DC '78 # 16: "The Teen Scene;" A WGBS Special Report with G. Gordon Godfrey

The click-clack of high heels fills the hallway of  the WGBS studios
like a rapid-fire machine gun. Secretaries and post-production and
tech and on-air personalities are clamoring about as tension mounts
and the air is palpable with anticipation.

Cindy Miles: So what's going on tonight? I heard programming got
scrapped for some special live report?

Ron Troupe: Oh, it's special all right.
Lana Lang: Uh-oh.
Lucy Lane: Yeah, 'uh-oh.' Let's just say that there's a new Unholy Trinity.
Ron Troupe: Did something happen with Luthor?
Billy Batson: Close enough; three words; Edge, Godfrey, Flashman.
Cindy Miles: Good God! What the hell are they planning?

(Lia Briggs overhears the conversation from an open office. She
thinks to herself, "I wonder what Godfrey's up to? We knew he
wasn't right when he attempted to infiltrate the Seekers...but his
psychic defenses were such that we couldn't read him. I'd better
keep an eye on this broadcast and suss things out.")

Jimmy Olsen: Hey, somebody get downstairs--'The Network' is
attacking MSCU on the Plaza! We need--uh, hey? Anybody?
Steve Lombard: Quiet--we need to hear this! Can somebody turn it--
Lana Lang: Thanks Ron.

The now-gathered throng listens attentively to the overhead speakers
in the hallway; "--and actor George Reeves talks the new Superman
movie, all on tomorrow's episode of "The Scene!" Join Lia Briggs,
Tana Moon, Tawny Young, Cat Grant, and Vicki Vale! Tomorrow
morning at 10 a.m., here on WGBS!"

"And now, tonight's SHOWCASE is brought to you with special
limited commercial interruption by our sponsor, Big Belly Burger."

(Just then in Studio One)

Josh Coyle: And we're live in 5...4...3...2...
G. Gordon Godfrey: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and

welcome to "Showcase," where we bring you all the latest and
greatest trends and news of the day. Tonight, our news magazine
takes a bit of a departure. So much so, in fact, that we are airing
this special in place of our original programming planned for
tonight. But rest assured, we'll have that report on "Modern Cults:
From Jonestown to Manson to the Kali Yuga, and Beyond" at  a
later date.

Tonight, though, join with me, your host G. Gordon Godfrey, as

we look deep into an overlooked abuse upon our most important
resources; our children.

Opening up the show for us is psychotherapist Dr. Hugo Strange.

Thank you for joining us, Dr. Strange.

Dr. Strange: Of course, Mr. Godfrey--my pleasure.
Godfrey: We have an unprecedented rash of young people being
thrust into the danger of vigilantism, which has been all but ignored
in view of the earth-shattering repercussions of last year's Explosion.
Have we become inured with their endangerment by virtue of our
familiarity with the concept? Is it apathy? Have we become so de-
sensitized to such endangerment? Are we afraid of confronting the
guilty parties due to their status and powers?

Just last year there was a very public reveal that the former ward
of Green Arrow, one 'Speedy' of the Teen Titans, had been hooked
on drugs. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, hard drugs. A teenager in the
care of a 'super hero.' Surely the exposure to such a lifestyle served
to accelerate his downfall.

And now, we've learned that the newest team in New York, an

'offshoot' of the Teen Titans franchise, if you will, has as its leader
a young man called 'Protector,' who is also a dope fiend associate
of 'Speedy.' It seems they're infiltrating every area of our lives!

Also joining us are 'Funky Flashman,' self-styled businessman, former
publicist of certain 'super-heroes,' and Morgan Edge, owner of WGBS
as well as noted community activist leader, and frequent contributor
on our station's editorials. Good evening, gentlemen!

Edge: Thanks for doing such an important program, Godfrey. Yours is
always the voice of reason against a tide of insanity.

Flashman: GREAT topic, folks--GREAT! There's never been a more
stupendously significant strategy for undermining the youth of America
than the one undertaken by these stunningly strange super-folk! As a
selfless soul, I want--

Godfrey: Yes, well--time limits and the like...Let's get to some specifics
of this recent proliferation of powerful youth donning masks and claiming
independence from the law, shall we?

Edge: Well, in Los Angeles, a team of youths attempting to begin a color-ful 'legacy' of second generation heroes, is off to an uproarious start.
The offspring of the vaunted 'Justice Society,' the group "Infinity
Inc." is an actual business! They require profit to save lives. And they're
being funded by the questionable Mr. Sylvester Pembleton. And among
the team members, the wayward son of Hawkman, the "Silver Scarab"....
or whatever nom de guerre he goes by this week.

