At one time Jack Smith had been completely human. He was raised an army brat and had a violent streak in him. Wishing for an outlet for his inner rage, he took work as a mercenary. This all changed one day while on patrol in a remote part of Africa. While on a dangerous patrol, his unit was attacked by rebels. A grenade exploded a few feet away and Jack Smith's life should have ended there.
Sometime later, Jack groggily awoke. He found himself in some kind of medical lab. His unit must have gotten him to a doctor in time to save his life. Or so he thought.
Raising his right arm, Jack shrieked in horror to discover that in place of his arm was a iron robotic limb. He rose from the bed and found that his right leg was also mechanical. Confused and shaken, Jack rushed to a nearby mirror and found that the entire right side of his body was now entirely mechanical. It was as if someone had sliced him in half vertically! He was now half-man, half-machine-- Halfjack.
The horror of the situation made Halfjack snap. He assaulted the scientist who had done this to him and would have slain him if not for the man's robot guards: a pair of cyborg panthers.
Halfjack eventually made his way back to the States. All the while a war raged on inside him-- his mechanical side battling against his human side. The mechanical soon won out and now Halfjack seeks to undo the fearful symmetry between man and machine and experience a total robotic existence.
"Patience, my friend. Once the Eye is in our possession, then we shall start our glorious work giving order to the world." The man known as Lord Dire continued to work at the computer terminal. The would-be world ruler hailed from Canada. Lord Dire cut an impressive figure in his custom-made battle armor. The armor itself was a dark bluish-gray with silver bands at various points. His cloak was royal purple with a crimson lining, his wide utility belt was tan, while his gloves and tall boots were black. A narrow black helmet sat on his head, obscuring his features. A turquoise visor allowed Lord Dire to see.
"Think of it, my friend. A world of perfect order. Where all beings can live in peace and harmony. Where no one would think twice to see someone such as yourself walking down the street. No war, no famine, no pollution destroying our world. Only ever-lasting peace and harmony under my gentle hand."
Lord Dire was not a name of his own choosing. No, the shortsighted journalists of Canada had dubbed him with that particular title. Had he a choice, it would have been Lord Protector. After all, he was doing all of this to protect the innocent masses of the world. Why could they not see that?
"Yeah, whatever," Halfjack answered in a whisper. The cyborg wondered just how much longer he would have to put up with this idealistic moron. In spite of the perfection of his cyborg side, far too often his illogical human nature would creep in.
The pair were inside the library of the Crimson Claw's ship. Halfjack had used their mutual interest in perfection to forge this temporary pairing. Lord Dire's computer skills would be a great asset to the cyborg. Together, they would override the claw's computer system, bringing down the defense field around the Emerald Eyes and allowing the two to claim the prize. Halfjack would doublecross Lord Dire as soon as his usefulness was at an end.
The ship was currently under attack from hordes of heroes. While many of the villains were busy playing 'stomp the hero', Halfjack and Lord Dire made their bid to claim the Emerald Eye of Azog.
Much to Halfjack's relief, the sounds of combat had died down. "I think they've moved on," he reported.
"Excellent, my friend." Lord Dire rose from the terminal in a flourish. "My task here is complete. Let us adjourn to the Arena where we shall take the first steps towards world order!"
Halfjack cautiously opened the door. The hallway was clear of fighting. The unconscious bodies of the combatants were sprinkled here and there. The two villains stepped over a snoozing Oculon and made their way towards the Arena.
Elsewhere in the massive ship, other villains had similar thoughts...
"What do you purport, my dear?" The query came from the Black Paladin, an evil knight from the days of Camelot reborn in our modern era. He was currently seated in one of the many crew quarters inside the Claw's ship. Underneath his helmet, the Black Paladin had the appearance of a man in his thirties. His hair was short, black, and finely combed. A sinister looking black beard, well trimmed, covered his lower face. Malevolent black eyes stared at his guest.
"An alliance, milord," the woman stated. She was known to the Black Paladin as Lady Bale, a witch of these modern times. The sorceress reminded the Black Paladin of his long lost love, the witch Elspeth. In an age long lost, his love had placed him in a deep, healing sleep to recover from wounds inflicted by Launcelot of the Round Table. However, the Black Paladin's sleep lasted for centuries instead of days or weeks. Only a few years ago did he awaken in this modern age, truly a man out of time.
But as he had slept, the spell cast by Elspeth had kept the Black Paladin up to date with the changes in the world. Instead of being totally ignorant of the ways of modern man, the Black Paladin understood the world to a degree.
