Excelsior / Loners

History
Excelsior was a teenage superhero support group founded by Mickey Musashi and Phil Urich, the only Green Goblin that was a hero. They recruited a team of several former heroes and met at a Los Angeles church. However, they were interrupted by a mysterious benefactor's phone call. Said benefactor offered them $1,000,000 if they got the Runaways "off the streets" (Marvel Wiki). This led to an issue of the Runaways, where the two teams met. The benefactor turned out to be Rick Jones, who attempted to make them continue to be superheroes. The member they though was Chamber was actually a spy.
Excelsior had its own miniseries. However, the team was renamed "the Loners" and the title of series was Loners as oppose to Excelsior. The team was now about attempting to help heroes addicted to their powers. They do so by having the members refraining each other from using their powers and live normal lives. The members were Lightspeed, Turbo, Spider-Woman, Ricochet, Darkhawk and Green Goblin. Despite the purpose of the team, many members "[fell] off the wagon" (Marvel Wiki) most notably Spider-Woman and Darkhawk. The Loners became a talk-group for adicted-powered people. They helped Darkhawk when he lost control of his armor. Some members have joined the Avengers Academy and become superheroes once more.
Members
The original members were:

• Darkhawk- Chris Powell gave up being a hero due to his nightmares becoming incredibly intense. He is short-tempered. In his Darkhawk form, he is more so.
• Green Goblin- Phil Urich is the fourth and only heroic Green Goblin. After losing his equipment, he went to college and founded Excelsior. He later worked Daily Bugle then for the Kingpin as Hobgoblin.
• Lightspeed- Julie Power was convinced her work with the Power Pack robbed her of her childhood. She moved Califorina at the age of 15. She is currently a teacher's assistant as the Avengers Academy.
• "Chamber"- The superhero Chamber seemingly joined. It turned out it wasn't Chamber. In reality, "Chamber" was Geoffrey Wilder, a spy for the Runaway enemies the Pride. He left the team after the truth was revealed.
• Turbo- Michiko "Mickey" Musashi is a ex-member of New Warrior. She helped found Excelsior along with Phil Urich. She has become an investigative journalism.
• Ricochet- Johnny Gallo is a former member of the Slingers. He is a mutant has had powers similar to Spider-Man. 

Later, several other members joined. Later members were:

• Namie- She was one of few characters to not have existed prior to the Loner group. However, it was hinted she has some form of ties to the rest of the Marvel Universe. It was reveal that she is a model UJ1-XD Red Ronin cyborg. 
• Spider-Woman- Mattie Franklin went to L.A. to star over and went to meetings fairly regularly. She left the team. She was captured by Ana Kraven and killed by Sasha Kraven.
• Hollow / Penance- She was a former member of Generation X.
• In War of Kings: Darkhawk issue 1, there are three unnamed members. 

References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loners
http://marvel.wikia.com/Loners_(Earth-616)

Snow Flame

Snow Flame in the foreground

Along time ago, I mentioned the superhero team New Guardians. However, the main reason their series is remembered was because of an one shot villain: Snowflame!
New Guardians
Snow Flame's only official appearance was New Guardians issue 2. Snow Flame was the leader of a Colombian drug cartel. While Snow Flame defeated the Guardians at first, heroes shoved into a chemical shack that exploded (due to his flames). This seemed to kill him.
www.snowflamecomic.com
Snow Flame became popular due to the villain's hammy speeches (at one point he claimed cocaine was his god) and bizarre powers. As such, Julie Sydor created a fan webcomic about the character. Oddly, webcomic Snow Flame thinks drugs are the key to salvation. In the original comic, he is evil and sells drugs for money.
Julie gave Snow Flame a backstory. Fabian Orozco was a sober Colombian drug dealer. However, he was chosen by the "Goddess of Cocaine" to spread the glory of drugs. As such, the Goddess turned him into Snowflame.
In the actual webcomic, Snow Flame was captured by Green Arrow, Batman and Raven. He was locked in the Arkham Asylum. The heroes discovered his backstory due to a confession by Fabian. When the asylum was flooded with the Scarecrow's fear gas, he teamed up with heroes to try save the innocent people there.
Powers
In both versions, Snow Flame gains super strength, speed and resistance of pain when using drugs. When using his powers, his body generate flames. The reason for this is never explained. In the webcomic, Fabian becomes Snow Flame when he take drugs. When Snow Flame becomes weakened enough, he becomes Fabian again.
References:
Atop the Fourth Wall episode "New Guardians # 2"
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Webcomic/Snowflame
http://www.comicvine.com/snowflame/4005-73164/
http://www.snowflamecomic.com
http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Snowflame_(New_Earth)