Dr. Strange: And again with nepotism; the son of the career criminal
Brainwave, one Brainwave Jr--who is also the uncle of Pembleton--is
on the team, wearing a costume that pays homage to his murdering father,
and taking the name "Brainwave Jr."

Godfrey: Possibly affecting our minds to believe he's a hero, correct?

Flashman: I wouldn't put anything past these con-artists, my good man!Last year Green Lantern, Green Arrow and Black Canary were only
too happy to be seen training the inanely incompetent newcomer 'Air Wave,'
and made it all out to be a bodaciously beneficial boot camp, when in fact
it was an eventfully error-filled escapade!

Godfrey: At least he had powers as a defense--unlike the Justice League's
mascot, Snapper Carr...who's now gone on to herald a new group made up
exclusively of teenagers, this 'Young Justice.'

Just the presumptuousness of their names is galling. Are they deputized
law enforcement officers of any sort? Don't they tend to make their rules
up as they go along? Based on whims and personal agendas.

Edge: Exactly...and how many international incidents have been
attributed to the U.N.-sanctioned idiocy of "Justice League International,'
a ludicrous club-of-many-nations for teenagers? Not surprising for our
leaders to fail us.

What is behind the fascination with allowing--even coercing--teens and young children to dress up and play vigilante? How does this
occur in modern civilized countries where the authorities are meant
to look out for the interests of all their citizens.

Godfrey: Hear, hear! And let's be clear, there are unwarranted risks
on both sides; both the children led into this unsavory life, and the
innocents they presume to be 'helping'....who suffer the consequences
of the untrained.

Dr. Strange: Right...well, as you may know, before my tenure with
Belle Reve Prison, I was from and practicing in Gotham City, of
course renowned for the infamous team of Batman and Robin. There
has never been an effort to find out the identity of the young man in
his employ...believed to now have been multiple young men...nothing
has ever come from a handful of editorials questioning the wisdom or
legality of the practice of employing obvious juveniles.

There have been no efforts by authorities to detain the Batman or
file charges of child endangerment. Where does it stop? Why hasn't
the Batman--obviously a real person and not the myth that the police
absurdly promote--why hasn't he been arrested for child endangerment?
Who has verified that the young man in the green underwear is not there
against his will, nor being abused?

Godfrey: They seem to have a special status--above the law--don't you agree?

Flashman: Oh, absolutely! And certainly they exhibit a proprietary
sense of privilege as a result of such preferential treatment and prosperity.
And the Flashman knows a little something about public perception! As
the premiere PR and promotions powerhouse on both coasts, I--

Edge: What about the reality of the repercussions of mere kids being
in such highly volatile and violent situations? Let's look at the hard
facts of what happens when they can't perform...when they fail these
responsibilities they should have never been saddled with; You'll recall
the death of Dr. Arthur Swenson due to the fact that he had been
placed in the care of mere children! And their penance?

Dr. Strange: They stopped wearing their colorful party outfits for a time.
But now here they are, bright as peacocks, parading around with a night
club, and three different additional teams! Loren Jupiter was a sound
influence, but he's no longer part of the picture. More rebelliousness
and unsupervised hijinks.

Flashman: There's another new congregation of teenagers that's emerged,  without the permission of the Teen Titans, whose name they procured as
their own. (Pssst--'Infringement' is a bad racket, kids!)--"Teen Titans GO!"
is promoting itself as a more proactive group, in direct defiance of even their
'predecessors' low standards of conduct.

Godfrey: You'll remember the youth riots from some years back in New
York City? The Teen Titans were involved in that affair, and the two 
brothers who escalated it are now in this new team, likely examples of a
new wave of radicalism as it has been rumored that the two are Blacks.
The heart of deception; wearing a mask and declaring yourself a hero in
order to hide your agenda.

Alongside them is the sister of another former gang member cum
'super hero,' Mal Duncan. Cindy Duncan publicly revealed her true
identity as the new 'Guradian' in her manifesto she and her 'comrades'
released, and made her family a target for any ne'er-do-wells that might
want revenge.

Edge: They also sport two brothers whose legal status in the States
is under investigation. And now joined by the mystery man, 'Red X,'
whose identity is not at all known.

Dr. Strange: Don't they also have a former powered criminal--'The
Ant?' And suspected arsonist, 'Hotspot?'

