Omega Men

Vega is a "nearby star," being only 25.3 light years from Earth. It is notable for the fact that Earth's astronomers have discovered the existence of planetoid masses around this star. (Earth's closest stellar neighbor, Alpha Centauri is 4.39 light-years away and is the former home of the planet Rann. Polaris, now home to Rann and Thanagar, is 431 light years away.) In the DC Universe, Vega does indeed teem with life, whiche began eons ago.

The First Vegans

The Guardians of the Universe created Vega's first sentient inhabitants, the Psions. These former lizards were left on the Guardians' homeword of Malthus after they departed for Oa. As the Psions evolved, they sought constantly to emulate their creators in scientific achievement. (Ashamed of their savage origins, a Psion's tail is removed at birth.) When finally the Psions found their creators on Oa, the Guardians were appalled by the Psions' experiments. The Guardians mandated that the Psions should be banished to the Vegan sector of space to attempt to achieve their own greatness. For as long as the Guardians remained in power (until the first great Crisis), the Psions would be limited to only this small corner of the universe. It was there, in the Vegan star system, that their experiments would define the evolution of life. (OM 30)

Though 25 planets circled Vega, only two contained sentient life. These worlds were polar opposites: Okaara, the utopian, technologically advanced society; and Branx Emana home to primal savages. It was X'Hal, the gracious Okaaran who first greeted the Branx warriors. She was their host but soon became their prisoner. (Legends that X'Hal's was a warrior are false, the product of generations of storytelling.) The Psions were curious to find out which trait would be dominant if they bred an Okaaran with a Branx. They met with continual failure until finally discovering an inhibiting force within the Branx. Inside each warrior, the Psions discovered an "angel," a spirit of reincarnation which rose out of the dead and returned to animate the newly-born. The Psions successfully cleaved one of these angels from its Branx host, sending the being screaming into the void. This creature would later be known as the diplomat and Omegan, Nimbus. Once freed of its symbiote, the Branx was successfully mated with X'Hal. It is unknown whether these angels are still a part of the Branx race.

X'Hal gave birth to twins, one humanoid like herself, the other a black skinned monster. Shortly thereafter, X'Hal and her "mate" killed each other in a prisoners' rage. The Psions panicked; the twins needed a mother for their experiment to continue. They bombarded X'Hal with regenerative energies in an attempt to revive her. Return she did, with vigor. The energies gave her near omnipotent powers. She annihilated her captors, their lab, and the moon surrounding it, and returned to Okaara with her sons. There she was hailed as a goddess and her human son, Lambien, assimilated easily into peaceful Okaaran society. (OM 7)


The Citadel

Lambien's brother, however, having inherited the Branx's violent disposition, was a source of constant strife. He introduced the arts of war to Okaaran society, spawning those who would one day become the revered Warlords of Okaara. Their entire society grew more warlike and in time they developed nuclear weapons which destroyed the planet's surface. Over one million years before life began on other Vegan planets, this former utopia became a dead world. Some Okaarans went underground, others migrated to other Vegan worlds. This migration, coupled with the Psions' continued experimentation, resulted in the evolution of a multitude of Vegan races. (ToNTT 4)

X'Hal's evil son was banished from Okaara. He returned to the Psions' former laboratory world and built a fortress by reassembling the fragments of its moon into a ringed citadel. This "First Citadeller" would in time clone himself into an imperfect but powerful army. Many years later, he began to anticipate his mortality. To attain godlike immortality like his brother, he would eventually implant his consciousness into the very heart of the Citadel's computer core: the Complex-Complex. (OM 7)

The ruling family of Tamaran was one of the Citadel's early targets. There, King Korithus led his people in a hopeless battle and perished along with his sons, Korthus and Scrithus. When their mother, Talathus, was taken into slavery, only their son Mythus (later Myand'r) was left to rule Tamaran. In departing, Talathus urged Mythus to make whatever sacrifices necessary to save Tamaran from total destruction. (NTT 15)

X'Hal was enraged that the Okaarans had exiled her son, and destroyed three of Vega's 25 planets. This shocking display prompted a mobilization of Okaaran forces. Only after the sacrifices of hundreds of warriors was X'Hal finally contained. For their own safety, her worshippers now also became her jailers. Before her incarceration, X'Hal imparted Lambien with some of her powers. (NTT 25)

The Rebellion & Great Wars

At the "Siege of Alaran," Citadel forces are responsible for the death of Tigorr's wife, Ghanna. (GL 143)