Lady Bale had the same pleasing figure that Elspeth had once possessed. The same deep chestnut brown hair and matching eyes. Somehow, it was as if Elspeth's bloodline had re-entered the Black Paladin's life. Lady Bale's style of dress was even a throwback to that long forgotten age. Her figure was formed by a tight black bustier that she wore, laced up the front, but revealing much skin between the laces. Her shoulders and upper arms were bare. Lady Bale wore short black gloves, and high black boots. A black cloak and matching bikini bottoms finished out what little clothing she wore.
"What could you possibly have to offer me, witch?" The Black Paladin had a good idea, but chose to hear it from the sorceress' lips herself. If she dared imagine she could manipulate the Black Paladin with her feminine wiles, Lady Bale was sadly mistaken. Still, she would make an amusing diversion.
"My skill with things arcane," she answered without hesitation. A stylized amulet hung from Lady Bale's neck. A brown sword belt circled her delicate waist. A gem-encrusted hilt could be seen emerging from a scabbard. Lady Bale searched the world over for those few enchanted items that remained from the Age of Magic.
Seeing that the Black Paladin required more, Lady Bale added, "My knowledge of the current state of magic in the world. My desire to learn from a master of the black arts such as yourself. My undying loyalty to you... and my love."
The Black Paladin rose from his chair. He approached the witch and stared deeply into her eyes. Yes, she was so much like his Elspeth. She could be useful to him after all. He could see the desire in her dark brown eyes.
"You make a most interesting proposal. However, my trust is not so easily gained. It takes more than a beautiful face spouting honey-filled words to sway me."
"Even as we speak, the heroes are attacking this place in great force. Now is the time to take the Emerald Eyes for ourselves!"
The Black Paladin gave the sorceress a disapproving look.
"The greater Eye is yours, of course, milord," Lady Bale quickly stammered out. Black Paladin's look softened slightly. "I only require the Lesser Eyes..." His look turned grim once more. "...or perhaps just one of them. Even as we speak, other powers are using this diversion to make their own bids for the Emerald Eyes."
"Your impetuous words do carry much wisdom." The Black Paladin raised his hand to his chin and considered her words. "All that matters is the acquisition of the artifact. Let no man stand between that which I desire, ere I stain my fingers with his life's blood."
Taking his helm from off the table, the Black Paladin settled it upon his head once more. "Come, my dear. We have tasks to accomplish." The dark knight spun and exited the chamber. Behind him, Lady Bale smiled malevolently to herself. This partnership wasn't working out exactly as she had planned, but it would have to do...
The ship bearing Dr. Destroyer slowed to a halt, hovering over the Dome of the Crimson Claw. The strange ship had teleported to a new location yet again. As he had foreseen, the local champions of good had finally struck back against the Crimson Claw and his degrading contest. An assault force of heroes had attacked the dome, while others had sneaked inside the spaceship. In response, the Claw simply teleported away, leaving the outside assault force alone with a throng of criminals in their midst.
The man known and despised the world over as the infamous Dr. Destroyer came from modest origins. Albert Zerstoiten was the son of a simple doll maker in Munich. Young Albert was incredibly bright. His parents managed to save enough money to send him to a good college where his genius flourished.
When the Fuehrer declared his people the master race, Albert considered himself the greatest member of those people. Offering his vast scientific skills, Albert became a scientist for the Third Reich. This position was short lived however. After Hitler discovered Zerstoiten's research group was working with theories devised by Einstein, he ordered the death of the entire unit.
Albert narrowly escaped, cursing Adolph Hitler for his shortsightedness. He escaped into the French Underground and was aided by a kind hearted Countess. For the first time in his life, Albert felt the pangs of love. Not that he would let it show.
In the end, he sent his Countess away on an errand while he betrayed the rest of the underground to the SS in exchange for safe passage to Argentina. Hitler's Great War was coming to an end and it was obvious the Germans were going to lose. Dr. Zerstoiten cut his losses and moved on to what he thought was going to be a better life in South America.
Unfortunately, his transport was intercepted by a British warship and was sunk. Albert was caught in a massive fire, which severely burned most of his body. He was rescued by the British and later sent to America.
Like many other German scientists, he avoided a judgement at Nuremberg and went to work for the United States. Albert even alienated his fellow scientists with his bizarre theories, his grotesque appearances, and his superior manner. This only served to fuel Zerstoiten's rage. We would not work with such closed minds. He was their superior! They should have been down on their knees praising his brilliance!
