DC Teams: Sf–Sz

The Society

» SEE: Stand-alone Profile

Soveriegn Seven

It was all a dream...

Created by Chris Claremont. Co-created by Dwayne Turner
Some text from the 1995 Skybox Legends Powerchrome cards

Yes! In the last issue, #36, the whole series was revealed as an imaginary story. The Sovereign Seven story said to have been a comic book written by two women, Morgan and Casey (how original). Morgan's daughter's name was Rhian. The bar where they wrote the comic was the bar in which S7 hung out. Supposedly, since the characters were owned by Chris Claremont (with the exception of Power Girl), he just decided to retcon them out of existence when the series got cancelled. Truly a slap in the face to anyone who stuck it out on this series.

This group hailed from the planet Meridian. It's membership included:

• Cascade (Rhian Douglas, their leader) had to hide every thought from her mother, Maitresse, and found it hard to break her long silences. Founder and leader of S7, she was their transportation, "cascading" the team across tiem and space.
• Reflex (Walter Thorrson) was too big to fit in anywhere, and found frustration with the small-sized world that expected him to be a bruiser. He was a fighter, with lightning-quick reflexes and speed, but he was also a thoughtful scholar.
• Rampart (Jaffar ibn Haroun al-Rashid) possessed the ability to erect virtually impentrable shields of psychic forcs. He was the fortress behind which his companions could take shelter. At ease in all situations, hes greatest power may have been his hold over women.
• Finale (Pahe Leilani Fave'ela) served the eldritch power to which she had pledged herself, and that force gave her extraordinary skills and secret knowledge. In return, it demanded the life essence of those she slayed.
• Indigo (Conal Savoy) was an enigmatic androgyne, a master of concealment, able to create a state of stillness that allowed him to sremain unnoticed even in a crowded room. Wtih no civilian identity, Indigo ws known only by that name.
• Network (Taryn Haldane) was a telepath, primarily linked to Cascade. They stayed in constant rapport, and Network could link the other members together mentallyt. She served as a focus for Cascade's teleportation ability.
• Cruiser (Nicholas Hellicaon) was the embodiment of young exuberance. His telekinetic powers made him the raw muscle of S7. Powers of flight, lift, and destruction.
• and Power Girl joined them later on (#25)

» FIRST APPEARANCE: Sovereign Seven #1 (July 1995)

» SERIES: Sovereign Seven, 36 issues (1995-97)

Soyuz

» SEE: Heroes of Russia

Squadron of Justice

» SEE: Fawcett Comics Heroes

The Squadron Supreme

I include this group in here because they're rip-offs of the JLA.

» SEE: Stand-alone Profile

S.T.A.R. Labs

Written by John "Mikishawm" Wells

S.T.A.R. Labs (Scientific and Technological Advanced Research Laboratories) was founded by Garrison Slate. (Blue Beetle #12) The institution has cultivated a number of strong relationships with costumed heroes over the years. Superman sought their assistance almost from the beginning of his career, whether dealing with a major viral outbreak (Superman for all Seasons #3) or simply gathering paraphernalia for a trip into outer space (Action Annual #7). The Man of Steel has been on particularly good terms with several of Metropolis' previous S.T.A.R. administrators, notably Wilson Farr (Superman v.1 #246), Jenet Klyburn (#304) and Kitty Faulkner (Superman v.2 #7), the latter two of whom he met when they were still rising stars.

It was through Dr. Klyburn that Wally West and most of the Teen Titans first became affiliated with S.T.A.R. (New Teen Titans v.1 #36). He formed a more personal connection thanks to a brief affair with nutritionist-researcher Tina McGee (Flash v.2 #3-4) and remains a friend to her and husband Jerry at S.T.A.R.'s Central City branch (#185-188). Typical of many of the company's relationships with super-heroes, they helped Wally — through medical research (#3-4, 117-118), enhanced costumes (#50) and simple technical expertise (#84) — as much as he helped them.

