Leon Gazi

### Affiliation

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Central Committee of the CPSU, Council of People’s Commissars

### Occupation

Leader of the Soviet Union, Generalissimus of the USSR, Chairman of the Central Committee

## Appearances

### Appears in

Volume 2: Why Cuba?
Volume 4: Noreaga’s Dungeon
Volume 5: Operation Fallen Eagle

### Debut

Volume 2: Why Cuba?

**Generalissimus Leon Gazi** (*full name:* *Leon Gazi*) is a major character and important figure in the **Toxic Soviets** Comic Series. He serves as the Generalissimus of the Soviet Union, Chairman of the Central Committee and overall **Leader of the USSR**. He's classified as one of the Old Bolsheviks, and succeeded Generalissimus Hokaj following the December Revolution.

## Backstory

### Early Leadership

In the beginning, the USSR started out as a small state trying to rise from the destroyed ashes of the Empire. Besides that, a Civil war between the Bolsheviks and the so called **Freedom Fighter Coalition** would destabilize the nation after its foundation, however in the end Soviet Victory was secured with Leon and Hokaj remaining in power. Leon, wanting to industrialize and fix the USSR, orchestrated the Two Month Plan, a plan that would elevate the position of the USSR in the world and would lead to a better, more functional and organized society. The events of Volume 1: The Beginning take place during the Two Month Plan, and the progression of the USSR from a small society to a well-developed nation is evident through every chapter and change in the Capital City of Moscow.

## Toxic Soviets Events

### Volume 2: Why Cuba?

With the increased tensions between the USSR and the Kingdom of Cuba, Leon plans to steal Cuban nuclear documents for "peaceful purposes". Seeing an opportunity in Heydar, a young newcomer with multiple talents, Leon gives him a task to go to Cuba in order for him to prove his worth. When the two arrive at Cuba, Leon is in disguise as an American ambassador. At the airport he gives disguise clothes to Heydar as well, and the plan is for them to enter the palace as American Ambassadors wanting to discuss with the King.

After driving through the poverty-filled Cuban countryside, Leon (who Heydar is not aware of his identity), Heydar and the driver arrive at the Palace, where the two see the dead Soviet ambassadors whose deaths led to the conflict in the first place. When Leon tells the Guard of their identity as American ambassadors, though he believes it at first he grows suspicious after seeing their faces covered by masks and later tries to catch and shoot them. Leon and Heydar end up escaping through the vent and eventually end up the Palace corridors, where Heydar gets increasingly mad at Leon for putting his life in danger. However, Leon eventually explains the situation and calms him down, continuing with the plan.

Though they are disrupted when they get spotted by a Cuban Guard ready to shoot at them, however due to the Guard’s instability and Leon’s perm, Leon traps the Guard inside of his mind and paves the way for Heydar to escape, telling him to steal the documents and that he has the issue under control. While Heydar ends up finding himself in a fight with Emperor Joel Gallego and ends up activating his perm, Leon successfully ends up having a civilized, peaceful philosophical discussion about life with the Guard, though he was initially distrustful and panicked at first. On Leon’s side no one ended up getting hurt with the exception of a heavy headache and an inability to move while the perm’s effects were going on from Leon’s part. Later on when Guards rush in to assist the King, the room of the Intelligence Office where the nuclear documents are located was left empty, and Leon found an opportunity in getting the documents himself. Simultaneously, he saw Heydar’s usage of his perm and his battle with the Cuban King. When both won and the mission was completed, Leon decided to promote Heydar to the position of **Commissar of Foreign Affairs** and Chief Soviet Diplomat as a reward for his victory. Alongside that, Leon questioned Heydar about his power, something which Heydar shrugged off and made no big deal of. In the end, Leon and his nation ended up winning the conflict with Cuba, with the documents acquired and Heydar promoted.

