Fearsome Five

FEARSOME FIVE

Membership: Charger, Deuce, Dr. Light II, Gizmo, Jinx, Mammoth, Nano, Neutron, Psimon, Rumble, Shimmer

Base of Operations: New Jersey

First Appearance: New Teen Titans vol. 1 #3 (January, 1981)

History: (New Teen Titans vol. 1 #3, 4, 7)-Failing time and again to defeat any of the superheroes he battled, Dr. Light II placed an advertisement in the Underworld Star to recruit a group of evil-doers. The Underworld Star is an irregularly published but popular newsletter among the supervillain community of the U.S. Answering the ad were villains Gizmo, Mammoth, Psimon and Shimmer. Under Dr. Light’s leadership, the Fearsome Five was born. They were unaware that Psimon had his own agenda, bringing the demon Trigon to Earth, and was manipulating them to accomplish this. The Fearsome Five set out to make a name for themselves by destroying the Justice League of America, and brainwashed the New Teen Titans to do their dirty work. This plan failed, and their next immediate concern was locating Psimon, who had been shunted to another dimension by his vindictive master Trigon. To accomplish this the Five broke into Titans' Tower, which contained a dimensional transmitter, a link to other worlds. The Five rescued Psimon, but were immediately captured by the Titans.

Irked by the Fearsome Five’s lack of success, Psimon threatened Dr. Light’s life and forced him off the team. This incident was traumatic enough for Dr. Light to temporarily retire as a supervillain and start working in a fast food establishment. Seeking to increase the team’s power Psimon recruited new members including Jinx and Neutron.

(Adventures of Superman #430) - Gizmo, Mammoth and Shimmer advertised in the Voice for two members to complete the Fearsome Five. Charger and Deuce were accepted, but the others didn't know they had their own agenda, to kill Superman. They robbed the Metropolis diamond expo, and defeated Superman. Charger and Deuce wanted to kill Superman, but his teammates reminded them they were crooks not assassins. They next robbed the charity cruise aboard the Augustus Mandrell, and once again defeated Supes, who was distracted by issues in his personal life. Charger tipped off Superman to the Five's location so he could finish off the hero, but the newly confident Superman defeated the Five.

(Villains United #5) - The Five were inducted into Lex Luthor's Society. For their first mission they captured Pariah and brought him back to Luthor.

(Titans II #20) - The Fearsome Five were hired by a client to take down the Titans. They decided to take them out one at a time, and targeted Troia. Troia defeated them, but they refused to name their client, and were sent to Belle Reve.

Comments: Created by George Perez & Marv Wolfman

The Fearsome Five received a profile in Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #8