Lady Cop was Liza Warner, a one-shot Bob Kanigher character from 1ST
ISSUE SPECIAL #4 with art by John Rosenberger and Vince Colletta (underneath
a nice Dick Giordano cover). Liza's roommates were murdered by a Richard Speck-like
killer while she hid beneath a bed. She told the police that "all I could
see of the killer were his western boots — white — with black skull and
cross-bones dangling from the laces. And laughing about killing women — like
they were nothing but cards! Aces of Spades!"
The incident leads Liza to enroll at the police academy and she stops a
grenade-wielding madman at her graduation ceremony. In the second story,
Liza helps a young woman diagnosed with VD. In the final panel, she "wonder(s)
if I'll ever find the killer in boots?"
Lady Cop appeared several times in the All-New Atom series (2006).
Sam Lane
In Samuel Lanes book, Lex Luthor can do no wrong. His wife Elinore
had been injured in a chemical accident at the company where she worked as
a secretary. The industrialist, upon learning of her plight and the fact that
the business was a very minor subsidiary of Lexcorp, took it upon himself
to devise a cure, a serum that Mrs. Lane would need to consume on a monthly
basis. If Sam had known the truth, that Luthor had, in fact, caused the accident
and could have created a single-use serum instead, he surely would have killed
him. But he didnt know and Lex Luthor now had a bargaining chip that he could
call in whenever he wished. From Lois Lane or, perhaps, her father.
1959s LOIS LANE #13 had opened with the appropriately titled Introducing
Lois Lanes Parents, a characteristically lightweight romp in which Lois and
Superman paid a visit to her midwestern hometown of Pittsdale and nearly ended
up getting married. The story (illustrated by Kurt Schaffenberger) portrayed
Sam and Ella Lane as an easy-going farm couple, counterparts to Clark Kents
own foster parents in Smallville. The Lanes made a number of appearances throughout
the 1960s( LOIS LANE #13, 26-27, 32, 59, 71, 75, 82, 90 and JIMMY OLSEN #76,
100) but had been long absent by the time Marv Wolfman revived them in 1981s
SUPERMAN FAMILY #206 and 1983s ACTION COMICS #546 (along with the Cary Bates-scripted
SUPERMAN #385-386).
The Sam Lane of the post-Crisis DC Universe would be ANYTHING but easygoing.
1986s MAN OF STEEL #4 (by John Byrne and Dick Giordano) set the stage, pointing
out Lois proficiency with firearms during a terrorist situation while Superman
noted that, as an army brat, she was almost bound to have picked up some tricks.
Marv Wolfman took it from there in the Jerry Ordway-illustrated ADVENTURES
OF SUPERMAN #424, setting up the circumstances of Elinore Lanes accident and
the obviously strained relationship between Lois and her father, whom she
referred to only as Sam.
The Lane familys background played out gradually over the next decade, courtesy
of writers John Byrne (ACTION #597; WORLD OF METROPOLIS #2), Roger Stern (ACTION
#655, 669), Louise Simonson (SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL #4, 74), Dan Jurgens (SUPERMAN
#68) and Stuart Immonen (ACTION #739). Sams military service had overlapped
with the Vietnam War, where hed befriended Australians Hugh Hillsmith and
Fred Fishkin while stationed in Ar Rabal Khali, no mans land in Saudi Arabia.
In Vietnam, Sam was wounded in his right leg and spent several days in the
jungle alongside fellow soldier Slade Wilson. Over that time a deep bond was
formed as two young men talked about their lives — and their futures. Jobs,
wives, children. In that jungle every dream that offered hope seemed possible.
Wounded and bleeding, they needed each other to survive. In that survival,
a life-long connection was cemented. Though they would eventually lose track
of each other, Slade Wilson and Sam Lane became friends for life.
In time, Sam married Elinore but showed undisguised disappointment when their
first-born was a girl. All right, young lady, he informed Lois shortly after
the birth of a second daughter, Lucy. Lets get something CLEARLY understood.
All my LIFE, Ive wanted a BOY, a SON to carry on my name. Your MOTHER has
let me down TWICE ... but Im going to MAKE DO. To that end, he began putting
Lois through a rigorous series of drills, determined that she would be able
to function without a mans help. Lucy, by contrast, had not been viewed by
Sam in the same light that Lois had been and the younger child was doted on
by her father.
The Lanes eventually took up permanent residence at 500 Concord Avenue in
Metropolis. Captain Lane had served two tours at Fort Bridwell ... liked the
area and decided to settle here. His adversarial relationship with Lois came
to a head in Metropolis, as well. Informed by her father that as long as youre
under my roof, you will do things my way, Lois barked, Fine! I couldnt ask
for a better reason to MOVE OUT!
