Stealth
Created by Keith Giffen & Barry Kitson
+ History
The woman known only as Stealth was borne of a strange, unnamed world. As a mutant, Stealth was reviled and forced to grow up in isolation. After 16 years of this, she was given over by her people to the Dominators' alliance to invade Earth. This offering was meant to show her planet's support for the Dominators' endeavor. She was taken to their Starlag prison, where she befriended an unnamed Durlan. (L.E.G.I.O.N. #28)
The Starlag turned out to be the focal point for a rebellion against the Dominators. This rebellion was led by Adam Strange and the devious Vril Dox II. (Invasion! #1-3) Stealth joined Dox, along with the Durlan, Garryn Bek of Cairn, Lyrissa Mallor of Talok VIII and Strata of Dryad in helping to defeat the Dominators' plot in space.
After their victory, the band of exiles accompanied Dox to his home world of Colu. They were successful in shutting down the Computer Tyrants' mainframe, but without the Tyrants to guide it, Coluan society practically self-destructed. (L.E.G.I.O.N. #1-3) Dox then became a sort of "godfather" to his people, which gave him the idea to form a new police force to replace the former Green Lantern Corps. Stealth and the others were hesitant at first to join Dox, but ultimately decided that it might be a good idea to stick around, if for no better reason, to keep an eye on Dox. The new team traveled to Bek's homeworld of Cairn, known galaxy wide as the "drug world." They quickly deposed the chief drug lord and secured the allegiance of Cairn's police force. (#5)
In an unexpected turn of events, Stealth's genetics — or
perhaps her mutation — kicked into high gear. She underwent
an extreme genetic hormonal change, and in a rage, she raped and
killed Vril Dox! Luckily, Garryn Bek's wife, Marij'n was able to
clone Dox and he was soon restored to his former self. During her
examination, the Durlan described Stealth as a "unique life form." (#7-9) Upon
his recovery, Dox learned that Stealth was now pregnant
with his child. (#12)
Soon, Lyrissa and the others coined a name for the new team: L.E.G.I.O.N. (Licensed Extra-Governmental Interstellar Operatives Network) and other worlds began requesting contracts for police service. (#10) Stealth denied Dox any claim on the child, and Dox responded by removing Stealth from active duty — his own way of expressing his concern for her well-being. Stealth soon left Cairn to protect her unborn child. She could never return to her home world, for fear of death, so she chose a remote world on which to give birth. (#20-21)
She narrowly avoided being devoured before going into labor. This event brought out the truly strange nature of her race. During the birth, her body transformed into her native, non-humanoid form, and in fever dreams, she heard advice from peoples' religion: "the male is a necessary evil. He will dictate the form." Thus, her son was born with Coluan features. Afterwards, she decides to put the baby in protective care, and return to the L.E.G.I.O.N. (#28)
Stealth returned to a changed organization. Lyrissa had been killed, and Dox was under the thrall of an infiltrator. In Dox's absence, Stealth helped to rally the L.E.G.I.O.N. to stay together. (#32-37)
Stealth kept the location of he son a secret. She had entrusted him to a space-wandering Motherbeast that created a field which masked its own presence (much like Stealth's own abilities). She had learned of this beast while on Starlag. Soon, however, her colleagues Lady Quark and Garv noticed the void created by the Motherbeast and followed them when they went to investigate. She told them her story, and the baby was left with the Motherbeast. (#41-42)
She proceeded
to throw herself into her work, volunteering to go undercover. She was sold
into a slavery operation headed by Ig'nea, a L.E.G.I.O.N.
traitor, who discovered her son's location. Ig'nea kidnapped the baby
with the help of a "legion" of super-villains and delivered
a critical stab wound to Stealth. The villainess then offered the baby over
to Dox in exchange for Dox himself, which Dox accepted. Dox was able to rescue
Stealth and their son, but Ig'nea and the villains escaped. (#48-50)
Despite her hesitation, Stealth then decided to keep the baby with her, and Dox grew more attached to his son. Though they would deny it, this also brought the two of them closer, emotionally. They soon discovered that the child had inherited Dox's advanced intelligence. He could already speak and reason! (#62)
On another mission, Stealth abducted by the Brain Bandit, who harvested her body fluids. This caused her body to temporarily mutate once again. (#64-65)
Stealth did not name her child for some time after his birth, but she chose a name to honor her fallen friend, Lyrissa Mallor. The baby was named Lyrl. (#66) While the parents were busy with their affairs, they scarcely noticed that Lyrl's mental facilities were developing far in advance of his years. Dox even went so far as to appoint Lyrl to a senior position in the L.E.G.I.O.N. (#64) With Dox blinded by family ties, Lyrl began plotting to take over his father's empire. Lyrl used his father's "enhanced charisma program" and took control of L.E.G.I.O.N. operatives one by one. It didn't take long for Vril Dox to figure out his son's plans, and he attempted to strip him of authority. (#67-69)
But it was too late. Lyrl transmitted his charisma program to all L.E.G.I.O.N.
personnel. Dox, along with Stealth, Phase, Strata and the Telepath managed
to escape and became an outlaw group, hunted by Lyrl's L.E.G.I.O.N. (#70)
These rebels met Lyrl's forces wherever they ran. Stealth's exile also created a stronger bond between she and Dox, who finally confessed their romantic feelings towards one another. (R.E.B.E.L.S. #1-10) To defeat Lyrl, Dox concluded that he must overcome the child's mind control by inducing pain. So when the R.E.B.E.L.S finally arrived on Cairn, he shot himself and Stealth. (#16)
Dox defeated Lyrl by heeding Neron's advice and administering a drug which affected Lyrl's maternal biology. Lyrl was thereafter apparently stripped of his advanced intelligence. In the aftermath, Captain Comet assumed leadership of the L.E.G.I.O.N. and Vril Dox retired, choosing to look after Lyrl and take up botany. Stealth returned to active duty. (#17)
At some point after this, Dox reassumed his leadership of the L.E.G.I.O.N. and relocated their headquarters to the planet Maltus. Stealth has apparently continued to serve with the L.E.G.I.O.N. (Infinite Crisis #1)
Coluan
bioscans once identified Stealth as as "unknown."
The issue where Stealth gives birth, L.E.G.I.O.N. #28, should really be regarded as one of the most bizarre comics stories ever produced. Check it out.
+ Powers
Stealth can generate a field around herself which renders her invisible to an array of biological and non-biological sensors. Some systems which have attempted to analyze her have concluded that she is neither male nor female, and that she is a unique life form.
Stealth is also vulnerable to the inclinations of her genetics. Hormonal changes can bring about extreme emotional and biological changes. During these times, she can become much more formidable, strong, even feral.
Appearances + References
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