Libra (DC Comics)

Infobox superhero


caption = Libra meets with the The Society. Interior artwork by Doug Mahnke from "DC Universe" #0 (2008).
character_name = Libra
publisher = DC Comics
debut = "Justice League of America" vol. 1 #111 (June 1974)
creators = Len Wein (script)
Dick Dillin (art)
alter_ego =
full_name =
species =
homeworld =
alliances = Injustice Gang
The Society
partners =
aliases =
supports=
powers = Superpower absorption

Libra is a fictional character, a supervillain in the DC Comics universe.

He first appeared in "Justice League of America" (vol. 1) #111, published in June 1974, where he formed the first incarnation of the Injustice Gang (though there had been other villain groups with similar names, like the Injustice Society and the Injustice League).

Libra makes his return with a leading role in "Final Crisis" in 2008.

Publication history

Libra's only major appearance was in "Justice League of America" #111-112, in 1974.

In 2004, he made a brief cameo in the "JLA/Avengers" crossover (#4) by Kurt Busiek and George Perez.

Grant Morrison, the writer of "Final Crisis", explained the reason for picking an obscure villain: [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16005 ALL STAR GRANT MORRISON I: Final Crisis] , Comic Book Resources, April 15, 2008]

The reason I chose them was because Libra came from my favorite ever run of 'Justice League of America' and he's never been used again. He was a character who had stolen all the powers of the Justice League, but then couldn't handle it and ascended to some kind of screaming godhood where he became a million transparent body parts spread across the sky. So I thought if I was doing a thing about the New Gods, he'd be an interesting guy to bring back because I needed a masked mystery man to start a new recruitment drive for the Secret Society of Supervillains, because they become almost a terrorist sect. Under Libra's guidance, they start doing quite bad things, even to superheroes' wives and families, crossing the line. So there's that element to the story and I needed a masked guy, who people didn't really know that well. And I remembered Libra and the fact that he is connected to this ascending to godhood thing tied him in really quite nicely. What's really going on under the hood will be revealed later in the series.

In May 2008 his appearances were reprinted in "DC Universe Special: Justice League of America" at the same time as he was reintroduced, along with the Human Flame (a Martian Manhunter foe who appeared in "Detective Comics #274") , in "Justice League of America" #21.

He returns, apparently retaining the full might of his godlike status, to lead a new and final incarnation of the Secret Society of Super-Villains, this time offering to every villain, from simple costumed crooks to major ones, the realization of his/her fondest wish.

Fictional character biography

Libra was a secret founder of the group of super-villains named Injustice Gang. He constructed an unusual device, the Transmortifier, that enabled him to steal half the powers or energies of a given person. By the end of the first appearance, it was revealed that their entire operation was a massive feint by their organizer, Libra, to test the Transmortifier. A series of "Plan A" devices the villains had been given in case the JLA defeated them absorbed half of the heroes' powers and transferred them to Libra. Satisfied with these results, he then turned his device upon the universe itself, hoping to become a god. Instead, Libra was absorbed into the universe itself, effectively disintegrating him and spreading his essence across the cosmos.

Libra returns in "Final Crisis" controlling an army of super-villains and threatening the entire Multiverse. [ [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=155644 A Brief History (because that's all there is) of Libra] , Newsarama, May 1, 2008] . He is identified in "Justice League of America #21" as an alien warlord, although no such origin was indicated in his initial appearance. During the events of "Final Crisis #1" he kills the Martian Manhunter with his staff, granting the Human Flame's greatest desire. To prove his claims to Lex Luthor, Libra then sends Clayface I to bomb the Daily Planet building, severely injuring Lois Lane. Later, when the Human Flame thanks Libra for his revenge, Libra begins to discuss what the villain owes him. In follow-up to this, Libra gives him a new base at the former swamp headquarters of the Legion of Doom and then gives him a new outfit (actually the outfit of one of the Justifiers of Apokolips). When the Human Flame puts it on, he is transformed into a mindless slave to the Anti-Life Equation. Libra then reveals himself as a prophet of Darkseid. When Luthor attempts to overthrow Libra, the newer villain instead surrounds him with more Justifiers and reveals that he is a Prophet of Darkseid. He offers Luthor a choice to either swear an oath to the God of Evil or become a mindless slave.

Powers and abilities

In the beginning Libra was able to take half of the abilities away from each of member of the Justice League. The "modus operandi" of this ability was simply unrestricted. He was able to steal half of the brilliance and intelligence from Batman, half of the speed powers of the Flash, and half of Superman's powers. After he took half of the powers from the galaxy he became pure, disembodied energy and his essence was dispersed around the universe.

The full scope of his power in his current incarnation is unknown. However, he is in possession of artifacts related to the New Gods, including Metron's Mobius chair and the Crime Bible. Also, his staff includes a spear tip that can burst into flame.

When the Spectre attempted to judge Libra in the first issue of "", he was unable to gain the knowledge of Libra's real name and was then actually physically beaten by Libra. How he is able to even touch God's Spirit of Vengeance is currently unknown, as "Revelations" and "Final Crisis" are still ongoing stories.

Notes

References

*comicbookdb|type=character|id=18812|title=Libra
* [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16706 FINAL CRISIS FLASHBACK: Libra & Human Flame] , Comic Book Resources, June 5, 2008

External links

* [http://en.dcdatabaseproject.com/Libra_(New_Earth) Libra] at the DC Database Project