Global Guardians
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The Global Guardians are a team of fictional DC Comics superheroes which hail from countries around the world. The concept originated in the Super Friends Saturday morning cartoon, in which several heroes (Black Vulcan, Samurai, Apache Chief and El Dorado) were added to the Justice League to give it more ethnic diversity. None of these characters ever appeared in a DC Comic book, perhaps due to copyright issues.
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[edit] History
The characters that would form the Global Guardians first appeared in the Super Friends comic book series. The first were introduced in a story (in Super Friends #7-9) in which an alien villain called Grax (an old Superman foe) planted bombs on Earth's seven continents to destroy it. Thanks to a warning from the Wonder Twins (in their first comic book appearance) the Justice League discovered the plan in time and recruited the heroes of the countries affected to find the bombs before they exploded. These international heroes would later appear in other issues of Super Friends. However, it wasn't until DC Comics Presents #46 that they were introduced as a team, in a story in which they helped Superman to stop an evil sorcerer. This is also considered to be these characters' first canonical appearance in the DC Universe.
After Crisis on Infinite Earths, it was revealed that the Global Guardians had been gathered together by Doctor Mist to serve as the enforcing arm of an international organization called the "The Dome", which had been created by the Treaty of Rome in 1957 to help organize the efforts of superheroes across the globe as an international police organization.
Prior to that, in the early 1950s, several international heroes who had been the beneficiaries of the Justice Society of America's kindness during and after World War II, had banded together in an informal "Club of Heroes". They were integrated in the Global Guardians after its foundation.
This original Global Guardians were based in a United Nations-financed headquarters building also called the Dome located in Paris. The original team was also funded by Doctor Mist and administrated by a woman called Belphegor who was gifted with psychic powers.
The Guardians are similar to the Justice League as they are also committed to fighting crime around the world. Unlike the League, however, they have only appeared in a few comics. Many of the Guardians individually assisted other international heroes during the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover and once teamed up with Infinity, Inc..
The Guardians eventually lost their UN funding to the Justice League, and the Dome was ordered to close, in part due to the political machinations of their enemy, Dr. Klaus Cornelius. Some of its members left the team to join the League, notably Green Fury and Icemaiden (who changed their names to Fire and Ice.) Others went freelance.
Part of the team was brainwashed by the Queen Bee of Bialya and were directed to battle the Justice League. A number of the team's members were killed by Fain Y'onia, an ancient foe of their leader, Doctor Mist. The Guardians meet in the Dome's Headquarters, which was formerly located in Europe but is now in the Pacific.
In a story in the Justice League Classified series, some of the Guardians were seen to have joined the Ultramarine Corps. In 2006, as part of the events of One Year Later, in Green Lantern #10, the Global Guardians are shown regrouped, apparently led by former New Guardian Jet. As revealed here by Geoff Johns on the Comic Bloc message boards.
[edit] Members
[edit] The Club of Heroes
- The first Knight of England was followed by his son, the second Knight.
- The second Squire of England was follow by his daughter, the third Squire.
- The Gaucho of Argentina inspired the Argentinian hero team Super Malon.
- The Musketeer of France.
- The Wingman of Sweden.
- The Legionary of Italy.
[edit] The Original Global Guardians
Doctor Mist (Nommo of Kor): an ancient African sorcerer who served as the leader of the Global Guardians. He lived for 11,000 years and formed an older incarnation of the team. A robotic clone was created when at one time in the past he disappeared. Later on, he was found by Jack O'Lantern and Owlwoman alive in a dungeon. With his help, the heroes reunited with the Global Guardians. An eternal, Mist's physical body was supposedly slain by an ancient occult force. Nonetheless, he did turn up alive and seemingly well after the Zero Hour crisis. At this time he formed a new team of heroes known as Primal Force. His current whereabouts are unknown.
