Science Police
| Science Police | |
|---|---|
Cover to Legion: Science Police #1, art by Paul Ryan and Josef Rubinstein | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | (30th century) Adventure Comics #303 (December 1962) (21st century) Superman #654 (September 2006) |
| Created by | Jerry Siegel (script) John Forte (art) |
| In-story information | |
| Type of organization | Law enforcement agency |
| Base(s) | Metropolis |
| Agent(s) | (30th century) Shvaughn Erin Gigi Cusimano Gim Allon Imra Ardeen Dyrk Magz Zoe Saugin (21st century) Guardian |
The Science Police is a fictional law enforcement agency in the DC Comics Universe, active in the 21st, 30th and 31st centuries. The organization has also appeared in the Legion of Super Heroes animated series, the DC Universe Online video game, and the Supergirl television series.
Fictional history
30th and 31st centuries
In the 30th and 31st centuries, the Science Police is under the jurisdiction of the United Planets and has divisions on each world. Its headquarters are on Earth in the city of Metropolis. The Science Police has a professional working relationship with the Legion of Super-Heroes,[1] with Shvaughn Erin serving as the Police's liaison to the Legion.[2][3][4] Legionnaires Colossal Boy,[5] Saturn Girl, Magno, and Kinetix have all served with the Science Police at one time or another.
21st century
In the 21st century, the Science Police serve the federal government of the United States, with divisions in Metropolis and Midway City. The Science Police was created to replace the Special Crimes Unit, a division of the Metropolis Police Department that deals with crimes committed by metahumans and aliens. Maggie Sawyer is a member of the group.[6][7][8][9]
Science Police member DuBarry is killed along with fellow team leader Daniels and several prison guards when a team of Kandorians led by Commander Gor assault Stryker's Island.[10] The Science Police second-in-command Rachel asks Guardian to act as the liaison between the Metropolis Police Department and a coalition of superheroes in avenging the fallen Science Police officers and prison guards.[11] After the Kandorians leave Earth, Guardian is appointed the leader of the Science Police.[12]
Other versions
The Science Police appear in Superboy's Legion.[13]
In other media
Television
- The 31st-century incarnation of the Science Police appears in Legion of Super Heroes, with Nemesis Kid as a prominent member.
- The 31st-century incarnation of the Science Police makes a cameo appearance in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "The Siege of Starro!".
- The 21st-century incarnation of the Science Police appears in Supergirl, with Maggie Sawyer as a prominent member. This version is a branch of National City's police department.
Video games
The 21st-century incarnation of the Science Police appears in DC Universe Online.[14]
References
- ^ Bondurant, Tom (August 25, 2019). "Legion of Super-Heroes: What You Need to Know About the United Planets". CBR. Archived from the original on August 26, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
In any event, the Science Police officers have been an integral part of the series ever since, working closely with the Legionnaires despite the occasional jurisdictional dispute.
- ^ Manning, Matthew K.; Wiacek, Stephen; Scott, Melanie; Jones, Nick; Walker, Landry Q. (20 July 2021). The DC Comics Encyclopedia New Edition. National Geographic Books. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-7440-2056-4.
- ^ Cowsill, Alan (2019). DC Comics: Year By Year New Edition, A Visual Chronicle. DK Publishing. p. 170. ISBN 9781465496089.
- ^ Motes, Jax (April 15, 2013). "Top Ten Transgender Comic Book Characters". ScienceFiction.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
Science Police officer, Shvaughn Erin, was introduced in the late 70s as a supporting character in the Legion of Super Heroes, and after battling the Khunds with Karate Kid, she was appointed as the Science Police's Liaison to the super team.
- ^ Aitchison, Sean (May 5, 2017). "Size Matters: 15 Superheroes Who Can Shrink And Grow At Will". CBR. Archived from the original on May 8, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
In 1994, the character was rebooted as Leviathan, a science police officer from Mars who got his powers yet again from a meteorite.
- ^ Logan, Megan (October 20, 2016). "What You Need to Know About Maggie Sawyer on 'Supergirl'". Inverse. Archived from the original on September 8, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
When Maggie Sawyer first appeared in the Superman comics in 1987, she was the captain of the Metropolis Special Crimes Unit and member of the Science Police, a division charged with dealing with meta-humans from a law enforcement perspective.
- ^ Francisco, Eric (June 9, 2016). "Who, Exactly, Are Lena Luthor and the New Characters in 'Supergirl' Season 2?". Inverse. Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
Detective Maggie, who in the comics entered a relationship with Batwoman, is coming onto Supergirl as an openly-gay detective working in National City's new Science Police, assigned to metahuman cases.
- ^ Carlin, Shannon (July 13, 2016). "Maggie Sawyer Is Coming To 'Supergirl'". Bustle. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
Maggie was first introduced to DC Comic fans in an 1987 issue of Superman as the captain of the Metropolis Special Crimes Unit. She specifically worked for the Science Police, where she dealt with cases on metahumans or superhumans like Clark Kent himself.
- ^ Superman #677 (August 2008)
- ^ Superman #682 (January 2009)
- ^ Superman #683 (February 2009)
- ^ Superman #684 (March 2009)
- ^ Superboy's Legion #1 (April 2001)
- ^ "Beta Impressions: DC Universe Online - The First Ten Levels - Preview". VG Chartz. January 3, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
After several agro zones, I was inside the Chinatown Science Police building where Raven was holed up.
External links
- Science Police at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)