DC '78 # 15: Deconstructed Cosmos--The Book of Judgment

My life was not horrible, not by any means, comparatively speaking.

Yet, there was much amiss, if only in my own head. I was dissatisfied,

and my only refuge seemed to be nonexistent realms--places I could

either reimagine as I pleased, or recall from my childhood memories.

There's a certain solace to revisiting an unsoiled place, safely preserved
from the changes and evils of the real world.

I never saw the harm in escapism; after all, everyone has their crutches.

I wasn't drinking and endangering others. I wasn't fanatically pushing

some concept of religion. I wasn't raging and intimidating my neighbors

or co-workers to feel superior. I just wanted some downtime with simple,
good old-fashioned release.

But, over time, the real world started creeping into my fictions. The dark

taints, the affects and characteristics. The place that was known for its
consistency became a place of turmoil and unrest--no longer where I
remembered. No longer the place I knew. No longer a place I wanted to be.

So I went on for several years, merely dissatisfied with my lot, my life,

the unfairness of the world, and resigned to not have any pass times
that provided a joyful escape.

So when I found The Book.....well, my heart stopped. And then it began

again with a song, and a renewed energy like I had never known. I felt
better than I knew possible! How can you know how badly off you've been
until you experience something tremendous that lifts you up and shows
you heights undreamed of?

I knew. I just--I don't know--instinctively ? Somehow. But I knew.

Deep in my gut. Like a spiritual revelation had tacitly revealed itself.

I, Walt Burns, had discovered a treasure reserved for no on else on

earth. I had been fortunate...blessed...maybe, I don't....however it

happened, I was special. That in itself was a magic feeling all its own.

And maybe that's why I did nothing at first. That hope was so fresh

and all-consuming....like the idea that you have the winning lottery
ticket before you check the numbers. Or how the 'Honeymoon Period'
in a relationship feels, before reality and repetition start to intrude.

I knew what I had, but I was afraid that if I tested it, I would be sorely
disappointed. (I guess once you get an idea in your mind of how life is
'supposed to go' you have trouble kicking it.)

But eventually I pushed myself. Or, more accurately, my desire to please

my daughter pushed me. She had been doing somewhat poorly since her
mother and I separated, and I wanted to do something for her. Something
special. Something no one else would be able to do. After all, I was in part
responsible for her heartache, so who else could heal it?

So I took the book out of the safe I had bought, unwrapped it, and I

placed it on my kitchen table, still laden with jam and crumbs from
that morning's breakfast. My mind was singular in its pursuit, and I
could see nothing around me, nor anything to come.

 

I wrote of a wish for my daughter-- a world of fantasy, surrounded by
all the wondrous animals I had introduced her to with 'Tiny Titans'

and the Krypto cartoon, and the Amethyst comics she had requested
after she saw  the DC Nation short. I wrote as truth in the book, on
those crackly pages, that she had a world where she was a princess
and was caring for all the animals come together.

I wrote oh-so descriptively of the winged horses from mythology

and different corners of the comic book universe, and of Streaky

and Beppo and flying dogs. I wrote of a safe and favored place

from my childhood memories; the Kent Farm in Smallville, where

love was enough to handle any super-situation.

And as I set, milling over the passages, pages long, that I had written,

in a fan-boy effort of absurdity to try and bring a special world to my
only daughter--then it happened. The phone rang, tearing me from
my writing--now a dozen pages long--even as my eyes lingered at the

shimmering page.

My wife was hysterical. Dana had disappeared from in front of her.

She couldn't make any sense of it. Her words were barely discernible
as she shrieked and pleaded and cursed me for messing with her mind.
She was clueless and scared as a result of the mystery, but I was
attuned and so thus even more terrified.

I had not been clear enough. Instead of bringing my daughter's dream

to her, I inserted her life into the dream. Or, the reality from which
we are dreamed. Who can say? I don't know anymore. I don't know
the depths of how much I don't know. I am awash with ignorance.

For a writer, letting my mind race freely was always my best trait.
Asking questions is what we do. Now, suddenly, the premise of
"Just Imagine" had become a deadly proposition.

