Quislet

Created by Paul Levitz and Steve Lightle

NAME + ALIASES:
(unpronounceable), alias Quislet of Teall

KNOWN RELATIVES:
None

GROUP AFFILIATIONS:
Legion of Super-Heroes

FIRST APPEARANCE:
Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 3 #14 (Sept. 1985)
Retroboot: Superman #677 (Aug. 2008)

quislet
Quislet is Teall's original "astronaut." From Legion vol. 4 #44 (1985); art by Greg LaRocque and Larry Mahlstedt.
quislet
During his Legion tryout, and the effects of his powers. From Legion vol. 3 #14 (1985); art by Steve Lightle.
Profile illustration from Who's Who #19 (Sept. 1986); art by Greg LaRocque and Art Nichols.

Quislet is a member of a nongendered race of energy beings in a dimension called Teall. Quislet was atypical in that it exhibited independent thought, and felt that its culture was oppressive. When their technology advanced far enough to create a matter-based exploration vehicle, Quislet was chosen as their first "astronaut.” Quislet's mission was to discover beings that could be converted to their group mind. Quislet journeyed throught a black hole to Earth, where it began life as an “explorer.”

In Earth's universe, Quislet had the ability to 'possess' and manipulate inanimate objects. But this became a nuisance, as he vacated these objects, they disintegrated. When Quislet discovered the Legion of Super-Heroes, it immediately wanted to join them. (Who's Who in the Legion #5, Legion Sourcebook [Mayfair])

When they Legion offered an open call for applicants , Quislet underwent their trials and was accepted alongside Sensor Girl, Polar Boy, Magnetic Kid and Tellus. (Legion vol. 3 #14), and soon became one of their most valuable members in the field, and one of their most boisterous partiers away from it.

Quislet's nature drew the attention of his fellow Legionniare, Wildfire, who was also composed of pure energy. Quislet trained with Wildfire in hopes of teaching him how to control his energies without the aid of a containment suit. (Legion vol. 3 #21, 36) The two became friends, and when Quislet was apprehended by its fellow Teallians for treason, Wildfire was drawn there too, and helped it escape. (#44)

Quislet was soon forced to return permanently to Teall when the Emerald Empress destroyed his ship. (#58)

After his departure, Sun Boy filed an incident report saying, “The loss of Quislet doesn’t fall into the category of a resignation or a death. With the destruction of its little ship by the Emerald Empress, Quislet was forced to return to its own dimension. Apparently the ship gave it more than just transportation. The ship was what actually allowed Quislet to stay here.” (2995: The Legion Sourcebook)

Retroboot (post-Infinite Crisis)

After the death of the Legion's benefactor, R. J. Brande, Quislet joined a new assembly of the Espionage Squad and traveled back to the 21st century in order to shepherd the hero Mon-El on to his destiny. In Metropolis, he took shelter in one of Lexcorp’s inventions, a “Hover Cam” (designate MTSP02). (Superman #678)

From within this machine, Quislet served as the eyes and ears for Chameleon Boy (also undercover with the Science Police). He and Cham were forced to reveal themselves after a bomb destroyed Science Police headquarters. (#696–697)

Notes

Paul Levitz on Quislet: Writer Paul Levitz credits the creation of Quislet to artist Steve Lightle. In essence, Levitz asked him "what kind of character would you like to draw?" Legion of Substitute Podcasters (episode #70)

 

Powers

Quislet is a being of pure energy who can inhabit any non-organic matter and animate it from within. When he vacates that matter, it disintegrates. He can only survive for a limited time on Earth outside of his special ship.

Appearances + References

» FEATURED APPEARANCES:  

  • Who's Who in the Legion of Super-Heroes #5
  • Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #19
  • Who's Who Update '88 #3

Retroboot

  • Adventure Comics vol. 3 #8-11 [511–514], 521
  • Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 6 #4, 5, 8, 13, 16
  • Supergirl vol. 5 #51-52
  • Superman vol. 1 #697, 699
  • Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton #1-3

» SERIES:

  • Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 3, 63 issues (1984–94)