The Titans had a personal stake in S.T.A.R. — and its San Francisco branch — for years. Karen 'Bumblebee' Beecher was hired at this S.F. site during an early expansion (New Titans #57). Vic 'Cyborg' Stone, aside from being the child of two S.T.A.R. scientists (New Teen Titans v.1 #7), was romantically involved with Dr. Sarah Charles, a major player in the field of medical science (Tales of the Teen Titans #57-58) and one-time prot'g' to the pioneering Helen Angelico (Superboy v.3 #80).

When S.T.A.R. decided to make the San Francisco branch the hub of its entire medical operation, Sarah agreed to head up the facility (New Teen Titans v.2 #41). The Red Star, Eric Forester (#48-49), Christopher King (Hawk & Dove Annual #1) and Crystallex (New Titans #118) were among the subjects of the facility's metahuman studies and Mirage (New Titans #122, 125-127) and Rose Wilson (Deathstroke #51) were only two of those benefiting from its state-of-the-art medical wing. Sarah eventually transferred to New York (<Titans #7) and Metropolis (#20) but Karen Beecher-Duncan, after a short stay in Los Angeles (Titans Secret Files #2) has returned to the San Francisco branch (Titans #44).

In his days as an attorney, Josiah Power helped Slate in incorporating S.T.A.R. More recently, Josiah has been negotiating a contract with the company. (Power Company #5)

The Cadre has recently been engaging in raids at companies such as Ryder Technologies (P.C. #1) and Dayton Industries (#8). It was at Stagg Industries that the Power Company discovered Dr. Polaris' involvement (#9). And, unbeknownst to Skyrocket, S.T.A.R. Labs is the Cadre's final destination (#5).

» FIRST APPEARANCE:    Superman v.1 #246 (1971)

Strike Force Kobra

Kobra created this Strike Force to carry out a theft at Stagg Enterprises. Kobra placed two operatives inside Simon Stagg's operations and another infiltrated the Outsiders. Stagg's assistant, Java (motivated by his desire for Stagg's daughter, Sapphire) incapacitated Metamorpho, while another employee, Parker, gained access to Stagg's technology. They included:

• A new Clayface (IV) who infiltrated the Outsiders by impersonating Looker. The remaining three Strike Force members were engineered from remnants of Batman's rogues gallery:
• Elemental Woman, inspired by the Elemental Man, a lab assistant transformed by a freak accident to have Metamorpho-type powers (Detective #194)
• Planet Master, inspired by Plant Master (Irving Norbet), a mad scientist who controlled plants (Detective #296)
• Zebra-Man II, inspired by the original Zebra-Man, a mad scientist surrounded by a black and white magnetic field that repelled objects (Detective #275)

In the end, Kobra's moles at Stagg Enterprises betrayed him. Java reasserted his loyalty to Stagg and freed Metamorpho. This tipped the scales for the Outsiders just in time to fight Parker, who had been transformed into the Spectrumonster (based on the Rainbow Creature from Batman #134). (Outsiders v.1 #21)

In this form, Parker went berserk. He was dispersed by a black light ray, apparently permanently. Afterwards, Rex and Sapphire adopted Parker's orphaned daughter, Karen. (#22) Clayface escaped to menace Batman again; the others have never re-appeared.

Kobra later formed a new team led by his righthand... woman, Eve. Her team included former Outsiders foes Syonide II, Fauna, Windfall and Dervish (Fauna and Syonide were lovers). Also, Kobra had rescued Halo's dead body and revived it with the same powers as Halo. This entity was called Spectra. This team was easily decimated by the Eradicator's new band of Ousiders; Syonide was killed. When Eve called Kobra for help, he requested that they turn themselves in rather than commit suicide. (Kobra was busy menacing the Flash [Flash v.2 #100].) Dervish and Eve were imprisoned. Windfall, who had been duped by Spectra, joined the Outsiders. Spectra herself escaped. Fauna was spirited away and punished by her father, Felix Faust. (Outsiders v.2 #16)

