Catspaw (comics)

Superherobox|

caption=Catspaw as a member of the LSH
comic_color=background:#8080ff
character_name=Catspaw
real_name=April Dumaka
publisher=DC Comics
debut="Legion of Super-Heroes" Vol. 4 #33
creators= Tom Bierbaum
Mary Bierbaum
Chris Sprouse
alliance_color=background:#ffc0c
alliances=Legion of Super-Heroes
aliases=
powers=Cat-like speed and agility, enhanced senses, and retractable claws|

April Dumaka, alias Catspaw is a fictional character who was briefly a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the now-discarded continuity known to LSH fandom as the "Glorithverse". This continuity came about when classic Legion foe, the time-manipulating Time Trapper was replaced for a period before Zero Hour by the previously-minor LSH villainess Glorith. The real-world reason for this change was the demand of the post-Crisis Superman creative team that all references to Superboy be removed from Legion continuity. During this period, the Batch SW6 Legion appeared: these were duplicates of the Silver Age Legionnaires. After some time, this team having gained new costumes and for many members, new codenames, got their own comic titled "Legionnaires".

Fictional character biography

Dumaka, who got her powers (cat-like speed and agility) from the genetic manipulation of the Dominators an alien race who were trying to conquer the earth, was not an original member of the SW6 Legion, but she was held in the same underground chambers where the SW6 Legion emerged.

Catspaw and Dragonmage (another new character) were introduced to replace the SW6 versions of Princess Projectra and Karate Kid who had been killed when trapped in the underground chambers during an explosion.

She was only a Legionnaire for a very short time as, with "Legionnaires" #17, "Zero Hour" happened: this began a new continuity in which she did not appear. Her postboot counterpart did make a very brief cameo appearance as a potential member of the LSH's rival team the Workforce.

Powers

A hybrid of human and feline, Catspaw has the agility, speed, and heightened senses (smelling, hearing, and balance) of a cat, as well as retractable claws on her fingertips and toes. She has excellent night-vision and animal-like instincts.