Following my panic and fear, I wrote endlessly about my daughter's

return. In my arms, safe, unaffected. I wrote of seeing her where she

was to know if she were safe or not. I wrote of everything conceivable

until my hand cramped and blistered and bled. Finally I knew..there

was no undoing what was created with the pen and page. It left a

change that once transacted, could not be undone.

So I did the one thing I knew to do. Only once again, I was foolish

and short-sighted. I wrote for 'realities' to be aligned so that I could
join my daughter. My fate and presence changed, not hers. Smart on
my behalf, right? Shakespeare was right about man's arrogance and folly.

In my haste, I was not specific enough. "Be careful what you wish for"

should be extended to "what you think upon," "what you write of,"

"what you surround yourself with," "what you speak of," etc. It all

comes back on you in the end.

My body buzzed and vibrated as I felt...the world ?--more than

just my world--shimmer and shake and convulse. After what seemed
a lengthy roller coaster ride within my own body, I had my vision
clear to reveal myself still in my house. But I could tell--just like I
knew with the book--that there was more than seemed to be. Would
this physical premonition be less disastrous than the last?

I went to the window, and there was a new sight through those

old frames. I saw new houses lining the street. Fields. Tractors
driving down the street. Could it have possibly worked?

I ran outside to take in what had happened. I was running, not

aware of it, still tingling and dizzy and pained, but not aware of it.

My mind was overtaken with finding Dana. I felt like a beacon

was pulling me to her. Parents can have that--no matter what the

skeptics say. That connection that can alert us, if we're attuned.

I saw a large grouping of animals ahead of me, gathered under a

tree by a barn, or a farmhouse...who the hell knew the difference.

I was from St. Paul, for crying out loud. Although apparently, almost

coinciding with leaping over Toto (who evidently is always underfoot,)

I didn't think I was in St.Paul anymore.

My memory banks were flooded with recall as I strode past the

menagerie; my subconscious filing away information even as I strode

on to my daughter--a writer's mind always on three things at once.

A talking raven...likely Matthew? Winged horses....Amethyst's

steed...A flying monkey? Damn--it's Buffkin! The Fables are here, too.

Finally I saw her--the most magical thing of all; my baby, feeding

Super-Turtle and petting Ace.

I cried, I laughed....I probably bruised her ribs squeezing her.

She seemed completely unfazed except for wondering why

her dad had lost it.

We contacted her mother through the police in Seattle; her phone

number didn't survive the jump. Even still, it took days to get in

touch--there was so much turmoil and conflict as a result of the

merge. It took a good deal of time to work through it all.

What I have discerned is this; my writing seems to have merged

not only my world and the one where I sent my daughter; it merged

all realities. There was far more going on in those moments (for me

at least) where I was vibrating and realigning 'here' on what I would

assume was originally Earth One. The merge was not an easy one.

Much was lost. Many were erased...although they won't be forgotten.

Transition isn't easy, even in a --well, what do I call this place?

It certainly isn't fictional--I'm here, living, breathing, pumping blood.

Along with what I had always known to be--even in my deepest

moments of escapism--to be comic book characters, cartoon

characters...creations of the mind and pen.

But they are real. Beautiful. Alive. Surrounding me. I think perhaps

my writing was somehow subconsciously influenced--that the magic

(or whatever you call it) itself was led by my inner vision. This blending

of the best of all worlds...and certainly us being brought 'back in time'

to 1978. It's a strange feeling...that I may run into 'another' me who's

younger. What a trip.

The book's magic can't be undone. My carelessness dissolved so many

worlds before this one was settled. I have hidden the book so no further

harm can be caused. It had proven impervious to all methods of destruction
I attempted.

Here, in this world I have created, however inadvertently, my peace

remains intact. Heroes are not killers, and even villains are mostly

sporting and crooked, not sociopathic. Here, Barbara Gordon has

not been assaulted, nor will she be. The Metal Men are fun robots.
Sue Dibny is fun-loving and alive. There is no undue darkness and
misery here.

Of course, maybe it is all fantasy. Maybe I'm nuts. Perhaps right now

I'm locked in a padded room or sitting drooped over the side of a chair

drugged into oblivion. Maybe all of this is a desperate release from a

reality I can no longer handle.

