Fatal Five

Fatal Five
Fatal Five
	Cover art forLegion of Super-Heroes(vol. 4) #120, featuring four of the Fatal Five withBrainiac 5andGates,byPhil Jimenez.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Adventure Comics#352 (January 1967)
Created by	Jim Shooter
In-story information
Member(s)	Founders:; Emerald Empress; Mano; Persuader; Tharok; Validus; Substitutes:; Flare; Caress; Mentalla; Mordecai

The Fatal Fiveis asupervillainteam of the 30th century in theDC Comics universe.^[1]They were created byJim Shooterand first appeared inAdventure Comics#352 (1967) as enemies of theLegion of Super-Heroes.^[2]

Fictional team history

Cover toAdventure Comics#352, art byCurt Swan.

The Fatal Five first appear inThe Death of Ferro Ladas a band of super-criminals whom the Legion recruit to help destroy the Sun-Eater threatening Earth.^[3]They are offered pardons for their assistance, but reject them and band together, confident that they are powerful enough to try to conquer the worlds they had saved.^[2]

A later incarnation consisted of the Emerald Empress; the Persuader; Flare, a Rimborian with the power of fire; Caress, who has a deadly acidic touch; and Mentalla, a Legion reject who is secretly working against the Five, trying to secure a spot in the Legion.

The first storyline inLegionnaires(1993) has theSW6Legion face a Fatal Five comprising Tharok, Mano, the Persuader, a new Emerald Empress, and a monstrous being called Mordecai.

Zero Hour

FollowingZero Hour: Crisis in Time!,which reboots the Legion's continuity, the original Fatal Five are reintroduced inLegion of Super-Heroes(vol. 4) #78 (1996), again assembled to help fight the Sun-Eater, which was later revealed to not exist. Notably, in this incarnation, the analogue of the Emerald Empress is simply called the "Empress" and is more a skilled melee combatant than a magic user.

In theTeen Titans/Legion of Super-Heroescrossover, the Persuader uses his "atomic axe" to recruit alternate universe variants of the Fatal Five, forming the Fatal Five-Hundred,^[4]before the two teams use the Cosmic Treadmill to return them to their original universes.^[5]

One Year Later

InThe Brave and the Bold,Epochtakes a version of the Fatal Five to the present day to assist him in gaining a powerful weapon. AfterBatmanandBlue Beetledefeat him, he abandons them in the 21st century. After Batman and Tharok are accidentally fused, the group are returned to the future, where they appear to be already in the Legion's prison.

Final Crisis

All five Fatal Five members were among the supervillains inSuperman-Prime'sLegion of Super-Villains.

DC Rebirth

InDC Rebirth,the Emerald Empress comes to the 21st century to destroySaturn Girland forms a contemporary incarnation of the Fatal Five consisting ofMagog,Brainiac 8,Selena, andSolomon Grundy.^[6]

Members

Emerald Empress

Mano

Mano is a mutant with the ability to generate deadly antimatter from his right hand. A native of the planet Angtu, which he destroys for his people mistreating him, Mano must wear a special suit to survive on other planets. His helmet obscures his face, making it appear as a silhouette.^[2]

Persuader (Nyeun Chun Ti)

ThePersuaderoriginates from a high-gravity planet, and thus possesses enhanced physical abilities. Before becoming a supervillain, he was a gang enforcer and gained his name from his ability to intimidate others.^[7]

The Persuader wields an atomic axe that is mentally linked to him and can allegedly cut through anything. It can even destroy metaphoric or intangible things, such as air, gravity, and the barriers between dimensions.^[8]

Tharok

Tharokis the leader of the Fatal Five.^[9]^[10]He is a small-time crook whose body is vertically bisected in the explosion of a stolen nuclear device.^[11]The people of his world, holding life sacred, rebuild him using robotic parts, which greatly boosts his intelligence, but leaves his evil tendencies unchecked.^[2]^[12]Tharok is later killed in battle with the Legion of Super-Heroes, and the Fatal Five disband. However, Tharok is resurrected in subsequent reboots of the Legion's continuity.^[13]^[14]^[15]

Validus

Validus is a monstrous member of the Fatal Five who possesses superhuman strength and durability and the ability to generate mental lightning bolts.^[16]^[2]He is later revealed to beGarridan Ranzz,the son ofLightning LadandSaturn Girl,whoDarkseidkidnapped and transformed into a monster shortly after his birth.^[17]Eventually, Validus is returned to his human form, with a similar monster, Mordecai, replacing him in the Fatal Five.