For the right girl, the world of Raggashoon can bring money and power. Young Harpis and Demonia of Aello seek just that. Though Demonia is concerned only with power, Harpis fast becomes a favorite among visiting soldiers. Among others, she beds Tigorr, a commander in the Great Wars. It is Delengis (one of Tigorr's men), however, who ultimately captures her heart. Their romance is cut brutally short when the evil Komand'r comes to call. Komand'r singles out Harpis and others for genetic alteration. Mama's girls will be custom-designed for Komand'r's lieutenants. Demonia is also selected but unlike her sister is elated at the results. For three years, Harpis travels alongside her new mate. Ultimately, fate brings them to Tamaran and a clash with Tigorr's band of rebels. When she spots her former love, Delengis, leaps into battle alongside the rebels. When they are defeated, she and Demonia are jailed as well. (OM 11)

One planet would remain almost untouched by the Citadel's scourge. On Euphorix, the young inventor Alonzo Dulak has devised a force field technology which he brings before X'Hal on Okaara. The goddess is impressed and imbues his invention with some of her own power, in hopes that one of Vega's worlds would survive the coming wars. (OM 15)


The Omega Men

The Prison Planet begins to swell with captives. There the charismatic Primus meets the powerful Tigorr. Their combined leadership initiates a revolt, and 200 Citadel prisoners are freed. Despite this small victory, five times that number remain imprisoned; during their escape, over 70 more of them die. (Harpis believes her lover, Delengis, has also perished.) Among the escapees, X'Hal's son Lambien later sacrifices himself to ensure the Omegans' safe passage to Earth. Regarded as a god, Lambien becomes a martyr to the Omega Men, who safeguard his essence in hopes of his revival. The surviving Omegans arrive on Earth in Newfoundland, where they establish a base from which to plan their revenge. (GL 142)

A slave for years, the young Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran finally seizes her opportunity to escape. Traveling aboard the Gordanian slave ship Q'st'r, she slays her captors and flees in a shuttle ship towards Earth. The journey from the Vegan world of Hnyxx will take three months. On Earth, the young empath called Raven assembles a team of young heroes whom she one day hopes will defeat her father, Trigon. Raven alerts the Titans to Koriand'r's arrival and they twice battle the Gordanians for her freedom. The Gordanians leave her behind, vowing that the Citadel will later send a warfleet. (NTT 1)

When the Earth man Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) is laid off from Ferris Aircraft, he and his girlfriend Carol Ferris take a vacation in Newfoundland. There, they are discovered by Harpis, who returns with a warning to the Omega Men's hidden city. There, Primus reveals the obscured shape of "him," an Omegan who they hope will heal in time to help them return home. After an unsuccessful disguised attempt to divert Hal and Carol, they reveal themselves to the Earth couple. Though Broot, Tigorr, Demonia and Harpis disagree with Primus' decision to let them live, Harpis defends Primus' leadership abilities. Nonetheless, Demonia threatens to disobey orders and kill Hal and Carol. (GL 141)

Primus forcibly stops Demonia from killing the Earthlings as Nimbus backs him up, claiming to have encountered a Green Lantern before (see Notes). In disgust, Tigorr makes known his own aspirations to lead the Omega Men. Just as the Omegans are finally found by the Gordanians, the remaining power of Lambien evolves in the powerful being Auron. Auron claims that he is not Lambien, but a reincarnation of his power. (GL 142)

From Vega, the Complex-Complex directs the Gordanians to reform into a robotic giant. But Auron (claiming to have been reincarnated by X'Hal herself to become her personal destroyer) and Green Lantern propel the Omegan's to victory over the Gordanians. At the conclusion, a Citadel commander expresses heightened anger towards the planet Earth for harboring not only the Omegans, but also the renegade Princess Koriand'r. After a long six months, Primus finally vows to get the Omegans home and face the Citadel. (GL 143)

Unable to find Green Lantern (who has been banished to space for a year), the Omega Men seek out Superman for help to return home. Instead they find that the Man of Steel has been abducted and vow once again to put the needs of others ahead of their own. In the battle, Kalista is struck by a gun, but comments that it's effects are "rather limited" on her Vegan physiology. (Action 535)

Despite the protests of others, Primus agrees to try to help Superman regain half of his stolen powers. Once accomplished, Superman takes the Omega Men aboard the Justice League satellite, where he furnishes them with fuel and a ship to return home. Just then, Superman notices the New Teen Titan called Raven appear in space outside the satellite; he draws her inside. (Action 536)

Previously — also on Earth — the Citadel has sent the evil Komand'r to Earth in search of her escaped sister Koriand'r. She sends the Gordanians to make her powers go awry, and she is thus captured. To pursue them, the Titans enlist Aqualad to retrieve the ship in which Kory came to Earth. However, Komand'r's forces quickly spit the Titans into space, left to their death. It is there that Raven envelops them in her soul self and Superman brings them aboard the JLA satellite. (NTT 23)