Maybe I'm not at all compassionate or kindly. I could be the biggest

sociopath in the world--imagining myself capable of making such grand,

sweeping changes. That I have the right to make such intensive and

destructive choices about these people's lives...what kind of ego does

that depict?

They say there are  more stories in one event than can be told.

Not only what happened, what the viewer thinks happened, and

what the reader thinks happened, but every variation thereof.

I live in Smallville now...a sleepy small town where an inviting and
quaint billboard welcomes people to the childhood home of
Superboy. But greatness isn't relegated to the past, stale memories
of simpler times.

This town is now home to another young Superboy--a young man from
a place called Earth Prime--once again providing refuge and solace
to a lost youth. He who lost everything due to my efforts receives the
proper love and guidance that will keep him in a good place. He is part of
a family here...a community...he has a home. He's growing strong again,
not merely relegated to being 'another lost soul, another tragedy.' A little
nurturing and positivity goes a long way. Funny--that's all most of us need.

As I've gotten older, that's what I see. Most of us just need a place to
belong-- someone to take us in and make us feel important. Nobody
wants their life, their hard work, tossed aside and forgotten.

The animals love it here. Plenty of camaraderie and companionship.
Even the anthropomorphic (did I spell that right?) fellas like Peter
Porkchop and Fox and Crow fit in well on these huge farms. What's
the difference between one talking animal and the next, right? The
Super Pets, the Zoo Crew, the Fables....it's nice to have some peace
and calm after everything that's happened.

Riverdale, a new post-Crisis neighbor, is only a stone's throw away, and
they seem to be adjusting well, too. A good fit, really.

Life is good. There's so much possibility here. And everyone here
is fortunate. No longer tossed aside...no longer the victims of arbitrary
whims and edicts. From here on, life is what we make of it.

********************************************************

DC '78 # 13: The Future Foreseen--THE GREAT DISASTER

To the immediate attention of Director Bones:

Re: Coverts Ops 78ASeek

Field Update

September 21, 1978

***

The formation and maintenance of the group known loosely

as "The Seekers" (sometimes "Persuasion") has not been

arbitrary in the least. These Oracles, these Lookers are gifted with

insights and abilities to read the minds and desires of other people.

Some are now also seemingly cursed with foresight of impending

events. These visions and premonitions began in earnest after the Crisis.

Each member of the group came together, as 'foretold,' to attempt

thwarting the Great Disaster that each envisioned. The one common

factor--despite their precognitive insights showcasing different

locations--was that the Disaster was likely super-human in origin.

As reported by the The Bleed Council of Lost Worlds, there were stories and

rumors from seers and time-travelers of some form of 'End Times'

on each planet Earth out there. All of these 'Elseworlds' share too

many commonalities and consistencies to ignore this fate as improbable.

To think we don't share a connection merely because of superficial

differences of evolution would be ludicrous. I think of it in this way;

there are only 3 basic colors, but look at the world of difference

in what we do with them! This game is the business of possibilities

and prevention, as well as policing.

(It is known that prior to "The Great Disaster" there was a swell

of super-human activity which probably culminated in a power

struggle that precipitated or directly caused the end of civilization.)

(Refer to Agent Raynor's illustrations for facsimiles of the described earths.)

This massive loss of life as a believed result of super-human action

is what led the group to take it upon themselves to monitor

the 'super hero' groups of the mid-to-late twentieth century,

infiltrating and spying on them from within.

The veracity of their claims and powers are impossible

to determine, but so long as they are operating and there is

a chance they truly hold precognitive abilities, we will monitor

their activities. If their claims pan out, it's in our interest

to be prepared. There may be greater applications as well.

These are summaries of the visions that the fourteen members saw.

Madame Xanadu herself was given a view

of an all-out war between heroes, ending in devastating nuclear

destruction. Lilith Clay saw a future where only a boy survived the

end of civilization, surrounded by beasts and constructs.

Always centering around a devastated climate and geography,

typically with only a smattering of survivors from unlikely

divergent groups, these visions foretold a dark future wherein

no significant remnants of civilization could be found.

