Eisner Academy Archive #9 - L.I.O.N. (and associates)
L.I.O.N.
The Licensed Independent Operatives Network (LION) was a Cold War-era British Spy Agency. Essentially, the idea was that certain
missions were best handled by independent agents operating outside a bureaucratic chain of command, and LION existed as an administrative
and support organization to co-ordinate these agents. Agents frequently acted like Sleeper Cells, operating individually or in small teams,
independently of other operatives, but reporting to LION Controllers and co-ordinators. Frequently, LION's chief role in these operations was
ensuring that independent operatives did not end up acting at cross purposes to other investigations.
For most of its career, LION was headed by Colonel Jack Valiant, former head of the wartime commando group known as The Secret Squadron.
In this role, he was frequently identified simply by the codename 'V'. Several other Squadron members also ended up in various roles within
LION. LION's most prominent and successful agent was Valiant's own daughter, Victoria (a.k.a. Vicki Valiant, a.k.a. The Lady from LION),
who was frequently partnered with fellow agent James 'Jocko' MacKenzie.
It is known that LION ceased operations sometime in the mid-70's to early-80's, however details of these events are as yet unrevealed.
Founding Members: Colonel Jack Valiant (a.k.a. 'V') [Others Unknown]
Other Members: Victoria Valiant, James 'Jocko' MacKenzie,[Unknown]
Primary Enemies: Matterhorn II, [Others]
Secret Squadron, The
The Secret Squadron was a team of elite commandos active during WWII. They were led by British Commando Captain Jack Valiant, and
consisted of an array of Allied military and civilian specialists from different nations. The Squadron acted outside the normal military
chain-of-command and were frequently used by various allied intelligence services as 'external assets'. In many cases, team members
would leave a Black Knight chess piece as a kind of signature. The Squadron was chiefly active in the European Theatre, but has
occasional missions to the Pacific and Northern Africa. They were officially disbanded following WWII, but several Squadron members
ended up in positions of responsibility in the Cold-War British Spy Agency, LION.
Founding Members: Captain Jack Valiant, [Others Unknown]
Other Members: [Unknown]
Primary Enemies: Matterhorn, The Black Max, The Axis Powers, [Others]
Jack Valiant
History.
Jack Valiant was a commando in the British Army during WWII. For much of the war, he headed the elite team of international commandos
known unofficially as 'The Secret Squadron'. For most of his wartime service, Valiant held the rank of Captain, though he received a promotion
to Major by the war's end. The Secret Squadron was a persistent thorn in the side of the Axis Powers, especially in the European Theatre, and
became known for daring missions deemed impossible or suicidal by regular forces. As members of the Squadron came from a variety of
different countries and consisted of both military personnel and civilian specialists, they weren't subject to the usual bureaucratic restrictions
of regular military units, and were used as a so-called 'external asset' by allied military intelligence.
At this time, the Squadron encountered a number of elite Axis Agents, including the mountaineer and assassin codenamed Matterhorn, and
the so-called scientific vampire known as The Black Max.
Following the war, Valiant began working for British Intelligence, and was, by the early 1960's, promoted to the head of the elite British spy
agency LION (Licensed Independent Operatives Network). At this point, he had an unofficial rank of Colonel, and was often referred to simply
as 'V', or by the opening four notes of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (which is the letter 'V' in Morse Code). LION's most decorated operative
was Valiant's daughter, Victoria (a.k.a. Vicki Valiant, a.k.a. The Lady from LION) who usually operated with a partner, James 'Jocko'
MacKenzie,
Valiant's career following this time is, as yet, unknown.
Powers.
During the War, Valiant displayed a high degree of physical and athletic training, as well as a keen, quick-thinking mind. He had considerable
skills in both leadership, and strategic thinking, and was a highly competent hand-to-hand and armed combatant. He was known for displaying a
calm, stoic demeanour, even in the face of terrible danger, and for having a rigourous code of honour - "Just because we're fighting a war against
evil is no reason to become evil. If we can't show them that our way is better, we don't deserve to win."
In his role as head of LION, Valiant had lost an eye and walked with a cane, though whether these injuries were sustained in the final days of the
war, or during the intervening time is unknown. These injuries, as well as his advancing age, restricted his physical activities, however, if
anything, his ability to plan strategy and direct groups of people had become even sharper. He was also unknown at this time, to occasionally
use various pieces of high-tech paraphenalia.
