Who's Who: Laurel Kent

Laurel Kent
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Laurel Kent

Super-Power(s): Invulnerability; robotic super-strength, super-speed, computer intelligence
Planet of Origin: Manhunter Homeworld

Relationship to Legion: Legion cadet; infiltrator

Legion Log
Laurel Kent appeared in Metropolis one day and succeeded in getting Superboy's attention. After spending a little bit of time with the Boy of Steel, she suddenly disappeared. When Superboy finally managed to find her, he learned that she was a Legion applicant who happened to be his descendant. Laurel also claimed to closely resemble the woman SuperMAN was destined to marry.

Laurel then enrolled in the Legion Academy, where she underwent training with Wildfire, Bouncing Boy, and Duo Damsel. Her roommate was initially Dawnstar before Dawny managed to join the Legion.

For the next few years Laurel continued to live at the Academy, training to make the most of her powers. She befriended other Academy members such as future Legionnaires Magnetic Kid and Tellus. She told everyone that she knew she had no chance of ever actually joining the Legion due to the duplication of powers clause in the Legion Constitution, but that she hoped she would one day be able to be a super-heroine in her own right.

In reality, she was not a descendant of Superman, but a member of the robotic race known as the Manhunters, whose aim was to thwart the Guardians of the Universe and their "chosen people," the New Guardians. The robot calling itself Laurel was a "sleeper agent" whose job was to re-activate after 1,000 years to destroy the New Guardians if they were somehow able to establish themselves beyond the 20th Century.

The robot calling itself Laurel went to extreme measures to maintain her cover. When she was shot by a Green Kryptonite bullet by Professor Ivo, who was targeting all descendants of the Justice League's members, she feigned injury and somehow pretended to bleed. When the Science Police and then the Legion tried to investigate her past, however, she was antagonistic towards them and not forthcoming.

After the robot calling itself Laurel revealed her true nature, she attempted to locate the New Guardians and in the process, tried to kill the Legion. Tellus in particular felt betrayed to learn that she had been a spy. However, when she found no traces of the New Guardians anywhere in the 30th Century universe, she self-destructed.

After the Time Trapper was killed and Glorith took his place, the timeline was altered so that a Laurel Gand was a member of the Legion known as Andromeda. This Laurel replaced Supergirl in the continuity; it is not clear if Laurel Kent also continued to exist.

Laurel Kent appears in neither the Reboot nor the Threeboot.

After Infinite Crisis, Laurel Kent's original history has presumably been more or less restored. During the Final Crisis, she was plucked out of time (presumably before she was activated by Manhunter programming) to help the three Legions fight Superboy-Prime's Legion of Super-Villains.

Important Laurel Kent Stories:

Superboy/Legion #217
(reprinted in The Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 12
and Showcase Presents: The Legion Vol. 5)

First appearance of Laurel Kent claiming to be a descendant of Superboy

Superboy/Legion of Super-Heroes #240

Laurel Kent is now at the Legion Academy

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #304

Laurel Kent still studying at the Legion Academy

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #316

Laurel accompanies Magnetic Kid on a mission to save Cosmic Boy

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #4

Laurel is ready and willing to fight the Legion of Super-Villains

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #8

Laurel is shot by an unknown assailant

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #9

Laurel is recuperating after being shot by a Green Kryptonite bullet

Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes #324

Laurel talks to her former Legion Academy roommate about love

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #12

Laurel is still recuperating from her injury

Legion of Super-Heroes Annual (v2) #1

Laurel is not interested in helping the Legion dig into her past 
to find out who shot her

Legion of Super-Heroes Annual (v2) #3 (1987)

Laurel wears a uniform in homage to Superman

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #40

Laurel maneuvers to go out with Sun Boy to get access to Legion HQ

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #42

Laurel reveals herself to be a Manhunter 

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #43

Laurel self-destructs rather than share her secrets with the Legion

Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds #5

Laurel Kent finally fights at the Legion's side during Final Crisis