Presumably, this incident drove a rift between Eve and Kobra, as they have become bitter enemies. (Power Company: Sapphire) Dervish resurfaced briefly when the Joker wrought havoc in the Slab. (Joker: Last Laugh #3)

» FIRST APPEARANCE: Outsiders, v.1 #21 (November 1985)

» FEATURED APPEARANCES: Outsiders, v.1 #21-22 • Outsiders v.2 #16

The Suicide Squad

» SEE: Stand-alone Profile

The Super Buddies

Created by Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis

Formerly Known as the Justice League

This hapless group was resurrected by Maxwell Lord IV from the long-cold ashes of the Justice League International. Despite his recent malevolent endeavors as Lord Havoc, Max abandoned his biomechanical armor and returned to life as a business man. As luck would have it, he bumped into one of his close JLI associates, L-Ron, at the drive through of Big Belly Burger. The two hoped to reinvigorate their lives by reuniting the members of their old organization and set immediately about contacting them. They were successful in swaying Captain Atom, Booster Gold, Fire, Elongated Man and Sue Dibny. Captain Marvel, however, refused the offer, so his sister Mary (Captain Marvel II) accepted in his stead. With much persuasion, Blue Beetle was also convinced to join (despite his heart condition). (FKAJL #1)

But nevermind super-villains, the group's first challenge was against their local neighborhood watch group. Justifiably, the locals did not welcome the presence of a potentially dangerous super-group in their quiet town. But the heroes managed to prove themselves to the community by defending it against the local gang, the E Street Bloodsuckers. (#2)

Much to the team's horror, Max produced a promotional video which dubbed the group "The Super Buddies." Before they could debate the name, the heroes were abducted by Roulette. In her casino, heroes are mind-controlled into a battle to-the-death. Under Roulette's influence, Captain Marvel severely trounced Captain Atom. (#3) It was Fire who overcame the mind control and freed her friends, but Captain Atom was already in critical condition. One challenge was over, but another loomed (literally) overhead: the Cluster ship of Manga Khan arrived on Earth. (#4)

Khan's mission was simple and relatively non-threatening: he wanted to barter his former aide, L-Ron for his captive, G'nort (who was now a Darkstar). This kind of extraterrestrial presence drew the attention of the JLA — who had already been keeping tabs on the Superbuddies. (#5) The JLA stepped in when things got sticky, but Sue and Max saved the day. They managed to convince Manga Khan that he had been captured! For his release, he agreed to give up his claim to L-Ron and to designate Earth a "barter-free" zone. Afterward, Khan confessed that his ploy had been fueled by his unrequited love for L-Ron. (#6)

I Can't Believe It's Not the Justice League!

The Super Buddies discovered that a reformed super-villain named Blackguard was moving in next door. Worse, his partner is the one and only Guy Gardner! (JLA Classified #4) While Sue and Max debated what to do about it, young Billy Batson appeared, forbidding Mary to continue her association with the team. He had a point; in classic Guy form, the chauvinist grabbed Mary in an inappropriate way, sending the team into a tizzy. To her credit, Mary retaliated on her own, and Guy actually apologized.

After Captain Atom resigned from the team (and died shortly thereafter), Max knew they could benefit from adding another "big gun." So he sent Beetle and Booster to JSA headquarters to try to recruit Power Girl. Kara was happy to see her old friends, but declined. Meanwhile, Booster went a-wandering and stumbled upon an artifact in Dr. Fate's chambers. As he held the artifact, he was consumed with malice towards his compatriots, who always treated him as an idiot. He would have some revenge: holding the artifact, he wished that the Super Buddies would all go to hell. And they did, immediately. (#5)

