Battling Jack
LAW ENFORCEMENT SQUAD
Membership: Buck
Barnes, Battling
Jack,
Captain
Universe, Doctor
Druid, Hulk,
Living
Lightning, Namora,
Red
Raven, the
Rose, Shroud, Whizzer (all of "Earth-22519")
Purpose: To
heroically protect their Earth from danger
Affiliations:
Earth-616's Fantastic Four
(Human Torch (Johnny Storm), Invisible Woman (Sue Richards), Mr.
Fantastic (Reed Richards), Thing (Ben Grimm)), Namorita (Namorita
Prentiss)
Enemies: The
U-Foes (see comments); indirectly
Earth-616's Abraxas (his presence to Earth caused the
reality anomaly that pulled the Squad to Earth-616)
Base of Operations:
Unrevealed location on "Earth-22519"
First Appearance:
Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual (2001)
History:
(Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual (fb) - BTS) - The Law Enforcement Squad became their world's mightiest heroes and made enemies of the U-Foes.
(Fantastic Four III#46 (fb)) -
Shortly after
Earth-1462's Galactus skull fell to Earth-616, the Law Enforcement
Squad were transported from their own reality to Earth-616 by a reality
anomaly caused by Earth-616's Abraxas' impending arrival on the planet
Earth.
(Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual) -
The Law Enforcement Squad's Hulk witnessed Earth-616's Fantastic Four
investigating the severed Galactus head. Thinking
they were the U-Foes of his own Earth, the Hulk attacked the Fantastic
Four's Thing. The
other Fantastic Four rushed to Thing's defense but when Mr. Fantastic
attempted to reason with whom he thought was Bruce Banner, the Hulk was
confused at being called Bruce and began to think perhaps there was a
misunderstanding, at which point the Thing bashed the Hulk in the head.
The Invisible Woman then surrounded the Hulk's head with an invisible
force field and when the Hulk was warned to either calm down or lose
oxygen, the Hulk complied. He then asked that the force field be
released then leapt off, explaining that the Fantastic Four warranted
further study. After the Fantastic Four also ran into an alternate
reality counterpart of Nova (Frankie Raye) and she escaped, the Hulk
gathered the entire Law Enforcement Squad just as Nova arrived to
attack them. Having tracked Nova to that location, Earth-616's
Fantastic Four battled the Law Enforcement Squad until Mr. Fantastic
pleaded for Dr. Druid and Captain Universe to read his mind and learn
the Fantastic Four's heroic nature. Captain Universe was shortly
thereafter hit with a flame blast from the Human Torch and Doctor Druid
ordered the Law Enforcement Squad to halt the fighting. Determined to
learn the cause of the misunderstanding, Doctor Druid and Earth-616's
Mr. Fantastic opted to venture inside the universe itself by using
Captain Universe as a vessel. Inside, the two heroes were met by
Abraxas, who was surrounded by Galactus carcasses. Upon their return to
Earth-616, Doctor Druid and the other Law Enforcement Squad vanished,
presumably returned to their own reality.
Comments: Created by Carlos Pacheco, Jeph Loeb, Rafael Marin, Kevin Maguire and Wade von Grawbadger.
The Law Enforcement Squad's Hulk
was not Bruce
Banner, as Hulk was confused when the Fantastic Four called him Bruce.
It was never revealed who he really was. Also, despite the yellow
"Daredevil" costume that Battling Jack wore, it was not stated if he
was Matt Murdock behind the mask. Given his choice of codenames,
Battling Jack could have been Jack Murdock, who possibly became a super
hero instead of Matt. Then again, it could have been Matt, who took his
father's name boxing name as his codename.
On Earth-616, the Law Enforcement Squad's Hulk continually thought Earth-616's Fantastic Four were the U-Foes, suggesting that in the Law Enforcement Squad's reality, Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben had become the villainous U-Foes instead of heroes. Then again, Hulk could have just been mistaken.
The Law Enforcement Squad's Earth was never given a core continuum designation, although Snood suggested "Earth-22519."
Jacob
Cundiff suggested that, while nothing official has ever been stated by
the creative teams of the Fantastic Four Annual, the Law Enforcement
Squad might have been based on the original 1940s line-up of DC's
Justice Society of America. It would certainly make sense, given that
the DC's JSA comic series was quite popular around 2001. He makes some
valid points to support that theory, such as Red Raven using a mace
with unusual energy properties similar to Hawkman's use of the Nth
metal mace, the older Bucky that would correspond to Robin's maturation
and leaving Batman's side to become a hero in his own right, Namora's
use of a sword like Hippolyta (the 1940s JSA Wonder Woman) did, and
'the biggest tip-off' of all: Shroud having a white owl like Dr.
