NOTE: Two things seem off here. Deadshot more or less humiliated Deadline in Suicide Squad #65, and it is unlikey they'd work together after this. Also, in the Body Doubles issue Deadshot's personality is drastically altered. This should be considered apocryphal.
Lab RatsCreated by John Byrne Robert Quinlan is a gifted scientist to developed a virtual reality traning system for the military. On it's first combat scenario, however, all the troops linked to its mainframe perished. Presumably, the government then severed ties with Quinlan, who continued to develop the system. He built a secret facility located in Maryland simply known as “the Campus”; and for test subjects, Quinlan turned to the streets. He began recruiting teenagers to volunteer for training. Usually, the Lab Rats (as they refer to themselves) have nowhere else to go, and are easily persuaded. It's a dangerous life for these kids; several have perished in successive trials. Some however, excel. On their first recorded mission, the group (Wu, Alex, Dana, Poe and Gia) managed to short-circuit the system through sheer will-power. Gia, however, lost her life. In this virtual world, one's death is mirrored in reality. (Lab Rats #1) After this trauma, Quinlan sent the group on a supposed vacation. Secretly, however, he had sent them to check up on his friend, Abigail Gooss. Mother Goose, as she was called had created the ultimate theme park, Wonderland. By employing genetic engineers, Gooss gave life to the dragons, trolls and fairies needed to populate her artifical world. The Lab Rats discovered that the creatures were sentient and that Gooss was the mindless pawn of her evil associates. In truth, these men had hoped to profit from the death of innocents and beasts alike in Wonderland. The kids freed Gooss, who tripped Wonderland's self destruct mechanism and all the artificial beings died. Sadly, the group lost Alex on this mission when he was burned by a dragon. Other known members of the team include the injured-listed Trilby and newcomer, Isaac. These kids also ventured into the future where they confronted and evil tyrant Superman, and they explore an alien spacecraft that seemed to exist in different dimensions and eras at the same time. At the end of their last mission all the surviving Lab Rats were killed. Quinlan, summed up his feelings about their sacrifice: “We find another bunch of Lab Rats and we start over.” The childrens' sacrifice meant nothing to their superiors. What was the end to this story? This series was creator-owned, so DC does not have the rights to publish them without Byrne. But why would they want to?
The L.A.W. (Lethal Assault Weapons)+ Charlton Comics Action HeroesCreated by Dick Giordano & ??
This group of heroes represents the characters formerly published by Charlton Comics in the 1960s and later purchased by DC in 1983. (when their co-creator, Dick Giordano was a DC editor). The characters first officially appeared at DC in the Crisis on Infinite Earths maxi-series, but most of them had their official DC in-continuity debuts shortly thereafter. Only the Charlton history of Judomaster and Tiger remained intact; the other heroes were completely reinvented. The L.A.W. #4 contains flashbacks to the W.W.II era, and DCU Heroes Secret Files places Judomaster's debut at 1941. Before the formation of the L.A.W., there was one grouping of these heroes in Justice League Quarterly #14. This team included Captain Atom, Blue Beetle, Sarge Steel, Nightshade, Peter Cannon and Judomaster II. The L.A.W. was formed when Avatar (formerly Judomaster's partner Tiger) kidnapped the JLA. During this adventure, Dr. Fate transformed Nightshade and a new Peacemaker debuted. It was later revealed that Tiger split from Judomaster after W.W.II and became bitter towards his old mentor. (#4) Captain Atom donned his "Kingdom Come" costume, which was inspired by his original Charlton look, in L.A.W. #6. At the resolution of the case, the members intended to continue on as a team, but they were never seen grouped again. These Action Heroes were also grouped together in Kingdom Come #1 (which was also the first appearance of a female Judomaster). The Charlton heroes were also the inspiration for the legendary characters of The Watchmen. They were changed when writer Alan Moore wanted to take the story in a different direction. The Blue Beetle was recently killed by Maxwell Lord. (DC Countdown) In the ensuing Crisis, Nightshade joined a group of mystics to form the Shadowpact (Day of Vengeance #1) and Judomaster was killed by Bane (Infinite Crisis #7) The Question later died of cancer (52 #38) and was succeeded by Renee Montoya. A new female Judomaster joined the Birds of Prey and the original Judomaster's son, Tommy, joined Checkmate.