Primus is surprised to hear of Princess Koriand'r, whom the Omegans had believed dead. Again he pledges the Omega Men's support, agreeing to transport the Titans to Vega to rescue her. This meets with the increased protests from Tigorr and Demonia. Raven correctly deduces "Demonia would betray us." At the Citadel homeworld, Komand'r is received by revered Lord Damyn, the high chieftain who led the raid on Euphorix, exiled X'Hal and conquered all other Vegan worlds. With some Psions in his service, he hatches a plan to kidnap X'Hal. Meanwhile, the Omega Men decide to seek help from the Warlords of Okaara. They are accompanied by Auron, who once on Okaara, pleads with his mother to kill him. Held captive by the Warlords, the goddess refuses his plea and instead uses him as her vengeful tool and destroys the incoming Citadel force. Changeling takes the form of a Gordanian to try to find Starfire. (NTT 24)

The Omega Men recount the origins of X'Hal to the Titans: how she was imprisoned by the Warlords so that her worshippers are safe from her wrath. X'Hal ultimately gives herself over to the Citadel to save her homeworld of Okaara from destruction. And Demonia secretly allies herself with the Citadel just as Komand'r kills Lord Damyn, claims his position, and captures the Titans. (NTT 25)

In rage, Koriand'r temporarily breaks free, but the sisters are separated by the Citadel officials. They mandate that the two must duel to the death. If Komand'r wins, she will command the Citadel; if Koriand'r wins, Tamaran will be spared the Citadel's wrath. In the end, it is Komand'r appears to perish. But unbeknownst to the sisters, a Psion double agent has planted a trigger within each of them. Upon their deaths, 300 quake bombs will detonate throughout Vega. X'Hal quickly intervenes and destroys all the bombs then disappears, leaving her son, Auron, free from her influence. Demonia's betrayal is never discovered and she walks away alongside the Omega Men. For the first time in years, Koriand'r is reunited with her family on Tamaran, but decides to return to Earth with the Titans. (NTTANN 1)
Following her apparent death, Komand'r is rescued by a Tamaranean named Dor'ion. The near-death incident left her blind and shaken to the core, and without the will to live. Dor'ion gradually brings her back to herself. He trains her in combat not to rely on her gradually-returning sight and convinces her that Tamaran needs a leader who will fight for their freedom. When at last he reawakens her killer instincts, he makes the ultimate payment; in her blind haste, she kills him with a starbolt before realizing it was he. His death solidifies her resolve to lead Tamaran. (NTT 16)

Around this time, while battle rages on the world of Slagg, the Spittroid Shlagen first encounters Omega Men. They believe that he has come seeking their help, when in fact he had been running away. (OM 19)

Halo

History

Billions of years ago, at the beginning of creation, a race of beings called the Aurakles emerged from the Source. The Aurakles become observers and rarely interefered with sentient affairs. In time, however, one Aurakle grew increasingly fascinated by the lives of organic beings. While observing events on Earth, this sentimental entity was drawn to a young girl named Violet Harper. BATO 22

Harper was a teenaged runaway. She and her boyfriend, and Mark Denninger, had stolen a formula from the mob boss, Tobias Whale. They attempted to blackmail Whale for it and fled to the tiny European nation of Markovia. Harper turned on Mark as well and killed him with a drug overdose. Whale sent an assassin called Syonide to find them and Violet's luck finally ran out. Syonide left the girl for dead. BATO 20 The Aurakle witnessed this violence. It unwittingly reached out to her and was forever trapped inside her body! Violet's personality was deeply submerged and the Aurakle assumed control of her body. In the process, it became amnesiac; it was ingorant of either its own or Violet's memories. BATO 22

Soon afterwards, the Batman stumbled upon her body in the Markovian woods. He nicknamed the young girl "Halo" because of the glow that surrounded her. Halo aided Batman in rescuing his associate, Lucius Fox from Baron Bedlam. Batman requested further aid from the Justice League to save him, but the JLA refused. Batman then resigned and formed the Outsiders to deal with the problem. This band also included Katana, Black Lightning, Metamorpho and Geo-Force. BATO #1

After Markovia was freed of Bedlam's tyranny, Halo accompanied the new team to Gotham City. There she began a new life for herself under the guardianship of Katana. She also chose a name for herself: Gabrielle Doe. Tatsu and Gabrielle set up residence in Bruce Wayne's former penthouse — in the same building which housed the Outsiders' headquarters. Halo briefly flirted with Geo-Force but they soon realized that they were not interested in pursuing a serious relationship. #3, 6