Godfrey: Oh, absolutely! And--and--that same suspect had a prior
'heroic' identity! God only knows why he changed identities. What's
he hiding?

Up until now, we were content to allow our children to be children,
being nurtured with homespun shows with family values. But now,
there is an effort...a seduction of our innocent afoot. There are forces
who would have us believe there is no correlation between this sweeping
hysteria of 'relevancy' and exposure to all the ills of the world...and our
children mimicking those evils here at home.

If you look around, you'll see folks acting as though we're the bad guys here; crying 'Chicken Little' if you will, instead of simply being the
concerned citizens we are. That such ills have been around forever and
only now are being noticed and addressed as our world has become so
much more 'linked in.' Poppycock I say. Convenient justifications and
balderdash.

There wasn't the amount of experimentation and addiction to drugs before this generation started sharing their stories in the press and
glamorizing it! And look at our movies, taking minor incidents and
isolated affairs such as human trafficking and prostitution and building
a huge industry selling these notions to kids as par for the course. Even
in its degradation, such supposedly 'harsh relaities' are appealing to our
vulnerable youth who merely want a life of excitement!

Teenagers feel empowered to take on all matter of Unholy Grails, such
as the report last year of a young girl who sped off alone adventuring
on a motorbike to confront unknown evils! Or the young man, Jason, who
similarly sought to take the law into his own hands on a quest to find
his sister! This is what we have social services agencies for! We have
a net in place to protect these children, and the very 'heroes' they imagine
teach them strength are in fact encouraging these impressionable
youth to place themselves directly at the Devil's Door!

Well, in addition to the immediate and obvious threat of danger
prescribed by these vigilante tactics, there's a long term issue at work
as well. The character and work ethic of this generation of kids is
affected by these antics. It's all inter-related, folks.

Come back in five as we continue to explore the issues affecting
our youth, right after this message from Big Belly Burger....

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

DC '78 # 12: The Soldiers of Star City

by Yolanda Montez,

on assignment for Rolling Stone

The new park, created with architectural assists from John Stewart
and long hours from city planners and an extensive construction crew.

As part of the millions spent on gentrification and development

during Star City's tourist hey-day in the earlier part of this decade,

expressionist artists Christo and Jean-Claude were contracted to

create one of their controversial and stimulating designs.

The effect, which entailed the bulldozing and demolition of

several miles of Star City's inner city streets to make way
for an over-the-top lush park in the middle of the city,

drew extreme criticism from all quarters.

  Yet, in a time when drug proliferation and violence

had brought the burg into the "Top Ten Worst Cities in

North America,"* people were desperate for some sort

of marked impact signalling change. Unfortunately, things

have come full circle, and Star is once more in the grip of despair.

.

But all hope is not lost in this fabled city, with its rich

history and once-lucrative port of call. The rebellious

archer known as Green Arrow, a street-level fighter

with a checkered past (mostly for his outspoken politics and

quick temper) has left his prestigious post within the

Justice League of America to devote himself to taking

back the streets of his city.

To that end, the former billionaire has enlisted help from

his immediate 'Green Arrow Family' as well as outside

connections to help win the battle over the soul of his

hometown. And it has decidedly become an all-out war. 

Green Arrow (who last year publicly revealed his true identity

to the world when he commenced his bid for mayor) is ably

aided by his second-in-command, his son Connor Hawke,

whom Queen only recently discovered. (Details of the union that

produced Connor as well as his whereabouts have understandably

been kept hidden, however. Neither Queen nor Hawke was

forthcoming for this interview.)

The group has engaged in some controversial tactics; they are
renegades operating outside the law, but with open consent of

 law-makers and denizens of the beleaguered city. Vigilantism

seems not as frowned upon when it involves members
of the masked hero and spandex variety. (Editor's

 note; It should be noted in the interest of fairness that Miss

Montez is the goddaughter of the Earth-2 Wildcat, Ted Grant.

She is also an Earth-2 transplant herself.)

Keeping to the shadows and blending in is a big part of what

the Arrow does in his mission to fight blue collar crime in his alter ego,

getting into the places that Mayor Queen (following his successful

campaign last November) is unable to reach in his war on the

corporate demons that seek to capitalize of Star's misfortune.

This goes a long way to explaining his choices for operatives in

protecting the city. Many have questioned why he didn't bring

in big guns like the Justice League to assist him in securing the citizens,

to which he scoffed rather angrily before laughing out loud.

"Those guys are the opposite of invisible.