After Elinore Lanes accident, father and daughter agreed to a ceasefire and,
accompanied by Clark Kent, Lois even spent a relatively peaceful meal with
her parents and sister, joking as she left, Sam, its almost been civilized
(ADVENTURES #433).
In time, the serum that had saved Mrs. Lanes life began to lose its potency
and Elinore suffered a relapse (ADVENTURES #472). Lois had been furious and
wrote a story full of unsubstantiated allegations over Luthors role in the
original accident. Insisting that she had a personal vendetta, Perry White
refused to publish it. Even without Luthors miracle cure, Elinores condition
had stabilized and she began the road to recovery.
Taking note of Clark Kents steadfast presence throughout the crisis, Sam
had to admit to Lois that he approved. Didnt have much of an opinion of that
guy either way before, but the way hes conducted himself through this ...
well, hes passed muster with Sam Lane. Mildly astonished, Lois left the hospital
in the company of Clark and told him that she had an answer to his marriage
proposal: Yes. I WANT to share my life with you (SUPERMAN #50).
Lois mother was released from the hospital in a matter of days (SUPERMAN
#57) but it would soon be Sams turn to receive medical attention. Twenty years
earlier, hed encouraged a soldier named Joseph Angst to participate in a secret
weapons project that had mutated him into a monstrous, deformed creature.
Escaping years of captivity at S.T.A.R. Labs, the man now called Angstrom
attacked Sam at his home, determined to have his revenge. Superman successfully
recaptured Angstrom, who was cured within hours thanks to an accidental encounter
with the Parasite. In the interest of national security, the government released
a fictionalized account of Angsts transformation and cure, effectively blunting
a potential political scandal (SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL #4).
Tragedy struck again when airline stewardess Lucy was caught in a firefight
between the terrorist Deathstroke and security forces. Belatedly learning
of the victims identity, Deathstroke (alias Slade Wilson) was horrified and
attempted to make apologies to Sam. Throwing a punch at the gunman, Sam bellowed
Sorry doesnt cut it with me! Slime like you — youre gonna answer to the law!
Far as Im concerned — youre NOTHING! Walking away in the custody of Superman,
Deathstroke explained that he couldnt unmask after a reaction like that. I
want him to remember the Slade Wilson that WAS — rather than the man hes
come to BE (SUPERMAN #68).
Sams relationship with his future son-in-law had started off cordially enough
even if his discourse on politics and society at the Lanes first meeting with
the Kents had been embarrassing (ACTION #669). When Lois broke off her engagement
with Clark, he was furious (MAN OF STEEL #55), angry enough that he barely
noticed Lucys introduction of her new boyfriend, Ron Troupe (SUPERMAN #115).
The harsh words that he eventually exchanged with Clark (ADVENTURES #538)
seemed to taint their relationship from then on.
Eventually, Clark and Lois did reunite but the wedding remained a sore subject
for Sam. Lois insisted on walking down the aisle on her fiances arm and Sam
snarled that if you dont need me, maybe I wont attend! Elinore refused to
go along with him, insisting that its THEIR wedding ... If he wants to be
a fool and boycott his firstborns wedding, thats HIS problem. In true dramatic
fashion, Sam arrived at the church just as Lois and Clark were taking their
vows (SUPERMAN: THE WEDDING ALBUM #1).
Sams disgust with his first son-in-law (My little girl couldve had ANYONE
— even Lex Luthor!: ADVENTURES #541) soon took a back seat to disgust at
his soon-to-be second son-in-law, Ron Troupe. Lucy was pregnant and, for once,
Sam and Elinore were united in their anger (SUPERMAN: MAN OF TOMORROW #12).
In a remarkable turnabout, Sam and Clark became allies when Lois was abducted
a vengeful madman named Rajiv Naga. With the help of old army buddies, Sam
organized a raid on Nagas Australian stronghold and rescued his daughter with
some discreet super-powered assistance from his super-powered son-in-law.
I underestimated that boy Kent, Sam confided in Lois. Hes stronger than he
looks. Tougher, too. Just dont tell him I SAID so (ACTION #739; MAN OF STEEL
#74).
And, as one might expect, Sams intense dislike for Clark was back in full
bloom by the time Lucy and Ron were married. After Lucy compained about his
attitude, Sam apologized as he never would have to Lois. As his frowning first-born
looked on, he hugged Lucy and said, Im sorry, honey. Youre right. You know
Id NEVER want to spoil anything for YOU. Youre my PRECIOUS baby girl — and
you always WILL be (ADVENTURES #584). Within weeks, Captain Lane finally had
the boy hed always wanted. In ADVENTURES #587, Lucy gave birth to Samuel Troupe.
