in order to reform and refine her powers. When Black Adam approached them, seeking Amanda Waller, the Captains became involved in a tragic Suicide Squad mission. There they met their next member, Major Victory. (Suicide Squad #58)

Eventually, the group came to work for the Sunderland Corporation. (??) Long after their dissolution, Catalyst was hired by Kobra to kidnap Maser. Maser was imprisoned and used as a power source until the intervention of the JSA and the D.E.O. Once subdued, Catalyst turned on Kobra and aided the JSA. (JSA #11-12)

• Catalyst (name unrevealed). A former Blue Beetle villain who used poisons & chemicals. After this, he went to work for Kobra (JSA #11-12). 1st app.: Blue Beetle #14
• Firehawk (Lorraine Reilly), friend of Firestorm with fire-based powers. Active in adventuring; JLA reserve member. 1st app.: As Lorraine, Fury of Firestorm #1; as Firehawk #17.
• Air Wave III/Maser (Harold "Hal" Jordan). The son of the Golden Age Air Wave and cousin of Hal Jordan (Green Lantern). Hal can transform himself into electromagnetic radiation. He was changed by Dr. Moon and took the name Maser (Firestorm #88) but returned to using the name Air Wave when he joined the Justice Society reserves (JSA: Our Worlds at War). 1st app.: Green Lantern, v.2 #100.
• Major Victory (Bill Vickers, formerly of & Suicide Squad). Major Victory was the leader of the Force of July which butted heads frequently with the Outsiders. Most of that team was decimated on a Suicide Squad mission, and Vickers remained with the Squad until being recruited by the Captains. He was killed by Eclipso in Eclipso #13. 1st app.: Batman & the Outsiders Annual #1
• Silver Swan (Valerie Beaudry). Never became an official member. She was subjected to experiments by the Armbuster International which granted her the ability to create powerful sound waves with her voice and fly. During the great War of the Gods, Valerie reformed and took inspiration from her former foe, Wonder Woman. Her current whereabouts unknown. Wonder Woman's friend, Vanessa Kapatelis, was transformed into the second Silver Swan. 1st app.: Wonder Woman v.2 #15.

 Firestorm #61

  Firestorm #?? • Suicide Squad #58

C.B.I. (Central Bureau of Intelligence)

This U.S. spy organization was mainly active before the reactivation of Task Force X (and the Suicide Squad). The agency was run by Sarge Steel. King Farady eventually took over the C.B.I. and it was later phased out, but he remained behind the scenes in the intelligence community (DC Encyclopedia). Known agents include:

• John and Cherie Chase, as well as their son Danny Chase were all agents. (New Teen Titans Annual #3)
• Both the Bronze Tiger (Ben Turner) and Richard Dragon are former C.B.I. field agents. (Suicide Squad #38)
• King Faraday, a field agent. (King Faraday's Danger Trail adventures were used as some of the basis for Captain Atom's false origin.)
• Roy Harper (Arsenal), a former field agent.
• Nightshade (Eve Arden) was also a former field agent.

NOTE: This agency is a modern DC creation and was not a part of Sarge Steel's original Charlton adventures.

Pre-Crisis: Danger Trail #1 (??). Post-Crisis: New Teen Titans Annual #3 (1988)

Suicide Squad #38

Chain Gang

Created By John Wagner & David Johnson

Three men touched by tragedy in a city "about an hour south of Gotham" decided to make a stand. (Chain Gang War #6, 12.93) They went after the criminals no one could touch: crime lords, drug runners and others who could buy off the law. They incarcerated these criminals in cells in the basement of Strang Manor. In the course of this mission they crossed paths with Deathstroke and the "new" Batman (Azrael).

Their number included three founders, Ernie Dorrs, Yale Strang and Curtis Zecker. They were joined by "Loopy" Lupin Warden. All but Ernie were killed in their final battle. Ernie himself was incarcerated. (#12)

Chain Gang War #1

Challengers of the Unknown

Stand-alone profile

Checkmate!

+ Task Force X

Stand-alone profile

The Club of Heroes

Global Guardians

The Conglomerate

Created by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and Chris Sprouse

The Conglomerate was assembled by Claire Montgomery, Maxwell Lord's ex-wife. She'd always been in competition with Lord, and by forming this team, she hoped to forge her own empire. She used former JLI member Booster Gold to recruit the other six members:

• Echo, who could redirect any force or energy
• Praxis, with great mental abilities
• Gypsy, former JLAer who could turn invisible
• Reverb, younger brother of the dead JLAer, Vibe; he could also solidify sound
• Vapor, a living acid mist
• Maxi-Man, super strong

Once the team was assembled, she offered their services to a ... conglomerate of major American businesses. These firms pooled their moneys and resources and also appealed to the public for investment via magazine ads. They were headquartered on Wall Street, and an instant media hit. The team was supposed to have some measure of autonomy, but they fell into a pattern of public relations appearances. Just as the members were getting restless, they jumped at the opportunity to rout a tyrant in the nation of San Sebor. This violated UN protocols and the JLI were sent in to arrest the Conglomerate.

