Chameleon Boy

The Durlans and R.J. Brande

The Durlan

The being known only as the Durlan was the first of his race to leave his homeworld, Durla, a planet of non-humanoid shape-shifters. Apparently, at this time in Durlan society, it was not common for individuals to take their own names. Indeed, some Durlan customs were invented in response to their progressive development and contact with alien races. Outside Durla, Durlans are regarded with great suspicion because of their abilities. On this secluded world, natives were discouraged from outside contact, perhaps for good reason.

Heedless to the dangers, "the Durlan" left in search of adventure, but soon crash landed on the planet Colu. Instead of enlightenment, the creature was doomed to a life of slavery under the evil Vril Dox — Brainiac. The elder Dox was a lead scientist on Colu, where emotion had long been banished in favor of science. Dox's son, Vril II was also treated like little more than a slave, and so the Durlan and the young Dox's became each others' only support.

Over the course of a decade, the Durlan and Dox became the best friends. As Dox's companion (and occasional test subject) the Durlan served much like the angel on Dox's shoulder, in stark opposition to Dox's father. At times, the Durlan would take a more humanoid form, which his people find puts humanoids more at ease.

When Vril's father was discorporated by the angry Computer Tyrants of Colu, Dox the second was given over to the Dominators as a good faith gesture of their neutrality in the war against Earth. The Durlan also stowed away inside Dox's body. (L.E.G.I.O.N. #23)

From inside the Starlag prison, Dox, along with Adam Strange, the Omega Men and other captives became instrumental in the downfall of Dominators' invasion alliance (which, oddly, included Durla). (Invasion! #1) During this time, they also met their future comrades, Garryn Bek of Cairn, Stealth, Lyrissa Mallor of Talok VIII and Strata of Dryad. (#2)

After their victory, Dox led his new allies back to Colu where he overthrew the Computer Tyrants. (L.E.G.I.O.N. #1-3) Dox was emboldened by this success and it gave him the idea to form a new police force to replace the former Green Lantern Corps. Their friends from Starlag were hesitant at first to join Dox, but ultimately decided that it might be a good idea to stick around to eye on him. They set up camp on Bek's homeworld of Cairn, and soon began contracting their services as the L.E.G.I.O.N. (Licensed Extra-Governmental Interstellar Operatives Network) (#5-12)

The Durlan often served as the calm in the L.E.G.I.O.N.'s storm. Not only was he Dox's steady confidant and advisor, but he aided the team as a medical technician. After Stealth went into a rage and attacked Dox, the Durlan described her as a "unique life form" — and informed her she was pregnant with Dox's child.

Very soon after this, with Dox still in recovery, the Durlan disappeared forever, without explanation. In his place was a mystery woman with phasing ability. (#9)

When Dox recovered, he was grief-stricken at his only friend's disappearance. Though to most Dox was a cold man, the Durlan's influence remains strong inside him. His teachings return often in the form of Dox's conscience.

30th Century: The Daggle Family of Durla

The planet Durla is a nuclear wasteland, the legacy of a so-called "Six Minute War." There, the shape-changing natives are prone to xenophobia and rarely leave their own world.

Ren Daggle and his mate, Zhay, mated in the Durlan way. Each simultaneously impregnates each other, which results in twin births. Their twin sons were Reep and Liggt Daggle. At some point after their birth, Ren and Zhay contracted Yorggian Fever and Zhay died. Ren survived the fever and left his sons in the care of his sister, Ji, who raised them as her own children..

Ren and his brother, Theg, were eventually robbed of their ability to shape-change and became frozen in human form. In these forms, they took the identities of Rene Jacques (R. J.) Brande and Doyle Brande, and formed Brande Industries.

The Original Chameleon Boy

X-Plam

Just prior to Chameleon Boy's debut, a story was published featuring bald, green-skinned people with antennae. In Superman #136 (Apr. 1960), Superman and Lois Lane met X-Plam, who was actually from 24th century Earth, when humans had evolved to look this way. The two stories had different creative teams, but editor Mort Weisinger plotted all Silver Age Superman stories.

Chameleon Boy

The planet Durla is a nuclear wasteland, the legacy of a so-called "Six Minute War." There, the shape-changing natives are prone to xenophobia and rarely leave their own world.

Ren Daggle and his mate, Zhay, mated in the Durlan way. Each simultaneously impregnates each other, which results in twin births. Their twin sons were Reep and Liggt Daggle. At some point after their birth, Ren and Zhay contracted Yorggian Fever and Zhay died. Ren survived the fever and left his sons in the care of his sister, Ji, who raised them as her own children. Note: Chameleon Boy's name and homeworld were revealed in Superman Annual #4 (1961).

Ren and his brother, Theg, were eventually robbed of their ability to shape-change and became frozen in human form. In these forms, they took the identities of Rene Jacques (R. J.) Brande and Doyle Brande, and formed Brande Industries.

On Durla, tradition mandated that twins must fight one another to the death to prove their worthiness to survive. Reep Daggle killed his brother Liggt in this ritual but he was so traumatized by the barbarity that he vowed to never kill again. (Legion vol. 4 #8) Note: These details about the Daggle family were revealed during the Glorith Reality era.