Maria De Guzman is a second-generation meta human, daughter

of former hero 'The Jaguar' and his wife, Lydia Fellin, a former

criminal. It's believed she derived her psychic skills from her

mother's side, but she has only had some disturbing dreams

of late regarding an aged Batman presiding over a young

techno-Batman, but seeing as how she's untested and new to

these things, it could be a case of late night pizza for all we know. 

Perhaps more detail will develop in time.

Purportedly, the organization's goal mirrors our own;

to keep superhumans (or meta-human as the agency now

refers to them) observed and answerable to someone at all times.

However, as we knew, they are unregulated and unproven,

thereby likely as dangerous as the people they're monitoring.

Lia Briggs saw a variant of the ruined future, this time with a man

and mutates. Few other humans remain here, save as slaves.

There are such similarities to these constructs, we speculate

they are imagined interpretations of the same world through

different eyes, or if perhaps the erased earths' divergent futures

were absorbed into this one new reality, pulling at the minds of

psychics and precognitives. (See Professor Palmer's attached

report regarding his conclusions re: realigned energies.)

Lucian Crawley believes these are all segments of the same

earth having befallen the same horrors, yet each region developing

its own unique identity. His view was of  advanced AI or robots of

some sort--electrical warriors. And still there was darkness and strife.

In most cases, the subjects of these clairvoyant episodes

did not experience precognition prior to the Crisis.  It would seem

likely that the advent of such abilities is likely to have occurred

in such individuals as these, who were already possessed of telepathy,

telekinetics, and related skills, but the exact trigger is unknown.

M'gann M'orzz  has a vision of the despot Darkseid having overrun

the planet, destroying most and keeping the remaining

people alive as mental slaves and target practice. There's

also something to do with a Philosopher's Stone, so that one

may bear careful watching. Talk about a double dose of terror.

A red-headed young woman (that seems a common theme) whose

name we haven't discerned was assigned to keep watch over

Superman and Batman. She tells of a future where a single hero

is corrupted and betrays the rest, leading to true Armageddon.

A time-displaced western warrior fights with future

technology in a mad world struggling to rebuild post-disaster,

as related by William Dawson.

On a sidenote, there are others who seem to have

particular insights as to future events, many of whom are

rumored to be part of a 'Skull & Crossbones' type underground

organization known as The Light. All accounts have chalked

such individuals, like Loren Jupitor, John Constantine, Harry Chawney,

Steve Dayton, and Max Lord--all of whom were already on our

radar, incidentally--as being mere futurist individuals...

shrewd businessmen and progressive by all reports.

A band of family and friends become rebels against

throngs of tyrannical guards and other threats in a post-nuclear

landscape, as seen by 'Fiona Webb.'

A version of 'Hercules, the demigod, was witnessed by Leah

Wasserman surviving a nuclear holocaust and fighting to keep men free

in yet another vision.

Seeing as how we have approximately 9 different documented

Hercules/Herakles running about, there's no telling if this is one of

the current guys or someone new ...if he's the 'actual' Hercules at all.

Another nuclear wasteland, tyrants and mutates rule and only

a small band of adventurers stand against them with but crude artifacts

 and weapons; this is the sight of Kari Limbo.

A collapsed society where mutated rats have overcome the world,

albeit it in a benevolent capacity, as man in fact devolves, was the

experience of one Henry King, Jr.

Headquarters for the group continues to be a secret embedded

section within "Lookout Mountain," Georgia, from which they

fancy themselves witnesses to the world below. The funding for

the lair as well as technologies seem to come from one Ruby Ryder

(yes, of 'richest woman in the world' and Ruby Ryder Enterprises'

fame) although her agenda has not yet been made clear. She has

not made an appearance at the gatherings.

Investigation has proved difficult due to the nomadic existence

of most 'members.' In fact, the group is really in name only; after

having established themselves as a dedicated front, there hasn't

 been much in the way of interaction (occasional, but not significant.)

Reports are filed electronically, and since the plants are embedded,

there is minimal contact. A few members sleep at the facility, but

socialization and communications are minimal.

Adrianna Tereshkova tells of a future where the offspring

of a Teen Titan has become a crazed warlord and created

a militaristic rule. Entire teams of 'Titans' are running amok.

The Warp Zones may offer insights, if one of them is perhaps

comprised of a time in the future either before or significantly

after these events. However, the results from those preliminary

expeditions have been slow to process, and other agencies aren't

exactly bending over backwards to disseminate the intelligence

reports. I would recommend sending Blue Trinity, Black Orchid,

or shape-shifters in--someone with knowledge of covert ops that

can gain Intel without upsetting the balance inside the Zones.

We know there are more variables than 14, so if they are

 all being foreseen, we can assume there are that many other

psychics, etc with mental abilities and enhancements out there

who haven't come forward. Agent     is checking up on the current

status of known telepaths. Some known contacts of Xanadu who

are not believed to be associates are a 'Charity' in Opal City, Rose

Psychic (CWU,) Brainstorm (incarcerated Mt. Olympus,) and Lady Zand.

Given that some will be looking to get their own piece of the pie

based on any insights garnered from future-insights, so also gathering up time travellers and sequestering them seems valid.

There has been enough trouble from these escalating 'Legends of the

Dead Earth.' Further precautions are advised.

Would also like someone (Agent Prince?) to check with

'Harbinger/Lyta' who was the accomplice of the guy who was monitoring

everyone. He seemed to 'know stuff' as it were; what happened

to him in the end? Could that explosion have been a

means of passing on his energies and powers to others?

We still know so little about 'The Explosion.' I still think

she knows more than she lets on, but I'd like to send a crew

out to Paradise Island to verify. As yet, visions have not been clear

enough to determine if these are different parts of the same future

on earth, or if each is a different possible outcome.

However, the relentlessness of the visions and the whelmingly

negative view gave pause to the various pre-cogs and psychics

who suffered them, bringing them together to find a solution.

We thought Crisis was the big hit, but since it was a bullet

dodged, the 'Evil Forces' lot seem to have amped up their game.

Just as the 'Seekers' have infiltrated various super-hero groups

and individuals' lives, so too do we have an undercover agent

in their team's midst (pursuant to Executive Order 15323.)

We will continue to monitor their dealings and investigate

whether or not their claims have any basis.

Sincerely,

Agent Cameron Chase

DEO Investigator, Badge 4321

cc: Sergeant Steel, Checkmate Division

King Faraday, CBI

Amanda Waller, Task Force X

see also attached files:

* The History of the Seekers

*Individual Profiles for Looker, Mindgrabber Kid,

Miss Martian, and Brainwave, Jr.

* Professors Runk and Palmer's Report on

Energy Displacement and Conversion

* Time Anomaly Construct Studies by Professor E.N. Bridwell

* T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agent Menthor's assessment

of his own newly developed visions

***

DC '78 # 11: Sons and Daughters of Metropolis

Although the people of Metropolis, Superman's adopted home

city, have come to appreciate the presence of the Man of Steel,

they have hardly become dependent on him.

A future-looking city, they are nonetheless aware

of reality and the demands on the Man of Tomorrow.

The city council, the police department, local

businesses and industry, and community leaders

all came together to develop, recruit, and retain

heroes and heroines that would look after the city

in conjunction with Superman, and, worst case scenario,

in his absence.

Lar Gand is a Daxamite youth who befriended
Superman in his youth back in Smallville. Lar

spent many years in the Phantom Zone due to

his deadly lead poisoning, until his friend made

good on his promise to cure him and set him free

(with the help of S.T.A.R. Labs and several

scientists from other planets.)

Acting as Mon-El, he is likely the most

powerful member of Metropolis' protectors,

with powers that mirror Superman's (Thanks to

Earth's sun.) Now finding his own groove and

established as his own person, Lar is infatuated

with traveling the globe to take in every experience he

can with his new lease on life.

From the Bottle City of Kandor, two Kryptonian natives

lend their might and technology to the city of their

savior when needed. Van-Ze and Ak-Var use telepathic

translator plugs to speak the language of whatever

nationality they might run across in the city's sprawling

and diverse makeup.

Jim Harper was a police officer on the streets back as early as WWII,

and he maintains his presence on the streets by day, and

in costume as The Guardian at night. He also diligently

continues the education and training of the next generation

of The Newsboy Legion, doing his best to keep the

new recruits out of trouble as he did their parents!