Little Mermaid (Ulla Paske of Denmark): a teenage hero born from a Danish lighthouse keeper and an Atlantean woman. Her first mission was to help Aquaman dismantle a bomb in Atlantis. Later on, she helped Aquaman defeat Sinestro and Superman find an ancient ruin. She took part in helping the Atlantean heroes in the Crisis on Infinite Earths cross-over. Later on, she was one of many Global Guardians brainwashed by the Queen Bee of Bialya, she died in battle with the Justice League.
Jack O'Lantern (Daniel Cormac of Ireland): a poor farmer who was granted a magic lantern by an Irish fairy. His first recorded mission was to help Green Lantern dismantle a bomb in Ireland. He also helped Superman find an ancient ruin in Ireland. He helped heroes from Ireland and England save the world in the Crisis on Infinite Earths. While the Justice League became the world's greatest heroes, Jack left the Global Guardians and joined Rumaan Harjavti's army in Bialya. After Harjavti was killed by the Queen Bee of Bialya, Jack voluntarily joined forces with the villainess in taking over the world. He was left dying in a sewer after a battle with the Justice League. However, he was found alive by his girlfriend Owlwoman and the two heroes found Doctor Mist. They took a major part in reuniting the Global Guardians. Afterwards, Jack died of natural causes. Therefore, his cousin Liam McHugh took the mantle of Jack O'Lantern, the third in a series (there was a second Jack O'Lantern named Marvin Nirosa from Bialya. He was killed by Owlwoman after she learned his truth). The latest Jack O'Lantern is a member of the Ultramarines.
Owlwoman (Wenonah Littlebird of Oklahoma, United States): a full-blooded Native American from Oklahoma who represents the Cherokee tribe. She was first seen helping Hawkman and his wife Hawkwoman dismantle a bomb in the darkness of an Oklahoma field. She also took part in the Crisis on Infinite Earths. After her boyfriend Jack O'Lantern left the Global Guardians, Owlwoman went to Bialya and joined the Queen Bee's army. The two ex-Global Guardians helped the Queen Bee take over the world. Jack O'Lantern and Owlwoman helped the Queen Bee brainwash the other Global Guardians into serving her. In a battle with the Justice League, Owlwoman betrayed her teammates and killed an impostor Jack O'Lantern. She found the real Jack O'Lantern alive in a dungeon, as well as Doctor Mist. The three heroes later reunited the Global Guardians. After a battle with Doctor Mist's old foe, Fain Y'onia, Owlwoman was one of the few remaining Global Guardians to survive and reformed the Global Guardians.
Rising Sun (Izumi Yasunari of Japan): a Japanese solar scientist who is a longtime member of the Global Guardians. His first known mission was to help Atom dismantle a bomb in Japan. He later helped Robin defeat a villain and Superman find a piece of ancient armor. He helped save Japan in the Crisis on Infinite Earths, and helped Artemis save her parents Huntress and Sportsmaster with the help of Infinity Inc.. The Japanese hero volunteered to help the Queen Bee battle the Justice League in Germany. He fell into a coma for a while. As soon as he woke up, he returned to active duty with the Global Guardians. After a few battles with his teammates, Izumi secretly betrayed them and helped fellow Japanese hero Doctor Light battle a horde of Bialyan soldiers. Afterwards, he found Doctor Mist, Jack O'Lantern, and Owlwoman together and he helped the three heroes reform the Global Guardians. During the battle with Fain Y'onia, Rising Sun was one of the few Global Guardians to survive and he helped re-establish the Global Guardians.
Tasmanian Devil (Hugh Dawkins of Australia): a former engineer and drama coach who was cursed by a tasmanian devil. He helped Green Arrow dismantle a bomb in Australia and fought a mind-controlled Robin, who was protesting to Australian youths. After the disbanding of the Global Guardians, Tasmanian Devil helped found the Justice League International embassy in Australia. He learned his fellow Global Guardians were brainwashed by the Queen Bee and he wanted to help reform the group. He later joined Doctor Mist, Jack O'Lantern, Owlwoman, Rising Sun, and Seraph in retrieving the Global Guardians. Afterwards, Tasmanian Devil returned to the Justice League. Although he is no longer a Global Guardian, Tasmanian Devil is still active in adventuring.