With his parents’ permission, he left Durla to apply for membership in the Legion of Super-Heroes. But Durlans are an isolationist race, perhaps because other species often regard their abilities with nervous suspicion. Reep was determined to defy this phobia and foster respect for his race. Now, the Legion was funded by R.J. Brande, but Reep's father did not reveal himself to his son as such. Brande worked with his assistant, Marla Latham, to recruit Reep for the Legion membership.

Regardless of covert nepotism, the Legionnaires valued Reep's ability and he was admitted to the team. But when asked what name he would use as a super-lawman, Reep was stumped. But his fellow inductee, Colossal Boy, noted that Reep’s power reminded him of Earth's chameleons, which could change their color. Reep Daggle thus became known throughout the galaxy as Chameleon Boy. (Adventure Comics #350, Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 3 #39) The young heroes became best friends for the duration of their Legion membership. (Action #267)

"Cham," as he was called, became a great asset to the Legion, as he was a natural spy, and his keen intelligence and sense of observation made him particularly fit to lead the Legion Espionage Squad. (Adventure #360)

Reep never seemed to prioritize his romantic life. He once had a chance at true love on the other-dimensional world of Nadir. There he defeated Kodar the Black Vassal and romanced Princess Elwinda. He wanted to marry her, but when her father found out, he ordered Cham's execution. The Legionnaires teleported him out just in time, but it was bittersweet knowing he wouldn't see her again. (#376)

Cham learned the truth about R. J. Brande when the Legion's founder fell ill with Yorrgian fever, and, in search of a suitable blood donor, the Legion uncovered the fact that Cham was R.J. Brande's son. He understood why his father had to abandon him on Durla, but he was bitter that Brande had kept this secret for so many years. (Secrets of the Legion #1-3)

His anger led Chameleon Boy to act out; he ordered a dangerous Espionage Squad mission to Khundia, and almost set off a war. (Legion vol. 2 #286) This mission earned Cham a criminal charge, and he was sentenced to Takron-Galtos (#290, 292), where he was fitted with a device on his antennae that inhibited the use of his power. (#296) During the galaxywide threat of Darkseid's "Great Darkness," Reep helped quelling the riots inside the prison when, even taking on the powerful Daxamite, Ol-Vir. (#294)

Reep was awarded with clemency for his actions, but to his horror he discovered that his shape-changing abilities had been diminished from prolonged use of the inhibitor device. He and his father took a trip back to Durla to restore his powers. The trip was successful, and father and son were reconciled during that time (though Brande declined the opportunity to restore his own native powers). (#298, 301)

Other Chameleons

Two "Adult Legion" stories contained adult "chameleon men" who were members of the adult Legion of Super-Villains. The first was Action Comics #283 (Dec. 1961), which featured two “Chameleon Men” named Jan-Dex and Zo-Gar. They were garbed in a fashion identical to Chameleon Boy’s costume and came to Earth looking for Kryptonite. They planned to destroy Superman as part of a Legion of Super-Outlaws. Superman outwitted them and returned them to the authorities in the 30th century.

This was just months after the debut of the LSV, in Superman vol. 1 #147 (Aug. 1961). Since they also referenced Cosmic King and Lightning Lord, one assumes the Chameleon Men were referring to the LSV but that the writers at the time were oblivious to the name discrepancy.

Then in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #63 (Sept. 1962), someone called "Chameleon Chief" was a member of the adult LSV. This character was dressed differently but could have been considered one of the Chameleon Men.

Many years later, after the teen (canonical) LSV was introduced (Adventure Comics #372, Sept. 1968), Chamelon Chief was a member of this team too (Superboy #208, Apr. 1975). But he was later given the name "Jall Tannuz" and was identified as a non-Durlan. (Who's Who in the Legion #4)

Just a few issues later, a similar group called the Legion of Super-Rejects rose to challenge the Legionnaires. These rejects all hailed from the same planets as current Legionnaires and had the same powers. Among them was Chameleon Kid, Toog Lintens of Durla. Some of the Rejects became Super-Villains but Chameleon Kid was never heard from again. (Superboy #212, Oct. 1975)

Glorith Reality

In Glorith Reality continuity, Cham went on to head his father's company, and was the driving force behind the Legion as well …

He stayed with the Legion until the U. P.'s economy collapsed, taking Brande Industries with it. R. J., who had disappeared several years earlier, named him to take over the corporation and try to get it, and the galactic economy back into shape. Chameleon Boy had to honor his father's wishes, and he watched from the sidelines as member after membe:r of the Legion dropped out, Earthgov hounded the Legion, and finally, the team disbanded. He harbored hope of re-creating the Legion, and in 2994, he saw a window of opportunity. He recruited Rokk Krinn, Jo Nah, and two of Jo's associates, Kono and Furball, and the five went to rescue Mysa Nal from Mordru. After doing this (and getting Rond Vidar as well), he linked up with more former Legionnaires on Winath, and, after capturing Roxxas the Butcher, he officially re-formed the Legion. But somehow, the feeling that he remembered from his youth was not recaptured. The adult Legionnaires were more jaded and cynical, and too far removed from the youthful idealism he once knew. Thus, when he discovered the existence of the teenagers who emerged from Batch SW6, he decided to help them find their place in the new world rather than continue with the adults. He got Jacques Foccart to replace him with the older Legion, changed his name to "Chameleon" and became the younger Legion's "adult advisor" and financier.

The Chameleon Boy of Batch SW6 was killed in the explosion of Dominion underground chambers along with the SW6 Princess Projectra and Karate Kid.