The Guardian's work ethic and persona are so remarkable

that he has influenced multiple new-generation heroes

and heroines to pick up his mantle and garb.

After meeting back up with their kids, the elder Newsboy

Legion members assisted with a Cadmus Project/DNA Project

incident that involved many of the Metropolis players. They

decided to stay around, and have been utilizing the New

Genesis tech bestowed upon their kids and Jimmy Olson

to assist in their sleuthing, crime-fighting, and adventuring.

All are successful in their individual business pursuits,

and have the capacity to run their businesses long distance

or from branches already established in the city.

Even Metropolis' hardest hit neighborhoods, the

'ghetto' and slums, produce determined and hardy

men and women who won't give up.

D'arius Stubing used his technological know-how

to invent sound-related equipment and weapons that

allowed him to assist Superman and Batman with

several cases. He found that, more important than

the aid provided in those cases, he was a true

force for change in his neighborhood, motivating

kids and adults alike with his spirit and poise.

He still dons a costume as inspiration, but his

real message of valuing your talents and making a

difference is on display every day as a motivator

and outreach coordinator on the streets.

 Fred Farrell, Jr. continues the proud lineage and legacy

of his father and grandfather as a captain, now in

the Metropolis Fire Department, District 5, Unit 11.

He relocated to Metropolis from Center City

when that town's dying industries led to a mass exodus of

the population, and the department suffered cutbacks.

He and all of his fellow Jakes are hard-working and

some of the bravest men and women Metropolis can

call their sons and daughters.



Metropolis boasts very futuristic designs as well as splendid
classic architecture, shaping its own identity separate from other
large, internationally-known destinations. It's a hodge-podge of
design and style that seems to work, making the city all at once
forward-stepping and quaint.



Gangbuster (Jose Delgado) is yet another resident

of the hard streets of Suicide Slum, doing his part

to curb the gang violence there. Between

Luthor and Intergang subsidizing hits and protection

with street-level gangs, the money is too good for many

disaffected youths to pass up. Jose spends his days

teaching kids how to protect themselves with boxing

and self defense classes at the Rec Center, and his

nights bringing an end to the gun violence destroying

his friends and family.

Teenager Davood Nassur, known as 'Sinbad' and also

'Sharif', is a Quraci youth who has had a tough

road of it. First developing telekinetic powers as a result

of the Metagene bomb, he also has the normal passions

and issues of every teenager. Add to that being a

United States as a refugee seeking political asylum,

yet being ostracized and assaulted as a result of

racism and anti-Middle-Eastern sentiment, he is at times

a volatile and unpredictable person. Nonetheless, he

has a good heart and has helped with many low-level

street crimes as well as some major cases.

He found an unlikely friend and mentor in one Inspector

Henderson, who has taken the boy on in an effort to set

things right.

Suicide Slum somehow can't be left behind, no matter how many residents
battle for improvements nor how many heroes spring forth to
combat the injustices there. Corruption and inhumanity are
too much for even a Superman to abolish, it seems.

The daughters of Jefferson Pierce, civic advocate and teacher,

as well as prominent hero Black Lightning, have followed in their

father's footsteps as super heroes.

Anissa and Jennifer Pierce (Thunder & Lightning, respectively)

have taken up the legacy of their dad in defending their

hometown, going up against the likes of The 100,

Intergang, LuthorCorp, and others.

Having been trained by the Justice League and Lightning

himself, Jeff still wouldn't allow his daughters to be so much

in harm'[s way if it weren't for the special measures of

protection he has in place. That, and the fact that he

knows better than to stand in the way of his

two bold and forceful daughters, so very much

their father's daughters!

The mechanical marvel known as Wonder Man was

rehabilitated and repaired by Superman using the

assistance of S.T.A.R. Labs' Dr. and Dr. Stone, as well

as replacement parts from some of his older Superman

robots located in the Fortress of Solitude.

Wonder Man continues his search for completion,

and to that end, the Red Tornado has sought to

help him form a civilian identity.

The Wonder Warrior was a magically-constructed

being from one of the 5thy dimensional imp Mr.