In subsequent reboots of the Legion, Validus is unrelated to Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl. In the "Threeboot"continuity, he is a Winathian nature spirit known as the Lord of Lightning.^[18]^[19]

Other versions

An alternate universe variant of the Fatal Five appears inTangent Comics,consisting ofIce,Shadow Thief,Kid Psycho,Deathstroke,and Count Viper.
An alternate universe variant of the Fatal Five, amalgamated with variousMarvel Comicscharacters, appears in theAmalgam Comicsone-shotSpider-Boy Team-Up,consisting ofAgamotto Empress,Manorb,Sparticus,Tharlock,andValinus.

In other media

Television

The original Fatal Five appear in theJustice League Unlimitedepisode "Far From Home", with Cara Kesh / Emerald Empress voiced byJoanne Whalley,Tharok byTomas Arana,Persuader by an uncreditedKin Shriner,and Mano and Validus having no dialogue.^[20]^[21]^[22]
The original Fatal Five appear inLegion of Super Heroes,with Sarya / Emerald Empress voiced byJennifer Halein the first season andTara Strongin the second, Tharok byDavid Lodge,Persuader byDavid Sobolov,and Mano and Validus having no dialogue.^[20]^[21]^[22]This version of the group is co-led by the Emerald Empress and Tharok. In the second season,Imperiexfrees the Fatal Five from prison, taking in Validus and Persuader, while Emerald Empress is depowered and abandoned afterMatter-Eater Laddestroys the Emerald Eye of Ekron.

Film

The original Fatal Five appear inJustice League vs. the Fatal Five,with Emerald Empress voiced bySumalee Montano,Tharok byPeter Jessop,Mano byPhilip Anthony-Rodriguez,Persuader byMatthew Yang King,and Validus having no dialogue.^[23]^[24]^[20]^[21]^[22]After the Emerald Empress and Validus are taken to the 21st century to be imprisoned in Oa, Tharok, Mano, and Persuader travel back in time to forceJessica Cruzto lead them to their missing teammates. While fighting theJustice LeagueandStar Boy,the Fatal Five are buried alive by Cruz.

Video games

The original Fatal Five appear as character summons inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.^[25]

Miscellaneous

Happy Mealfigurines of the Fatal Five were released as a tie-in to theLegion of Super Heroesanimated series.^[26]
The Fatal Five appear inLegion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century.^[27]

References

^Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010).The Essential Superman Encyclopedia.Del Rey. pp. 90–91.ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
^^a ^b ^c ^d ^eWallace, Dan (2008), "Fatal Five", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.),The DC Comics Encyclopedia,New York:Dorling Kindersley,p. 119,ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1,OCLC 213309017
^Wells, John (2014).American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965-1969.TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 173.ISBN 978-1605490557.
^Teen Titans(vol. 3) #16 (November 2004)
^Teen Titans/Legion Special(November 2004)
^Supergirl(vol. 7) #10-13. DC Comics.
^"The Fight for the Championship of the Universe!"Adventure Comics#366 (March 1968)
^Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010).The Essential Superman Encyclopedia.Del Rey. pp. 307–308.ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
^Wells, John (2014).American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965-1969.TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 173.ISBN 978-1605490557.
^Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016).The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe.DK Publishing. p. 308.ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
^Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010).The Essential Superman Encyclopedia.Del Rey. p. 437.ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
^The Legion (and theLegion of Substitute Heroes) first encountered the League of Super-Assassins inSuperboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes#253-254 (July–August 1979).
^Legion of Super-Heroes(vol. 2) #269-271 (November 1980-January 1981)
^Rovin, Jeff (1987).The Encyclopedia of Supervillains.New York: Facts on File. p. 342.ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
^Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds(August 2008-September 2009)
^Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010).The Essential Superman Encyclopedia.Del Rey. pp. 457–458.ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
^Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Manning, Matthew K.; McAvennie, Michael; Wallace, Daniel (2019).DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle.DK Publishing. p. 154.ISBN 978-1-4654-8578-6.
^As seen inFinal Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds.
^Legion of Super-Heroes(vol. 6) #1 (July 2010).
^^a ^b ^c"Emerald Empress Voices (Legion of Super-Heroes)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedApril 21,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
^^a ^b ^c"Persuader Voices (Legion of Super-Heroes)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedApril 21,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
^^a ^b ^c"Tharok Voices (Legion of Super-Heroes)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedApril 21,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
^Morrison, Matt (July 22, 2018)."Justice League vs The Fatal Five Animated Movie Announced For DC Universe".Screen Rant.
^Couch, Aaron (January 7, 2019)."'Justice League vs. The Fatal Five' Sets Voice Cast (Exclusive) ".The Hollywood Reporter.
^Eisen, Andrew (October 4, 2013)."DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide".IGN.RetrievedApril 21,2024.
^Duncan, Phillip (August 3, 2007)."Legion of Super Heroes at McDonald's".allaboutduncan.RetrievedApril 21,2024.
^"Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century #1 - Yesterday's Hero (Issue)".Comic Vine.RetrievedApril 21,2024.