Batman wasted no time in searching for Halo's origins. He sent his associate, Jason Bard, to the midwest to investigate her past. Harper's school yearbook led Bard to her real name and her parents in Arlington, Missouri. When Batman learned of her name (Violet) he noticed another mystery: Halo never used her violet aura. Gabrielle and Tatsu quickly gew very close, so it was heartbraking when Batman returned Halo to the care of her biological parents, Sam and Margaret. #16

Halo soon began to discover disturbing things about her past. At the same time, Tobias Whale and Syonide also discover Violet Harper's reemergence and set about reclaiming their stolen formula. Apparently, Violet Harper had a photographic memory, and Whale enlisted Dr. Moon to uncover the forumla. Instead, Moon noticed an anomaly in Halo's brainwave pattern. When the Outsiders entered the fray, Syonide killed the Mr. and Mrs. Harper. #18-20

The Outsiders removed Halo to the JLA satellite to analyze Halo themselves. Black Lightning provided the power and their associate, Dr. Jace, jogged Halo's memory of life as an Aurakle. This jolt summoned the other Aurakles, who kidnapped Gabrielle. Katana slayed one of the beings with her Soultaker sword and commanded it to take them to Halo. The team managed to cripple the Aurakles, who surrendered Halo. After all of this trauma, Halo departed from the team in anguish. #22-23

She then met a man named David, who took her to a commune called Eden. (This commune was actually a front for the villain Kobra.) David proposed to Halo just before they were captured by Kobra and her identity as Halo was exposed. Under duress, she revealed the Batman's identity, too. The Outsiders rescued Halo, but she and David went their separate ways. #24-27

After the Outsiders split from Batman, they were awarded medals by King Gregor of Markovia. They also accepted his offer to become "unofficial agents" of that state and voted to move to Los Angeles. There they would operate officially from the Markovian embassy, and unofficially from their new headquarters, just off-shore. #36

Geo-Force disbanded the Outsiders after a tragic series events. Gabrielle was left comatose by a blast from a Manhunter. Tatsu remained by by her side. Outsiders v.1 #28

Tatsu traveled with Gaby's body to Markovia, where she was mysteriously awakened. A new team of Outsiders was formed but they immediately found themselves framed for murder. Halo, Katana and Geo-Force fled the country along with new members Technocrat, Faust and Wylde. Outsiders v.2 #1-alpha

After the team was cleared of all charges, Halo began using her violet aura. The secret of the violet aura was known only to a few: it indicated that Violet Harper's personality was again in control. In this state, Harper could control all Halo's auras at once (Gaby could use only one at a time). Violet defected from the team and sought an alliance with Marissa Baron (Technocrat's ex-wife). Instead, Baron commanded the assassin Sanction to kill her. In the fracas, Sanction's blasts hit both women. This trauma forced the Aurakle to jump to a new host: Marissa Baron. Violet Harper's body was again left for dead. This time, Halo retained the memories of both Gabrielle and Marissa. (#7, 9)

The Aurakles attacked Halo again and possess her teammates. They had sought to reclaim her but were driven off by a high dose of electricity. (#13) These events added to tension to Gaby's relationship with Tatsu and may have added to her newfound attraction to Faust. When the team fractured, Halo sided with Looker and Faust and followed the Eradicator. #0 Unbeknownst to the Outsiders, Kobra rescued Violet Harper's dead body. His science was able to preserve Harper's essence and Halo's powers. She took the code name Spectra and joined Kobra's new Strike Force. Spectra posed as Halo and also recruited the former Outsider called Windfall. #16

The two Outsiders teams soon rejoined, but their time was short-lived. Since then, Halo, Katana and Geo-Force have kept the group alive, but its capacity is unknown. They have been spotted among other super-heroes in times of great crisis. DAY OF JUDGMENT 3-4, JLA: OUR WORLDS AT WAR 1

Notes: Violet Harper's birthdate is July 10; Halo turned 17 in SECRET ORIGINS #6.
+ Powers

....In addition to the power of flight, Halo possesses seven auras with different abilities:

* red = heat
* orange = repulsion
* yellow = sunlight
* green = stasis
* blue = distortion
* indigo = tractor beam
* violet = indicates the presence of the evil Violet Harper's personality, who can control all auras at once.