Appearance.
During his wartime career, Valiant was tall and athletic, with dark hair and usually sporting a trim moustache.
Later, during his time as the head of LION, he had begun greying at the temples, and took to wearing an eyepatch. Also, he had received some
sort of leg injury, and used a cane to help him get around.
Victoria Valiant
History.
Victoria Valiant was the most prominent agent of British Cold War-era superspy organization, LION (Licensed Independent Operatives Network).
The daughter of war hero and head of LION, James Valiant, she was frequently subject to accusations of nepotism. With that said, her service
record, and the fact that her father frequently opposed her active service, would seem to suggest otherwise.
She was frequently accompanied on missions by longtime partner and fellow LION Agent, James 'Jocko' MacKenzie.
Her career after the 1960's is as yet unrevealed.
Powers.
Valiant possessed no superhuman abilities, but was a highly trained agent skilled in hand-to-hand combat, covert operations, investigations
and an array of other areas. In addition, she was a voracious dilettante, who developed passions for a wide array of fields, from fencing and
antiquarian books, to bonsai sculpture and a range of musical instruments, only to master and then abandon them. She
was an extremely accomplished martial artist who frequently incorporated her early training in ballet and dance into her fighting style.
In addition, she frequently used weaponry and high-tech devices supplied by LION armourers and technicians. Many of these devices were
designed to be concealed within normal seeming articles of clothing or accessories.
Appearance.
Vicki Valiant was an elegant, attractive young woman. Unless she was disguised, she was almost always dressed at the height of fashion,
and was up-to-date with the latest styles of the era, generally favouring a 'mod' look.
James 'Jocko' MacKenzie
History.
James MacKenzie was an associate agent of British Cold War-era superspy organization, LION (Licensed Independent Operatives Network)
and frequent partner of LION's most prominent agent, Victoria Valiant. MacKenzie came from an impoverished background on the streets of
Glasgow, Scotland, from where he embarked on a life of crime. His criminal career was cut short when a judge gave him the choice of jail, or
military service.
MacKenzie excelled in military training, but rankled under the orders of men he didn't respect, and so went AWOL. For several years, he
returned to his life of crime, using his military skills to carve out a reputation as a talented, but oddly principled, underworld freelancer. It was
in this capacity that he first encountered Vicki Valiant, who was running an operation against a prominent Hong Kong-based crimelord. When
the crimelord attempted to employ MacKenzie as an assassin, he not only refused, but helped Valiant to overcome the Crimelord's team of
assassins. In exchange for his assistance, Valiant petitioned LION to arrange a pardon for MacKenzie, and he joined up as her partner.
Valiant and MacKenzie were LION's most successful agents, and participated in countless missions for the British Government.
Their careers after this point as, as yet, unrevealed.
Powers.
'Jocko' MacKenzie possessed no superhuman abilities, but was an experienced burglar, safecracker, confidence trickster and pickpocket. He
was well-travelled and spoke a number of languages. In addition, due to his military training, he was skilled at hand-to-hand combat and firearms
use. He had a wide range of criminal and cultural knowledge, and was extremely able to mix with the criminal underworld, an ability which
served him exceedingly well during LION operations. He possessed a wide range of underworld contacts and informants.
Appearance.
'Jocko' MacKenzie was a heavily-built, but athletic man who projected a sly, laconic demeanor. He habitually dressed in comfortable,
hard-wearing outdoor clothes, and appeared uncomfortable if he had to 'dress up'. He had slightly curled red-brown hair and usually wore his
sideburns long. His nose had been broken and badly re-set in the past.
Matterhorn
History.
The first man to call himself 'Matterhorn' was a highly skilled mountaineer, climber and sniper who acted on behalf of the Axis Powers, and was
the scourge of allied spies, agents, troops and commandos in the European Theatre. His major rivalry was with the British agent Jack Valiant,
the head of the elite international commando group known as 'The Secret Squadron'. The rivalry continued the length of the war, and ended with
a final battle high above a seemingly bottomless crevasse deep in the heart of the Alps. This encounter ended with Matterhorn's seeming death.