### Volume 4: Noreaga’s Dungeon

Following his absence throughout the events of Volume 3, Leon returned from his vacation only to find the USSR in a chaotic state, plagued with instability, coups, corruption and a total of 500.000 rubles of debt, all caused under the Leaderships of Faded and Wilhelm. With his return, Leon immediately demanded that Faded abdicates and returns the Generalissimus position to him, and though Faded was reluctant he was forced to agree. Faded was sent to exile for his corruption and debt during Leon’s absence as Wilhelm was freed due to a lack of evidence and a series of promotions to State Security took place for Joseph and Svoboda.

Simultaneously, Leon was making plans for Soviet control over Eastern Europe, starting with Poland. He ordered Casreor to prepare the army for mass invasions, however there were disagreements coming from the Old Bolsheviks, namely Abbie and Grill, who see the War as unjustified and something that will only cause the death of more lives. After an argument, Heydar suggests that the issue is first settled diplomatically, an idea that Leon ultimately approves off. Leon then ordered Heydar, Grill, Joseph and Svoboda to Warsaw as part of a Soviet diplomatic mission, starting the next day in the morning.

Leon then appears in the end alongside Svoboda, after being called on by Joseph, Grill, Felix and Heydar to rescue them after the plane explosion and the escape from Noreaga’s Dungeon.

### Volume 5: Operation Fallen Eagle

After rescuing Heydar and his diplomatic escort, Leon is seen calmly reading Heydar's journal on the monster they narrowly escaped during the events of Volume 4 before he announces to the group his intention to travel to Warsaw rather than return back to the motherland. Sceptical, Heydar asks Leon the purpose of all the KGB operatives on board of the helicopter to which Leon gives a mute response. Leon is also introduced to Felix to which he learns his past as a former Duke of Poland, a fact which arouses his interest as Leon begins to scheme ways to fit this into his own advantage. Leon, alongside Grill devise a plan with their newfound knowledge they gained from their new ally Felix, agreeing to use Heydar's diplomatic meeting as a guise for KGB personnel to infiltrate the palace, a plan they agree not to make Heydar privy to.

Following their landing in Warsaw (and being held at gunpoint by the royal guards) Leon comes face to face with Queen Anne, who invites him and the soviets to dinner to conduct negotiations and her brother, Prince Francis attempts to provoke Leon into a response by insulting his nation and people to which Leon casually ignores. At the dinner, Leon begins to write signals to the KGB to enact the initial phases of their operation to which an anxious Heydar misinterprets as a sign to leave the room to which Leon prevents him from doing and assures him to continue his speech. Succeeding this, Leon then abruptly offends the Polish monarchy by blasting the soviet national anthem which enrages Franz who swiftly assaults him, knocking him to the floor and cracking his glasses. Franz now awaits for a shootout, nervous that Leon, like him, is holding a weapon ready to shoot. Leon coldly stares the Prince down before politely affirming that he is just getting his glasses.

After uncovering what Franz believes to be a spy, Franz begins to gloat at Leon in between his xenophobic rant, proud for foiling his enemies plans. Sensing the change of the winds, Leon activates his smoke grenades to mask his escape however this is soon to be to no avail as they are quickly surrounded by Polish security and their transport is destroyed. But just when all hope seems lost, Svoboda who had been undercover as a Polish official holds Franz at gunpoint and when the palace is destroyed the remaining KGB forces gun down the distracted guards. Heydar is furious to learn that he was being used by the soviets to capture the royal family and feels betrayed by Leon but before things can escalate Svoboda executes Franz. Heydar and Grill both agree that the execution was inhumane but Leon dismisses this as a necessary act for the "greater good". Now loading up the prisoners of war Leon's plans are temporarily thwarted by none other than Faded who appears out of the bushes and disappears with the Queen. A furious Leon orders the retrieval of the Queen and the apprehension of Faded before warning a nearby Polish resident to flee to the Soviet Union before the complete destruction of Poland arrives.

## Personality

Best described as patient, decisive and apathetic, Leon's personality makes him a effective yet unfeeling leader. Leon puts his goals above everything around him, and his plans often involve collateral damage. He believes that morality may be postponed if a certain act leads to the greater good, in order to bring about a better future for more people. This is re-enforced by his cold-hearted demeanour which he developed during his days as a revolutionary. His calmness and decisiveness allow for rational decision making, leading to plans that disrupt his enemies with devastating results.