New Years Eve 2000 offered another surprise for the Lane household. Arriving
for a small party at 500 Concord, Lois and Clark were stunned by Sams announcement:
President-elect Luthor wants to appoint me Secretary of Defense. The Kents
couldnt help themselves. They burst out laughing on the spot (ACTION #774).
Time will tell just how funny the development really is.
Larry Lance of Earth-One
Black Canary left her home dimension of Earth-Two after her husband, Larry
Lance, was killed in a battle with Aquarius. Joining up with the Justice League
of America, Dinah Drake Lance searched out and found her husband's Earth-One
doppelganger. This Larry Lance was also a private investigator who was apparently
based in Gotham City. He had just starting working on a case for an unnamed
client that involved him teaming up with Batman to find a criminal mastermind
known as the Collector, when Dinah showed up at his office in the guise of
Myra Kallen, who wanted to hire him to find her missing husband. Larry didn't
really take "Myra" seriously, but Dinah planned to make him love
her so that this new world would seem like home.
That night, both Larry and Batman were covering an illegal casino where the
mysterious Collector revealed himself as the croupier. After killing one of
his criminal rivals, he filled his pockets with cash and ran, but was soon
accosted by the Batman. The Caped Crusader was forced to leap for cover by
a hail of gunfire, and the Collector got outside the room, though not before
the Batman got a bat-a-rang off. The Batman saw a figure run in front of a
glass door and charged through it, only to find Larry, who had also been there
looking for the Collector. Larry did have a wound that matched the one his
bat-a-rang gave the Collector, but he decided not to make much of it, since
Larry had told him someone had hit the private eye before the Batman pounced
on him. They did find the Collector's disguise, which had a pocket full of
peanuts (a habit of another of their suspects, Danton).
Batman and Larry were met outside by "Myra," and Batman pretended
not to know her, but later she wouldn't listen to him when he told her that
Larry might not be who or what he seemed to be. She left, but soon returned
in her super-heroic identity to assist the Caped Crusader when someone tried
to kill him with an exploding bale of newspapers. She used her Canary Cry
to thrust the bale away from Batman, and she left hoping that the Dark Knight
could start to see the situation with Larry from her point of view.
The next day, Larry called Batman to tell him that the Collector was due
to make a collection from his client, the drop-off being the Gotham City Museum.
Batman knew that meeting in museums or art galleries was another of Danton's
quirks, so he headed over there after the museum had closed, but was soon
attacked by a fusillade of gunfire. He dodged behind a statue until the assassin
ran out of ammunition, and then charged him. He was about to catch the killer
when the man was killed by a shot from behind - Larry had arrived, without
his client since he believed it to be a trap. Soon after, Commissioner Gordon
let the Caped Crusader know that Danton's body had been recovered from the
city dump, having been there for weeks. This hardened Batman's belief that
Larry was the Collector, but he couldn't get Black Canary to believe any of
it because of her infatuation with the man. She believed that Batman was jealous,
and slapped him. After Batman left, Larry entered the room and revealed that
he knew who she really was, and wanted her help in stopping the Collector
himself, which would set them up for life.
That night, Commissioner Gordon and Batman set about rounding up all of the
men of one of their final two suspects, Rhymer, as well as all the syndicate
heavies. They would be out on bail soon without proper evidence, but Larry
supplied the judge with enough to keep them all behind bars. The final suspect
for the identity of the Collector was Karl Klegg now, since that proved that
Larry wasn't the criminal. Later, the Collector met with the syndicate, where
he offered them the greatest pay-off of all: The life of Batman.
Larry called Batman and said that a stoolie had tipped him off that Kleff
was meeting Rhymer at the racetrack at dawn to work out a deal. Going there,
Batman saw a man climbing the judges' stand, and headed to collect him, but
was bowled over by a horse and the sonic cry of Black Canary. The man on the
ladder revealed himself to be Larry, who was about to shoot the Caped Crusader.
Black Canary jumped between them, saying that she had stunned the Batman so
Larry could capture the Collector himself, not realizing that Larry had used
her and he was, indeed, the Collector. The surprise paralyzed the heroine
for a moment, and Batman shoved her out of the way of the bullet. A bat-a-rang
disarmed Larry, who jumped on a horse and sped off. The two heroes jumped
on the Canary Cycle and gave chase, being assisted by Black Canary's sonic
cry to negotiate the steeplechase course in the field. Batman unhorsed Larry
and fought in a water hazard, but Larry accidentally stabbed himself to death.