From hell, Fire was able to make a cell phone call to Sue, until her own anger burned up the phone. Just then, they encountered the Demon, Etrigan, who escorted them to their torment. Back on Earth, Guy offered to help find the Super Buddies. He grasped Fate's artifact and uttered the magic word, "Shazam," and he and Power Girl were whisked away to hell. Power Girl was amazed, then stunned because not only were they in hell, but Guy revealed that he was again in possession of the yellow power ring. He refused to explain how he reacquired it, but made it very clear that his recent trip to hell had left him... changed. Meanwhile, the Buddies were put to work at the Big Belly Burger of hell. One of their customers? Their late friend, Ice! (#6)

Guy and Fire were stunned to see Tora again. But the outpouring love was too much for the Demon Etrigan to bear. He bade them to leave and even allowed them to take Ice with them (he said that her presence in Hell was a mistake). The team could go but were bound by Hell's "Orpheus Protocol" — if on the way out of Hell, any were to turn and look behind them at Ice, her soul would again be forefeit (although Etrigan claimed that this time, she would pass on to her proper afterlife). The journey proved too difficult for Fire, who did turn to look. Ice vanished and the team returned to the surface. (#7)

Or did they? The team found themselves instead in an alternate dimension (perhaps the antimatter universe), where they met their evil counterparts: The Power Posse. They were a crime ring fronted by an adult strip club. Their "Oberon" worked the ticket booth; Max was again the mastermind; Ice and Sue were "entertainers"; Metamorpho a bouncer; and Booster a bartender. They also met a set of perverted Marvels: Mistress Mary and her brother; and a King Kong sized G'nort. (#8) These counterparts were none the quicker and the Buddies escaped their confrontation with the Posse. It could easily have b een that this hell was meant to be Beatriz' personal hell, which surely could include such a horrible ordeal. Beetle tried to convince Bea that it was in fact, not Tora. They were left wondering how to return home, when Guy jokingly tapped his heels and said "there's no place like home." Of course (!) this worked. Dr. Fate angrily reclaimed his artifact and the team went on about its... business. (#9)

After all their harmless escapades, the Super Buddies were destined to far worse than disrespect. Not long after their formation, its members were rocked with a series of shocking tragedies. First, Sue Dibny was murdered by her former friend, Jean Loring. (Identity Crisis #1) And in the fallout from this event, Max again revealed his true colors — he had used his time with the League to acquire sensitive information on all its members, including secret identities and weaknesses. He ascended to the title of Black Knight in the government organization called Checkmate and also stole control of the Batman's surveillance satellite, Big Brother. When the Blue Beetle discovered Max's plans to rid the world of metahumans, Max shot Ted in the head. (DC Countdown)

NOTE: This group was never considered an official branch of the Justice League.

» FIRST APPEARANCE:  Formerly Known as the Justice League #1 (September 2003). Named: #2.

» SERIES: Formerly Known as the Justice League, 6-issue limited series (2003-04)

» FEATURED APPEARANCES:   JLA: Classified #4-9 (2005)

The Super Friends

» SEE: Super Friends

The Super-Malon

Created by Chuck Dixon and Alcatena
Special thanks to Gon Fernández

Little is known about this Argentinian group. In thieir first recorded adventure, they contacted two Flashes — Jay Garrick and Wally West — to help free them from the clutches of the wizard, Gualicho. Wally freed their sole female member, the sorceress Salamanca, and she dispatched the villain. NOTES: Malón is a word derived from a language native to parts of Chile and Argentina, and roughly translates as "surprise incursion." A gaulicho is a kind of a bad spell thrown on to someone by a tribe wizard.