The Outsiders

Biography

Markovia and Baron Bedlam

The Outsiders form in the fictional Eastern European country of Markovia, which was at that time ravaged by war. Batman and Black Lightning have traveled there in order to free the captive Lucius Fox from Baron Bedlam, who has killed the country's king, King Viktor. Geo-Force himself is the prince of the country who gains powers from Markovia's top scientist, Dr. Helga Jace, in order to stop Bedlam. Metamorpho is searching for Dr. Jace in order for the doctor to help him with his powers. Katana arrives in Markovia in order to kill General Karnz, Bedlam's military commander, as vengeance for her family. During the adventure, Batman finds a young amnesiac girl exhibiting light-based powers in the woods, who he dubs Halo. The team bands together, defeats Baron Bedlam and decides to stay together afterwards. They fight such villains as Agent Orange, the Fearsome Five and the Cryonic Man.[2]

Masters of Disaster and the Force of July

Recurring foes are the Masters of Disaster (New Wave, Shakedown, Windfall, Heatstroke and Coldsnap), who at one point are almost able to kill Black Lightning. Windfall becomes disenchanted with her team and joins the Outsiders. Similar recurring opponents are the Force of July, a group of patriotic metahumans who also regularly came into contact with the Suicide Squad. During this time, Geo-Force's sister Terra dies as a traitor to the Teen Titans. Batman reveals his real identity as Bruce Wayne to the team, although they have already learned it. Eventually, the origin of Halo is revealed, and Emily Briggs (who during a later adventure becomes the superheroine Looker and joins the team) is introduced. Denise Howard, the love interest of Geo-Force also appears for the second time.

Without Batman

Baron Bedlam later returns to life. With the assistance of the Bad Samaritan, Masters of Disaster and Soviet forces, he again tries to retake control of Markovia. Batman withholds this information, angering the rest of the team. This eventually leads to Batman disbanding the team and returning to the Justice League. The team nonetheless travels to Markovia, discovering many Markovian military casualties. They are defeated by the Masters and learn that Bedlam has cloned Adolf Hitler. The younger clone commits suicide in horror of the actions his original self perpetrated. The Outsiders become unofficial agents of Markovia, so that they receive Markovian funding. The team moves to Los Angeles, as Geo-Force leaves behind his girlfriend Denise and Looker separates from her husband.

Outsiders (vol. 1, 1985-1988)

This series featured again the original group and lasted 28 issues, plus an Annual and a Special. This title originally ran alongside the Adventures of the Outsiders title, chronicling events a year after that series. In the end, the first couple of issues of the title were reprinted in Adventures of the Outsiders before that title was canceled.

Biography

The team have moved into a new headquarters in Los Angeles, and once again become involved in an adventure with the Force of July, ending in Moscow. Villains such as the Duke of Oil, and the Soviet superteam the People's Heroes are introduced during this time. The team's adventures take them all over the globe, most notably when the Outsiders' plane is shot down and the team is marooned on a deserted island for three weeks. Tensions rise as Geo-Force tries to resign his leadership and he and Looker give in to temptation. Eventually, they are found and are able to leave.

Even more troubles arise when a detective is hired to look into Looker's private life (now working as a model under the alias of Lia Briggs), who learns of her actual identity of Emily. The detective tries to blackmail her, but she hypnotizes him, and he leaves. However, he is shortly killed afterwards and Looker is arrested. The Outsiders however are able to clear her name.

Reuniting with Batman

The Outsiders are reunited with Batman when they band together to fight Eclipso. After the adventure Batman gives them access to a Batcave situated in Los Angeles, and the team is also infiltrated by the clone of Windfall. Meanwhile, Looker and Geo-Force feel guilt over their affair and eventually call it off, and Metamorpho faces his own personal problems with his lover Sapphire Stagg. The clone of Windfall is ultimately killed and the Masters of Disaster are defeated as the real Windfall joins the team. The team also come in contact with the other Los Angeles based team, Infinity, Inc.

Millennium
Main article: Millennium (comics)

The team is next involved with the company wide crossover event Millennium, wherein it is revealed that Dr. Jace is an operative of the villainous Manhunters[3] and kidnaps the team.[4] The team, now also joined by the Atomic Knight, are able to free themselves, but Dr. Jace blows up both herself and Metamorpho.[5] Looker is called to return to Abyssia, the origin of her powers, where she must also face the Manhunters. During the course of the adventure, she is drained of much of her power and returns to her normal form.[6] Halo is hit in crossfire, saving Katana's life, and slips into a coma, as Katana vows to look after her.[7] The team is disbanded by Geo-Force as Looker returns to her husband, and Batman has since rejoined the Justice League

This series featured again the original group and lasted 28 issues, plus an Annual and a Special. This title originally ran alongside the Adventures of the Outsiders title, chronicling events a year after that series. In the end, the first couple of issues of the title were reprinted in Adventures of the Outsiders before that title was canceled.

