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{{short description|Fictional supervillain team}}
The '''Lethal Legion''' is the name of seven teams of fictional characters appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]].

==Publication history==
The first version of the Lethal Legion appeared in ''[[The Avengers (comic)|The Avengers]]'' #78 (July 1970).<ref>{{cite book |last1=DeFalco |first1=Tom |last2=Sanderson |first2=Peter |last3=Brevoort |first3=Tom |last4=Teitelbaum |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |last6=Darling |first6=Andrew |last7=Forbeck |first7=Matt |last8=Cowsill |first8=Alan |last9=Bray |first9=Adam |title=The Marvel Encyclopedia |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-7890-0 |page=212}}</ref>

The second version of the Lethal Legion appeared in ''The Avengers'' #164 (October 1977)

The third version in ''[[West Coast Avengers (comic book)|The West Coast Avengers]]'' (vol. 2) #1 (October 1985).

The fourth version appeared in ''Marvel Age'' Annual #1 (1985).

The fifth version of the Lethal Legion appeared in ''Avengers West Coast'' #98 (September 1993)

The sixth version of the Lethal Legion appeared in the limited series ''Dark Reign: Lethal Legion'' #1 (August 2009).

==History==
===Grim Reaper's Lethal Legion===
{{Infobox comics organization <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics--> 
|image=Avengers-79.jpg
|imagesize=
|caption=The original ''Lethal Legion'' on the cover of ''[[Avengers (comics)|The Avengers]]'' #79 (August 1970)<br>Art by [[John Buscema]].
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|debut=''[[Avengers (comics)|The Avengers]]'' #78 (July 1970) 
|creators=[[Roy Thomas]] (Writer)<br>[[John Buscema]] (Artist)<br>[[Tom Palmer (comics)|Tom Palmer]]
|base=Various
|members=[[Grim Reaper (Marvel Comics)|Grim Reaper]]<br>[[Living Laser]]<br>[[Man-Ape]]<br>[[Erik Josten|Power Man]]<br>[[Swordsman (character)|Swordsman]]
|subcat=Marvel Comics
|hero=
|villain=y
}}
The original Lethal Legion are formed by the villain [[Grim Reaper (Marvel Comics)|Grim Reaper]] (the brother of Avenger [[Wonder Man]]) and consisted of [[Man-Ape]], [[Erik Josten|Power Man]], [[Living Laser]], and [[Swordsman (character)|Swordsman]]. Man-Ape attacks Captain America, but is beaten back by the Avengers. However, he captures the [[Black Panther (character)|Black Panther]]'s girlfriend Monica binding her hand and foot with metal clamps. Black Panther is lured into a trap by Man-Ape, and despite getting past him he is knocked out by an exploding dummy of Monica. Black Panther is chained and with Man-Ape, he meets the other members of the Lethal Legion.<ref>''The Avengers'' #78. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Grim Reaper dispatched the Lethal Legion members to different locations to meet the Avengers. Power Man and Swordsman were sent to the water main below [[Avengers Mansion]], Living Laser and Man-Ape were sent to the nearby power station, and Grim Reaper seemingly departed to [[Greenwich Village]]. Black Panther broke free and contacted the Avengers to warn them about the Lethal Legion's plot. Grim Reaper returns and uses the knockout gas in his scythe to knock out Black Panther while revealing that he planned to have the Avengers lured to the locations of which Black Panther knew about. While the other members of the Lethal Legion defeat the different Avengers, Vision defeats Power Man (who had been sent to capture him at Avengers Mansion). He disguises himself as Power Man and Power Man as him and takes him to the base. The Lethal Legion places the Avengers in an hourglass container and then fills it with deadly gas. When "Power Man" arrived with "Vision," Grim Reaper detected the brain patterns of Wonder Man and shattered the hourglass to save Vision's life only to realize that the vision in the hourglass was actually Power Man. At that point, Vision aided the Avengers into defeating the Lethal Legion who are handed over to the authorities.<ref>''The Avengers'' #79. Marvel Comics.</ref>
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===Count Nefaria's Lethal Legion===
{{Infobox comics organization <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics--> 
|image=
|imagesize=
|caption=
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] 
|debut=''[[Avengers (comics)|The Avengers]]'' #164 (October 1977)
|creators=[[Jim Shooter]]<br>[[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]]
|base=Various
|members=[[Count Nefaria]]<br>[[Living Laser]]<br>[[Erik Josten|Power Man]]<br>[[Whirlwind (comics)|Whirlwind]]
|subcat=Marvel Comics
|hero=
|villain=y
}}
A second version, formed by European villain [[Count Nefaria]] reappears in the title, composed of Living Laser, [[Whirlwind (comics)|Whirlwind]] and [[Erik Josten|Power Man]]. He magnifies their powers, but is revealed to be a manipulative ploy to steal their magnified powers in a failed bid to destroy the Avengers. The depowered villains are sent to prison.<ref>''Avengers'' #164-166 (October-December 1977). Marvel Comics.</ref>
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===Grim Reaper's second Lethal Legion===
{{Infobox comics organization <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics--> 
|image=
|imagesize=
|caption= 
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] 
|debut=''[[West Coast Avengers]]'' (vol. 2) #1 (October 1985).
|creators=[[Steve Englehart]]<br>[[Al Milgrom]]
|base=Various
|members=[[Black Talon (comics)#Black Talon (Samuel Barone)|Black Talon]] (Barone)<br>[[Erik Josten|Goliath]]<br>[[Grim Reaper (Marvel Comics)|Grim Reaper]]<br>[[Man-Ape]]<br>[[Nekra]]<br>[[Ultron|Ultron-12]]
|subcat=Marvel Comics
|hero=
|villain=y
}}
The Grim Reaper returns in the title ''[[West Coast Avengers]]'', leading a third version against the superhero team consisting of [[Black Talon (comics)#Black Talon (Samuel Barone)|Black Talon]] (Barone), [[Erik Josten|Goliath]], [[Man-Ape]], [[Nekra]], and [[Ultron|Ultron-12]]. Grim Reaper has Ultron lead a squadron of robots to spring Goliath from a compound that he is imprisoned in. When Goliath is freed by Man-Ape, the three villains work together to take out the Avengers as Ultron-12 states that he has his own plans for Wonder Man. The three villains escape with an unconscious Henry Pym and Wonder Man. Hawkeye figures out that Grim Reaper is behind this.<ref>''The West Coast Avengers'' (vol. 2) #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