Seraph (Chaim Lavon of Israel): a Jewish school teacher who was granted biblical powers. He helped Superman dismantle a bomb in Israel and free the Wonder Twins after they were brainwashed. He had a few missions as a solo fighter. As a Global Guardian, he helped Superman retrieve an ancient artifact. He remained on the team for a few years, but declined an offering from the Queen Bee of Bialya, since he was Jewish and Bialya was a Muslim state. For a while, Seraph fought solo, trying to think of ways to revive the Global Guardians. Finally, Doctor Mist called him to Bialya to rescue the Global Guardians. The mission was successful. After a battle with Doctor Mist's enemy Fain Y'onia, Seraph helped Rising Sun, Owlwoman, and Olympian create the New Global Guardians, placing himself as leader.
Tuatara (Jeremy Wakefield of New Zealand): a youthful hero who can predict the future with the help of a third eye. His first mission was to help the Red Tornado dismantle a bomb into the Prehistoric Era. He also helped the Super Friends fight a time menace. A few years later, Tuatara was brainwashed, along with Rising Sun and Wild Huntsman, into serving the Queen Bee of Bialya. In a battle with the Justice League in England, Tuatara slipped into a coma. He was later restored and brought back to action. His last known mission was the battle of Fain Y'onia, where he suffered brain damage. He is now in a coma and is tended by his teammate, the Seraph.
Thunderlord (Liang Xih-k'ai of Taiwan): a Buddhist monk who uses his voice like a sound wave. He helped the Black Canary dismantle a bomb on the island of Taiwan. Later on, he assisted the brothers Thunder and Lightning in Vietnam during the Crisis on Infinite Earths. Later on, Thunderlord joined the other Global Guardians as pawns of the Queen Bee. He remained loyal to the Queen until she was killed by the Justice League. Like the other brainwashed Global Guardians, Thunderlord rejoined the Global Guardians, but he died at the hands of Fain Y'onia.
Olympian (Aristides Demetrios of Greece): a hefty Greek punk who wears the Golden Fleece, which grants him strength. He helped Wonder Woman battle Colonel Conquest in Greece, where a bomb was supposed to be hidden. Later on, he helped Superman twice. The Greek hero later met Fury of Infinity Inc.. When he heard his fellow members were to be pawns of the Bialyan dictator Queen Bee, Olympian joined up. After the Queen Bee died, a successor arrested him for schizophrenia. He later reunited with the other Global Guardians and remained a member since, even after a battle with Fain Y'onia. He was romantically attracted to Godiva.
Godiva (Dorcas Leigh of England): a beautiful English socielite who relies on her hair for her powers. Her first mission was to assist the Elongated Man in dismantling a bomb near London. Later on, she helped Wonder Woman find the Queen Bee. She later helped Jack O'Lantern in the Crisis on Infinite Earths, and later helped Superman battle Toyman. Along with other Global Guardians, she was brainwashed by the Bialyan dictactor Queen Bee. After she and the other Guardians were rescued by other former members, she later rejoined the team. She lost her powers after a battle with Fain Y'onia and has since retired from action. Her boyfriend was the Olympian.
Impala (M'Bulaze of South Africa): a Zulu warrior who was politically minded. He helped the Flash dismantle a bomb in South Africa, and joined forces with other African heroes in the Crisis on Infinite Earths. He, along with other Global Guardians, was brainwashed by the Queen Bee of Bialya. After coming to his senses and being rescued by other former Global Guardians, Impala lost his powers to Fain Y'onia, and he later died at Roulette's house of games. His successor, Kid Impala joined the Ultramarines.