Biography

The team have moved into a new headquarters in Los Angeles, and once again become involved in an adventure with the Force of July, ending in Moscow. Villains such as the Duke of Oil, and the Soviet superteam the People's Heroes are introduced during this time. The team's adventures take them all over the globe, most notably when the Outsiders' plane is shot down and the team is marooned on a deserted island for three weeks. Tensions rise as Geo-Force tries to resign his leadership and he and Looker give in to temptation. Eventually, they are found and are able to leave.

Even more troubles arise when a detective is hired to look into Looker's private life (now working as a model under the alias of Lia Briggs), who learns of her actual identity of Emily. The detective tries to blackmail her, but she hypnotizes him, and he leaves. However, he is shortly killed afterwards and Looker is arrested. The Outsiders however are able to clear her name.

Reuniting with Batman

The Outsiders are reunited with Batman when they band together to fight Eclipso. After the adventure Batman gives them access to a Batcave situated in Los Angeles, and the team is also infiltrated by the clone of Windfall. Meanwhile, Looker and Geo-Force feel guilt over their affair and eventually call it off, and Metamorpho faces his own personal problems with his lover Sapphire Stagg. The clone of Windfall is ultimately killed and the Masters of Disaster are defeated as the real Windfall joins the team. The team also come in contact with the other Los Angeles based team, Infinity, Inc.

Split in two

After the defeat of the vampires, two teams, (one composed of Geo-Force, Katana and Techonocrat and another composed of the Eradicator, Looker, Wylde, Halo and Faust), claim the name the Outsiders, even though both teams are still considered fugitives for some time, thanks to some questionable tactics by their new members. During this time, the teams learn that Halo's original body has been brought back to life by the Kobra terrorist organization. In control of the body is Violet Harper, the evil woman whose body Halo originally inhabited. She now has abilities similar to Halo's and ends up calling herself Spectra, and joining Strike Force Kobra alongside Dervish and Windfall. Both Kobra and Violet Harper are defeated.

The two teams unite to confront Felix Faust, father to the Outsider Faust. During the confrontation, the bear-like Wylde betrays the team when Felix promises to restore his humanity. The team is able to defeat Felix Faust and Wylde eventually becomes an actual bear, without the ability to speak, and locked up in a zoo.

The title ends with the clearing of the Outsiders' names and the wedding of Geo-Force and Denise Howard.

Katana

Becoming Katana

Tatsu Yamashiro was an average Japanese girl, save for her proficiency in the martial arts, a trait encouraged by her parents.[2] Two brothers - Maseo and Takeo Yamashiro - both proclaimed their love for her. While she liked both, she chose Maseo. Takeo, "did not take this well," and refused to attend the couple's wedding.[2] Unmissed - indeed, Maseo (his only family) disowned his brother, who had joined the Yakuza, taking their mark of a large dragon tattoo across his chest - Tatsu and Maseo, mourning the deaths of Tatsu's parents, (cause unknown) started a family of their own. Tatsu gave birth to twins, Yuki and Reiko, while Takeo rose in rank of the Yakuza, indulging his "exotic tastes" for ancient weapons.[2] He was presented with a pair of matched swords by General Karnz (later henchman to Baron Bedlam), one of which Takeo favored for its mystical properties.

Takeo spent days preparing himself, before taking both swords to the Yamashiro residence, demanding his brother duel for the "prize" of Tatsu.[2] During the course of the struggle, a fire was started, and - when Maseo was distracted by his children - Takeo killed his brother with the sword which would become known as Soultaker. Tatsu arose just in time to see her husband die, and engaged Takeo, gaining the upper hand and disarming him. Attempting to save her children, she heard her husband's voice coming from the sword telling her they were already lost. Escaping with her life, Tatsu began training as a samurai under a master called Tadashi. After much time she graduated from his tutorship and left for America where she intended to use her talents to fight for justice. She took the codename Katana after the sword that she wielded, possessed for some time by the soul of her husband.[2][3]

Becoming an Outsider

Eventually Tatsu journeyed to Markovia, a small Baltic state, where she had tracked down Karnz, and she was successful in killing him, inadvertently implicating Black Lightning (coincidentally there with Batman) in her crime.[4] Attempting to rectify the misunderstanding by freeing Black Lightning, she encountered a young girl who was named Halo.[5] The two joined up to rescue Black Lightning, Batman (himself captured due to a blunder by Halo), and Bruce Wayne's employee Lucius Fox from their captor, Baron Bedlam.[5]

Batman was himself in Markovia to rescue Lucius Fox, and having sought - and failed to gain - the help of the Justice League of America, had resigned his membership in the Justice League. Inspired by the teamwork he encountered between Black Lightning, Katana, Halo and Geo-Force (Prince Brion of Markovia) and Metamorpho (also coincidentally present), Batman decided to form the Outsiders.[6] The team managed to end the Baron's tyranny in Markovia and moved to Gotham City, where they set up their headquarters (a former penthouse of Bruce Wayne, secretly the Batman). Tatsu became Halo's guardian and the two moved into the penthouse.