Slingers

Clockwise: Dusk (bottom left), Hornet, Prodigy and Ricochet 

History
During a storyline called "Identity Crisis", Spider-Man (who had a million-dollar bounty on his head) adopted four other super identity. After the storyline, Spider-Man discarded the costumes. Black Marvel, a Golden Age superhero, gained the suits. He gave four youths the costume and made them into superheroes. They made brief cameo in Contest of Champions II and New Warriors. The team discovered Black Marvel made a Faustian deal with Mephisto for the costumes. The team broke away from, but later came back to free his soul. They disbanded after Black Marvel died. A couple of the members appeared in Runaways. A brainwashed Wolverine killed Hornet. Prodigy sided with Captain America in the Marvel Civil War, but was imprisoned. Prodigy attempted to reunite the team.
Members

• Dusk- Cassie St. Commons was the daughter of rich parents. Dusk has the ability to teleport, manipulate shadows and the ability to sense her teammates' whereabouts. While Hornet had feeling for her, she had feelings for Johnny Gallo.
• Hornet- Eddie McDonough was an Empire State University freshman with cerebral palsy. His suit gives the ability to fly at high speeds, super strength and counteract his cerebral palsy. He has wrist blasters that fire knock out darts and lasers. He was killed by Wolverine.
• Prodigy- Ritchie Gilmore was the team leader and a wrestler. His costume gave him super strength, jumping and durable. Despite losing his power at the end of the series, he has them later on. He begrudgingly join the Initiative. He became a motivational speaker.
• Ricochet- Johnny Gallo was a mutant. He had super agility, reflexes and has the ability to sense danger. He uses throwing disks (which later became "gimmick" disks with special abilities). He has a dead mom and an uncaring dad. He joined a "teenage superhero recovery group" called "Excelsior".

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slingers

Vault of Obscurity

I like to talk about obscure characters. However, some have too little history to have a post on them. As such, this will be anthology of these characters.
Purple Purposeless

Purple explaining his credo

Esteban Rojas was a solider sent to Vietnam. He was exposed to Agent Orange gas. This marked the point his life went down the tube. As such, Esteban decided to a "sub-hero", a hero that resist the urge to help people, and took the name "Purple Purposeless". He met Doom Patrol member Shyleeen Lao at a hospital. Staying true to his modus operandi, he did nothing.
Red, White and Blue

(Left to Right) Red, White and Blue

"Red" Dugan, "Whitey" Smith and "Blooey" Blue were three friends that served in one of the three branches of the military. I have no idea why they have these nicknames since they don't wear clothes that match the nicknames or have hair colors that do so (only Red does). Red joined Army Intelligence. Whitey joined the Army. Blooey joined the Navy. Despite this, they often went to adventures with each other. They were helped by Agent Doris West. Red, White and Blue haven't appeared after the World War 2-era.
Captain Universe

The Super Marvel

Jim Logan was a researcher for the United Nations Interplanetary Division. Through his research, he gained his abilities. When he says "Galap", he becomes the super strong Captain Universe. He later appeared as a member of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen's Seven Stars team.
References:
http://www.comicvine.com/the-purple-purposeless/4005-4099/
http://www.comicvine.com/fever/4005-4080/
http://www.toonopedia.com/rwb.htm

Fighting American

Fighting American was a superhero created by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon (the creators of Captain America). The duo first had FA be a serious hero that fought communists. However after when it become clear McCarthy was "damaging innocent Americans" (Joe Simon), they turned the Fighting American into a parody.
Character History
Nelson Flagg was the younger brother of Johnny Flagg, an athletic war hero. When Johnny became outspokenly anti-Communist, he was killed. Nelson decided to hunt down the murderers. In "Project Fighting American", Johnny's life force / mind was transferred to a superhero body. He assumed Johnny's identity and became the superhero Fighting America to fight Communists. An unnamed teenager became his sidekick Speedboy.
Later Verisons
DC Comics had a six-issue miniseries about Fighting America. This was created by Dave Rawson, Pat McGreal (writers) and Greg LaRocque (art). Here FA is an ex-radio host wanting to avenge the death of his brother.
Awesome Entertainment gave the Fighting American a two-issue miniseries. The script was originally intended for Captain America for the "Heroes Reborn", but that didn't work out. In the comics, the Fighting America was an out-of-work superhero and trying to cope with the death of his partner.
There have been talk of a Dynamite Entertainment miniseries.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_American