The French Countess that had saved Albert entered his life once more. With her help, he fled the United States and took up residence in Central America. For a time he designed weapons and created explosives for the local revolutionaries. They dubbed him Dr. Destroyer. Albert liked the name.
The years passed while Destroyer created the groundwork for his base of operations. His enemies eventually forgot about the simple doll maker's son. When he finally did re-emerge on the world stage, it was as the armored mastermind Dr. Destroyer.
In the year 1976, Destroyer made his first bid for world domination. He was stopped by only the narrowest of margins by the combined forces of the Freedom Squad, the Minutemen and several other heroes.
The French Countess was an immense aid during these long years. She helped create the organization that brought the discoveries of scientists around the world into Destroyer's hands. The work of hundreds of scientists were added to the vast knowledge of Destroyer. As a reward, Destroyer created a similar, yet significantly less powerful, set of armor for his lover. She became the Iron Maiden.
The vastly powerful psionic named Menton was one of his greatest achievements. Destroyer had managed to take the boy who would become Menton and his sister and successfully merge them with powerful alien psionicists. Menton faithfully served his master, while his sister, dubbed Mentalla, served the Iron Maiden.
Destroyer considered himself a technological Shiva. A modern day god of destruction. Woe to those who would cross his path.
"Now is the time to strike," Destroyer instructed his aid, Menton. Activating his boot jets, the master criminal descended from his craft towards the Dome below. "With the Claw's attention diverted, we shall put an end to this charade. You know what is required of you?"
"Yes, Master. I am not to make any physical contact with the Emerald Eyes. I am not to allow anyone but yourself to touch them."
"Good. Serve me well, Menton, serve me well."
One of the outside doors of the dome opened as the two approached, sliding shut after they passed through. The signs of battle were everywhere. Unconscious bodies littered the area. They were of no concern to Destroyer. With an arrogant stride, Dr. Destroyer made his way towards the Arena, Menton faithfully dogging his heels.
"Get out of here, you cheap knockoff! It's mine!" The man known as Sunburst flew around the spacious Arena, firing blasts of solar energy at his foe. Sunburst was a tall, muscular man in a gold costume with red trim and a white starburst on his chest. "Everyone knows that you're just trying to copy me!"
Sunburst was one of the few survivors of Project: Sunburst; an attempt by the Army researching the feasibility of surviving a nuclear war. A group of seventy volunteers were given, supposedly, radiation proof suits to test. They exploded a nuclear bomb close to the test subjects. Most of the test subjects died immediately. They were the lucky ones.
The others suffered excruciating pain and died over a period of days. But four men survived. Two were horribly mutated into Ray and Radium. The others still appeared human.
To Sunburst, it was as if he had been kissed by the sun itself. That brief touch had bestowed the powers of Sunburst upon him.
"Why would I want to copy a loser like yourself?" Borealis, the master villain from Canada didn't even try to avoid Sunbursts solar discharges. Borealis was a bit shorter than Sunburst in his green bodysuit with gold hood, cape, gloves, boots, and trademark maple leaf over his heart. "Your sunbursts are insignificant to one who has complete mastery of the entire light spectrum!"
While he wouldn't admit it to himself, deep down inside Sunburst knew that Borealis was more than a match for him. His solar discharges didn't seem to harm the Canadian. He simply passed through them as if they weren't really even there.
Sunburst had learned about the Great Supervillain Contest late in its first round. He amassed an impressive amount of points in a few short weeks, but it wasn't enough to propel him into the next round. Angry and disappointed, Sunburst decided to bide his time and wait for an opening. That opportunity came with the assault of the heroes. With the Claw distracted, it was a golden opportunity to simply claim the prize for himself.
However, unfortunately for Sunburst, he wasn't the only one with that idea. Borealis had reached the Arena with the same objective in mind. Now they fought over which one of them would retrieve the Eyes.
Sunburst made another pass at Borealis, unleashing his strongest blast of solar energy. Again, it wasn't enough to penetrate the Canadian's superior defenses.
As Sunburst passed, Borealis generated an explosion of blinding light, momentarily removing all shadows from the Arena. When the light cleared, Sunburst hung in the air, hands wrapped over his face.
"My eyes!! I'm blind!!"
Borealis moved in for the kill. "The effect is only temporary. But it will last long enough to serve my purposes." Grabbing the blinded villain, Borealis turned in mid-air and hurtled Sunburst directly at the Emerald Eyes! Borealis had considered trying to grab the gems himself, hopeful that his personal force fields would withstand the lethal energy that surrounded the Eyes.