Individuals: Charlton books:
NOTE: Judomaster actually made an appearance prior to the L.A.W. #1 in Guy Gardner: Warrior #29. This was, however, a "joke panel" set in the Warriors bar. In it, Thunderbolt invites Judomaster to join a limbo contest going on in the back of the bar, to which Judomaster replies "I've had my fill of Limbo." (Thanks to Eric Singer) League of AssassinsI can do no more justice than the Wikipedia entry. Originally, the League of Assassins were a part of Ra's al Ghul's global empire. To enter the League, one must carry out a successful assassination. The price of failure, of course, was death. The original leader of the League was Dr. Ebenezer Darrk (1st app. Detective #406). After a falling out with al Ghul, Darrk kidnapped Ra's' daughter, Talia and was killed by ??. Under its next leader, the Sensei, the League began to operate independently of Ra's organization. Ra's had the Sensei killed for trying to split off from his organization. (??) The League's current status is unknown, especially since al Ghul's death as well. (??) NOTE: In pre-Crisis continuity, Ra's may have masterminded the Sensei's assassination of carnival owner Kathy Kane (Batwoman). In post-Crisis continuity, her niece, Bette Kane (Flamebird of the Titans) has referred to her as alive. (Beast Boy #??) Major known Assassins include:
League of Super-AssassinsL.E.G.I.O.N.The L.E.G.I.O.N.'s history and membership is covered in great detail in the L.E.G.I.O.N. section of the Legion module.
The Legion of DoomOn Television
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The Legion is covered in great detail in the Legion section of this site.
Adventure
Comics #247
Adventure Comics #300-380 (1962-69)
Action Comics, #378-392 (1969-70)
Legion of Super-Heroes v.1, 4 issues (1973)
Superboy (and the Legion) #200-258 (1974-79); becomes ...
Legion of Super-Heroes v.2, #259-313 (1980-84)
Legion of Super-Heroes v.3, 63 issues (1984-94)
Who’s Who in the Legion, 7-issue limited series (1988)
Legion of Super-Heroes v.4, 125 issues (1989-2000)
Legionnaires, 81 issues (1994-2000)
Legion: Lost, 12-issue maxi-series (2000-01)
Teen Titans/Legion: Universe Ablaze, 4-issue limited series (2000)
The Legion, 38 issues (2001-2004)
Legion
of Super-Heroes v.5 #1-14/Supergirl and the
Legion of Super-Heroes #15-on, current (2005-)
Cosmic Boy #1-4 • Legends of the Legion
#1-4 • Legionnaires Three #1-4 • Timber Wolf #1-4 •
Valor #1-22 • Who's Who in the Legion #1-7
The Legion of Super-Pets was a group of super-animals from the 20th century whose name was inspired by the Legion of Super-Heroes of the 30th century. They met the Heroes through their "masters," Superboy and Supergirl. When the Brain Globes of Rambat mentally enslaved Superboy and the Legion, the Legion of Super-Pets was called to action! Krypto, Streaky the Super-Cat, Comet the Super-Horse, and Beppo the Super-Monkey joined forces to save the day. (Adventure #293) Two of these pets were Superboy's:
Krypto the Super-Dog: Kal-El's puppy, Krypto, was lost in space before the destruction of Krypton. After Kal-El grew into a boy, Krypto found his way to Earth and the two were reunited. (Adventure #210)
The other two were Supergirl's:
Comet the Super-Horse: Circa 1000 BCE, a centaur named Biron was granted super-powers by the sorceress Circe. But Circe's enemy, the sorcerer Malador, transformed Biron into a horse and banished him to a planet in the constellation Sagittarius, where he remained for almost 3,000 years. Biron was freed from his imprisonment by Kara Zor-El's passing rocket ship. He then followed her to Earth, where she became Supergirl and named him Comet. (Action #292, 1st app. Adventure Comics #293)
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Krypto |
Beppo |
Comet |
Streaky |
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It was never really clarified how Supergirl's pets traveled backwards in time to meet with Superboy's. They were most likely aided by the Legion. The Super-Pets were active for many years, thought the frequency seems sporadic. They were still together a decade after their formation to appear on a television program honoring Superman. (Or the direction of time travel could have been reversed.) (Action #309)
After this, they appeared mostly in the 30th century — the Legion's time. When the female Legionnaires are stricken with a "Crimson Plague" by the masked Satan Girl. Supergirl enlists the aid of the Super-Pets to battle Satan Girl, who is revealed to be an evil Red Kryptonite duplicate of Supergirl. (Adventure #313)
On their second trip to the 30th century, the Super-Pets added another member. They met…
Proty II, a small amorphous creature from Antares II. The Super-Pets met Proty II when they were asked by the Legion to guard the Legion clubhouse. Proty recounted how the his race gained their shape-shifting abilities centuries ago. He underwent a series of trials to prove his worthiness and joined the Super-Pets. (Adventure #322) NOTE: Read more about Proty's race below. Proty was introduced to the Legion as Chameleon Boy's pet (Jimmy Olsen #72) but it was soon clear that his race were fully sentient, and far more intelligent than normal Earth animals. Like his predecessor, he was selfless and quick to enter dangerous situations. When one of Triplicate Girl's three bodies was slain by Computo, Proty II attempted to distract Computo by posing as the Weirdo Legionnaire. (Adventure #341)
After being chastized by the Legion, the Legion of Super-Pets won the acclaim of the people of the planet Thanl. In order to prove themselves worthy (again), Comet and Proty II actually joined the Legion as Biron the Bowman and Blockade Boy II. (Adventure #364) The last time this group was seen in action, they helped the Legion outwit the evil Skyzznx and his partner Alrrk. (Adventure #380) (Though they did weigh in when Supergirl was forced to resign her Legion membership. The Super-Pets threatened to disband if she left. [Action 387])
Krypto stayed true to his master, Superman, throughout Kal-El's life. The final fates of Beppo and Streaky are unrevealed.
