Commander

COMMANDER

Real Name: Commander

Class: God (New Gods)

Occupation: Council of Five military leader

Group Affiliation: Council of Five

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: New Genesis

First Appearance: New Gods III #3 (April, 1989)

Powers: Commander was a skilled military leader, and armed with a blaster. Like all New Gods Commander was extraordinarily long-lived.

History: (New Gods III #3 (fb)) - During the great clash with Apokolips, giant biological mutants were released on New Genesis. The Council of Five responded by developing biological mutant Bugs, although Metron voiced his disapproval. The Bugs escaped and ravaged New Genesis, so the Council blamed their creation on Apokolips, beginning the unending conflict between God and Bug.

(New Gods III #9 (fb)) - Commander trained Orion in the ways of combat, and he became a furious warrior, an embodiment of war itself, causing Highfather to worry for his soul. Highfather granted him the power of the astro-force, knowing Darkseid’s forces might well target him. Orion’s hatred of Darkseid made him eager to resume war with Apokolips, but Highfather tried to show him that his rage was an evil equal to Darkseid’s ways. Orion took no heed; unable to comprehend anything but his love of war. Commander was also heedless, envisioning Orion as the backbone of his military forces, and the perfect soldier for defeating Darkseid.

(New Gods III #3) - Orion arranged peace-talks between the New Gods and the Bugs, demanding independent states for the Bugs in exchange for their services in the war against Apokolips. Some of the Council of Five bristled at the idea of cooperating with Bugs, and the Commander claimed they’d be poor soldiers. Prime One offered Forager as their champion, and challenged the New Gods to select their own to battle her in an arena., Lonar was chosen, and after a brutal fight he won, but was impressed with her skills, and the fact that she would rather die than be beaten, so he proclaimed the Bugs worthy allies. Metron awoke from his coma to tell Orion a secret about the Bugs. The Commander tried to shoot Metron to keep from talking, but Orion stopped him. Metron revealed that the Bugs were created by the New Gods as biological weapons against Apokolips, but when they escaped and ravaged New Genesis they blamed Apokolips for their creation. Orion felt betrayed and told Highfather he was not as righteous as he seemed. He struck Highfather and left New Genesis.

(New Gods III #6) - The Council of Five blamed Highfather for Orion’s brash destruction of the insect colonies, but he reminded them he was the original founder and ruler of New Genesis. Lonar stood by Highfather, but the rest did not, so Highfather proclaimed the dissolution of the Council. Highfather’s actions threatened civil war on New Genesis.

(New Gods III #7, 8, 11, 12) - Commander stirred the people against Highfather for dissolving the Council of Five and being unable to control Orion. Commander proposed himself as a strong military leader and wanted all-out war against Darkseid. Highfather rebutted that he could not control Orion’s every action, that would be the domain of someone like Darkseid, but he could strive to save Orion’s soul. Highfather unleashed the alpha bullets to return his allies so they could pledge support for the spiritual future of New Genesis. Lightray arrived, and Highfather sent him back to Apokolips to retrieve Orion. Commander gave more jingoistic speeches, and New Genesis trembled. Highfather told the people it was an upheaval of the very beliefs that sustained Genesis. On the plebiscite the people voted with their hearts and Highfather was overwhelmingly reinstated as leader.

(New Gods III #17) - Highfather gave Commander an order to keep the military in top form, but still forbade an attack on Apokolips. Commander argued, but Highfather reminded him that the people had spoken, and had rejected his view of what New Genesis should be.

(New Gods III #20) - Yuga Khan took over Apokolips, finally giving Commander an excuse to invade, though Highfather forbade it. Khan devastated Commander’s forces and killed Commander, disintegrating him.

Comments: Created by Jim Starlin & Paris Cullins