The Canadian villain's aim was true as the helpless Sunburst rapidly approached the lethal energy field. Seemingly at the last second, the Gems began to lower towards the Arena floor. Sunburst passed harmlessly over the Emerald Eyes.
"Who is responsible for this?!" Shocked at this new development, Borealis looked about for the responsible party. He didn't have to search for long as he spotted Halfjack and Lord Dire at one of the computer stations.
"Join us!", Lord Dire shouted. "I know of your goal to liberate Canada, but ours are loftier. We seek perfection for the entire world!"
"Bah! Who needs him anyway?" Halfjack raised his cyborg arm and fired a blast of energy from his fingertips. It struck Borealis and played about his force field before fading, doing negligible damage to the Canadian.
"My goals are realistic compared to yours," Borealis responded. He fired a light blast that covered both villains, violently throwing them away from the computer terminal. "I only seek to return Canada to its proper place as a leader among nations. You would grind the world under your boots into your insane notion of perfection."
Lord Dire was the first to regain his footing. "It doesn't have to be this way, Borealis! You could have been my aid when the new order came to pass! Don't throw such an opportunity away!"
Gritting his teeth, Borealis raised his arms and prepared to fire once more at his fellow countryman. "I am a patriot! I love my country and would die for it should need be. You would erase all nationalities in your quest for world unification! No more countries, no more nations, just a dull one flag world. You're nothing but a dictator seeking to spread his twisted version of world harmony!"
The blast never came, as a mace unexpectedly slammed hard into Borealis' chest. While his impressive defenses protected him from all light related attacks, the ancient weapon fell far outside Borealis' absolute mastery of the spectrum. In spite of this, the Canadian's defenses were strong enough to shield him from serious harm. The force of the impact knocked him backward across the Arena.
"Idealistic fools, each and everyone of you," the Black Paladin stated as his magical mace reappeared in his hand. "You speak of visions of unified nations. How trite. Fear and hatred are the only tools that the masses understand. Harmony and peace are words only used by the weak and powerless."
"I don't care who you are, but you will not stop me in my quest!", Lord Dire screamed. He turned and took aim on the Black Paladin.
However, beside the dark knight stood the lovely Lady Bale. Magical energy shot out of her black gloves. "Quests are the territory of knights, not would be dictators in armor." The eldritch blast caught Lord Dire fully in the chest, knocking him backwards several yards.
"Nicely done, milady", Black Paladin complimented.
"The twerp deserved it, thinking that he was good enough to possess the Emerald Eye of Azog," the Morbane coolly stated. Lady Bale's quest for magic items had caused her to throw in with the organization known as DEMON. While a part of that dreaded group, she often would work towards her own goals alone.
Taking advantage of this distraction, Halfjack ran towards the hovering Emerald Eyes. "Let these idiots slug it out while I claim the Eyes!"
Using his cyborg leg, Halfjack leaped into the air towards the glimmering Eyes. He prepared himself for contact with the energy field, feeling secure in the knowledge that his cyborg side could withstand the lethal touch. If his human side perished, then it would just be replaced, as he planned to do soon enough anyway. The Emerald Eyes hovered before the cyborg as his leap drew him closer and closer...
And then Halfjack stopped dead in mid-leap. Halfjack looked around nervously. As incredible and illogical as it seemed, the cyborg simply hung in mid-air! "This is not possible!"
"Many things are possible when you encounter the genius of Dr. Destroyer."
Everyone in the Arena turned towards the bass-mechanical voice. Standing before one of the other entrances was Dr. Destroyer, his arms folded upon his chest. Beside him stood Menton in his long white robe. A serene look was on the psionic's face, as his awesome mental powers had plucked Halfjack out of the air and held him immobile.
"Behold the power of my aid: Menton, easily the most powerful psionic the world has ever known," Destroyer said with a flourish. "Just one of the many testaments to my superior and vast intellect."
"Colossal ego is more like it," Lady Bale muttered to herself.
The Black Paladin strode forward. "You are not dealing with technology in this instance, Destroyer. The Emerald Eye is a product of magic. The very same arcane arts that you eschew. You have no business being here."
"There is no such thing as magic," Destroyer stated. "Anything that cannot be scientifically explained does not truly exist. That which cannot be explained must therefore be destroyed. I have no interest in possessing this Emerald Eye. Save to destroy it as an insult towards all things scientific!"
A look of pure shock came to the face of Lady Bale. "You would destroy the artifact simply because you don't believe in magic!? Are you insane!" There was no way she could allow this to take place. The Emerald must be protected from such radical actions.
"It is the actions of an infant," Black Paladin coolly stated. "To destroy that which he cannot hope to understand."
