The Telepath

The being called The Telepath is the last survivor of his world. His given name is actually 47 syllables long.To simplify, he is also called by an abbreviation: "Qi'Qi." Though the Telepath once claimed that the name of his home world is likewise unpronounceable, it is known around the galaxy as Zsiglon.

On this world, the larva-like inhabitants lived in hives upon barren plains. Aside from his people, the only other living species on the planet was a mushroom-like fungus which they tended and worshipped. These mushrooms grew deep beneath the surface and their culture was centered around their harvest, which was done exclusively by the males.

Qi'Qi was a rebel among them. He dreamt of a life off-planet, but his teachers would not hear of it. They feared that only evil and destruction could come of such contact. Qi'Qi also had a secret — the forbidden love of a female named L'ol'a. Usually, all sexual acts were reserved for his peoples' queen. Only the queen bore the eggs which would hatch new offspring. Not long after birth, young were segregated along gender lines. Each year, the strongest female would succeed the previous queen. Unfortunately, when it was her time, it was L'ol'a who won the battle and was prepared to become queen.

Thus their love for each other was doomed and Qi'Qi took blasphemous action: he sent out a telepathic call to a passing spaceship. It was intercepted by Dagon-Ra, the evil conqueror with the power to transmute matter. When Dagon-Ra arrived, he massacred Qi'Qi's people and took him prisoner. (LEGION #51)

Qi'Qi was enslaved by Dagon-Ra for years, forced to do his evil bidding. During this time, he befriended other powerful captives such as the legendary Captain Comet and the Lady Quark.

Dagon-Ra's pirate operations eventually came to the attention of Vril Dox, leader of the L.E.G.I.O.N. Dox sent Lobo undercover to infiltrate Dagon-Ra's ring. This gave the Telepath the incentive to revolt. With a team effort, Dagon-Ra was defeated then died accidentally. (#14-17)

After this, Telepath and Lady Quark are invited to join the L.E.G.I.O.N., which they accepted. (#18) Qi'Qi proved to be a valuable and immediate asset to the team. It was he who sensed the presence of Lydea Darkstar at the moment she murdered her mother, Lyrissa. (#20)

He also attempted to unlock one of the team's biggest secrets: the true identity of Phase. Sadly, his mental abilities could never find any trace of her past. (#27)

Too often, the Telepath found himself on missions in the company of Lobo, the team's psychotic former bounty hunter. But Telepath's prowess in battle impressed Lobo, who came to consider Telepath a friend. In fact, it was to Lobo that Telepath first revealed his history. (#51)

He went on to play crucial roles in sussing out two L.E.G.I.O.N. infiltrators as well. First, he alerted Phase to the presence of the saboteur, Ig'nea (#32) and later he was the first to learn the Lady Quark had been replaced by an alien parasite. (#66)

When Dox's infant son, Lyrl took over the organization by using mind control, the Telepath was one of the first to fall under his sphere of control. The core team escaped from Lyrl and took Telepath along with him. (#69) But since he was still under the thrall of Lyrl's programming, he believed that his former teammates were outlaws and refused to help them. (#69-70, REBELES #0)

In the course of their exile, Telepath was seriously wounded. Dox saved his life, which indentured the Telepath once again into his service. Telepath ultimately fought off Lyrl's programming. and used his mental powers to help them power their ship, the Diib. (REBELS #3-4)

Dox eventually led the rebels to victory against Lyrl. In the aftermath, Captain Comet assumed leadership of the L.E.G.I.O.N. and Vril Dox retired. The Telepath returned to active duty. (#16-17)

At some point after this, Dox reassumed his leadership of the L.E.G.I.O.N. and relocated their headquarters to the planet Maltus. Telepath has apparently continued to serve with the L.E.G.I.O.N. (Infinite Crisis #1)

Powers

The Telepath is an accomplished ... telepath. He communicates directly with other sentients' minds and can perform deeper analysis.

Appearances + References

» FEATURED APPEARANCES:  

» SERIES:

• L.E.G.I.O.N., 70 issues (1989-94)
• R.E.B.E.L.S., 17 issues (1994-96)