The three villains meet up with Grim Reaper. Internal squabbling and personal agendas overtake the villains and they are defeated and scattered.<ref>''The West Coast Avengers'' (vol. 2) #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>
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===Porcupine's Lethal Legion===
{{Infobox comics organization <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics--> 
|image=
|imagesize=
|caption= 
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] 
|debut=''[[Marvel Age]]'' #1 (1985)
|creators=[[Kurt Busiek]]<br>James Fry<br>[[Keith Williams (comics)|Keith Williams]]
|base=Various
|members=[[Attuma]]<br>[[Batroc the Leaper]]<br>Black Tiger<br>[[Bulldozer (character)|Bulldozer]]<br>[[Gorilla-Man]] (Nagan)<br>Kurr'fri<br>[[Piledriver (character)|Piledriver]]<br>[[Porcupine (character)|Porcupine]]<br>[[Sabretooth (character)|Sabretooth]]<br>[[Thundra]]<br>[[Trapster]]<br>[[Unicorn (Marvel Comics)|Unicorn]]<br>[[Whirlwind (comics)|Whirlwind]]<br>[[Wrecker (comics)|Wrecker]]
|subcat=Marvel Comics
|hero=
|villain=y
}}
A fourth version appears in the title ''[[Marvel Age]]''. They were led by the [[Porcupine (character)|Porcupine]] and consisted of [[Attuma]], [[Batroc the Leaper]], [[Bulldozer (character)|Bulldozer]], Black Tiger, Kurr'fri of the Saurians, [[Gorilla-Man]] (Nagan), [[Piledriver (character)|Piledriver]], [[Sabretooth (character)|Sabretooth]], [[Thundra]], [[Trapster]], [[Unicorn (Marvel Comics)|Unicorn]], Whirlwind, and [[Wrecker (comics)|Wrecker]]. The Lethal Legion tracked down and battle [[Captain America]] who is aided by several other Marvel heroes. Their battle with the superheroes was witnessed by the [[Beyonder]]. The outcome of the battle was not shown, but it is assumed that the heroes won.<ref>''Marvel Age'' Annual #1 (1985). Marvel Comics.</ref>
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===Satannish's Lethal Legion===
{{Infobox comics organization <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics--> 
|image=
|imagesize=
|caption= 
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] 
|debut=''Avengers West Coast'' #98 (September 1993)
|creators=[[Roy Thomas]]<br> David Dzon
|base=Various
|members=Axe of Violence ([[Lizzie Borden]])<br>Coldsteel ([[Joseph Stalin]])<br>Cyana ([[Lucrezia Borgia]])<br>[[Hangman (Marvel Comics)#Jason Roland|Hangman]]<br>Zyklon ([[Heinrich Himmler]])
|subcat=Marvel Comics
|hero=
|villain=y
|sortkey=Lethal Legion
}}
In the title ''Avengers West Coast'' the [[demon]] [[Satannish]] creates another version using the souls of four [[wikt:infamous|infamous]] historical killers that were found in [[Mephisto (Marvel Comics)|Mephisto]]'s section of Hell. They have been given powers along with Hangman and the group battle the renamed ''Avengers West Coast''. The group consisted of Axe of Violence (a demonically-enhanced version of [[Lizzie Borden]] with an axe replacing one hand), Coldsteel (a demonically-enhanced version of Soviet leader [[Joseph Stalin]], now an 8&nbsp;ft. giant with superhuman strength), Cyana (a demonically-enhanced version of [[Lucrezia Borgia]] with poisoned claws), and Zyklon (a demonically-enhanced version of Nazi official [[Heinrich Himmler]] who can belch deadly gas fumes from his mouth). This incarnation eventually lost their powers and their souls were destroyed during the struggle between Mephisto and Satannish.<ref>''Avengers West Coast'' #98-100 (September-November 1993). Marvel Comics.</ref>
