SKULL (DC Comics)

Last updated
SKULL
Skulldcu0.jpg
The Atomic Skull (Albert Michaels, in his first appearance by that name) and a SKULL operative vs. Superman and the Man-Bat in DC Comics Presents #35 (July 1981),
art by Ross Andru
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Superman #301 (July 1976)
Created by Gerry Conway (writer)
Curt Swan (artist)
In-story information
Type of organizationOrganized crime
Leader(s) Atomic Skull
Agent(s)Alysia Damalis
Doctor Chaysten
Duke of Oil
Major Disaster
Simon Pons

SKULL is a fictional DC Comics criminal organization, introduced in 1976's Superman #301. They were created by Gerry Conway and Curt Swan. [1]

Contents

Fictional team history

Bronze Age

SKULL actively recruited discredited geniuses and rogue super-scientists at the behest of Albert Michaels, the first Atomic Skull. Their criminal agenda often brought them into conflict with the terrorist organization known as Kobra. They later expanded their criminal empire to the West Coast. Albert Michaels was one of the sleeper agents of rogue SKULL scientist Alysia Damalis. [2]

Modern Age

SKULL was seemingly inactive until Simon Pons revitalized the group. Pons first appears in Outsiders (vol. 1) #6, but does not take an active role until Outsiders Annual (vol. 1) #1 in a story entitled "The Skull..., The Serpent... and the Outsiders". In this story, Simon Pons rebuilds SKULL and renews their long-standing feud with Kobra. [3]

The group was suffering from near collapse following Superman's capture of the Atomic Skull. Simon Pons rebuilt the organization as an international crime cartel that sought to forcibly recruit millionaires such as Earl J. Dukeston, prominent scientists like Helga Jace, and even Kobra himself. Pons blackmails Kobra using a cloned replica of his dead brother Jason Burr, which was genetically engineered by Doctor Chaysten. Pons threatens to kill the clone if Kobra does not work for SKULL. Kobra eventually joins with the Outsiders in order to defeat Pons and later escapes. Simon Pons and Doctor Chaysten were later captured by the Outsiders.

At one point, SKULL attempts to kidnap Metamorpho and use him to create plutonium. SKULL's last appearance was in Outsiders (vol. 1) #25 (November 1987). [4]

Members of note

Other DCU criminal organizations

In other media

Television

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References

  1. Superman #301 (July 1976)
  2. Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 360. ISBN   978-0-345-50108-0.
  3. Outsiders Annual (vol. 1) #1 (1986)
  4. Outsiders (vol. 1) #25 (November 1987)