## Relationships

### Hokaj

Being his right hand man during the revolutionary days, Leon and Hokaj have a strong friendship based upon mutual respect and trust. The two have yet to interact directly during the comic run but we can infer the longevity of their relationship based upon the history of the U.S.S.R, and the fact Leon has taken over Hokaj's old position confirms their special relationship.

### Heydar

Leon is wary of the young Heydar, finding it at the utmost importance to monitor him and his mysterious medallion. Leon acknowledges his potential however, as evident by appointing him Commissar of Foreign Affairs and sending him to important diplomatic missions although he tends to use him more of a means to an end. more than anything. Their outlooks on morality often collide, and Leon is often apathetic to Heydar’s outbursts and complaints, leaving Heydar more confused than he was before and feeling like he has not truly been recognised for his work.

### Grill

Serving with him during the revolutions, Leon and Grill also have a long and deep respect for each other and because of this, Leon carefully listens and considers advice to which Grill has given him. However, they come at odds in regards to their outlooks, with Grill often being opposed to Leon’s reformism and rising authoritarianism, instead favouring traditional methods. Though he is disappointed in the new policies and disagrees with the changes, Grill still remains loyal to Leon and continues to state his opinions. It is also mentioned that Leon had saved Grill’s life a few times in the days of the Supreme Empire, for which Grill expresses gratitude towards him.

### Abbie

During the meeting with the Central Committee to discuss plans of a Polish invasion, Leon is quick to dismiss her protests to an invasion of Poland and by her response we see this is a frequent circumstance showing that Leon does not commonly see eye to eye with her. Their outlooks on morality and justice often clash, with Abbie growing increasingly angrier at Leon for his authoritarian, apathetic approaches and disregard for moral consequences. However, Leon still keeps Abbie in the Central Committee as respect for her work in the revolution and the early days of the Bolsheviks.

###### Wilhelm

Leon is generally the outlier when it comes to the approval of Wilhelm. Even though Hokaj recommends Leon to promote him because it would be funny, he still directly appoints him as temporary Premier in his absence, unaware of the widespread lack of support in him in both the Central Committee and the Soviet populace. Shortly after his return, Leon releases Wilhelm from prison which shows that Leon still shows support for Wilhelm even if many others do not so, though Wilhelm was removed from the Central Committee

### Faded

Leon is one of the few people to see both through Faded's charm and is immune to his attempts at bribery. Leon dislikes Faded due to his corruption and sleaze, leading against an official he directly appointed and also landing his nation half a million rubles in debt. As a result, Faded is exiled and swears to get revenge on Leon for depriving him of his past glory.

## Abilities

### Perm

*See: Mental Hook*

The perm’s ability forces the victim to enter the user’s eye through direct, still eye contact. The victim is trapped inside the user’s reality, loosing all ability to fight as well as all possessions. Instead, he engages in conversation, debate and philosophical discussion with the user. The perm’s side effects include a severe headache after usage and the complete inability to move while the action is being put to practice, the only movements made are inside the mind.

The perm is first seen in Volume 2 during Leon’s interaction with the armed Cuban Guard, with the result being an end to the conflict and instead of bloodshed, engagement in philosophical talk and the usage of reason. This reflects Leon’s personality through his debating abilities.

### Mental/Intelligence

Leon is a highly intelligent and calculating individual, a trait which has clearly manifested through his Perm. Leon is often seen silent thinking over plans and strategy and always manages to outplay his opponents. He is a mastermind in terms of politics, wars and conflicts, successfully managing to strategise and shift any situation to his advantage, as seen in Volume 5 where he carefully coordinated all events to happen with the intent of kidnapping the royal family and establishing Soviet control over Poland. Leon is also quite an intelligent debater and is keen on partaking in philosophical, thought-provoking discussions, as seen in Volume 2 when he confronts the Cuban Guard through his Perm.