20th century The Dominators are the primary force behind an alien alliance that attacks Earth. Their primary motivation for this is their concern at the genetic potential of humanity, as evidenced by the large number of super-powered beings on the Earth of the DC Universe, also known as the
metagene. When the Invasion begins to crumble, one Dominator creates a 'gene-bomb' and detonates it in Earth's atmosphere, activating the metagenes of many humans. After the Invasion, a nameless Dominator plays a significant role in the comic book one-shot
Blasters. This comic features heroes created by Dominator testing, intending to prove that the metagene was activated by stress. The 'Blasters', which included former
JLA mascot
Snapper Carr, are the ones who did gain powers. In events chronicled in
Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 4) Annual #2,
Valor discovers plans for a second invasion of Earth, and thousands of humans held in genetic experimentation tanks. He leads a lengthy campaign to liberate them, aided by some of the Dominators (the Diamond Caste) who oppose the policies of their ruling caste. After freeing them, Valor helps settle the modified humans on various worlds which eventually become the homeworlds of members of the
Legion of Super-Heroes, such as
Bismoll,
Cargg, and
Braal. Several Dominators are left on Earth for years and appeared in various comics (usually briefly). One Dominator comes under the control of the
Queen Bee, the ruler of
Bialya. Though this alien does not survive for long, its technology causes trouble for the
Justice League and the
Global Guardians. Others appear in
Captain Atom #52 (the Dominator became a farmer), in the
Outsiders #44, in
Iron Heights Penitentiary in
Flash, a mutated Dominator with psionic abilities battled members of the
Green Lantern Corps, including
Guy Gardner in
Green Lantern Corps #7-9, and Superman in
Superman #668. The Dominator homeworld falls under siege from a horde led by
Starro. The Dominators attempt to defend their home, but are ultimately overcome by Starro and fall under its control. One Dominator fleet manages to escape and joins
Vril Dox's
R.E.B.E.L.S..
30th century The Dominators are involved in a long war with the
United Planets in the 30th century. Several attempts to establish peace are made. During the Dominators' first appearance in
Adventure Comics #361, several members of the Legion escort a Dominion diplomatic team to secret talks, and fend off attacks from the Unkillables; descendants of people from Earth and their leader who was another Dominator who was opposed to peace. Later, during the
Earthwar, the war expands to involve the
Khunds, the
Dark Circle, and
Mordru. At the end of the war, the Dominators broker a peace treaty.
"Five Years Later" The Dominators are the primary opposing force in
Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 4) during its first three years of publication. As depicted therein, the Dominion secretly gains control of the Earth Government (Earthgov) in the aftermath of a galaxy-wide economic collapse. Their primary motivation is still the genetic potential of humans, and they conduct numerous experiments in secret underground chambers. Their role is known only to a few, including Dirk Morgna (
Sun Boy), a former Legionnaire who is hired by the Dominator-controlled Earthgov as a public relations liaison. Due to constant harassment by Earthgov, the Legion eventually disbands. However, the Dominators fear the Legion's possible reformation, so they free mass murderer Roxxas from prison and arm him with instructions to kill the former Legionnaires. Roxxas succeeds in killing
Blok, prompting the Legion to reform. Meanwhile, on Earth, there was an underground resistance movement including ex-Invisible Kid
Jacques Foccart, the former
Legion of Substitute Heroes, and their unlikely ally
Universo. As safeguards against losing Earth, the Dominion lace a series of nuclear explosives on the
Moon. This backfires when an insane
Dev-Em seizes control of the system. Though the Legion prevents Dev-Em from detonating the explosives, one of the
Linear Men does, causing a catastrophe on Earth. The Dominion attempt to blame the explosion on Khund saboteurs, but their control of Earth begins to slip. The Earth is liberated from Dominator control, although some of the Dominators' actions while they controlled Earth eventually lead to the destruction of the planet. The Dominators also attempt to gain control of
Daxam, hoping for an army of superbeings, but Glorith destroys the populace to prevent this from happening.
Post-Zero Hour Following the
Zero Hour: Crisis in Time! event, which rebooted the Legion of Super-Heroes' continuity, the Dominators play a less significant role in Legion history. The Dominion is one of the core members of the Affiliated Planets ruled by the new
Dark Circle. Their representative to the Circle, like the others, is killed by the Dark Circle's leader
Brainiac 4 for opposing her plans.
"Threeboot" In the "Threeboot" version of Legion continuity, the Dominators are inspired to invade Earth when a time-travelling
Booster Gold inadvertently led them to believe that fifty-two planets were planning an attack on the Dominion. They manage to seize control of Earth's technology, and send genetically modified warriors (created using gene grafts from the former members of Terror Firma) through a stargate. The Legion, with the help of the
Wanderers, manage to defeat the armada. The Dominators still has thousands of super-powered troops at their disposal, and eventually regroup. Under the orders of
Cosmic Boy,
Mon-El detonates a bomb that transports their planet to the
Phantom Zone. ==Alternative versions==