When heroes try out for the Legion of Super-HeroesA group of intergalactic teenagers that have bonded together to defend the 30th century universe from evil. They recruited Superboy in their earliest adventures. they can find themselves rejected for a number of reasons; not useful enough in battle, not experienced enough in the use of their powersThe extraordinary abilities that a characterAny sentient entity that appears in a comic book. (Example: Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Super Dog are all characters that appear in Superman comics). may possess. (Example: Aquaman can telepathically control marine life as one of his powers.), powersThe extraordinary abilities that a characterAny sentient entity that appears in a comic book. (Example: Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Super Dog are all characters that appear in Superman comics). may possess. (Example: Aquaman can telepathically control marine life as one of his powers.) duplicate another Legionnaire.
There was nothing to do but the very long walk of shame back to their home planet knowing that they would never be a Legionnaire.
Until one group of rejected heroes decided to bond together as a team and keep training until one day they could become Legionnaires. Originally operating in secret, the Subs eventually earned the Legion’s respect and are now called upon when the Legion is in need of their assistance.
First Appearance
Created By: Edmund Hamilton & John Forte
The Subs as envisioned by Keith Giffen in the 80s.
From L to R: Infectious Lass, Night Girl, Polar Boy, Fire Lad, Stone Boy, Double-Header, Chlorophyll Kid, Porcupine Pete, Antennae Boy, and Color Kid
Roll Call
HeroA character that typically acts in a heroic manner. (Example: Wonder Woman €™s deeds of saving Paradise Island from the mythological beasts have made her an Amazonian hero.) Name – Real Name – Home Planet – PowersThe extraordinary abilities that a characterAny sentient entity that appears in a comic book. (Example: Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Super Dog are all characters that appear in Superman comics). may possess. (Example: Aquaman can telepathically control marine life as one of his powers.)
Polar Boy (leader) – Brek Bannin – TharrThe home world of Polar Boy of the Legion of Substitute Heroes, where all inhabitants are immune to adverse heat and can generate ice and cold. – Resistant to heat and ability to project ice, snow, and cold temps. Lacks control.
Night Girl – Lydda Jath – KathoonThe home planet of Night Girl of the Legion of Substitute Heroes. Kathoon is never exposed to solar radiation. – Dark vision. Super strong, but only at night or in darkness. Loses powersThe extraordinary abilities that a characterAny sentient entity that appears in a comic book. (Example: Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Super Dog are all characters that appear in Superman comics). may possess. (Example: Aquaman can telepathically control marine life as one of his powers.) in daylight.
Fire Lad – Staq Mavlen – Schwar – Ability to breathe fire, lacks aim.
Chlorophyll Kid – Ral Benem – MardruThe home world of Chlorophyll Kid of the Legion of Substitute-Heroes. – Ability to control plants and their growth rate. Thinks he can talk to plants, but he cannot.
Stone Boy – Dag Wentim – ZwenThe home planet of Stone Boy of the Legion of Substitute Heroes where the days are so long that the inhabitants developed a suspended animation power that turns them into rock. – Ability to enter a suspended animation state in which his body becomes stone. Unable to move while in his stone form, goes to sleep.
Color Kid – Ulu Vakk – LupraThe home planet of Color Kid of the Legion of Substitute Heroes. – Can change the color of objects, not terribly useful.
Infectious Lass – Drura Sepht – SomahturThe home planet of Infectious Lass of the Legion of Substitute Heroes. All Somahturians are immune to all diseases and can infect any other being with any germ they wish. – Immune to all diseases, can give anyone else those diseases, lacks control.
Porcupine Pete – Peter Dursin – Earth – Able to project spines from his body like a porcupine. Lacks aim.
Antennae Lad – Khfeurb Chee Bez – Grxyoria – Able to listen in on radio broadcasts, not able to control the signal he receives.
Double-Header – Frenk & Dyvud Retzun – JanusThe home planet of Double-Header of the Legion of Substitute Heroes. – Has two heads as a result of slowly splitting into two separate beings, the heads rarely agree on anything causing distractions and a lack of usefulness.
Special Note
For a while Legionnaires Dream Girl and Star Boy were also members of the Legion of Substitute HeroesLed by Polar Boy, this group of rejected applicants for the Legion of Super-HeroesA group of intergalactic teenagers that have bonded together to defend the 30th century universe from evil. They recruited Superboy in their earliest adventures. bands together to serve as an unofficial, then more official back-up to the LSHAn abbreviation for Legion of Super-Heroes.., but they were re-inducted into the Legion later on.
Stone Boy was offered membership to the Legion of Super-HeroesA group of intergalactic teenagers that have bonded together to defend the 30th century universe from evil. They recruited Superboy in their earliest adventures. in a contest between the Subs, but declined so that he could stay with his friends.
