Agent Liberty

Agent Liberty

Cover to Agent Liberty Special #1, by Dan Jurgens.
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Superman #60 (October 1991)
Created by Dan Jurgens
In-story information
Alter ego Benjamin Lockwood
Team affiliations Justice League
Sons of Liberty
CIA
Abilities Special suit that provide weaponry, forcefield, and jet pack for short flight

Agent Liberty (real name Benjamin Lockwood) is a fictional character from DC Comics. He first appeared in Superman vol. 2, #60 (October 1991). He was also briefly a member of Justice League America during Superman's death. He also appeared in his own solo adventure in Agent Liberty Special # 1 (1992).[1]

Fictional character biography

Agent Liberty's real name is Benjamin Lockwood. He once worked for the CIA but ultimately left in disgust with their methods and the types of missions he was being asked to undertake. He later became so disenchanted with the Federal Government as a whole that he joined the paramilitary group called the Sons Of Liberty, who outfitted him with the costume and weaponry he uses as Agent Liberty. In the beginning, Lockwood used his Agent Liberty guise to help the Sons' stated cause of overturning the current governmental regime, which brought him into conflict with Superman; however, when the Sons' leadership asked him to perform an assassination of politician Pete Ross, Lockwood refused, and left the Sons to go solo. During his time working with the Sons, Agent Liberty also briefly assisted the Justice League against the villain Brainiac in the crossover Panic in the Sky.

Lockwood helps bring down the Sons by sending vital information to the reporter Clark Kent.

Lockwood learns that one of the founders of the Sons of Liberty was in actuality his former CIA mentor, and he became so disgusted with this that he burned his Agent Liberty costume, vowing to never undertake that identity again.

However, he does take it up later. At one time, unwillingly, as one of many brainwashed victims of a cult started by the villain Brainiac.[2] Agent Liberty and the other kidnapped meta-humans are rescued by Huntress and Vixen. Later, during the literally Earth-shaking crisis of Infinite Crisis, Agent Liberty shows up at a mass for fallen and missing superheroes. Dozens of other heroes are also in attendance.

The death of Agent Liberty. Art by Pete Woods.

Dozens of heroes, Agent Liberty included, also gather to defend the city of Metropolis from the Secret Society of Super-Villains.[3] Liberty is seen heading for a heavily armed cyborg being. Ultimately, the Society loses the battle.

Agent Liberty comes out of retirement to act as a member of the President's security detail while meeting with Superman and other Kryptonians newly arrived on Earth.[4]

He was apparently killed when Superwoman uses her heat vision on him after she caught him spying on Sam Lane and Lex Luthor.[5] His body is later discovered in the harbor and upon an autopsy it is discovered that Agent Liberty's suit had sent out a distress signal at the moment of his death, leaving clues to who killed him.

His body was dumped in Metropolis Harbor where it was discovered and brought ashore by a group of boaters. Metropolis Metacrimes Inspector headed the investigation into Agent Liberty's murder, but before he could remove Liberty's armor, Lucy Lane had Agent Liberty's body removed from Metropolis City Hospital.[6][7]

During the Codename: Patriot arc, a new female Agent Liberty has been seen as part of President Martin Suarez' security team.[8] It is unknown at this time if she is connected to the Sons of Liberty, or even her predecessor Benjamin Lockwood, or if she is in fact yet another agent in General Lane's considerable list of operatives. The new Agent Liberty is apparently killed by Ursa when she attacks the White House during the War of the Supermen.[9]

Powers and abilities

Agent Liberty's costume has equipment that can generate a force-shield of energy capable of deflecting bullets, weapons such as retracting blades, and a jetpack that allows him to fly for short distances. Agent Liberty is also a skilled hand-to-hand combatant.

References

  1. ↑ Wallace, Dan (2008), "Agent Liberty", in Dougall, Alastair, The DC Comics Encyclopedia, London: Dorling Kindersley, p. 9, ISBN 0-7566-4119-5
  2. ↑ Birds of Prey #72 October 2004
  3. ↑ Infinite Crisis #6
  4. ↑ Superman, Vol. 1, #681 (December 2008)
  5. ↑ Action Comics #873 (March 2009)
  6. ↑ Supergirl (vol. 5) #37 (March 2009)
  7. ↑ Supergirl (vol. 5) #38 (April 2009)
  8. ↑ World of New Krypton #6
  9. ↑ http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pScx8BN4h3s/S_UTvmkPUTI/AAAAAAAAIZQ/Qt2BNcEq3Xk/s1600/war+of+sup+3-08.jpg

External links