The team originated at a time whenSuperman editorMort Weisinger was consciously adding new elements to the "Superman mythos" over a period of years, building an extended cast of supporting characters who could provide new story opportunities. The creation of the Legion of Super-Heroes was part of that plan, and in the Legion's fourth appearance ("The Army of Living Kryptonite Men" inSuperboy #86, Jan 1961), it was suggested thatLex Luthor would someday lead a group of super-villains.[3] This would come to fruition seven months later, inSuperman #147's story "The Legion of Super-Villains".[3]
In pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity, the Legion of Super-Villains was founded by Tarik the Mute, who had suffered irreparable damage to his vocal cords during a battle with theScience Police and developed a hatred of law and order.[4][5] The Legion of Super-Villains include Cosmic King, Lightning Lord, and Saturn Queen, who are evil counterparts ofCosmic Boy,Lightning Lad, andSaturn Girl, the founding members of the Legion of Super-Heroes.
Several other incarnations of the group form over the years, led first by Sun Emperor and then byNemesis Kid.[6][7] During the fourth volume ofLegion of Super-Heroes, the Legion of Super-Villains disbands and some of its members - Lightning Lord, Spider Girl, Ron-Karr, and Saturn Queen - reform.[8][9][10][11][12][13]
Saturn Queen (Eve Aries) - A time-travelling telepath from the future.
Spider Girl (Sussa Paka) - Has super-strong prehensile hair.
Sun Emperor (Nigal Douglous) - Has solar powers similar toSun Boy.
Sun Killer (Kodama) - Possesses the powers of a star.
Terrus - Ground-based abilities. Body made up of a swarm of insects.[16]
Tyr - A warrior from the planet Tyrraz with a bionic gun in place of his right arm.
Zymyr - A native of the planet Gil'Dishpan who can create warps. Killed by Superboy-Prime.
The remaining villains are members of the League of Super-Assassins:
Lazon - He can turn into light.
Mist Master - He can turn into any vapor or gas.
Neutrax - In addition to neutralizing the powers of anyone for a short time, he rides in a flying chair that is similar to the one used byMetron.
Silver Slasher - She has a metallic-enhanced body and sharp nails.
Titania - A super-strong female who is Silver Slasher's cousin.
The following joined the group during theFinal Crisis storyline:
Black Mace (Mick Yardreigh) - A highly trained and super-strong mercenary.
Doctor Regulus (Zaxton Regulus) - A mad scientist.
Fatal Five - A group consisting of five of the greatest criminals in the universe.
Emerald Empress - Possesses various abilities derived from the Emerald Eye of Ekron.
Mano - Possesses a disintegrating anti-matter touch.
Persuader - Wields an atomic axe that can cut through anything.
Tharok - A man who was transformed into a cyborg after losing the left side of his body in an accident.
Validus - An alien monster with super-strength, enhanced durability, energy projection, and immunity to telepathy.
Grimbor the Chainsman - A master craftsman and expert trap master.
Justice League of Earth - A group of Legion of Super-Heroes rejects that tried to save Earth by turning it into a xenophobic society.
Earth-Man - He can absorb and duplicate superpowers.
Golden Boy (Klint Stewirt) - He can change the structure of any element into gold just by touching them.
Storm Boy (Myke Chypurz) - He can control the weather.
Tusker (Horace Lafeaugh) - He has ivory-like tusks that can grow to certain sizes, and possesses a healing factor and enhanced strength, durability, and agility.
The Legion of Super-Villains appear inLegion of Super Heroes, consisting of Lightning Lord (voiced byJames Arnold Taylor), Hunter, Tyr (both voiced byKhary Payton),Esper Lass (Tara Strong), Ron-Karr (Shawn Harrison), and Wave, who has no dialogue. This version of the group areextortionists and assassins led by Lightning Lord in the first season and Tyr in the second season. Additionally, Ron-Karr possesses shapeshifting abilities and Lightning Lord sports white hair and glowing blue eyes, both of which he acquired during the incident that gave him his powers. First appearing in the episode "Lightning Storm", the group masquerades as a superhero team called the "Light Speed Vanguard" to outperform the Legion of Super-Heroes before their true intentions are exposed. In the second season, the Legion of Super-Villains ally withImperiex before Lightning Lord and Ron-Karr reform and leave the group.