People don't trust them; they're bigger than life, and regular Joes

can't relate. The only way to get anywhere doing undercover work

is to fade into the woodwork." Queen advised me.

I asked the same of Roy Harper. Not the Roy Harper who grew up

here as Arrow's protegee; he's serving in the Teen Titans in New

York. This is an older, darker Roy who now goes by Red Arrow,

and came to us from one of the merged earths destroyed in the

Crisis. This Roy says with a sorrowful forlornness that "..the battle

we're waging here isn't for soft sorts. It's bloody. It's complex.

The fight isn't fair, the stakes are high, and a traditional 'hero' who

thinks goodness and light will win the day isn't going to work."

When questioned if this meant that these soldiers they have gathered

were picked because of their willingness to break or bend the law,

Roy merely stared blankly and added; "We do what we have to

do to survive. High morals are not a luxury we can afford now."

There are plenty of other things the city and its administration

can't afford, as well, thanks to the high level of corruption, graft, and

misuse of funds under former mayor, Thomas Bolt.**  Bolt's

excesses and theft left the city devastated from within, as their

infrastructure is barely able to maintain the basics of monthly

expenditures even on a Queen-devised emergency budget.

Star City International Airport, site of last
year's incident with Count Vertigo

When the Arrow initially recruited his band of outlaws

(the ironies not lost on his advocates nor his opponents)

he started off calling themselves the 'Seven Soldiers of

Star City,' a nod to his 'Earth-2' counterpart who had

passed in the Crisis. Originally, the other Green Arrow

and Speedy were founding members of that team.

This starting effort on our earth included Arrow, the Earth-2

Speedy, Onyx, Arrowette (daughter of the Golden Age

heroine/athlete,) Artemis, his son Connor (also going by the

moniker 'Green Arrow,') and a mysterious new Crimson Avenger.

Quickly they realized this would not be a sufficient force to crack

down on the growing epidemic of organized criminal activity

that now saturates Star. (Queen gruffly dispatched the notion

that he would need to rename the group; "If people can't count,

that's not my problem.")

According to local police representatives, (evidently

under some duress, as they are currently undergoing investigation

themselves from direct order of Mayor Queen's office,)

there has developed a gang war of sorts here.

It's unknown what the catalyst was, or what possible unique

properties Star holds that have driven this land grab from the

underworld, but such major players as the assassin Deathstroke and

international financier Ra's Al Ghul have both been implicated

in arrests over the past six months.

(So far we have identified through sources that H.I.V.E.*** and

Intergang also have agents operating large cells in the city, and

rumors abound that the Bertinelli family is looking to set up shop as well.)

Photographer  Donna Troy was allowed to photograph the
interior to the vaunted 'Operations Central' of the
resistance. (She was escorted in blindfolded, however, and it should
be noted that the clock face is merely ornamental, not longer
 part of a building's facade.)

According to the characteristically frank Queen, it's

much deeper than that. He points out a minimum

of six major organizations vying for control of his city,

many of them led by super-powered criminals. He, too,

is uncertain for the impetus of this new and undesired

attention his fair city has received.

But Queen remains resolute, certain that he and his team

are capable of handling all that the admittedly tough

coming months will bring.

I asked him about the visibility of his team membership

during a ride-along with the chief of police. He daringly

stated his defiant response; "I want them to know we're

here. I want them to know we're coming for them, that

we're prepared."

The mayor further explained that he and his crew

don't wear their well-known costumes when patrolling the city.

They are given to undercover work and disguises more

often then not, eliminating the concern for standing out.

My skepticism was palpable, and Queen recognized it. "I've

got some surprises in my back pocket, too; my cards aren't

all on the table. I'm like a Boy Scout; always prepared."

Surprises, possibly, like the presence of other known

vigilantes Arrow counts as friends. The Black Lightning has been

spotted on occasion, linked to unconfirmed reports of the criminal

organization 'The 1000,' as well as another new Huntress.

And distance does not make connections impossible; longtime
lady love Black Canary, former ward Speedy, and the newest
female Speedy, although departed from home, use Justice League
teleporters to quickly return in times of need--such as last Winter's
S.K.U.L.L.**** assault of S.T.A.R.*****  Labs' Star City location.

If police reports and underworld buzz is any indication is

accurate, he needs an army. He and Star City certainly have

no shortage of enemies. If hard streets indeed require hardened
heroes, said heroes in turn draw out hardcore enemies.

There are other groups that reportedly work outside the law in

such a fashion, including those in such places as Gotham,
Spiral City, Iron County, and Bedlam,  but these are only rumors
as the operatives work in secret. These groups, if they exist, are comprised
of unnamed, unknown  quotients, and stay off the grid.