Appearances:
The Brave And The Bold #91
The Legion of the Weird
The Legion of the Weird was composed of five beings devoted to carrying
on the dark aspects of the millennia, including Count Karnak (a vampire),
Hordred ("in whose veins flows the blood of the ancient Druids"),
Kaftu ("master of the black arts of ancient Egypt"), Madoga ("last
of the great medicine men") and Mistress Vera Wycker ("with the
powers handed down to me through three centuries of witchcraft."). For
her initiation into the Legion, Mistress Wycker was charged with killing Ace
Morgan of the Challengers of the Unknown. She failed and, despite the efforts
of the other Legionnaires to complete the task before her, the Challs tracked
the team to its lair, used an ancient spell to dissolve the witch and forced
the remainder of the team to flee (1968's COTU #62, by Arnold Drake and Bob
Brown).
Hours later, the Legionnaires made a pact with the demonic Om, "lord
of the netherworlds" to resurrect Mistress Wycker. Now determined to
destroy the Challengers, the team needed more power. To that end, Kaftu resurrected
the Egyptian mummy Tukamenon, who was compelled to obey the Egyptian shaman
unless he was forced to cause "the shedding of mortal blood." Hoping
to override the mummy's refusal to kill, Kaftu used the ruby Eye of Osiris
to put Tutkamenon fully in his power. In the ensuing battle, Red Ryan's brother,
Tino Mannary, was blinded by the Eye of Osiris and Red agreed to surgery that
would give one of his eye's to his sibling. While in recovery, Tino was abducted
by the Legion as a stunned Red realized that "I can SEE them. With this
eye, Ace! I can see everything my kid brother can see with the other one!"
The cliffhanger of #63 would go unresolved for six months, the result of
Arnold Drake's abrupt firing by DC. When the story finally resumed in COTU
#66, it was concluded by Mike Friedrich and Jack Sparling.
The Legion's mission of vengeance was now exposed as an edict from the unseen
Om, whose voice bellowed that "the Challengers are a major threat to
my supreme scheme!" The balance of power was upset when the Challs convinced
the mummy that he'd killed them, snapping him out of the spell he was under.
Tutkamenon rebelled, raging against the Legionnaires and finally collapsing,
his artificial life exhausted. The rest of the Legion begged Om to rescue
them and the demonic being complied, warning the Challs that "you have
thwarted my plan this time! But I shall return — and Om does not fail TWICE!"
The Lightning Master
Dressed in a green robe and hood, LM first appeared in SUPERMAN #14, Jan/Feb.
1942. He was a typical mad scientist (and bald, to boot!) who had an extortion
plot going (He wanted $300,000(!)). As these things must go, he captures Lois
but is confronted by Superman, who electrocutes him!!
LM has no powers, but a lightning machine and a lightning bolt gun. No real
name is given.
In ALL-STAR SQUADRON ANNUAL #2, 1983; LM is revealed to be alive, Supes having
only shocked him into unconsciousness, (though he was clearly meant to have
been killed in the original story) and is one of Ian Karkull's goons, out
to kill a future U.S. President. This time, Supes and Johnny Thunder thwart
him.
Lightning Master hasn't been seen again, I think, but is mentioned around
ALL-STAR SQUADRON #52 as being in jail. Hope this helps.
The Love Syndicate of Dreamworld
The Love Syndicate of Dreamworld was a version of the Justice League of America from the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths DC Multiverse, only remembered by Roger Hayden, the second Psycho-Pirate. The only three representatives of the team we have seen were:
Sunshine Superman, a tall African-American wearing a modified Superman costume (the "s" was yellow on a red background in a round emblem);
Speed Freak, a fairly young-looking woman with a costume reminiscent of Kid Flash's, and apparently a speedster of similar powers;
Magic Lantern, a young, long-haired youth wearing green sunglasses, a large glowing green ring, and a t-shirt with a lantern symbol and the adage "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out" on it. He apparently has much the same abilities as Green Lantern or Power Ring of the Crime Syndicate.
The Love Syndicate were among the many characters who escaped from the mind of the Psycho-Pirate during the event known as "Crisis 2". They, like most of the others from the pre-Crisis Multiverse, accepted their fates as being minor, though immortal, characters in a story, and shattered into a million bright colors.
In the first issue of Gerry Conway's ongoing run of JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
(#151, in 1978), Amos Fortune captured Wonder Woman and used her magic-based
powers with his "Wheel of Misfortune" to influence the lives of
the seven luckiest people on Earth, all born on the seventh day of the seventh
month in different years (presumably ending in seven). The end result was
the creation of seven super-beings, all of whom gained their power at the
expense of individual Justice Leaguers, and were immediately forced into villainy
at Fortune's command. The Justice League seemed destined for defeat until
Wonder Woman's hypnotic powers coerced Fortune into freeing her, tipping the
balance of luck back to the good.
The Luck League included the Acrobat (powers stolen from Batman),
Cyclone (Red Tornado), the Crier (Black Canary), the Racer a.k.a. Lord Arthur
Arthurson (the Flash), the Shrinking Man (the Atom), Strongman (Superman)
and Water King (Aquaman).
