Shagrek
Context
Shagrek is a minor, arguably obscure enemy of DC Comics’ Legion of Super-Heroes. He first appeared back in 1968.
This profile was done well before his apparent 2011 return.
Background
- Alter Ego: None known.
- Marital Status: Presumably single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Taurus Gang.
- Base Of Operations: 30th century.
- Eyes: White Hair: None
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Powers and Abilities
Shagrek fires energy beams from his antennae, powerful enough to turn normal humans to dust and to blast a hole in a steel wall. Because of their sheer power he refers to them as disintegration beams.
History
Shagrek’s race and homeworld are unrevealed. He was found by miners working the outer asteroids in the Terran system sometime in the latter half of the 30th century. From there he was brought to Earth. There he was confined to the Tōkyō zoo as an exotic and dangerous life-form.
When local children began to notice that the creature was learning to talk, xenobiologists were called in. They determined that the zoo had mistakenly caged a sentient creature. The creature was released, and the people of Tōkyō tried to make Shagrek welcome.
Forever fierce, Shagrek’s disintegration beams killed 40 people on his first day of freedom. He was finally subdued by the Science Police.
Blame Zoltorus, folks. We do.
But rather than being taken back to confinement, he was intercepted by Earth Science Police Chief Zoltorus and brought to Metropolis. Zoltorus was corrupt. He led a double life as SP Chief and mob boss.
Somehow, Zoltorus convinced Shagrek to become an enforcer for his Taurus Gang. As such he would join fellow super-felons:
- Black Mace.
- Rogarth.
- Mystelor.
- And Quanto.
In the process, Zoltorus somewhat civilized Shagrek. Shagrek even developed a crush on the beautiful Mystelor, much to her dismay. The orange alien showed little sophistication in pursuing Mystelor – his idea of wooing was to grope her.
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The Taurus Gang in action
The Taurus Gang was the top gun in the United Planets underworld during the mid-2970’s. That was due to:
- Its inside information on the Science Police’s activities.
- Zoltorus’s illegally obtained access to R.J. Brande’s fortune.
- Its super-powered members.
There were also many other minor operatives, and through them Zoltorus ran one of the most profitable extortion and smuggling rackets in the 30th century.
They tried to get involved in stock manipulation by stealing the production reports of Gor Haxma’s mines. But this failed thanks to the Legion of Super-Heroes, who were guarding it. They almost stole the Miracle Machine right out from under the noses of the LSH, and would have if not for the presence of trainee Chemical King.
Taurus’s downfall in 2979 came when rival gangs calling themselves Scorpius took hostages. Their goal was to force the LSH into taking on Taurus for them.
Shagrek and his partners demanded more money from Zoltorus, since the Legion’s involvement was making their job harder. When Zoltorus refused, the gang members abandoned Zoltorus during a battle with the Legionnaires. Zoltorus was exposed and captured.
Shagrek and the others went underground. Except for Black Mace, they were not heard from again.
After the Five Year Gap
Only sketchy details of his activities after the Taurus break-up are known. He clashed with Legionnaires Blok and the White Witch in the Asteroid Archipelago sometime in the mid 2980s.
He was later kidnapped and held in stasis in the private collection of Leland McCauley IV. He escaped from stasis in 2995, when McCauley lost his Emerald Eye to the third Emerald Empress. Shortly after this, Shagrek and his timeline were erased from existence during Zero Hour.
Description
Shagrek is vaguely reminiscent of a Durlan, being orange, and antenaaed. But he has a posture more like an ape than a standard humanoid. He hunches forward and is bow-legged, with his arms hanging down in front of him.
Personality
Shagrek is fierce and absolutely unhesitating about entering Killing Combat. He almost always uses lethal force. He is impatient with planning and likely to be the first to spring an ambush.
He also has a rather disgusting crush on Mystelor, and is constantly groping her and trying to wheedle his way into her affections.
Quotes
“Heh ! I’ll blast them to dust I’ll disintegrate them !”
“Urrgh !”
“Sss-s I’ll sizzle you !”
“Mystelor failed s-s-s ! But Shagrek forgives ! Nice Mystelor Heh, heh s-s-s !”
“S-s-s-sss ! Tired of waiting ! Strike !”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Shagrek
| Dex: 05 | Str: 04 | Bod: 07 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 02 | Wil: 02 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Mob Enforcer |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 005 |
| Init: 010 | HP: 030 |
Powers:
Energy Blast: 14
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Energy Blast has no AV and uses DEX instead (-1 or 0 FC depending on house rules).
- Energy Blast emanates from his antennae (+0).
Advantages:
Iron Nerves.
Connections:
Underworld (Low), Taurus Gang (Low).
Drawbacks:
Distinct Appearance (non-human – in a 20th century setting, he’d have Strange Appearance); Minor Irrational Attraction (coming on to Mystelor); Minor Rage.
Design notes
Shagrek’s blasts are described as disintegration beams – but though they’re very powerful (and do turn a goon into dust), there’s no evidence that they have the “continuing damage” aspect of the actual DCH Power Disintegration. (No evidence they don’t, perhaps, either.)
So I’ve chosen to represent them as a simple Energy Blast.
Helper(s): Who’s Who in the Legion #6 (October 1988), Chaim Mattis Keller’s Legion Help-File.
Source of Character: DCU (Adventure Comics).