LIBRA

Real Name: None

Identity/Class: Android (LMD)

Occupation: Crimelord

Group Membership: "Defenders" (Boomerang, Joe the Gorilla, Leap-Frog, Melter, Pecos, Shocker, Toad), Zodiac (LMDs)

Affiliations: Quicksilver

Enemies: Avengers (Hawkeye, Iron Man, Mockingbird, Moon Knight, Henry Pym, Tigra, Wonder Man), Defenders (Nighthawk, Valkyrie), "Defenders for a Day" (Falcon, Jack of Hearts, Prowler, Stingray, Torpedo), Jack Norriss, Zodiac Cartel

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: The Ankh Dimension
formerly, Honolulu, Hawaii
the Theater of Genetics, Belleville, New Jersey

First Appearance: (in shadows) Defenders I#49 (July, 1977); (full) Defenders I#50 (August, 1977); (second version) West Coast Avegners Annual#1 (1986)

Powers/Abilities: In its original form, Libra could fly and become intangible.

In its second form, Libra could fly, but demonstrated no other powers.

History: (Defenders I#48 - BTS) - Libra was created in the "Theater of Genetics" by Scorpio, who wanted him to serve as a member of his Zodiac, and to be his friend.

(Defenders I#49 - BTS) - When the Defenders invaded the Theater of Genetics, Scorpio was forced to activate the LMDs prematurely.

(Defenders I#50) - Rather then battle the Defenders, Libra remained on the sidelines observing, not wishing to participate. It advised Gemini and Aquarius on whether or not they should participate in the conflict before deciding to depart before the battle had ended.

(Defenders I#64) - Believing that cosmic justice must be restored over Scorpio's defeat, Libra decided to create chaos with Sagittarius, taking advantage of a broadcast by Dollar Bill claiming that anyone could be a Defender by creating their own teams of Defenders made up with villains. Libra led his team to the New York Stock Exchange, and began robbing them. When Nighthawk burst into the building, the Melter brought him down almost immediately, and Libra decided it was time they departed.

Nighthawk caught up with his fellow Defenders and faced Libra at the docks. Declaring that order had been established, Libra disappeared, leaving his allies to the Defenders.

(West Coast Avengers Annual#1) - Libra joined the Zodiac LMDs in following Quicksilver in his attempt to gain revenge upon the Avengers. Libra joined Leo, Scorpio and Virgo in attacking the Keibler Circus. Libra menaced the spectators and was blown up by Hawkeye with a pair of rocket arrows.

(West Coast Avengers II#26 (fb) - BTS) - Libra was transformed by Scorpio, who used the Zodiac Key to grant the LMD a new, female form.

(West Coast Avengers II#26) - Libra joined the Zodiac LMDs in an attack on the human Zodiac Cartel in Dallas, Texas. They managed to kill all of the Cartel members except for Cornelius Van Lunt, and assumed their roles in the criminal underworld.

Later, Libra joined the LMDs in an attempt to rob businessmen at a cattle auction in Wichita, but they were interrupted by the West Coast Avengers. Libra fought Mockingbird alongside Gemini, but fled the battle with the other LMDs when Hawkeye accidentally slew Sagittarius. Afterwards, Libra was reprimanded with the others by Scorpio, who was disappointed in them for having run.

(West Coast Avengers II#27) - Later, Libra aided the LMDs in ambushing Hawkeye, who Scorpio replaced Hawkeye with his new Sagittarius LMD. Afterwards, Libra attended a meeting with the LMDs as they bickered over how to defeat the Avengers, and noted that Van Lunt, who was now aiding the Avengers, was correctly surmising their plans.

(West Coast Avengers II#28) - Libra joined the LMDs in robbing the Denver Mint, but were interrupted by the Avengers, though Scorpio managed to teleport them to Death Valley along with their loot. When the Avengers caught up to them once more, Libra clashed with Mockingbird again and was beaten, but the Zodiac Key re-energized her so that she could continue the fight. When Scorpio brought the Avengers and LMDs to the Ankh Dimension, hoping to have an advantage, the LMDs were all shut down instead, leaving them immobile in the Ankh Dimension.

Comments: Created by David Kraft, Keith Giffen, Mike Royer, John Tartaglione and Dave Cockrum.

All 12 LMDs were reported as arrested at the start of West Coast Avengers II#26, but Libra didn't even engage the Avengers during West Coast Avengers Annual#1. Perhaps it turned itself in to maintain balance?

by Prime Eternal

Thanks to Omar Karindu for pointing out Libra's first destruction in West-Coast Avengers Annuall#1

CLARIFICATIONS:
Libra should not be confused with:

• Libra, Gustav Brandt, member of the human Zodiac Cartel, @ Avengers I#72
• Libra, leader of another Zodiac organization, @ Avengers I#396
• Libra, of Zodiac-Ecliptic, @ Alpha Flight II#12

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