Decades later, a second Matterhorn appeared, seeking vengeance on Valiant, who had become head of the British spy agency LION. This new
Matterhorn was the first to use high-tech gadgets, including the now signature rocket-powered flying skis, and high-tech weaponry concealed
inside stylized ski-poles. She was chiefly opposed by Valiant's niece, Victoria, LION's top agent and her frequent partner, James 'Jocko'
MacKenzie. This second Matterhorn was revealed eventually to be the daughter of the first, seeking vengeance for her father's death.
At some point in the 1970's, copies of Matterhorn's signature equipment entered the criminal underworld, and several successors to the name
appeared, usually engaging in short-term crime sprees before being apprehended. None of these had any connection to either the original, or
second Matterhorn.
The last known appearance of a criminal using the Matterhorn nom du guerre was during a large scale attack by the supervillain Eschaton. At
this point, with Earth's superhuman defenses stretched thin, a number of superhuman criminals were recruited with offers of reduced sentences
in order to bolster the faltering forces. One of these recruits was the last known criminal to use the name, who perished heroically in battle.
This final user of the Matterhorn identity was a blood relative of the original who sought to restore the name to its previous, respected status.
Since her death, the Matterhorn Equipment has been deactivated and placed on display in the League of Valour Museum in New York City.
Powers.
None of the people using the Matterhorn Name and equipment have had an superhuman powers or abilities. While the first Matterhorn restricted
himself to standard equipment, all of his successors have used a range of high-tech gadgets. These have included, but were not restricted to:
In addition, the first two Matterhorns, and the last were all highly trained athletes with extensive skill as climbers, mountaineers, and athletes.
And all were gifted in hand to hand and ranged combat.
Appearance.
The first Matterhorn wore no distinctive costume, aside from standard issue mountaineering gear. Subsequent users of the name wore an array
of stylized bodysuits resembling skiing gear, concealing their identity behind scarves, ski goggles and beneath hoods.
The Licensed Independent Operatives Network (LION) was a Cold War-era British Spy Agency. Essentially, the idea was that certain
missions were best handled by independent agents operating outside a bureaucratic chain of command, and LION existed as an administrative
and support organization to co-ordinate these agents. Agents frequently acted like Sleeper Cells, operating individually or in small teams,
independently of other operatives, but reporting to LION Controllers and co-ordinators. Frequently, LION's chief role in these operations was
ensuring that independent operatives did not end up acting at cross purposes to other investigations.
For most of its career, LION was headed by Colonel Jack Valiant, former head of the wartime commando group known as The Secret Squadron.
In this role, he was frequently identified simply by the codename 'V'. Several other Squadron members also ended up in various roles within
LION. LION's most prominent and successful agent was Valiant's own daughter, Victoria (a.k.a. Vicki Valiant, a.k.a. The Lady from LION),
who was frequently partnered with fellow agent James 'Jocko' MacKenzie.
It is known that LION ceased operations sometime in the mid-70's to early-80's, however details of these events are as yet unrevealed.
Founding Members: Colonel Jack Valiant (a.k.a. 'V') [Others Unknown]
Other Members: Victoria Valiant, James 'Jocko' MacKenzie,[Unknown]
Primary Enemies: Matterhorn II, [Others]
Secret Squadron, The
The Secret Squadron was a team of elite commandos active during WWII. They were led by British Commando Captain Jack Valiant, and
consisted of an array of Allied military and civilian specialists from different nations. The Squadron acted outside the normal military
chain-of-command and were frequently used by various allied intelligence services as 'external assets'. In many cases, team members
would leave a Black Knight chess piece as a kind of signature. The Squadron was chiefly active in the European Theatre, but has
occasional missions to the Pacific and Northern Africa. They were officially disbanded following WWII, but several Squadron members
ended up in positions of responsibility in the Cold-War British Spy Agency, LION.
Founding Members: Captain Jack Valiant, [Others Unknown]
Other Members: [Unknown]
Primary Enemies: Matterhorn, The Black Max, The Axis Powers, [Others]
Jack Valiant
History.
