THEATER OF GENETICS
Classification: Headquarters, science lab
Creator: Scorpio (Jake Fury), using the Zodiac Key
Users/Possessors: Zodiac (Life Model Decoys (LMDs))
First Appearance: Defenders I#48 (June, 1977)
Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Theater of Genetics was a facility built inside an abandoned factory in Belleville, New Jersey; powered by the Zodiac Key, it was designed to create LMDs within the eleven individual containment tubes based upon S.H.I.E.L.D. technology, and according to Scorpio's direction.
History:
(Defenders I#48 (fb) - BTS) - At some
point in the past (see comments), Scorpio felt alienated and
unable to relate to real people; with the assistance of an LMD
of Nick Fury, which was programmed to serve him, Scorpio began
construction of the Theater of Genetics to create eleven Zodiac
androids who would serve as his friends.
(Defenders I#48) - Scorpio had the Nick LMD bring the captured Jack Norriss to the Theater of Genetics, and he showed Jack the tubes containing the eleven androids which would soon come to life. When Moon Knight (Marc Spector) invaded the facility, Scorpio trapped him in a water vent to drown him, but Moon Knight escaped to warn the Defenders.
(Defenders I#49) - After explaining how he came to possess the Zodiac Key, Scorpio took Norriss back to the Theater of Genetics, where he used the power of the Key to energize the containment tubes, and the artificial beings within stirred weakly with life. Norriss told Scorpio that his delusional behavior was abnormal, because he was trying to create substitutes for real human relationships, and advised him that he needed psychiatric help.
When the Defenders (Hellcat/Patsy Walker, Hulk/Bruce Banner, Nighthawk/Kyle Richmond, Valkyrie/Brunnhilde) and Moon Knight broke into the facility, Scorpio was forced to awaken his Zodiac before they were ready in order to stop the invading heroes.
(Defenders I#50) - Only eight of the eleven androids appeared for the battle, and Scorpio abandoned them to find the three missing androids. When he got back to the Theater, he found that they had "died" soon after activation, and he was despondent. As the Defenders defeated the Zodiac, destroying a great deal of the facility, Scorpio committed suicide.
(Defenders I#51) - The remains of the Theater of Genetics were gone over by S.H.I.E.L.D., who took the surviving LMDs into their custody.
Comments: Created by David Kraft, Don McGregor, Keith Giffen, and Dan Green.
When he first showed Jack Norriss the Theater of Genetics, Scorpio mentioned that it took him seven years to build it--this span of time is likely topical to Scorpio's last appearance in Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. I#5 (October, 1968), and in a flashback sequence in Avengers I#72 (January, 1970).
And it's odd that it was called a "Theater of Genetics", which would seem to imply living beings rather than mechanical constructs like LMDs--I guess the delusional Scorpio referred to it as such because he considered his creations to be real people --Ron Fredricks
New and additional images by Ron Fredricks.
Profile by Prime Eternal
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Theater of Genetics should not be confused with:
images: (without ads)
Defenders I#48, p10-11 (Scorpio shows Theater of Genetics to Jack Norriss)
Defenders I#49, p6, pan1 (Scorpio and Jack Norriss in activated Theater of Genetics)
Appearances:
Defenders I#48 (June, 1977) - David Kraft (writer), Keith Giffen (pencils), Dan Green (inks), Archie Goodwin (editor)
Defenders I#49 (July, 1977) - David Kraft (writer), Keith Giffen (pencils), Mike Royer (inks), Archie Goodwin (editor)
Defenders I#50 (August, 1977) - David Kraft (writer), Keith Giffen (pencils), Keith Giffen, John Tartaglione & Dave Cockrum (inks), Archie Goodwin (editor)
Defenders I#51 (September, 1977) - David Kraft (writer), Keith Giffen (pencils), Klaus Janson (inks), Archie Goodwin (editor)
First Posted: 01/23/2005
Last updated: 03/20/2025
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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