At the same time, Takeo was still at large and had followed Tatsu to Gotham City. Secretly he switched swords with her and left for Tokyo with the Outsiders on his tail. Takeo took the sword to his master, the godfather of the Yakuza, known only as the Oyabun. Performing a specific ritual, the Oyabun and Takeo managed to recall the souls that inhabited the sword, who proceeded to take corporeal form.[7] Among them were legendary mercenaries and assassins, but also Maseo, who was now a slave to the Oyabun. Katana - and the Outsiders - had to fight them all, but was ultimately able to reclaim the Soultaker from Maseo. Forced to kill her husband, she was also able to kill Takeo, finally putting some of her ghosts to rest. By undoing the ritual however, her husband returned into the sword as well.

At one point the Outsiders split from Batman's leadership and took up residence in Markovia where they were funded by the Markovian crown (Geo-Force is a prince of the royal family). They became the official agents of Markovia and moved to the city of Los Angeles where they made their headquarters in the Markovian embassy, while retaining another secret HQ just off the shore. Although Tatsu had left her past behind, the Oyabun returned in her life and sent a tengu after, with which he captured her. Her teammates in the Outsiders, namely Halo and Looker were able to save her using other tengu and the tengu leader, who aided them in battle.[8]

Family debt

After a while, the team disbanded after various tragic events surrounding Geo-Force's parents and Markovia. Nonetheless the Outsiders were forced to defend Markovia against the Manhunters, but during the fight Halo was knocked into a coma, saving Katana's life. Bounded by giri-ninjo (a debt of honor even unto death), Tatsu left the team so she could tend to Halo's wounds. During that time however, she was approached by a family member of her husband, who wished her to accompany the Suicide Squad on a mission to destroy a large horde of weapons that was about to be sold to the Yakuza. She declined on the basis of her giri-ninjo, although she was willing to help if the need was truly desperate. That family member was later killed, and she went after the killer, the Daichi-Doku's Oyabun (of which her relative was a member), who did not wish to see the weapons destroyed and tried to stop the Suicide Squad. During that adventure, she saved the life of Bronze Tiger and Manhunter (Mark Shaw), making them honor-bound to her by giri-ninjo. Mark Shaw then assisted her in taking down the Daichi-Doku's Oyabun. The Oyabun committed ritual suicide and Katana stood by as his 'second', ready to help with a blade strike so he could keep his honor.

Returning to the Outsiders

Eventually though the Outsiders re-form and return to Markovia. Instead of a peaceful reunion however, the team become trapped in a web of public relations that brands them outlaws. Although the charges would be dropped eventually the team was fractured. Halo dies from an assassin's blast but was reborn in a new body, which put an immense strain on Tatsu's relationship with Halo. Katana joins a team with Geo-Force and Technocrat, taking the lead. During a lone mission, Tadashi, her old mentor sends Lady Shiva to claim Katana's Soultaker sword. Shiva confronts Katana, who had been battling a gang of drug dealers. Katana had slain many, but refuses to kill the youngest member, something Shiva insults her for. Shiva, being world-renowned as the world's greatest assassin and fighter, was able to kill Katana with her own sword. Katana returnes to life after a trial by combat within her sword, which includes confronting many of the souls of the people she had killed. Afterwards, she manages to find her old mentor and take his life. The two splinter teams would eventually reunite, to take on more supernatural threats focused around the new team member Faust. Katana and her friends suffer through the mental and physical tortures that Faust's father, Felix, puts them through. Halo eventually frees them by destroying several of Felix's items of power. Soon after, the group breaks apart. After disbanding, Tatsu has kept her association with her old allies among the Outsiders (such as Black Lightning, Geo-Force and Halo), and although they did not operate as an official team, were always seen alongside each other during major crises. Her close ties to Batman also saw her fighting by his side, several times, notably during the Imperiex crisis and the Day of Judgement incident when hell invades Earth. The main battle against the villain, the rogue angel Asmodel, with the power of the Spectre, takes place in New York. Katana personally protects Madame Xanadu who is guarding the rest of Asmodel's power with a mystical shield. Katana's protection of Xanadu is assisted by Doctor Occult, Phantom Stranger and Alan Scott. Later, Katana assists Batman when he and Superman were declared outlaws. Katana was also called upon by Black Canary, together with other female mercenaries, in order to rescue Oracle from Senator Pullman. After Oracle was saved, Katana received a card, together with the promise of a favor if required. Katana later returns to assist Oracle in issue #108 alongside dozens of other agents.