Jack Valiant was a commando in the British Army during WWII. For much of the war, he headed the elite team of international commandos
known unofficially as 'The Secret Squadron'. For most of his wartime service, Valiant held the rank of Captain, though he received a promotion
to Major by the war's end. The Secret Squadron was a persistent thorn in the side of the Axis Powers, especially in the European Theatre, and
became known for daring missions deemed impossible or suicidal by regular forces. As members of the Squadron came from a variety of
different countries and consisted of both military personnel and civilian specialists, they weren't subject to the usual bureaucratic restrictions
of regular military units, and were used as a so-called 'external asset' by allied military intelligence.
At this time, the Squadron encountered a number of elite Axis Agents, including the mountaineer and assassin codenamed Matterhorn, and
the so-called scientific vampire known as The Black Max.
Following the war, Valiant began working for British Intelligence, and was, by the early 1960's, promoted to the head of the elite British spy
agency LION (Licensed Independent Operatives Network). At this point, he had an unofficial rank of Colonel, and was often referred to simply
as 'V', or by the opening four notes of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (which is the letter 'V' in Morse Code). LION's most decorated operative
was Valiant's daughter, Victoria (a.k.a. Vicki Valiant, a.k.a. The Lady from LION) who usually operated with a partner, James 'Jocko'
MacKenzie,
Valiant's career following this time is, as yet, unknown.
Powers.
During the War, Valiant displayed a high degree of physical and athletic training, as well as a keen, quick-thinking mind. He had considerable
skills in both leadership, and strategic thinking, and was a highly competent hand-to-hand and armed combatant. He was known for displaying a
calm, stoic demeanour, even in the face of terrible danger, and for having a rigourous code of honour - "Just because we're fighting a war against
evil is no reason to become evil. If we can't show them that our way is better, we don't deserve to win."
In his role as head of LION, Valiant had lost an eye and walked with a cane, though whether these injuries were sustained in the final days of the
war, or during the intervening time is unknown. These injuries, as well as his advancing age, restricted his physical activities, however, if
anything, his ability to plan strategy and direct groups of people had become even sharper. He was also unknown at this time, to occasionally
use various pieces of high-tech paraphenalia.
Appearance.
During his wartime career, Valiant was tall and athletic, with dark hair and usually sporting a trim moustache.
Later, during his time as the head of LION, he had begun greying at the temples, and took to wearing an eyepatch. Also, he had received some
sort of leg injury, and used a cane to help him get around.
Victoria Valiant
History.
Victoria Valiant was the most prominent agent of British Cold War-era superspy organization, LION (Licensed Independent Operatives Network).
The daughter of war hero and head of LION, James Valiant, she was frequently subject to accusations of nepotism. With that said, her service
record, and the fact that her father frequently opposed her active service, would seem to suggest otherwise.
She was frequently accompanied on missions by longtime partner and fellow LION Agent, James 'Jocko' MacKenzie.
Her career after the 1960's is as yet unrevealed.
Powers.
Valiant possessed no superhuman abilities, but was a highly trained agent skilled in hand-to-hand combat, covert operations, investigations
and an array of other areas. In addition, she was a voracious dilettante, who developed passions for a wide array of fields, from fencing and
antiquarian books, to bonsai sculpture and a range of musical instruments, only to master and then abandon them. She
was an extremely accomplished martial artist who frequently incorporated her early training in ballet and dance into her fighting style.
In addition, she frequently used weaponry and high-tech devices supplied by LION armourers and technicians. Many of these devices were
designed to be concealed within normal seeming articles of clothing or accessories.
Appearance.
Vicki Valiant was an elegant, attractive young woman. Unless she was disguised, she was almost always dressed at the height of fashion,
and was up-to-date with the latest styles of the era, generally favouring a 'mod' look.
James 'Jocko' MacKenzie
History.
James MacKenzie was an associate agent of British Cold War-era superspy organization, LION (Licensed Independent Operatives Network)
and frequent partner of LION's most prominent agent, Victoria Valiant. MacKenzie came from an impoverished background on the streets of
Glasgow, Scotland, from where he embarked on a life of crime. His criminal career was cut short when a judge gave him the choice of jail, or
military service.
MacKenzie excelled in military training, but rankled under the orders of men he didn't respect, and so went AWOL. For several years, he
returned to his life of crime, using his military skills to carve out a reputation as a talented, but oddly principled, underworld freelancer. It was
in this capacity that he first encountered Vicki Valiant, who was running an operation against a prominent Hong Kong-based crimelord. When
the crimelord attempted to employ MacKenzie as an assassin, he not only refused, but helped Valiant to overcome the Crimelord's team of
assassins. In exchange for his assistance, Valiant petitioned LION to arrange a pardon for MacKenzie, and he joined up as her partner.