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===Grim Reaper's third Lethal Legion===
{{Infobox comics organization <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics--> 
|image=
|imagesize=
|caption= 
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] 
|debut=''Dark Reign: Lethal Legion'' #1 (August 2009).
|creators=[[Frank Tieri (writer)|Frank Tieri]] (writer), Mateus Santolouco (artist)
|base=Various
|members=[[Absorbing Man]]<br>[[Grim Reaper (Marvel Comics)|Grim Reaper]]<br>[[Mister Hyde (Marvel Comics)|Mister Hyde]]<br>[[Nekra]]<br>[[Tiger Shark (Marvel Comics)|Tiger Shark]]<br>[[Wonder Man]]
|subcat=Marvel Comics
|hero=
|villain=y
|sortkey=Lethal Legion
}}
A new version of the Lethal Legion appears during the "[[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]]" storyline in the three-issue [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] ''Dark Reign: Lethal Legion''. The Grim Reaper (now aided by his brother Wonder Man) recruits villains to oppose criminal mastermind [[Norman Osborn]].<ref>''Dark Reign: Lethal Legion'' #1-3 (August-October 2009). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Absorbing Man, Grey Gargoyle, Mister Hyde, and Tiger Shark later reformed the Lethal Legion and end up fighting the Avengers.<ref>''Hawkeye: Blindspot'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>
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===Challenger's Lethal Legion===
{{Infobox comics organization <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics--> 
|image=
|imagesize=
|caption= 
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] 
|debut=''Avengers'' #676 (January 2018).
|creators=
|base=Various
|members=[[Blood Brothers (comics)|Blood Brothers]]<br>[[Kree#Known Kree|Captain Glory]]<br>Drall<br>Ferene the Other<br>Mentacle<br>[[Metal Master (comics)|Metal Master]] II
|subcat=Marvel Comics
|hero=
|villain=y
|sortkey=Lethal Legion
}}
An alien version of the Lethal Legion was formed by [[Grandmaster (Marvel Comics)|Grandmaster]] to go up against [[Challenger (comics)|Challenger]]'s [[Black Order (comics)|Black Order]] in a contest where Earth is the battlefield and they had to collect the Pyramoids. While the [[Blood Brothers (comics)|Blood Brothers]], Mentacle, and [[Metal Master (comics)|Metal Master]] II faced off against [[Black Dwarf (comics)|Black Dwarf]], [[Black Swan (comics)|Black Swan]], and Supergiant's psychic projection in [[Rome]], Glah-Ree of the [[Kree]], Captain Glory, Drall, and Ferene the Other faced off against [[Corvus Glaive]], [[Ebony Maw]], and [[Proxima Midnight]] in [[Cusco]], [[Peru]]. Both of these confrontations were interrupted by the Avengers.<ref>''Avengers'' #676-677. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Each of its members were revealed to have been saved from their approaching deaths in exchange that they partake in his contest against Challenger.<ref>''Avengers'' #681. Marvel Comics.</ref>