New Outsiders

Most recently, she has joined a new team of Outsiders after assisting them in defeating an a more powerful Sabbac. It consists of all new members, with the exception of Metamorpho who rejoined the team after Shift's demise. In Outsiders #42, Katana dons a new costume, as she felt it innapropriate to wear a costume based on Japan's flag. The country had revoked her citizenship due to her membership with the controversial team. Later, Katana summons Sabbac to destroy Dr. Sivana's base with his Hellfire. Katana remains an active member of the Outsiders following the One Year Later continuity jump. Initially, the team is led by Nightwing, but later leadership transfers to Batman. Batman decides to 'test' Katana and the rest of the initial team, in order to design a better team. Katana is Batman's first official recruit.

S.H.I.E.L.D

S.H.I.E.L.D. (Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-enforcement Division) is an extra-government intelligence and security organization dedicated to protecting the nations and peoples of Earth from all threats, terrestrial or extraterrestrial. S.H.I.E.L.D. was organized in the early 1960s to meet the threat of the highly technological subversive organization called Hydra. The identities of the organization’s founders, its Executive Board, have never been revealed. S.H.I.E.L.D.’s first known Executive Director was Colonel Nicholas Fury, an ex-World War II commando and C.I.A. operative. S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Supreme Headquarters is the huge mobile Helicarrier, but there are also regional offices in all the major cities of the free world and several secret bases in Communist countries. Although most of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s operations are covert, the organization’s existence is known to general public. S.H.I.E.L.D. even maintains public offices in several cities.

Only a few of the several thousand S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives active throughout the world are known.

In the wake of Colonel Nicholas Fury's "Secret War" the position of director was passed to Maria Hill.
Recently she has passed the role to Tony Stark (Iron Man) after the "Civil War".

Universe
Marvel Universe

Base of Operations
The Helicarrier; S.H.I.E.L.D. Central, New York

Current Members:
Anthony Stark (Iron Man, Director) Maria Hill (Executive Director), George Washington Bridge, Sharon Carter, Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman), Contessa Valentina Allegra di Fontaine, Thaddeus "Dum-Dum" Dugan, Kenneth Hale (Gorilla Man), Daisy Johnson, Gabriel "Gabe" Jones, Ali Morales, Clay Quartermain, Natasha Romanova (Black Widow), Gail Runciter, Jasper Sitwell, the Suit, Alexei Vashin, Jimmy Woo, Howling Commandos

Former Members:
Val Adair, Agent L, Agent M, Agent 9, Agent 60, Agent 74, John Allen, Paul Allen, Dexter Bancroft, Clint Barton (Hawkeye), Blue Streak, Boothroyd, John Bronson, Laura Brown, Barth Bukowski, Stanley Carter (Sin-Eater), Jeff Cochren, Constrictor, Alec Dalton, Dean Haddad, Carl Delanden, Alex DePaul, Dimensional Man, Dragoom, Marvin Flumm (Mentallo), Nick Fury, John Garrett, Paul Garwood, Glob, Golem, Goom, Grogg, Groot, Jonathan Hart (Jack of Hearts), Joseph Hauser, Hellstorm, Jordan Holiday, James Howlett (Wolverine), Jerry Hunt, Roger Juniper, The Kid, Kraa, Lilith, Daughter Of Dracula, Living Mummy, M-80, Dr. Myron MacLain, Adam Manna, Manphibian, Rick Mason (the Agent), Chastity McBryde, Monster Ape, Danielle Moonstar, Barbara Morse-Barton (Mockingbird), Nails, Overrider, Arthur Perry, Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat), David Purcell, Radek, Cliff Randall, Steve Rogers (Captain America), Jack Rollins, Chcuk Rose, Satana, Frank Schlicting (Constrictor), Silicon, Skul, Suicide Squadron, Texas Twister, Marvel Man, Rabble Rouser, Red, Scorpio, Kenjiro Tanaka, Kimberly Taylor, Nate Thurman, Jack Truman, Vamp (Animus/Vamp), Wendell Vaughn (Quasar), Vries, Kali, Kate Waynesboro, Warwolf, Wesley Williams, Sam Wilson (Falcon), Wolfen, Agent Castigan, Agent Goldman, Agent Kyle, Agent Kragg, Agent M, Agent Ratchvek, Agent Simon, Agent Taki,

Other Members (Honorary, Reserve, etc.):
A.U.T.O.F.A.C., Android X-4, Boothroyd, Chuck, Impact 739, Wild Bill

First Appearance
Strange Tales #135 (1965)