Mid-Nite's owl, Hooty. If that's the case, then Jacob's breakdown of
Marvel to DC counterparts would be:
Hulk = Superman
Namorita = Wonder Woman
Red Raven = Hawkman
Living Lightning = Johnny Thunder
Captain Universe = Green Lantern, but possibly Starman
Battlin' Jack = Wildcat
Buck Barnes = Robin
Shroud = Dr. Mid-Nite
Whizzer = Flash
Dr. Druid = Dr. Fate
The Rose = Crimson Avenger
(Although,
personally, I would think the Rose's DC analog would be the Sandman,
rather than Crimson Avenger, given the Rose's use of a mask and gas
gun.)
Profile by Proto-Man.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Law Enforcement Squad has no known connections to
Buck Barnes was similar to his Earth-616 counterpart, Bucky, except for his being a member of the Law Enforcement Squad. During the Law Enforcement Squad's skirmish with the Fantastic Four on Earth-616, Buck prepared to take down Namorita, who asked if Buck should be dead. Confused, Buck replied no and was then punched in the face by Namorita, who exclaimed that Buck should be. After the Law Enforcement Squad's Dr. Druid and Earth-616's Mr. Fantastic were briefly shown the cosmic Abraxas, Buck and the other Law Enforcement Squad members vanished.
Buck Barnes did not display any superhuman powers but was a skilled fighter.
--Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual
Battling Jack was similar in appearance to his Earth-616 counterpart, Daredevil. He was transported to Earth-616 alongside the other members of the Law Enforcement Squad and participated in the battle against Earth-616's Fantastic Four, where he managed to turn the Thing's size against him. The fight was eventually broken up by the Law Enforcement Squad's Doctor Druid before the Law Enforcement Squad vanished from Earth-616.
Battling Jack did not display any superhuman abilities but was an extremely skilled fighter, using wrestling maneuvers.
--Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual
Captain Universe was similar to the uni-powered heroes of Earth-616, who had become Captain Universe. The Law Enforcement Squad's Captain Universe was transported to Earth-616 alongside his teammates and battled Earth-616's Fantastic Four before Mr. Fantastic pleaded with Captain Universe and Doctor Druid to read his mind and learn the FF were not the Law Enforcement Squad's enemies. Captain Universe began sensing Mr. Fantastic's heroic nature before the Human Torch blasted Captain Universe with a flame blast, causing the uni-power to leave Captain Universe and float into the air. Doctor Druid and Mr. Fantastic then entered the uni-power itself, where Captain Universe directed them to Abraxas, who was surrounded by the carcasses of various reality versions of Galactus. Upon Druid and Mr. Fantastic's return, Captain Universe and the other Law Enforcement Squad members vanished from Earth-616.
Captain Universe possessed many of the same powers as the Earth-616 wielders of the uni-power possessed, including flight, energy projection and telepathy.
--Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual
Doctor Druid was similar to his Earth-616 counterpart and appeared to be the leader of his Earth's Law Enforcement Squad. After being transported to Earth-616, Doctor Druid participated in the fight against Earth-616's Fantastic Four, battling Mr. Fantastic until Mr. Fantastic pleaded for Druid and the Law Enforcement Squad's Captain Universe to read his mind and learn that the FF were not enemies. Upon doing so, Dr. Druid learned the truth and ordered the rest of the Law Enforcement Squad to call off the fight. Shortly thereafter, both he and Mr. Fantastic entered the universe itself via Captain Universe's uni-power and learned of the cosmic Abraxas. Despite being ready to aid the Fantastic Four against Abraxas, Dr. Druid and the Law Enforcement Squad vanished from Earth-616.
Dr. Druid possessed the same mystic abilities that his Earth-616 counterpart had.
--Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual
(Fantastic
Four III#46 (fb)/Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual,
Hulk was the first of the Law Enforcement Squad to be unknowingly transported to Earth-616, where he saw Earth-616's Fantastic Four investigated a severed Galactus head. Thinking they were the U-Foes, the Hulk attacked but was subdued when the Invisible Woman placed an invisible force field around Hulk's head. Agreeing to halt the fight and confused as to why the Fantastic Four referred to him as Bruce Banner, the Hulk left, claiming that more study needed to be made. Later, after an alternate reality Nova (Frankie Raye) escaped the Fantastic Four's custody, she attacked Hulk and the entire Law Enforcement Squad. When the Fantastic Four arrived seeking Nova, a fight ensued, with the Hulk still thinking the Fantastic Four were the U-Foes. After Dr Druid discerned the Fantastic Four's heroic nature, he ordered the Hulk to call off the rest of the Law Enforcement Squad while Druid and Mr. Fantastic enter the universe itself via Captain Universe's uni-power in an attempt to learn the cause of their transportation to Earth-616. Upon Druid and Mr. Fantastic's return, Hulk and the other Law Enforcement Squad members vanished.
Hulk had the same superhuman strength and durability that his Earth-616 counterpart had.
--Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual (Fantastic Four III#46 (fb), 2001 Annual,
Living Lightning was much the same as his Earth-616 counterpart with the exception of being a member of the Law Enforcement Squad. Upon being transported to Earth-616, he joined the other Law Enforcement Squad members in attacking the Fantastic Four, zapping the Thing with electricity before turning the Thing over to Battling Jack. After Dr. Druid learned the Fantastic Four's heroic nature and learned of the cosmic Abraxas, Living Lightning and the other Law Enforcement Squad members vanished.
