| Dominators | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Adventure Comics #361 (October 1967) |
| Created by | Jim Shooter (writer) Jim Mooney (artist) Curt Swan (artist) |
| Characteristics | |
| Place of origin | Dominion homeworld |
TheDominators, collectively known as theDominion, are a fictional characteralien race appearing in comics and other media byDC Comics. Coming from the outer cosmos of theDC Universe, they are highly technologically advanced, and live in a rigid hierarchical society, in which one'scaste is determined by the size of a red circle on one's forehead. They are master geneticists who can manipulate themetagene to enhance members of their own caste.[1]
The Dominators first appeared inAdventure Comics #361 (1967), written byJim Shooter with art byCurt Swan andJim Mooney, in which they are presented as possibly dangerous to theLegion of Super-Heroes, but do not pose an actual threat.[2][3] They appeared again inLegion of Super-Heroes #241–245 in the late 1970s, as an adversarial race in an interstellar conflict with Earth in the 30th century.[4]
In 1988 and 1989, the Dominators appeared as the villains of the "Invasion!"crossover event involving many of DC's superhero comics set in the present, written primarily byKeith Giffen andBill Mantlo and featuring art byTodd McFarlane. Giffen also featured the characters as major villains in the Legion series he was writing withTom and Mary Bierbaum.[4]
Originally depicted as having light blue skin with a white circle on the forehead denoting their social rank,[5] their later more villainous designs with yellow skin and ared circle – introduced in the 1970s and accentuated in the 1980s – has drawn comparisons to "Yellow Peril" stereotypes of east Asians, citing features such as "bald heads, slanted, narrow eyes, long, claw-like fingernails, and dressed in robes".[4][6][7]
The Dominators are the primary force behind an alien alliance that attacks Earth. Their primary motivation for this is their concern at the genetic potential of humanity, as evidenced by the large number of super-powered beings on the Earth of the DC Universe, also known as themetagene. When the Invasion begins to crumble, one Dominator creates a 'gene-bomb' and detonates it in Earth's atmosphere, activating the metagenes of many humans.
After the Invasion, a nameless Dominator plays a significant role in the comic book one-shotBlasters. This comic features heroes created by Dominator testing, intending to prove that the metagene was activated by stress. The 'Blasters', which included formerJLA mascotSnapper Carr, are the ones who did gain powers.
In events chronicled inLegion of Super-Heroes (vol. 4) Annual #2,Valor discovers plans for a second invasion of Earth, and thousands of humans held in genetic experimentation tanks. He leads a lengthy campaign to liberate them, aided by some of the Dominators (the Diamond Caste) who oppose the policies of their ruling caste. After freeing them, Valor helps settle the modified humans on various worlds which eventually become the homeworlds of members of theLegion of Super-Heroes, such asBismoll,Cargg, andBraal.
Several Dominators are left on Earth for years and appeared in various comics (usually briefly). One Dominator comes under the control of theQueen Bee, the ruler ofBialya. Though this alien does not survive for long, its technology causes trouble for theJustice League and theGlobal Guardians. Others appear inCaptain Atom #52 (the Dominator became a farmer), in theOutsiders #44, inIron Heights Penitentiary inFlash,[volume & issue needed] a mutated Dominator with psionic abilities battled members of theGreen Lantern Corps, includingGuy Gardner inGreen Lantern Corps #7-9, and Superman inSuperman #668.
The Dominator homeworld falls under siege from a horde led byStarro. The Dominators attempt to defend their home, but are ultimately overcome by Starro and fall under its control. One Dominator fleet manages to escape and joinsVril Dox'sR.E.B.E.L.S..[volume & issue needed]
The Dominators are involved in a long war with theUnited Planets in the 30th century. Several attempts to establish peace are made. During the Dominators' first appearance inAdventure Comics #361, several members of the Legion escort a Dominion diplomatic team to secret talks, and fend off attacks from the Unkillables; descendants of people from Earth and their leader who was another Dominator who was opposed to peace.
Later, during theEarthwar, the war expands to involve theKhunds, theDark Circle, andMordru. At the end of the war, the Dominators broker a peace treaty.[volume & issue needed]
The Dominators are the primary opposing force inLegion of Super-Heroes (vol. 4) during its first three years of publication. As depicted therein, the Dominion secretly gains control of the Earth Government (Earthgov) in the aftermath of a galaxy-wide economic collapse. Their primary motivation is still the genetic potential of humans, and they conduct numerous experiments in secret underground chambers. Their role is known only to a few, including Dirk Morgna (Sun Boy), a former Legionnaire who is hired by the Dominator-controlled Earthgov as a public relations liaison.
Due to constant harassment by Earthgov, the Legion eventually disbands. However, the Dominators fear the Legion's possible reformation, so they free mass murderer Roxxas from prison and arm him with instructions to kill the former Legionnaires. Roxxas succeeds in killingBlok, prompting the Legion to reform.
Meanwhile, on Earth, there was an underground resistance movement including ex-Invisible KidJacques Foccart, the formerLegion of Substitute Heroes, and their unlikely allyUniverso.
As safeguards against losing Earth, the Dominion lace a series of nuclear explosives on theMoon. This backfires when an insaneDev-Em seizes control of the system. Though the Legion prevents Dev-Em from detonating the explosives, one of theLinear Men does, causing a catastrophe on Earth. The Dominion attempt to blame the explosion on Khund saboteurs, but their control of Earth begins to slip. The Earth is liberated from Dominator control, although some of the Dominators' actions while they controlled Earth eventually lead to the destruction of the planet.[8]
The Dominators also attempt to gain control ofDaxam, hoping for an army of superbeings, but Glorith destroys the populace to prevent this from happening.[volume & issue needed]
Following theZero Hour: Crisis in Time! event, which rebooted the Legion of Super-Heroes' continuity, the Dominators play a less significant role in Legion history. The Dominion is one of the core members of the Affiliated Planets ruled by the newDark Circle. Their representative to the Circle, like the others, is killed by the Dark Circle's leaderBrainiac 4 for opposing her plans.[volume & issue needed]
In the "Threeboot" version of Legion continuity, the Dominators are inspired to invade Earth when a time-travellingBooster Gold inadvertently led them to believe that fifty-two planets were planning an attack on the Dominion. They manage to seize control of Earth's technology, and send genetically modified warriors (created using gene grafts from the former members of Terror Firma) through a stargate. The Legion, with the help of theWanderers, manage to defeat the armada.[volume & issue needed]
The Dominators still has thousands of super-powered troops at their disposal, and eventually regroup. Under the orders ofCosmic Boy,Mon-El detonates a bomb that transports their planet to thePhantom Zone.[volume & issue needed]
A Dominator appears inJustice Riders as a prisoner ofMaxwell Lord.
The Dominators make a cameo appearance inGreen Lantern: Emerald Knights as one of the first races in the universe who indirectly created theGreen Lantern Corps by demonstrating to theGuardians of the Universe the need for a peacekeeping force to prevent intergalactic conflict.
