The Cadre

• First published 1985

The Overmaster was a powerful, though enigmatic, alien cosmic-type being who created the Cadre as the enforcement arm of his policies, which were to judge if a planet's population deserved to live or die. When he recruits various criminals and miscreants to the Cadre, his standard procedure seems to be to equip them with bracelets through which he gives them super-powers through equipment and weapons that they possess. Several incarnations of the Cadre have been recruited, mostly by the Overmaster, but sometimes through minions, or in the last case by a different villain altogether. Before forming the first team, commonly referred to as Overmaster's Cadre and appearing pre-crisis 1985, Overmaster created a mountain fortress somewhere in the Arctic. He recruited the team, gave them powers and teleported the Justice League there for a confrontation. This led to the sudden and inexplicable disappearance of both the Overmaster and the entire team. The second team, referred to sometimes as the Second Cadre was formed. The Overmaster's stated goal this time was the elimination of humanity and he provided powers and money to his new agents. Among the many and varied recruits were a team led by the Immortal, sometimes referred to as the Cadre of the Immortal. A disagreement ensued between this sub-team and Overmaster and many of the members quit or went over to the Justice League. Still, a battle-royal ensued with all the reserves from the Justice League called out against the massive array of supervillains gathered by the Overmaster. Overmaster was finally taken out by the new Amazing Man who was able to drain his power, but not before both Ice and Metamorpho were killed. Most of the members of the first cadre reappeared as the Third Cadre, apparently never having disbanded, and led this time by Crowbar. Two of the originals were replaced by members with similar names and powers. At some point they were led by Doctor Polaris but in 2002 they turned against him to make more money. They were defeated this time by the Power Company.