So, three more Legionnaires to add to the list… I promise ONE more of these and then we are caught up!

 

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Shadow Lass is represented by the letter “S” with the line through the middle, Chemical King is the beaker, and Timber Wolf is the stylized wolf head… so let’s begin.

Now, all of these characters have appeared prior to their “first” real appearance. Timber Wolf appeared as Lone Wolf in an early Legion adventure destined for membership but that would not happen for some time to come.

 

Both Shadow Lass and Chemical King appeared for the first time on this ominous cover.

 

Right alongside the recently deceased Ferro Lad and two other heroes that have yet to be introduced, Quantum Queen and Reflecto. One interesting note here Shadow Woman’s skin color is white, meanwhile Shadow Lass’ when she is introduced…

 

is of decidedly bluer tint. I have to guess that the artists were inspired by the Orion Slave Girls of Star Trek fame (thank you Yvonne Craig) and there was increasing pressure at this time for the Legion to have a person of color. Sure Chameleon Boy was orange and Brainiac Five was green.. and now Shadow Lass was blue. Not exactly racial equality here is it?

So how do you suppose these two different characters were explained? Well a coloring error most likely and then we probably thought nothing of it. However, what if it was something more… diabolical than that?

This is a story telling device that both excited readers and hamstrung writers. If this is a future story, then it must come true right? Well, sometimes yes, sometimes no. More about the “adult Legion” concept later.

 

Shadow Lass is Tasmia Mallor of Talok VIII. She is the latest in a line of planetary protectors selected by her ancestors to carry the ability to project darkness and to see through darkness. Shady comes from a harsh desert world where there are tribes of people that are rather barbaric. Shady is a consummate fighter and after brief flirtations with Brainiac Five and Superboy, she settled down with Mon-El. Shady is the first Legionnaire to be elected to membership as a result of performance in the field, as opposed to being tested by the entire membership.

 

Chemical King is Condo Arlik of Phlon. Born a mutant child with the ability to control chemical reactions, he is a human catalyst. Kept under lock and key as a safety to himself and others until he could control his powers, Condo left his home world and traveled to Earth to join the Legion in hopes of finding a purpose for his abilities. Arriving there, he enrolled at the Legion Academy and was eventually called up to assist in an important mission along with fellow Legion Academy student…

 

Timber Wolf is Brin Londo of Zuun. Brin’s father had been experimenting with androids and using Zuunium to give his son super powers. Unfortunately, these experiments resulted in a very smart android assuming Brin’s identity while the android told Brin that in actuality BRIN was an android. Total Recall, eh?

So, Brin eventually gets that straightened out thanks to the Legion and gets involved with Lightning/Light Lass to a degree, but Brin is a loner. Eventually the Zuunium affects how Brin looks and gives him a more feral look, which eventually is returned to a more normal human look, however Brin’s eyes turn red the more savage he gets. He possesses superspeed, super-strength, and amazing acrobatic skills making him one of the Legion’s key fighters. (p.s. Don’t tell Hugh Jackman, but Timber Wolf was first, just sans claws.)

 

(Sometimes not wearing the red shirt is a bad thing..)

Chemical King and Timber Wolf help the Legion infiltrate the Legion of Super-Villains Headquarters and as a result they were both elected to membership. Unfortunately for Chemical King it was not to last. Chemical King gave his life to save the Earth from World War VII. Yet, Shady as of this time is still kicking around the Legion. What’s UP with that? Hmmm?

When next we meet: A big bag of anti-energy, 70s blaxplotation comes to the 30th century, Cher’s half breed outfit gets an update with wings, and the Easter Islands get their very own super-hero.