The Pale Moonlight
In the beginning the Legion of Doom began as a black ops squad under the direct
control of Luthorcorp. This squad was eventually divided into two units.
Project Vanguard was responsible for identifying and eliminating threats to Luthorcorp.
Project Rearguard was responsible for defending Luthorcorp interests around the
globe.
Over time it became obvious to the world that Lex Luthor was more than a robber
baron. After evading death on numerous occasions he was dubbed by the press to
be a "man out of time" that could not be killed by ordinary means.
Eventually his black ops team learned also of the Kawatche Indian myth of Naman
and Sageeth from Jeremiah Holdsclaw, and became further convinced that Lex had
some kind of mystical ability to evade death. Lex Luthor became a cult figure.
When Lex's black-ops team was given the name "Legion of Doom" by the
metahuman gangs in Metropolis they became even more cult-like, using the name
between themselves. Terms like Project Vanguard and Project Rearguard were
replaced with 'Vanguard' and 'Rearguard'. Tina Greer, the commander of Project
Vanguard was given the title and rank 'Sword of the Vanguard'.
Likewise the Hand of Vengeance, a vigilante group led by the notorious criminal
Star Sapphire, began as an idealistic crusade to save the world from dangerous
Kryptonians and meteor freaks. But over time the awesome power of Star Sapphire
made her a cult figure as well.
Star also took advantage of the abilities of Kevin Grady, who eventually left
the group and joined the Justice League under the code-name Vesper, convincing
him to alter the memories of her followers for the greater good. In addition,
it was believed that her Zamaron power ring also has some kind of affect on the
human brain.
Later when Jason Dante (AKA Hellfire) and Van McNulty (AKA Vendetta) joined her
group Star had abandoned her previous goals of defending humanity from
dangerous aliens and meteor freaks. Fighting had become a way of life for her
as it did with other members including Van, Jason and Byron Moore. She and
Jason eventually led her group to become more cooperative with Lex's Legion.
(photos from left to right: Mxyzptlk, Tina Greer, Jason Dante, Van McNulty)