Aryan Brigade (comics)

Aryan Brigade
Cover art for Justice League Task Force #10. From left to right: Heatmonger, Blind Faith, Iron Cross, Golden Eagle II, and Backlash Art by Sal Velluto.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Justice League Task Force # 10 (March 1994)
Created by	Michael Jan Friedman
In-story information
Base(s)	mobile
Member(s)	Iron Cross Heatmonger Golden Eagle II Blind Faith Backlash

The Aryan Brigade is a group of fictional supervillains in DC Comics. The characters first appeared in Justice League Task Force #10 (March 1994). They were also known as the Purifiers of the Aryan Nation.^[1]

Fictional character biography

Aryan Brigade I

The DC Universe's version of the Aryan Nation is a white supremacist terrorist organization that created a designer virus which would attack and destroy "nonwhite" DNA in humans. They were secretly led by U.S. Senator Sanders Hotchkins. When several noted chemists began disappearing, they drew the FBI's attention. The FBI contacted Hannibal Martin, the Justice League Task Force's liaison, and the Martian Manhunter assembled a covert team to infiltrate the terrorists.

While undercover, Hourman I was forced to use his powers and drew the attention of the Aryan Nation's superhuman enforcers who call themselves the Aryan Brigade. Thanks to Blind Faith's mental powers, the Aryan Brigade was able to uncover and surprise the Task Force. They captured all but Hourman who returned to free them. In the meantime, the Nation had readied its virus for delivery into the atmosphere. J'onn followed the rocket and forced it to detonate in space. All members of the organization were subsequently arrested.

Following this, the Aryan Brigade's members were recruited by the Overmaster to be part of his new Cadre.^[1] Golden Eagle II and Heatmonger popped up in one of the incarnations of the Suicide Squad.^[2]

In Infinite Crisis, Iron Cross was seen a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains.

One Year Later, Iron Cross was seen amongst the recent incarnation of the Injustice League. Heatmonger and Iron Cross were among the villains transported to another world in Salvation Run. Iron Cross was killed by the Joker in #3. Heatmonger is used by Lex Luthor as a power source for a teleportation device, and is seemingly killed when it self-destructs.

Blind Faith and Backlash appear in Justice League of America #17, as part of a group of villains seeking to avoid being sent to the prison planet.

Aryan Brigade II

A new version of the Aryan Brigade appears in Freedom Fighters #1. The group is composed of Backlash and new members Rebel, Bonehead and Luftwaffe. They attack a casino in Las Vegas, but are swiftly defeated by the Freedom Fighters.

Members

Aryan Brigade I

The members of the first Aryan Brigade are:

• Backlash - A supervillain who had elastic whip-like arms.
• Blind Faith - A female blind psychic supervillain who serves as the group's seer.
• Golden Eagle II - A supervillain equipped with an exo-skeleton and artificial wings. Not to be confused with the first Golden Eagle.
• Heatmonger - A supervillain with robotic arms that shoot out blasts of thermal energy.
• Iron Cross - A supervillain with super-strength.

Aryan Brigade II

The members of the second Aryan Brigade are:

• Backlash - A supervillain who had elastic whip-like arms.
• Bonehead - A bulletproof man with spikes protruding from his skull
• Luftwaffe - A powerful metahuman in full WWII German pilot attire
• Rebel - A superstrong white supremacist

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Wallace, Dan (2008), "Aryan Brigade", in Dougall, Alastair, The DC Comics Encyclopedia, London: Dorling Kindersley, pp. 28, ISBN 0-7566-4119-5 
2. ^ Secret Files & Origins To The DCU 2000 # 1.

External links

• Aryan Brigade at the Unofficial DC Universe Guide
• Aryan Brigade at the DC Wiki