Living Lightning had the same electricity-manipulating powers that his Earth-616 counterpart had.
--Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual
(Fantastic
Four III#46 (fb), 2001 Annual,
Namora was similar to her Earth-616 counterpart except for being a member of the Law Enforcement Squad. Upon being transported to Earth-616, she participated in an attack on the Fantastic Four, regarding their ally Namorita as a usurper of Namora's name. Savagely attacking Namorita, Namora was soon met by the Invisible Woman, who suggested to Namorita that they switch fighting partners. The fight ended when Dr. Druid learned of the Fantastic Four's heroic nature and upon his learning of the cosmic Abraxas, Namorita and the other Law Enforcement Squad members vanished from Earth-616.
Namora possessed the same superhuman strength and durability that her Earth-616 counterpart had.
--Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual
Red Raven was much the same as his Earth-616 counterpart, other than being a member of the Law Enforcement Squad. Upon being transported to Earth-616, Red Raven joined in the attack on the Fantastic Four, viciously hitting Namorita with his mace before turning his attention toward the alternate reality Nova who was also present. Red Raven managed to absorb Nova's energies into his mace until the Human Torch attempted to calm Nova down. After Dr. Druid learned of the Fantastic Four's heroic nature and also learned of the cosmic Abraxas, Red Raven and the other Law Enforcement Squad members vanished from Earth-616.
Red Raven possessed the same wings that his Earth-616 counterpart had. He also carried a mace of unrevealed origins that could absorb energy.
--Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual
The Rose was similar to his Earth-616 counterpart with the major exception being that he was a costumed crime-fighter. As a member of the Law Enforcement Squad, the Rose was transported to Earth-616 alongside his teammates and joined in the attack on the Fantastic Four, where he used a ring-firing gun to constrict the stretching Mr. Fantastic. Namorita soon focused her attack on the Rose before Doctor Druid called off the fight, having learned of the Fantastic Four's heroic nature. After Druid and Mr. Fantastic learned of the cosmic Abraxas, the Rose and the other Law Enforcement Squad vanished from Earth-616.
The Rose did not appear to possess any superhuman powers but he carried firearms, one of which was capable of projecting miniature rings that could expand to envelope an enemy then contract to constrict their movement.
--Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual
The Shroud was the same as his Earth-616 counterpart except for his membership in the Law Enforcement Squad. Along with his Law Enforcement Squad teammates, the Shroud was transported to Earth-616, where he battled the Fantastic Four. The Shroud tried to envelope the Invisible Woman within the Darkforce Dimension but halted his attack after Doctor Druid learned of the Fantastic Four's heroic nature. The Shroud and the Law Enforcement Squad later vanished from Earth-616 following Druid and Mr. Fantastic's discovery of the involvement of the cosmic Abraxas.
The Shroud possessed the ability to manipulate the Darkforce, similar to his Earth-616 counterpart.
--Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual
(Fantastic
Four III#46 (fb), Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual,
The Whizzer was the same as his Earth-616 counterpart except for his membership in the Law Enforcement Squad. He was transported to Earth-616 alongside his teammates, where he battled the Fantastic Four, focusing his attack on the Human Torch before the alternate reality Nova blasted him. The fight was the Fantastic Four was called off by Doctor Druid shortly thereafter and the Law Enforcement Squad subsequently vanished from Earth-616.
The Whizzer had superhuman speed, sufficient enough to batter the fiery Human Torch without getting burned.
--Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual
images:
(without ads)
Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual,
p19-20, pan1 (Law
Enforcement Squad with Fantastic Four-616 & alternate Nova,
main
image, & the Whizzer)
Fantastic Four III#46, p7, pan3 (Law Enforcement Squad, supplemental
image)
Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual, p23, pan2 (Buck Barnes)
Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual, p21, pan5 (Battling Jack)
Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual, p25, pan4 (Captain Universe)
Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual, p19-20, pan3 (Doctor Druid)
Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual, p9, pan2 (Hulk)
Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual, p21, pan5 (Living Lightning)
Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual, p23, pan5 (Namora)
Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual, p22, pan6 (Red Raven)
Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual, p25, pan3 (Rose)
Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual, p19-20, pan4 (Shroud)
Appearances:
Fantastic Four III 2001 Annual (2001)
- Carlos Pacheco, Rafael Marin (co-plotters), Jeph Loeb (script), Kevin
Maguire (pencils), Wade von Grawbadger (inks), Bobbie Chase (editor)
Fantastic Four III#46 (October, 2001) - Carlos Pacheco, Rafael Marin
(co-plotters), Jeph Loeb (script), Jeff Johnson (pencils), Joe Weems,
Marco Galli (inks), Bobbie Chase (editor)
Last updated: 06/22/14.
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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