The Conglomerate (comics)
Encyclopedia
The Conglomerate is a fictional DC Comics
superhero
team. They first appeared in Justice League Quarterly
#1 (Winter 1990).
, which is led by her ex-husband, Maxwell Lord
. The Conglomerate has had three incarnations, the first led by Booster Gold
, and including Praxis, Maxi-Man
, Echo, Vapor (Carole Donahue), Reverb (Vibe
's brother), and Gypsy
. This team initially is hostile towards the JLI (Booster had recently quit the group over his perceived lack of respect from his peers), but the two groups gradually become more friendly. Eventually, the members of this version of the Conglomerate drift away. Booster Gold parts ways with the team during an attack upon New York
by Despero
. Claire does not want the team to go, as they will only get in the way. Gold, who figures he has enough experience with the League, leaves on his own.
However, the Conglomerate has an upcoming competition with the JLI, and Montgomery quickly recruits an all-new team, thanks to the dimension-spanning powers of would-be member Norman the Doorman. The new team includes Deadeye, Fiero, Frostbite, Elasti-Man, Element Man, Scarab, and Slipstream, interdimensional heroes who later are revealed as villains from Qward
and defeated by the Justice League. Although this Qwardian team did not have a name, it can be assumed that they were another incarnation of the Crime Syndicate of America
, as the characters appeared to be counterparts to Blue Beetle
, the Flash
, Fire, Ice
, Green Arrow
, Elongated Man
, and Metamorpho
.
and Jesse Quick. The current status of this Conglomerate is unknown; however, Jesse Quick (Liberty Belle II) and Nuklon (Atom Smasher) are now members of the JSA
. It appears that the team has dissolved.
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
team. They first appeared in Justice League Quarterly
Justice League Quarterly
Justice League Quarterly was a quarterly American comic book series published by DC Comics from Winter 1990 to Winter 1994; it lasted 17 issues. It had a variable cast, pulling from the Justice League membership...
#1 (Winter 1990).
Fictional background
The Conglomerate is a corporate sponsored superhero team, created by Claire Montgomery as competition for the Justice League InternationalJustice League International
Justice League International is a DC Comics superhero team written by Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis, with art by Kevin Maguire, created in 1987.-Publication history:...
, which is led by her ex-husband, Maxwell Lord
Maxwell Lord
Maxwell Lord IV is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He is a shrewd and powerful businessman who was very influential in the formation of the Justice League International in DC Comics.-Before the League:...
. The Conglomerate has had three incarnations, the first led by Booster Gold
Booster Gold
Booster Gold is a fictional DC Comics superhero. Created by Dan Jurgens, he first appeared in Booster Gold #1 and has been a member of the Justice League, DC Comics' all-star team of heroes. The character is initially depicted as a glory-seeking showboat from the future, using knowledge of...
, and including Praxis, Maxi-Man
Maxi-Man (comics)
Maxi-Man is the name of two DC Comics heroes. The first was created by Len Wein and Joe Phillips and first appeared in Mister Miracle Vol. 2 # 9 . The second was created by Jodi Picoult and Drew Johnson and first appeared in Wonder Woman Vol. 3 # 6 .-Henry Hayes:Henry Hayes worked in a successful...
, Echo, Vapor (Carole Donahue), Reverb (Vibe
Vibe (comics)
Vibe is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Justice League of America Annual #2 , and was created by Gerry Conway and Chuck Patton.-Paco Ramone:...
's brother), and Gypsy
Gypsy (comics)
Gypsy is a fictional character, a DC Comics superheroine. She first appeared in Justice League Annual #2 and was created by Gerry Conway and Chuck Patton. She is a member of the Birds of Prey and has been a member of the Justice League.-Fictional character biography:Cindy Reynolds is born to...
. This team initially is hostile towards the JLI (Booster had recently quit the group over his perceived lack of respect from his peers), but the two groups gradually become more friendly. Eventually, the members of this version of the Conglomerate drift away. Booster Gold parts ways with the team during an attack upon New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
by Despero
Despero
Despero is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in Justice League of America #1 Despero is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in Justice League of America #1 Despero...
. Claire does not want the team to go, as they will only get in the way. Gold, who figures he has enough experience with the League, leaves on his own.
However, the Conglomerate has an upcoming competition with the JLI, and Montgomery quickly recruits an all-new team, thanks to the dimension-spanning powers of would-be member Norman the Doorman. The new team includes Deadeye, Fiero, Frostbite, Elasti-Man, Element Man, Scarab, and Slipstream, interdimensional heroes who later are revealed as villains from Qward
Qward
Qward is a fictional world existing within an antimatter universe that is part of the . It was first mentioned in Green Lantern # 2 .-Fictional history:...
and defeated by the Justice League. Although this Qwardian team did not have a name, it can be assumed that they were another incarnation of the Crime Syndicate of America
Crime Syndicate of America
For the concept of crime syndicates in general, see Organized crime.The Crime Syndicate are teams of fictional supervillains, from one of DC Comics' parallel universes, who are the evil counterparts of the Justice League of America. The original team was specifically known as Crime Syndicate of...
, as the characters appeared to be counterparts to Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle is the name of three fictional superheroes that appear in American comic books published by a variety of companies since 1939.-Publication history:...
, the Flash
Flash (comics)
The Flash is a name shared by several fictional comic book superheroes from the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert, the original Flash first appeared in Flash Comics #1 ....
, Fire, Ice
Ice (comics)
Ice is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in publications from DC Comics. Created by Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire, she first appeared in Justice League International #12 ....
, Green Arrow
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. His secret identity is Oliver Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City...
, Elongated Man
Elongated Man
The Elongated Man is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC universe. He is a reserve member of the Justice League. His first appearance was in The Flash vol. 1, #112...
, and Metamorpho
Metamorpho
Metamorpho is a fictional character, a superhero in the . He is a founding member of the Outsiders, and has also joined multiple incarnations of the Justice League.-Publication history:...
.
Current status
The final version of the group is led by the British hero Templar, and features returning Conglomerate members Echo and Reverb (now Hardline), as well as more established heroes NuklonNuklon
Nuklon is the name of two fictional superheroes in the DC Comics Universe.-Albert Rothstein:Godson to Al Pratt , Albert Rothstein acquired his powers of super-strength and control over his molecular structure from his grandfather, a reluctant supervillain known as Cyclotron, allowing him to fight...
and Jesse Quick. The current status of this Conglomerate is unknown; however, Jesse Quick (Liberty Belle II) and Nuklon (Atom Smasher) are now members of the JSA
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....
. It appears that the team has dissolved.
See also
- Blood Pack
- Hero HotlineHero HotlineHero Hotline is a fictional DC Comics corporate superteam introduced in Action Comics Weekly #637, January . They were created by Bob Rozakis and Stephen DeStefano.-History:...
- Power CompanyPower CompanyThe Power Company was a team of professional superheroes-for-hire in the DC Comics universe. The team, created by Kurt Busiek and Tom Grummett, first appeared in JLA 61,...
- Captains of IndustryCaptains of Industry (comics)The Captains of Industry were a fictional DC Comics superteam introduced in 1988's Firestorm the Nuclear Man issue #88.-History:The Captains of Industry were originally formed as a small investigative task force for the IMHS funded by a consortium of corporate interests...