Anatoli Knyazev's Contractors
Anatoli Knyazev's Contractors were a mercenary group led by Anatoli Knyazev that took on several jobs for Lex Luthor. They're based around the port of Gotham City, but have global contracts.
History[]
The Nairomi Incident[]
Hired by Lex Luthor and given prototype rounds, Anatoli Knyazev and a relatively small team of mercenaries acted as security for the Nairomian warlord, Amajagh. Unbeknownst to Amajagh, Anatoli's team was there to frame Superman for the deaths of Amajagh's soldiers. Knowing Superman would come to save Lois Lane from Amajagh's grasp, Anatoli used Jimmy Olsen's presence to force Amajagh's hand, causing him to take Lois away, at which point he and his team killed the Nairomian soldiers. Anatoli used his flamethrower to burn the bodies, making them appear as though Superman had used his heat vision on them. The group escaped by motorbike before Superman was ever aware of them, but Lois found one of their unique bullets in her journal and later used it to follow the trail back to Lex.[1]
Chase for the Kryptonite[]
Kidnapping of Lois and Martha[]
Fight for Martha's Life[]
In what would be Anatoli's last mission leading the team, he brought over two dozen mercenaries to an old warehouse. It was there that he was tasked with holding Martha Kent until the battle between Batman and Superman concluded. If Superman brought Batman's head to Lex Luthor, Martha was to go free, but if not, she was to be burned alive. Time ran out and Anatoli ignited the flamethrower, but Batman arrived, clearing the entire warehouse single-handedly. There were severe casualties among Anatoli's men, including some fatalities (both by Batman's hand and each other's), until all that remained was one final guard and Anatoli himself. Batman burst into the room through the wall, tackling the last guard and aiming his rifle at Anatoli, firing into the flamethrower tank and engulfing him in flames.[1]
Aftermath[]
The remaining members of the group were later rounded up by police. It's neither known if any managed to escape, nor if they continued working together without Knyazev's leadership. Considering the extent of the damage they received between arrests, casualties, and loss of leadership, it's very likely the group disbanded.
Known Members[]
Relationships[]
Allies[]
- Lex Luthor - employer
Enemies[]
- Amajagh's soldiers - manipulatees
- Superman - manipulatee
- Python - hunters
- Batman
- Lois Lane - target
- Martha Kent - target