They are:

• El Bagual, with a horse's head and hooves. In Spanish, "bagual" means "horse" in the "bronco/rodeo/cowboy" sense.
• Cachirú, a winged hero with former romantic ties to Salamanca. Cahirú is a fierce mythological bird-creature. (He was described by creator Chuck Dixon as a "Hawkman/Batman amalgam")
• Cimarrón, the swashbuckling type. Dixon described him as a gaucho, or Argentine cowboy. "Cimarrón" means "wild (animal)." (He was described by creator Chuck Dixon as a "Daredevil/Wolverine combo")
• El Lobizon, with the head of a wolf. El Lobizon is a legendary South American werewolf.
• Pampero, who wears a white and light blue uniform. "Pampero" is a word used to describe the winds across the Argentine plains.
• Salamanca, a sorceress who can project an astral form from her body. The legends of northern Argentina tell of a cave called Salamanca where people go to sell their souls to the devil to become wizards and obtain powers and eternal lust.
• Vizacacha, sporting a rodent-like cowl and claws. The vizacaha are common Argentine rodents.
• The speedster is El Yaguareté. Real yaguarités were jaguar-like cats; they are now extinct.

Salamanca and Cachirú also solved a case whereby they reunited a century-old ghost with his lost love. (Flash Annual #13)

This group appeared briefly to quell a mob of laborers outside the Ballesteros Corporation in Buenos Aires. Its head, Sebastian Ballesteros, was in fact the Cheetah (III). When his predecessor, Barbara Minerva (Cheetah II), came looking for him, one of the Malon (Yaguarité) was seriously injured by her wrath. (Wonder Woman #186-187)

» FIRST APPEARANCE: Flash v.2 Annual #13 (2000)

» FEATURED APPEARANCES:  Wonder Woman v.2 #186-187

Superman Revenge Squad

Pre-Crisis

From the Jeff Rovin's Encyclopedia of Super-Villains

Members: Dramx, Fwom, Nakox, Nryana, Rava, Ulyro, Vlatuu and many others over the years; the roster is constantly changing due to death and attrition. Founded by the militaristic denizens of the planet Wexr II, whose plans of conquest Superman has foiled, the squad of "Revengers" is committed to destroying the man of steel. A secondary goal is the destruction of earth. The Squad is based on a "shrouded planet... millions of light-years and thousands of galaxies" from earth. They hold their meetings in the Hall of Hate, which is chockfull of statues of members who have died because of Superman (the penalty for failure is death). All their ships are emblazoned with a broken "S" on the hull.

» FIRST APPEARANCE: Action Comics #286 (1962)

Post-Crisis

The current Revenge Squad was assembled by Metropolis media magnate, Morgan Edge. Edge sought to incite destruction which could be blamed on his nemesis, Lex Luthor. To this end, he guarded his identity and formed a volatile group of Superman's foes: Riot, Maxima, Misa, Barrage and Anomaly. Led by Maxima, this team was torn apart by Misa's childishness and Barrage's vendetta against Maggie Sawyer. Also, Riot rigged Edge's psi-helmet so that it would reveal his duplicitous thoughts to the team. Misa and Maxima quickly bolted and all parties involved were left with the impression that Lex Luthor had been behind it all. (Adv. of Superman #543, Man of Steel #65, Action #730)

Soon, Barrage escaped from Stryker's prison with the help of the Parasite. Edge recruited them along with Rock and Baud. This time, Edge revealed his identity and agenda to the group. This team also self-destructed: because of the Parasite's instability. Edge escaped without a trace, and left all clues of the group's acts pointing towards Luthor. (Action #736, Man of Steel #71, Superman #127)

» FIRST APPEARANCE: Adventures of Superman #543 (March 1997)

» FEATURED APPEARANCES: Action #730, 736 • Adventures of Superman #543 • Superman v.2 #127 • Superman: Man of Steel #65, 71

Supermen of America: The Elite Brigade

Created by Stuart Immonen

The Supermen of America came about during a phase when Superman was possessed by the evil Dominus. Dominus had switched minds with the Man of Steel and, to the world, it looked as though Superman were trying to exert total control.