When Challenger reveals his secret player in the form of a resurrected [[Hulk]], most of the Lethal Legion are defeated with Hulk breaking Captain Glory's spine and presumably killing Mentacle.<ref>''Avengers'' #684. Marvel Comics.</ref>

After the contest is ended by the Avengers, the Lethal Legion regrouped and fled to [[Knowhere]]. As they have nowhere to return to after each one's near-death experience, the Lethal Legion decides to stay together and see what they can accomplish.<ref>''Avengers'' #690. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Count Nefaria's second Lethal Legion===
{{Infobox comics organization <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics--> 
|image=
|imagesize= 
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] 
|debut=''The Amazing Spider-Man'' (vol. 5) #41 (March 2020)
|creators=
|base=Various
|members=[[Count Nefaria]]<br>[[Grey Gargoyle]]<br>[[Living Laser]]<br>[[Whirlwind (comics)|Whirlwind]]
|subcat=Marvel Comics
|hero=
|villain=y
|sortkey=Lethal Legion
}}
Count Nefaria forms another version of the Lethal Legion which now consists of Grey Gargoyle, Living Laser, and Whirlwind. The group raids a Project Pegasus facility to look for the Catalyst so that Count Nefaria can regain his powers. He revealed to the scientist that mentioned it was relocated that he got a copy of the information from [[Chameleon (character)|Chameleon]] as the scientist knows the Catalyst's full potential. Count Nefaria kills the scientist with his abilities so that he won't tell anyone how to stop him. When Whirlwind and Living Laser stated to Count Nefaria that he should be resting, Count Nefaria stated that he needed the exercise.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' (vol. 5) #41. Marvel Comics.</ref>

At Empire State University, Dr. [[Lizard (character)|Curt Connors]] reveals the Catalyst to the crowd when the Lethal Legion attacks. While Grey Gargoyle and Whirlwind attack the people present, Living Laser helps Count Nefaria to operate the Catalyst. Spider-Man shows up and has a hard time fighting them due to the fact that his mind was focused on what a revived [[Sin-Eater (comics)|Sin-Eater]] did to [[Overdrive (character)|Overdrive]]. Sin-Eater shows up and starts using the same gun he used on Overdrive on Whirlwind and Grey Gargoyle while taking their powers. Immobilizing Spider-Man with Grey Gargoyle's powers, Sin-Eater proceeded to do the same thing to Living Laser and Count Nefaria. All four of them were sent to Ravencroft where they started to act like model inmates. Norah Winters was allowed by Norman Osborn to interview them about Sin-Eater.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' (vol. 5) #46. Marvel Comics.</ref>

As a side-effect of Sin-Eater's suicide upon copying [[Julia Carpenter|Madame Web]]'s precognition revealed that [[Kindred (Marvel Comics)|Kindred]] was using them, the Lethal Legion regained their sins and are among the villains that went on a rampage.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' (vol. 5) #56. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Hank Pym's Lethal Legion===
{{Infobox comics organization <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics--> 
|image=
|imagesize= 
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] 
|debut=''Avengers Inc.'' #4 (December 2023)
|creators=
|base=Various
|members=[[Hank Pym]]<br>[[Black Ant (comics)|Black Ant]]<br>[[Blizzard (Marvel Comics)|Blizzard]]<br>[[Bullet (Marvel Comics)|Bullet]]<br>[[Cobra (Marvel Comics)|Cobra]]<br>[[Lodestone (comics)|Lodestone]]<br>Mortar<br>[[Oddball (character)|Oddball]]<br>[[Piecemeal (character)|Piecemeal]]<br>[[Speed Demon (character)|Speed Demon]]<br>[[Sunstroke (comics)|Sunstroke]]<br>[[Supercharger (comics)|Supercharger]]
|subcat=Marvel Comics
|hero=
|villain=y
|sortkey=Lethal Legion
}}
After having separated himself from Ultron upon his defeat, a fragment of Hank Pym's conscious recreated his body in an older appearance and worked with [[Black Ant (comics)|Black Ant]] into killing villains (consisting of [[Blizzard (Marvel Comics)|Blizzard]], [[Bullet (Marvel Comics)|Bullet]], [[Cobra (Marvel Comics)|Cobra]], [[Lodestone (comics)|Lodestone]], Mortar of the [[Bastards of Evil]], [[Oddball (character)|Oddball]], [[Piecemeal (character)|Piecemeal]], [[Speed Demon (character)|Speed Demon]], [[Sunstroke (comics)|Sunstroke]], and [[Supercharger (comics)|Supercharger]]) with his ant projectiles and reviving them into his Lethal Legion in order to prepare for Ultron's return while faking their deaths. Wasp and Moon Knight learned the truth when they finally encountered Hank Pym. The "Victor Shade" persona that Hank Pym put into Whirlwind's body gets hijacked by Ultron-12 as he knocks Hank out. As Wasp remembers that Ultron-12 is the "good Ultron", she learns from him that he only knocked out Hank to protect him from the Lethal Legion as Ultron takes control of them. In the nick of time, [[Ant-Man (Scott Lang)|Ant-Man]], Mayor [[Luke Cage]], [[Nadia van Dyne]], [[Cassie Lang|Stinger]], [[Valkyrie (Marvel Comics)|Valkyrie]], and [[Vision (Marvel Comics)|Vision]] show up to help fight the possessed Lethal Legion. When Ultron was defeated and Ultron-12 creates a new body for himself that he calls Mark Twelve, the Lethal Legion recover as they leave with Hank to regroup in [[Sub-Atomica]] and prepare for Ultron's return as part of Protocol S.<ref>''Avengers Inc.'' #4-5. Marvel Comics.</ref>
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==Membership==
{{main|List of Lethal Legion members}}