Wild Huntsman (Albrecht von Mannheim of Germany): a re-incarnation of a German warrior, who is allied by a horse (Orkan) and a hound (Donnerschlag). His first known mission was helping the Wonder Twins find a villain. He was later brainwashed by the Queen Bee of Bialya and with his allies Rising Sun and Tuatara, he fought the Justice League and slipped into a coma. He later woke up and rejoined his teammates. A few years later, he disappeared in battle with Fain Y'onia. Whether the Huntsman is dead or alive is unknown.
Bushmaster (Bernal Rojas of Venezuela): a reptilologist who invented gadgets that mimic the abilities of reptiles, past and present. He helped Batman and Robin dismantle a bomb in Venezuela and capture a villain. Along with other Global Guardians, he was brainwashed by the Queen Bee of Bialya. Once he snapped out of it, he returned to the Global Guardians, but was killed by Fain Y'onia.
Fire (formerly Green Fury and Green Flame) (Beatriz da Costa of Brazil): as a Global Guardian, Green Fury fought Superman in her native Brazil. She later helped the Super Friends on several missions. When an old foe of Doctor Mist lost his armor, Green Fury helped Superman retrieve the armor. She later changed her name to Green Flame and worked on a case with Infinity Inc. before joining the Justice League. Fire is now a member of the UN sponsored organization Checkmate.
Icemaiden (Sigrid Nansen of Norway): as a Global Guardian, Icemaiden helped the whole Justice League of America dismantle a bomb in Antarctica. Before she joined the Justice League, she worked on a case with Infinity Inc. Icemaiden is also one of the few lesbian heroines in the DCU. She quit the Guardians shortly after a second Icemaiden (who had true magical ice powers) joined the team. She later joined the Justice League after the second Icemaiden (then renamed Ice) died in battle.
[edit] Later members
- Fleur-de-Lis (Noelle Avril of France): Fleur-de-Lis was shown fighting Dr. Cornelius Klaus in Blue Beetle; after the closure of the Dome, she went freelance and once helped Deathstroke and Andre Chavard's Departement Gamma of French Intelligence.
- Templar Knight (Simon Lesur of France): In Teen Titans Spotlight #11, Belphegor mentions this deceased former member, of whom nothing more is known.
- Icemaiden II (Tora Olafstotter of Norway): a princess of an isolated tribe of magic-wielding Norsemen, Icemaiden II had the natural ability to create and manipulate ice. She joined the Global Guardians, and soon afterwards the original Icemaiden quit (due to her lack of self-confidence since she had scientifically received her powers, whereas Tora was a real icemaiden). She later joined the Justice League and changed her name to Ice. She had a romantic liaison with Guy Gardner, before dying battling the Overmaster.
- Centrix of Canada
- Tundra of Russia
- Chrysalis of France (actually a living bomb)
- Cascade of Indonesia
These characters (with the exception of Icemaiden II) had rare appearances in DC continunity after their first appearance, but Cascade had a cameo shot in the Villains United Infinite Crisis Special. She also appeared later in 52 as a member of Black Adam's coalition.
Two other characters were associated with the Global Guardians but were not actual members:
- Belphegor of France, who appeared to function mostly as an assistant to Dr. Mist; she has vanished since the closure of the Dome.
- Red Star (Leonid Kovar of Russia)
[edit] Current lineup
- Jet of Jamaica
- Gloss of China
- Tasmanian Devil of Australia
- Manticore IV of Greece.
- Sandstorm of Syria
- Freedom Beast of South Africa
- Crimson Fox III of France
[edit] Related Sources
See the Cadre of the Immortal for more international heroes operating in the DC Comics Universe. The Cadre is home to five Superfriends doppelgangers: Black Vulcan (Mohammed Ibn Bornu), Apache Chief (Seneca), Samurai (Musashi), El Dorado (Xiuhtecutli) and the one everyone always forgets Golden Pharaoh[1] (Osiris).