Mxyzptlk's hi jinks, but when the spell was undone,

Wonder Warrior remained unchanged and with a fully

formed history and identity. It was speculated that the

unconventional--and unpredictable--nature of chaotic

5th dimension magics are responsible for the bizarre

conundrum, but WW has been a valuable member in

the war on crime in Metropolis, including nearly being

killed during the alien Invasion as he protected the denizens

of Suicide Slum. His sweet nature and prim properness

make him quite a ladies magnet, but he has developed a

bit of a crush on the emotionally unavailable Thorn.

S.T.A.R. Laboratories and their Metropolis HQ has

provided invaluable assistance for Superman through the years,

including friendship in the form of Professor Emil Hamilton,

Dr. Jenette Klyburn, Dr. Karen Lou Falkner, and Drs. Silas

& Elinore Stone. In finding a common ground and

understanding, the Man of Might found not only a group

whose efforts have saved his live in emergencies, but

whose scientific endeavors have kept him--and the

citizens of Metropolis--safe from harm through preventative and

curative measures. They are definitely behind-the-scenes

warriors, no less effective due to their invisibility

Dr. "Kitty" Faulkner also became the transforming

combatant, Rampage, who--in time--was able to control her

changes and become a heroic figure on the city streets.

She was manipulated into the service of Lex Luthor at

one point, but quickly saw through his machinations and

sociopathy, and now is adamantly directed to bringing about

his downfall. This could prove problematic, since she

has become romantically involved with a woman named

Mercy Graves, who, unbeknownst to her, serves as

one of Luthor's bodyguards.

The Metropolis S.C.U. has specially trained

combatants for any and all types of crime

and meta human activity. Ably led by Captain

Maggie Sawyer and Detective Dan "Terrible" Turpin, the

tough-as-nails, take-no-prisoners duo are closer than

any married couple and have risked their lives for one another

and their fellow officers many times over.

Turpin is the only squad member who is aware of Sawyer's

wife, and he has become a favorite uncle to her daughter.

Anyone trying to lay waste to their city, super-powered or

not, had best beware the wrath of these two pit-bulls.

Lana Lang may have been a member of the jet set crowd

in Europe, but she is never far from her enchanted jewelry

which can gift her the powers of the Insect Queen.

When she sees trouble, she makes the switch to

her super-powered identity from her days in Smallville

(and her exploits with the Legion of Super Heroes.)

She uses her job as a TV reporter with WGBS to

get information on dangers as they occur.

Bibbo is the fisherman, bar-owner, and

Number One Superman supporter!

He keeps the riff-raff in line on the waterfront with

his sassy stories and a mean left hook.

Lois Lane, intrepid reporter, anti-corporation

bulldog, feminist, adventurer, and fighter

trained in a multitude of fighting styles and

disciplines! Also smart enough to surround

herself with other smart cookies and strong women,

like roommate extraordinaire, Julie Spence,

who accompanies Lois on many trouble-making--er,

fact-finding assignments and misadventures!

Although she and Superman have dated for long periods

here and there, Lois is a cosmopolitan gal,

and she likes to have her space--as well as her options--open.

She currently has several suitors she is occupied with,

when she has a spare moment to give.


Julie shows she's no victim, either



After constantly finding himself in dire threat after

dire threat, Jimmy Olson's constant calls for help on his

signal watch began to wear on Superman. Knowing he couldn't

be available at all times, he gave his best friend a far more

valuable watch; a modified H-Dial. Now, with every turn of the

dial, Jimmy transforms himself into a new and different super-

powered creation who's able to fend for himself.

Natasha Irons is a tech-genius who has a variety of costumes,

armors and abilities at her disposal. She and her uncle

run the Steel Works company, and share the heroic legacy

of her grandfather (Steel's father,) the Silver Age hero

known as "John Henry."

John Henry was actually southerner John

Wilson who was murdered on basis of skin color alone. His terrified 

family moved north and changed their name to 'Irons' to escape

persecution yet pay homage to John's heroic identity, and his

two children (Clay and John Jr.) would grow to be strong and proud.

Steel (John Henry Irons) spends time globetrotting with

his group, the Science Police.

Due to the prominence of Superman and the vastness of Metropolis,

the city seems under siege regularly, and all residents know that having an army

of heroes in residence isn't overkill, it's good common sense!

***