"I am no child!", Destroyer thundered. He raised his gauntlets and fired a massive burst of energy at the Black Paladin. To his credit, the dark knight was prepared and simply vanished before the energy reached him. Lady Bale wasn't as fortunate and took the full brunt of the attack. The Morbane was launched backwards and hit the Arena wall hard. Her magical shielding was woefully inadequate to keep her conscious.
Chaos filled the huge Arena as the villains openly assaulted each other. Sunburst returned and renewed his conflict with Borealis. Lord Dire fired on Dr. Destroyer. The Black Paladin struck Menton from behind, breaking his concentration and causing Halfjack to drop to the Arena floor.
While the conflict raged between some of the most powerful villains on Earth, the Crimson Claw slipped into the chamber. The alien was content to watch the combat unfold. This wasn't exactly as he had planned, but he could still achieve the result that he desired: the bonding of a powerful human to the Greater Emerald Eye. Any of the present villains would suffice.
Calmly, the Claw activated the control system that governed the Eyes. He lowered the trio of gems to the Arena floor and deactivated the defense field. All he had to do now was wait.
"The Eyes!", Lore Dire yelled. "They're free of the energy field!" Activating the flight pack in his armor, Lord Dire flew towards the gems. An energy blast caught the villain in the back, driving him off course.
Dr. Destroyer raced past the flailing Lord Dire. "None may possess the gems, save myself!"
Seeing this, the Black Paladin disengaged himself from Halfjack. Using the magic in his armor, he teleported towards the Eyes. Borealis blasted Sunburst away once more and streaked across the Arena. Menton tried to slow Borealis down, but the Canadian was much tougher than the mentalist had suspected. Failing that, Menton tried to telekinetically pick up the Emerald Eyes. However, they somehow managed to elude his grasp.
The Claw watched in eager anticipation as the three villains converged on the Emerald Eyes. Its inhuman eyes twinkled in delight. Soon his masters would be free and these disgusting humans would be no more.
Black Paladin winked into existence first. Reaching down he picked up one of the eyes. "I hereby claim the artifact as my own!" The ancient knight could feel the power of the Eye flow into him, amplifying his natural talents and strengthening his other magical artifacts.
Dr. Destroyer and Borealis reached the circle of Eyes at nearly the same moment. Each eagerly reached for one of the gems. Destroyer's armored gauntlet settled about one of the Eyes and he drew it closer to himself. It had no effect on the master villain whatsoever.
"I never imagined...", Borealis stated as the Emerald Eye in his hand pulsed with life. The power flowing into him was beyond measure. Emerald tendrils of energy streaked up the Canadian's arm and fused with his being. "The power is mine! I hold the true Emerald Eye of Azog!!"
"That is correct, mortal." The Crimson Claw moved closer to the scene. "The grand prize is yours. As well as all that goes with it. Enjoy it while you can, human."
Borealis was too lost in the rapture of power to hear and understand the Claw's words. A green glow came over Borealis as he continued to drink in the power of the Eye.
"The game is far from over, Claw!" Dr. Destroyer fired a gauntlet blast at the Eye in Borealis' hand, hoping to knock it free. It had no effect on the artifact. "I have known the true purpose of your contest from the very beginning and have worked to keep your prize from falling into the wrong hands. If this world is to have one true master, then it shall be myself, not your foul masters!"
"You are too late, mortal!", the Claw roared malevolently. "I have won! Life as you know it is over! Your world is ours!!"
Unaware of the danger, Borealis continued to drink in the power of the Eye. "Magnificent... I now possess the power to change the world! I-- Something's wrong! What's happening to me!?"
The green glow continued to surround Borealis until all of his features had disappeared. Then a pinpoint of darkness appeared in the midst of the shimmering green aura. It rapidly grew, transforming Borealis into a living silhouette!
"AUGGHHHH!!!", the Canadian villain screamed. It felt as if he was being torn apart.
And then the darkness inside Borealis moved! A black misshapen creature emerged from the silhouette. Darkness hung about the creature like a misty cloak. Claws and fangs flashed as it let out an unearthly howl. It leapt at the Black Paladin who managed to block the beast with his shield.
"Down, dog!" The dark knight smote the unearthly creature with his mace.
Another creature came forth. A third. A fourth. Then an explosion of black demonic creatures erupted from inside Borealis. A dozen more. Four dozen. In seconds there were hundreds of these vile creatures swarming over the Arena.
"The Children of Azog have returned!", the Claw announced with an inhuman laugh.
In Avengers #18 and X-Factor #4!