External links

Tharok at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe

[1] Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010).The Essential Superman Encyclopedia.Del Rey. pp. 90–91.ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.

[dc-fata-2] Wallace, Dan (2008), "Fatal Five", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.),The DC Comics Encyclopedia,New York:Dorling Kindersley,p. 119,ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1,OCLC 213309017

[3] Wells, John (2014).American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965-1969.TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 173.ISBN 978-1605490557.

[4] Teen Titans(vol. 3) #16 (November 2004)

[5] Teen Titans/Legion Special(November 2004)

[6] Supergirl(vol. 7) #10-13. DC Comics.

[7] "The Fight for the Championship of the Universe!"Adventure Comics#366 (March 1968)

[8] Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010).The Essential Superman Encyclopedia.Del Rey. pp. 307–308.ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.

[9] Wells, John (2014).American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965-1969.TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 173.ISBN 978-1605490557.

[10] Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016).The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe.DK Publishing. p. 308.ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.

[11] Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010).The Essential Superman Encyclopedia.Del Rey. p. 437.ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.

[12] The Legion (and theLegion of Substitute Heroes) first encountered the League of Super-Assassins inSuperboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes#253-254 (July–August 1979).

[13] Legion of Super-Heroes(vol. 2) #269-271 (November 1980-January 1981)

[14] Rovin, Jeff (1987).The Encyclopedia of Supervillains.New York: Facts on File. p. 342.ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.

[15] Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds(August 2008-September 2009)

[16] Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010).The Essential Superman Encyclopedia.Del Rey. pp. 457–458.ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.

[17] Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Manning, Matthew K.; McAvennie, Michael; Wallace, Daniel (2019).DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle.DK Publishing. p. 154.ISBN 978-1-4654-8578-6.

[18] As seen inFinal Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds.

[19] Legion of Super-Heroes(vol. 6) #1 (July 2010).

[btva-20] "Emerald Empress Voices (Legion of Super-Heroes)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedApril 21,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.

[btva2-21] "Persuader Voices (Legion of Super-Heroes)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedApril 21,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.

[btva3-22] "Tharok Voices (Legion of Super-Heroes)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedApril 21,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.

[23] Morrison, Matt (July 22, 2018)."Justice League vs The Fatal Five Animated Movie Announced For DC Universe".Screen Rant.

[24] Couch, Aaron (January 7, 2019)."'Justice League vs. The Fatal Five' Sets Voice Cast (Exclusive) ".The Hollywood Reporter.

[25] Eisen, Andrew (October 4, 2013)."DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide".IGN.RetrievedApril 21,2024.

[26] Duncan, Phillip (August 3, 2007)."Legion of Super Heroes at McDonald's".allaboutduncan.RetrievedApril 21,2024.

[27] "Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century #1 - Yesterday's Hero (Issue)".Comic Vine.RetrievedApril 21,2024.

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