==Other versions==
===Heroes Reborn===
The Lethal Legion appear in ''[[Heroes Reborn (1996 comic)|Heroes Reborn]]'', formed by the [[Enchantress (Marvel Comics)#Heroes Reborn|Enchantress]] and consisting of the [[Executioner (comics)#Skurge|Executioner]], the [[Scarlet Witch#Heroes Reborn (1996)|Scarlet Witch]], [[Ultron|Ultron-5]], and [[Wonder Man]].<ref>''The Avengers'' (vol. 2) #7. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''The Avengers'' (vol. 2) #8. Marvel Comics.</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
The Lethal Legion appears in ''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]'', founded and led by [[Doctor Doom]] and consisting of the [[Abomination (character)|Abomination]], [[MODOK]], [[Mole Man]], [[Fin Fang Foom]], [[Megataur]], [[Tricephalous (comics)|Tricephalous]], Manoo, [[Klaw (character)|Klaw]], [[Toad (Marvel Comics)|Toad]], [[Melter]], the [[Wrecking Crew (comics)|Wrecking Crew]], [[Sabretooth (character)|Sabretooth]], the [[Juggernaut (character)|Juggernaut]], [[Pyro (Marvel Comics)|Pyro]], [[Whirlwind (comics)|Whirlwind]], [[Zzzax]], [[Egghead (Marvel Comics)|Egghead]], the [[Ringmaster (comics)|Ringmaster]], [[Trapster|Paste Pot Pete]], [[Mystique (character)|Mystique]], the [[Crimson Dynamo]], and [[Batroc the Leaper]]. Additionally, [[Songbird (character)|Songbird]] worked undercover in the Lethal Legion as Screaming Mimi. Doom formed this version of the group to help him collect the Infinity Fractals and rebuild the Infinity Sword. In the second season, [[Molecule Man]] and [[Volcana (Marvel Comics)|Volcana]] join the Lethal Legion to help break Doom out of the [[Vault (Marvel Comics)|Vault]] and combat [[Thanos]] and the [[Silver Surfer|Dark Surfer]].

===Video games===
* The Lethal Legion appears in ''[[Marvel Super Hero Squad (video game)|Marvel Super Hero Squad]]''.
* The Lethal Legion appears in ''[[Lego Marvel Super Heroes]]'', co-led by Doctor Doom, [[Loki (Marvel Comics)|Loki]], and [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]].
* The Lethal Legion appears in ''[[Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy]]'', led by Captain Glory and consisting of the [[Blood Brothers (comics)|Blood Brothers]]. This version of the group are bounty hunters and associates of Lady Hellbender.

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://marvel.com/universe/Lethal_Legion Lethal Legion] at Marvel.com

{{Avengers characters}}
{{Roy Thomas}}
{{Jim Shooter}}

[[Category:Characters created by John Buscema]]
[[Category:Characters created by Kurt Busiek]]
[[Category:Characters created by John Byrne (comics)]]
[[Category:Characters created by Jim Shooter]]
[[Category:Characters created by Roy Thomas]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1970]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1977]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1985]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1993]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 2009]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics supervillain teams]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Lizzie Borden]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Lucrezia Borgia]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Heinrich Himmler]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Joseph Stalin]]