The club began with Mitch Andersen, a boy whose family had been saved by Superman shorty before his death at the hands of Doomsday. (Superman #74) Andersen later developed magnetic abilities, took the name Outburst, and saved Luthor's life. (Superman #142) Soon thereafter, Lex Luthor lured Outburst to him by over-exposing the young hero in the media. Recognizing an opportunity, Luthor formed the "Supermen of America" as a volunteer organization designed to embody Superman's principles. In truth, Luthor sought a way to use the movement to subvert and replace Superman.

Mitch agreed with Luthor's plans, and was tapped as the leader of the so-called "Elite Brigade." Metahumans and civilians alike were soon recruited. The core group consisted of the behemoth, Brahma; the magician, White Lotus; Loser, who generates a personal force field; Pyrogen, a flame-handler; and Psilencer, who had tactical intuition. These six were promoted in a TV spot and introduced publicly (including their real names). In one of their more serious battles, Psilerncer was killed. Shaken, Outburst refused any further monetary compensation from Luthor, but continued to uphold Superman's ideals. (Superrmen of America v.1 #1)

Their inexperience was evident. On their first several outings, they managed to confound Lois Lane repeatedly, which inspired her to write a deprecatory article. (Action #752)This corps grew to include many civilians as well. They and the "elite brigade" were undeterred when the Man of Steel seemed to show no interest in them. They merely assumed he had more important matters at hand. (Superman: Man of Steel #87) Their faith in him was so strong that they even opposed "Team Superman" and warned Superman that the United Nations had declared war on him. (Action #753)

When Dominus was exposed, the group — and the movement — remained strong. The organization went on to refurbish buildings across Metropolis as community centers. The main one (Outreach-1) served as the elite's headquarters. They met with Maximum, a young hero whose identity was public and who defended the streets of Suicide Slum. Maximum joined them in battle against one Calvin Broderick. Broderick was a disgruntled Lexcorp employee with a secret... (Supermen of America v.2 #1) Broderick knew that S.T.A.R. Labs had hidden a chamber called Lockdown-6 deep underwater. It contained an unspeakable power, one which Lex Luthor was keen to possess. Luthor successfully deployed Pyrogen to retrieve the capsule, where the Supermen encountered the Deep Six of Apokolips. It seemed their lord, Darkseid was also after its power. (#2) In distant space, the race known as the Okaarans sensed the imminent danger in opening this capsule, and dispatched a "cleansing batallion" to Earth. (#3)

The Okaarans overpowered Earth's forces and the White Lotus was left to attempt to negotiate a peace settlement. To save Earth from worse attacks, the Lotus agreed that Earth would hand over the capsule. Just then, however, in Lexcorp tower, the chamber was opened and unleashed an anti-matter wave. (#4) This wave paralyzed everyone except Loser, whose null force field made him immune. He discovers that the force inside the chamber was the Unimaginable. Its host, Dr. Bendorion, sought to transfer the energy to a new host. then deduced that this host was Maximum, who had been engineered by Lexcorp to serve such a purpose. In this, Bendorion succeeded, and Max inherited the powers of a God. (#5) In the end, Maximum's parents convinced him to relinquish the power, which he sent " everywhere." (Secretly, Luthor devises a plan to gradually retrieve the energy.) In exchange for the Supermen's silence about his involvement with the Unimaginable, Luthor cut its ties with the Superman organization. All property deeds were signed over to the organization. (#6)

When Maxwell Lord's OMAC technology took over the planet, the Supermen were seen battling the androids. The team was described as "67.89% neutralized." It remains to be seen what that means, exactly. (OMAC Project #6)

Notes

The Unimaginable's appearance in this series contradicts its appearance in Valor #6-10 (1993).

» FIRST APPEARANCE: Supermen of America #1 (March 1999)

» FEATURED APPEARANCES: Action #752-753 • Superman: Man of Steel #87 • Superman #142 • Superman: King of the World #1 • Young Justice #49-50

» SERIES:
Supermen of America, one-shot (1999)
Supermen of America v.2, 6 issue mini-series (2000)

Super Young Team

» SEE: Heroes of Japan