Lepirax
Lepirax is a giant mutant monster who first appeared in the fourth issue of the 1977-1979 Marvel comic series Godzilla.
The mad scientist Dr. Demonicus created Lepirax alongside Batragon, Ghilaron, and Centipor by exposing ordinary lifeforms to a meteorite known as the Lifestone. Lepirax was contained in a facility within a dormant volcano on one of the Aleutian Islands until the island was besieged by Godzilla.
Name
Lepirax is most likely a combination of "Lepidoptera" (the insect order of butterflies and moths) and "thorax" (which is the central section of an insect's body).
Personality
Though peaceful towards its fellow Lifestone-mutated monsters, Lepirax attacked Godzilla in tandem with them without hesitation. While none of the monsters demonstrated particular feats of intelligence, Lepirax in particular appeared to be simple-minded and was easily distracted by Dum Dum Dugan's helicopter and turned its back on Godzilla, which later proved to be a fatal error.
Origins
Lepirax was one of four monsters created by Dr. Demonicus, a geneticist driven mad after being exposed to a radiation spill, along with Batragon, Ghilaron, and Centipor. After obtaining a radioactive meteorite he called the Lifestone, Demonicus subjected the tissues of various lifeforms to the meteorite and extracted hormones made from the altered cells. He then injected this tissue back into their original donors before exposing them to the Lifestone again, mutating the subjects into gigantic monstrosities.
History
- Godzilla #4-5 (1977)
Godzilla
"Godzilla Versus Batragon!"
A creation of the evil scientist Dr. Demonicus, Lepirax was one of four monsters enslaved by the crazed scientist, living in the crater of a dormant volcano on one of the Aleutian Islands, which Demonicus had converted into his secret base. A force field prevented them from escaping and kept them close to the Lifestone, without which they would perish after more than a few hours.
Lepirax was present when Demonicus's first and most-prized creation, Batragon, returned from its initial battle with Godzilla, using the powerful energy of the Lifestone embedded into the volcano's crater to heal its wounds. The bat/Komodo dragon hybrid monster didn't rest for long, as Godzilla managed to track the beast to the island and engaged in a rematch with Batragon, resulting in the death of Demonicus's favorite mutation. As S.H.I.E.L.D. helicopters arrived to battle Godzilla, Demonicus planned to hold back his remaining monsters until a victor emerged.
"The Isle of Lost Monsters"
A helicopter piloted by Gabe Jones and Dum Dum Dugan soon slipped past Godzilla and discovered Demonicus's base, forcing the mad scientist to release his monsters earlier than planned. Lepirax quickly flew out of the volcano's crater alongside Centipor and Ghilaron to fight Godzilla. However, the moth monster quickly turned its attention to the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicopters instead and attacked Dugan's helicopter as its monstrous allies succumbed to Godzilla's might. After killing Ghilaron, Godzilla turned his attention to Lepirax and waited until the helicopter was not far from the ground before attacking, saving Dugan's life by ensuring the fall was not too great. Godzilla then promptly turned Lepirax into a pile of ash with a blast of radioactive fire before stomping Lepirax's charred body into the ground.
Abilities
Flight
Lepirax is an agile flier and able to execute complex aerial maneuvers.
Physical abilities
Lepirax has grasping claws and a hard exoskeleton which is impervious to injuries from gunfire, lasers, and even the blades of a helicopter.
Weaknesses
Like the other monsters of Dr. Demonicus, Lepirax is bound to the Lifestone, and must return to the meteorite to bask in its radiation to restore its vitality. Lepirax was killed by a single blast of Godzilla's radioactive fire breath.
Gallery
Godzilla battles Dr. Demonicus' monsters
Godzilla fights Lepirax
Trivia
- The cover of Godzilla #5 depicts Lepirax as brown with yellow wings instead of blue and tan.
- Lepirax was mentioned by name in Shogun Warriors #13, which also featured Dr. Demonicus.
- As a giant moth monster, Lepirax may have been partially inspired by Mothra.
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