They escaped the JLI, but their frustration continued and they began turning down their superficial missions. Meanwhile, Claire's partner, Mr. Thrunctuous, had been controlled by Hector Hammond. Hammond and Thrunctuous coaxed the Conglomerate and the JLI to respond to a fake emergency. Once there, they unleashed a chemical creature on the teams. The creature (named Ernie) was stopped by his brother, Phil. Afterwards, Claire threatened her corporate sponsors with revealing the setup to the public. In exchange for her silence, the Conglomerate was finally allowed to run their own affairs. (Justice League Quarterly #1) The Conglomerate took part in many cases, though only one other was documented: to help the League against Despero (JLA #58/JLE #34).

To benefit both teams, Max and Claire arranged a pay-per-view charity battle between the Conglomerate and JLI. But Claire found herself without a team, as most of the members went their own ways: Maxi-Man as a stuntman, Echo as a pop star, Vapor as spokesperson for an environmental group. Montgomery then held tryouts which were largely unsuccessful. She encountered the goofball named Norman the Doorman. (Other applicants included Sonarr, J'onn J'ackson: The Martian Womanhunter, Stinkbug, Mind-Grabber Kid & Will o' The Whiff.) Despite the name, he opened a portal to the antimatter universe. Claire spied a group of (supposed) heroes on the world of Qward — Deadeye, Elasti-Man, Element Man, Frostbite, Fiero, Scarab & Slipstream — and offered the pay-per-view gig to them. These Qwardians turned out to be villains and battled the JLA for real. They were defeated, and returned to Qward. Ironically, the PPV event was highly rated and Claire was encouraged to continue the team. (JLQ #8)

After this, Claire continued on and retained Reverb (who took the new name Hardline) and Echo. They were joined by a new hero, Templar, who was from the English army. He possessed the powers of strength and flight. Two others completed the lineup: Nuklon and Jesse Quick. This team had the same problems as the original. They fought an arranged battle against the "Blood Jihad." As part of this battle, technicians at Stagg Robotics rebuilt the android Amazo from its original records. Amazo became self-aware and posed a serious threat which the team successfully squashed. Again, the team won popular public support. (JLQ #12) The Conglomerate's end is unwritten, but Nuklon and Jesse Quick went on to other adventures.

Justice League Quarterly #1

Justice League America #58 • Justice League Europe #34 • Justice League Quarterly #1, 8, 12

The Controllers

The Controllers are a pink-skinned, immortal race of aliens who also happen to be a long-separated faction of the Guardians of the Universe (Crisis #7). Despite their differences, the Controllers eventually acknowledged the wisdom of the Guardians’ Green Lantern Corps by creating an interplanetary police force of their own, the Darkstars (Darkstars #3, 0). In the recent past, frustrated that the organization was no longer fulfilling its goals, the Controllers pulled their support (Darkstars #38) and at least part of the immortals set plans into motion to create a more tractable group of brainwashed warriors like the Earth-born Effigy. Kyle Rayner put the stops to that (Green Lantern v.3 #123-124).

As a consequence, the Controllers are regarded as a potential threat by the Justice League (Green Lantern/Atom #1) but, outside of a handful of former members of the Darkstars, the immortals are virtually unknown by Earth’s population.

Adventure Comics #357

Creature Commandos

+ Project M  + G .I. Robot  + Gunner & Sarge  + Lt. Hunter

Stand-alone Profile

Crime Crusaders Club

Fawcett Comics Heroes

The Crime Champions

The Shade	Icicle I	The Fiddler	The Wizard	Felix Faust	Chronos

Just as the Justice League and Justice Society were teaming up for the first time, so did their enemies, to oppose them as the Crime Champions. Their only gathering included the Wizard, Icicle, Fiddler, Chronos, Felix Faust and Dr. Alchemy. (JLofA #21-22)

Most of these villains went on to participate frequently in groups such as the Secret Society of Super-Villains, Injustice Society and Injustice Gang.

NOTES: This team's only other appearance was in a tale that no longer exists in current continuity —  JLofA #219-220. They teamed with the Johnny Thunder of the original Earth-1 in a caper revealing the true origin of the Black Canary. Justice League of America #21 was the first Silver Age appearance of the Wizard, Icicle and the Fiddler, as well as that of of the original Hawkman, Black Canary, Hourman, Green Lantern, Dr. Fate and Atom.

Justice League of America #21 (August-September 1963)

Injustice Society • Injustice Gang • Secret Society of Super-Villains

The Crime Syndicate of Amerika    

Stand-alone Profile + Crime Society of Earth-3

The Crusaders

See Obscure Characters

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