Vext

Titular Character

Vext is a six-issue miniseries. The plot revolves around the deity Vext being exiled to Earth. After the series ended, the series was reprinted in Italian Lobo comics as back-up feature.
Overview
Vext is the "mishap and misfortune" deity for the Jejune Realm. Because of his title, he (uncontrollably) causes bad luck. He unintentionally caused the sinking of the Titanic and the Fall of Man. Due to a mess up in the celestial bureaucracy, Vext was sent to a randomly chosen realm: Earth. He was given some funds, but almost no training to adapt to Earth life.
On Earth, Vext is not allowed affect humanity's path thus he cannot become a superhero or take over humanity. Vext rents apartment room 4-A. His neighbor, Colleen McBride, attempts to help Vext adjust (although she doesn't know he is a god for most of the series). Vext also has to deal with the error-proned DMV. In a rare moment of luck, Vext accidentally ate an army of microorganisms and killed them due to his alien body thus saving many people.
Throughout the series, there is a running subpolt. This invovles an adventurers and his assistants. They are murderous jerks that are attempting to gain power by exploiting minor deities. They spent a good chunk of their time dealing the "God of Inappropriate Flatulence".
Jejune Relam Gods
The Jejune Realm Gods are deities with unusual domains (such as deja vu and loose pocket change). The gods were revealed in Vext issues 1 and 4; and DCU Heroes Secret Files and Origins issue 1. In Vext issue 1, we met Aaron Caldwell (who becomes the god of ill-timed farts in issue 5), uninvited guest god Bargyn, Blazon (god of "inappropriate exhibitionism"), insincere apology god Placatius, endless procrastination god Moxcatyl, Shrike M'ota (god of vigor-less shrews), Yammar (deity of needless nagging) and windbag god Tedyum. In issue 4, we see Garb'l Arb'l (god of endless "social fuctions"), loose pocket change god J-Angla, and Rypta Gud'n (who was the original ill-timed fart god, but gave up his job in Vext issue 5 and became mortal). In DCU Heroes Secret Files and Origins issue 1, we meet prom night pimple deity Erupt'n, deja vu god Ekko, Vext himself and Textacl (gods of husands whose wives cheated on them).
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vext

Top 7 Legion of Super-Heroes Rejects That Shouldn't Have Been Rejects

A recurring motif in the Legion of Super-Heroes comics is having a comedic relief scene where people with bizarre and useless powers and abilities attempt to join the Legion, but fail. However, every now and then there is one of these guys that actually seem useful, but is rejected anyway. So, I made a list of the top seven of these rejects that could have been useful than the writers thought.
7) Storm Boy (from Earth)

Storm Boy being called on his lack of powers

One rule of the Legion is that each member must have one power. This power cannot come from a piece of technology. As such, when Storm Boy used a machine to control the weather, he was rejected.
Why shouldn't he be rejected? He was able to make a machine that controls the weather. The whole rule of "you must have one power" is dumb since heroes like Batman and Green Lantern couldn't be allowed to join despite their usefulness. While SB did lie to them (saying he had actual powers), the Legion never called him on it. Also, Karate Kid was allowed to joined despite having no powers. So, why not Storm Boy?
6) Ron-Karr (from Neptune)

Displaying his powers

Ron's ability is to flatten his body like all Neptunians. His power was rejected for being "not... helpful" enough (according to Saturn Girl). How could this power be useful? He could slide under closed doors. Even if Ron can't move when flatten, another Legionnaire (the term for a LSH member) could push him in. He could flatten his body to avoid projectiles.
5) Color Kid (from Lupra)

He is a colorful fellow.

He has the ability to change the color of anything at will. When he attempted to join the Legion, he was rejected for being useless. However, he could use this ability to make object blend in their surrounding or obscure the controls for weapons being used by the villains.
4) "Camera Boy" (Planet of Origin Unknown)

His sole appearance

Not all of the rejects are given names. So, I just made up the name for this fellow. In Adventure Comics issue 307, a guy, with a cyclopian eye, showed off his ability to project any image he saw like a projector. He was rejected since these images would be useless in court.
However, he could still have been useful. He could act a scout and use his power to show the Legion what is ahead. He could replay "footage" of fight for the Legion to analyze. Also, he could be useful on movie night.
3) Fortress Lad (from Fwang)

That costume is really goofy

He had the ability to transform into a shelter. He could be useful since people can enter his shelter form. As such, they have a base regardless of where ever they go. Also, he could protect his allies from enemy projectile.
2) Legion of Super-Rejects Members

(left to right) Micro Lad, Magno Lad, Esper Lass,
Phantom Lad, Calorie Queen, Chameleon Kid

Calorie Queen (from Bismoll), Esper Lass (from Titan), Chameleon Kid (from Durla), Magno Lad (from Braal), Phantom Lad (from Bgtzl) and Micro Lad (from Imsk) were all rejected for having the same powers as people that were already Legion members. Aside from the fact that rule makes no sense in the context of the LSH universe, Superboy, Supergirl, Mon-El and Ultra-Boy all have overlapping powers and no one complains about that. Also, Calorie Queen's powers aren't the same as Matter-Eater Lad (whose powers hers are similar to) since she becomes super strong when she eats.
1) Polar Boy (from Tharr)

Did we say "REJECTED" enough?

Even accepting all the rules I mentioned, there still is no reason Polar Boy should have been rejected. Due to his planet's tendency of becoming dangerously near the system's sun, Polar Boy has the ability to generate cold. However, he was rejected because his power "might... disable [a Legion member] at a critical moment" (Sun Boy). Polar Boy displayed no trouble controlling his powers and the same logic could be used against Sun Boy's powers.
References:
http://www.cosmicteams.com/legion/docs/legion-rejects.htm
http://www.cosmicteams.com/legion/docs/legion-of-subs.htm
http://www.comicvine.com/calorie-queen/4005-28488/
Superboy issue 212
Showcare Presents Legion of Super-Heroes volume 1