Gremlins (Elite Design Consultants)

THE GREMLINS	BIOGRAPHY
Created by James Owsley and M.D. Bright

TEAM DATA

Aliases: Elite Design Consultants
Former Members: Alyce, Chip (Francis), Dex, Hawk,
First Appearance: Action Comics Weekly #621

(October 11, 1988): "Gremlins!"
Creators: James Owsley and M.D. Bright

MEMBERSHIP

Member	First Appearance	Joined	Job description
Alyce	Action Comics Weekly #621	Action Comics Weekly #621	Administration
Chip (Francis)	Action Comics Weekly #621	Action Comics Weekly #621	Designer
Dex	Action Comics Weekly #621	Action Comics Weekly #621	Engineer
Hawk	Action Comics Weekly #621	Action Comics Weekly #621	Test pilot

HISTORY

Several years ago in Star City, a young boy named Francis, "Chip" to his friends, overheard a pivotal moment in Green Lantern Hal Jordan's life. Though Chip only spent a moment with Green Lantern, it was enough to change his life as well. - Green Lantern Vol. 2 #76, Secret Origins Vol. 2 #36

From then on, Chip became fascinated with flight. After studying aeronautics in college, Chip received an advanced degree and a Masters in aeronautics design. Unfortunately, problems with Chip's eyes kept him from becoming a pilot. Chip would later join an engineering group, Elite Design Consultants, nicknamed "the Gremlins," as an aircraft designer. - Secret Origins Vol. 2 #36

Elite Design Consultants was a small firm but was able to sustain itself in the aeronautics industry. Aside from designing their own aircraft, they would be hired to test other companies' aircraft and discover any design flaws. A chase plane would follow the test craft and take photos of the plane in flight. Once on the ground, the Gremlins would strip down any faulty systems to work out the defects. Chip would use the results to design any modifications then Dex, their engineer, would build the new equipment and install it in a prototype. The fourth member of Elite, Alyce, took care of communications and administration. The work of Elite Design Consultants would therefore save the client company millions of dollars in refitting and downtime costs. - Action Comics Weekly #621

When their test pilot, Hawk, slipped in the shower and broke his left arm, Chip was assigned to find someone new to fly their designs. After two weeks, with ads running in every major trade journal and a dozen interviews, Chip was no closer to finding Hawk's temporary test pilot. This all changed when a strikingly familiar prospective test pilot knocked on his door.

Though Hal Jordan quickly left when he knew he was recognized as Green Lantern, Chip followed him and Jordan admitted he was the emerald crusader. After making a temporary power ring for Chip, the two took off for space and Jordan told Chip how he received the power ring from Abin Sur and became a member of the Green Lantern Corps. They traveled to Oa where they ran off a group of scavengers that were looting the remains of the Oan citadels.

Returning to Earth, Chip introduced Jordan to the Gremlins as their new test pilot. Though Alyce and Dex welcomed their new coworker, Hawk mistrusted the test pilot. - Secret Origins Vol. 2 #36

Jordan's professional reputation had been badly damaged by the Manhunters while he was a test pilot at Ferris Aircraft Corporation, but he was able to repair his reputation somewhat while working the Gremlins. When a major airline wanted a shakedown on a prototype jet, they signed the contract with Elite under the provision Hal Jordan would take the test flight. Despite the loss of both engines due to mechanical failure, Jordan refused to bail out of the jet. Against all odds, he managed to bring it in for a landing. His expert piloting skills even won him the short-lived and grudging respect of Hawk. - Action Comics Weekly #620

Minutes after, in the Gremlins' locker room, an explosion was heard. Dex, Hawk and Chip arrived to find the lockers badly damaged. Jordan was picking up what he claimed to be an old clock. In reality, it was the remains of his power battery which had been destroyed by a yellow beam from deep space. As only Chip knew Hal Jordan was Green Lantern he covered for his friend as the ring wielder went to the stars to find the reason behind his battery's destruction. - Action Comics Weekly #620-#621

Jordan learned it was due to the machinations of a former Green Lantern, known as Priest. He returned to Earth after repairing his power battery and learning more of the abilities of the emerald energy. Action Comics Weekly #621-#625

When the attorney for Elite Design Consultants notified Hawk that the airline Jordan had test piloted the prototype jet for was blaming Hal Jordan for the loss of the jet's engines, Hawk sought Jordan out to yell at him. Chip explained to Jordan that the airline had only blamed Jordan to satisfy their insurance company but it was clear Hawk did not want Jordan as an employee of the Gremlins.

Seconds afterwards, one of the Guardians of the Universe appeared before them. The Guardian demanded Jordan report to Oa at once and bring Chip with him. Once on Oa, the Guardian explained he and his Zamaron mate had returned to deal with the consequences of a former Green Lantern's actions. Jordan was ordered to kill Priest or Chip's life would be forfeit.

After an adventure on Selsia IV in Space Sector 1634 involving the robot called Seeker, Jordan realized how important Priest was to him as a Green Lantern. Returning to Oa, Jordan argued how Priest had made him a better Green Lantern and that for the greater good, Priest must live, even if it meant the death of his friend Chip.

With that, the illusion dissolved. Priest had perpetrated a hoax on Jordan and his friend to confirm if Jordan was still fit to remain as a Green Lantern. On the real Oa, Priest explained to Appa Ali Apsa that he had wanted to determine if Jordan's exposure to the evil of Lord Malvolio had corrupted him and was pleased to report it had not. After Priest and the sole Guardian departed, Hal and Chip were left alone. Jordan's willingness to sacrifice Chip's life had ended their friendship. - Green Lantern Special #2

Things went badly for Jordan after that. He ultimately quit or was fired from Elite Design Consultants. The details are not known at this time. - Green Lantern Vol. 3 #1

The current status of the Gremlins has yet to be revealed.

CHRONOLOGY

For a definitive list of appearances of The Gremlins in chronological order click here