Years after the Super-Pets had stopped meeting, Superman suggested that Comet visit the planet Zerox, the Sorcerer's World. The horse met Prince Endor, who cast a spell that enabled Comet to become human as long as he is in sight of a passing comet. He adopted the human identity of cowboy "Bronco Bill," but Supergirl was unaware this new development. (Action #301)
Proty II took up a career in film. He was on-hand to film the rededication of Legion headquarters. (Legion v.2 #301) For years, he was also secretly active in the campaign to restore his people. (Legion v.3 #17)
The race that spawned both Protys hailed from the planet Antares II. This race fell victim to the evil Glorith, who set her sights on them to serve as her slaves. The Proteans caught wind of it and made a plan to save themselves. They amassed their collective intelligence and placed it in a biological shell that could not change shape. The Proteans trusted their soul to Dr. & Mrs. Cullen, who adopted the pretense that he was their son, "James." James went on to join the Legion as Kid Quantum and successfully hid from Glorith for years. Only seven Proteans remained as individuals, to hopefully restore their race to its original glory.
Proty II and his predecessor were two of these remaining individuals. The first Proty was also considered Chamleon Boy's pet. He first appeared after the death of the Legionnaire, Lightning Lad. (Adventure #308) Afterwards, he became fond of Lightning Lad's girlfriend, Saturn Girl, and followed her towards a bizarre fate. When the Legionnaires performed a ritual to revive Lightning Lad, Proty apparently sacrificed his life for the cause. What actually happened was that Garth's body was revived, but not his soul; Proty became the consciousness and essence of Lightning Lad. (Adventure #312) Proty/Garth held this secret to himself for many years, only revealing the truth to his "sister," Ayla, years later. (Legion v.4 Annual #3)
Kid Quantum's time with the Legion was brief. He faked his death and went into hiding for a decade, and survivors like the Protys lost contact with The Soul of Antares. They ultimately teamed up with the Legion's founder, R. J. Brande, who helped them find Kid Quantum on the far-off world of Yal. The Proteans of Antares were eventually restored by Quantum and the young Legionnaire Dragonmage. (Legionnaires #10-11)
Adventure #293 (February 1962)
Action #309, 387 • Adventure #293, 313, 322, 364, 380
The
Linear Men are covered thoroughly at The
Unofficial Linear Men Web Site.
This site's author, Adam Arnold, responded as follows when I asked about the continuity of Rip Hunter after the Crisis:
Dan Jurgens did completely re-invent Rip Hunter after Crisis when he was introduced as a key figure to help Booster Gold. Rip Hunter later got his own mini-series called Time Masters where there were several guest appearances by Tomahawk, Dan Hunter (Rip Hunter's cousin), Booster Gold, Animal Man, Swamp Thing, and many others. Did others stick with it? Yes, Dan Jurgens later picked up Rip Hunter again and put him in the Linear Men. But, after Zero Hour he got totally screwed up when Dan wrote a story about Rip Hunter and how he joined the Linear Men. It was totally out of character and made Rip Hunter into his pre-Crisis counterpart, which seems to be the one who exists now because of past appearances of him in the Forgotten Heroes segments of Resurrection Man.
See his site for annotations.
Armageddon 2001 #1
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