Valiant and MacKenzie were LION's most successful agents, and participated in countless missions for the British Government.
Their careers after this point as, as yet, unrevealed.
Powers.
'Jocko' MacKenzie possessed no superhuman abilities, but was an experienced burglar, safecracker, confidence trickster and pickpocket. He
was well-travelled and spoke a number of languages. In addition, due to his military training, he was skilled at hand-to-hand combat and firearms
use. He had a wide range of criminal and cultural knowledge, and was extremely able to mix with the criminal underworld, an ability which
served him exceedingly well during LION operations. He possessed a wide range of underworld contacts and informants.
Appearance.
'Jocko' MacKenzie was a heavily-built, but athletic man who projected a sly, laconic demeanor. He habitually dressed in comfortable,
hard-wearing outdoor clothes, and appeared uncomfortable if he had to 'dress up'. He had slightly curled red-brown hair and usually wore his
sideburns long. His nose had been broken and badly re-set in the past.
Matterhorn
History.
The first man to call himself 'Matterhorn' was a highly skilled mountaineer, climber and sniper who acted on behalf of the Axis Powers, and was
the scourge of allied spies, agents, troops and commandos in the European Theatre. His major rivalry was with the British agent Jack Valiant,
the head of the elite international commando group known as 'The Secret Squadron'. The rivalry continued the length of the war, and ended with
a final battle high above a seemingly bottomless crevasse deep in the heart of the Alps. This encounter ended with Matterhorn's seeming death.
Decades later, a second Matterhorn appeared, seeking vengeance on Valiant, who had become head of the British spy agency LION. This new
Matterhorn was the first to use high-tech gadgets, including the now signature rocket-powered flying skis, and high-tech weaponry concealed
inside stylized ski-poles. She was chiefly opposed by Valiant's niece, Victoria, LION's top agent and her frequent partner, James 'Jocko'
MacKenzie. This second Matterhorn was revealed eventually to be the daughter of the first, seeking vengeance for her father's death.
At some point in the 1970's, copies of Matterhorn's signature equipment entered the criminal underworld, and several successors to the name
appeared, usually engaging in short-term crime sprees before being apprehended. None of these had any connection to either the original, or
second Matterhorn.
The last known appearance of a criminal using the Matterhorn nom du guerre was during a large scale attack by the supervillain Eschaton. At
this point, with Earth's superhuman defenses stretched thin, a number of superhuman criminals were recruited with offers of reduced sentences
in order to bolster the faltering forces. One of these recruits was the last known criminal to use the name, who perished heroically in battle.
This final user of the Matterhorn identity was a blood relative of the original who sought to restore the name to its previous, respected status.
Since her death, the Matterhorn Equipment has been deactivated and placed on display in the League of Valour Museum in New York City.
Powers.
None of the people using the Matterhorn Name and equipment have had an superhuman powers or abilities. While the first Matterhorn restricted
himself to standard equipment, all of his successors have used a range of high-tech gadgets. These have included, but were not restricted to:
- Rocket-powered skis, granting the wearer the ability to fly. A gifted user is capable of a high level of maneuverability.
- A Range of weapons concealed inside a pair of ski poles. This has included sniper rifles, dart guns, cutting lasers, knockout gas, and
- others. In addition, the poles have been useful as improvised fencing foils.
- Grenade-like thrown projectiles which explode in a cloud of extreme cold and create a thick flurry of snow.
- Goggles mounted with weapons capable of firing rays capable of generating extreme cold.
- A crossbow-like grapnel gun, launching pitons which can be used as projectile weapons, or in conjunction with steel cables as an
- entangling weapon.
In addition, the first two Matterhorns, and the last were all highly trained athletes with extensive skill as climbers, mountaineers, and athletes.
And all were gifted in hand to hand and ranged combat.
Appearance.
The first Matterhorn wore no distinctive costume, aside from standard issue mountaineering gear. Subsequent users of the name wore an array
of stylized bodysuits resembling skiing gear, concealing their identity behind scarves, ski goggles and beneath hoods.