Arrow, on the other hand, has been above board about his activities,
which may actually work to his detriment in the long run.

All that we could find out about the mysterious new 'Arsenal'
is that his father was the original 'Red Dart,' and the Arrow
was instrumental in helping him get turned around.

Most notably, Jack Ryder referenced a group of 'outsiders' in an

unconfirmed piece he did on Nightline last fall, calling for a need

for tighter sanctions against such groups--that one supposedly

operating between the divergent cities of Gotham and Metropolis.

Likewise, columnist Michael Jan Friedman and photo-journalist

Luke McDonnell recorded actions of a modern day group of

not-so-merry men located in the swamps outside Biloxi, Mississippi

in a "This Nation" piece in Life magazine last fall.

And Vicki Vale championed the notion that an all-female group

of operatives is working in unison on cases outside government

jurisdiction, also not-as-yet grounded in hard facts (although one

wonders why such a group would not be front and center with

women's lib in full swing!)

Blurred lines allow for more effective working, since the same laws

that are being broken often limit and kneecap the very mystery men

that are seeking to produce justice. These tactics--and the state of Star

City--have brought the vigilantes under the scrutiny of groups like the

DEO and Checkmate, both governmental teams regulating the super

hero community.

During my week stay in Star City, I was privy to see not only the inner
workings of the mayor's office, a drug sting being finished up by the crew,
personal interviews, and a police ride-along, I also did an extensive
tour of Queen Industries...yet another front on which Queen is
making strides to improve the city.

Queen Industries leads the nation with environmentally friendly
products and packaging, and has initiated statewide recycling
programs, an "Every Day is Earth Day" Program, amnesty
days for getting rid of toxic and non-recyclable items, as well
as creating over 1,200 jobs in the first quarter of this year
alone. Queen's business acumen almost seems to run counter
to such community standards, but he asserts it isn't difficult, but
rather business owners are complacent and lazy.

Although Star compares to nearby Seattle and Portland for having

a large counter culture movement as part of their makeup, inclusion

of such high-profile associates as the homosexual-rights advocate,

Rainbow Archer, still have drawn some public criticism. Arrow

dismisses those complaints outright, using words not allowed in this 

publication to describe "a bunch of hair-brained religious zealots

who are at the core of what's wrong with this society's new direction."

The Rainbow Archer was not specifically in the closet, but when

attacks on bars and gay couples in Star's "Little Castro" district

started, he felt it imperative that he make himself known. "Visibility

is the answer," he told me. 

     "Whether fighting ignorance or drug dealers of corporate
crime, you have to stand up to it and say 'That's enough!'"

Queen's plans for riverfront development have blossomed,

with his plan to give contractors and builders a piece of

their investment in exchange for their sweat equity.

Progressive thinking outside the box is what has

established Queen as a successful businessman in a

volatile market, and he is applying those same tactics

to his restructuring for the city.

"We can't let development and our import/export

businesses falter. That's our bread and butter. So you

can see the scope of this gargantuan puzzle; keeping

the public safe, stopping organized crime, saving

existing businesses, developing new ones, keeping

the nation and the world's faith in the city solvent...."

He seemed to become distracted, reflecting on

the fate of his city, as a parent would a fragile child they

were steadfastly fighting to save, not knowing what

the future might bring. His icy and snappish facade

skipped a beat.

"It sounds whelming...quite intimidating," I offered as he

collected himself. "Oliver Queen hasn't seen the

problem yet that he can't find a way to beat.

We're survivors here in this town....believe that."

I do believe it. And therein lies the strength of

Queen's campaign, on multiple levels; his is

a passionate and endearing presence, one that rallies

people and demands self-empowerment.

He's an everyman success story that helps others

on the bottom aspire to same. It's about underdogs, the little

guys, and overcoming tremendous odds.

I always have loved a comeback story.

-Yolanda Montez works out of Los Angeles

and makes frequent trips adventuring around

the globe. Her passions range beyond journalism

to boxing, fashion, and criminal law.

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

                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                              

Behind the Scenes: Profiles and Backgrounds

A little something extra with the Answer Man, Robert Rozakis

....

Well, for a hero junkie like me, just making it to this

'new earth' alive should be reward enough, right?

But add to that an assortment of masked wonders

who are more plentiful than ever before, and this

former comics scribe is a happy camper.

It's One Year Later and we still need a map

and a genius to figure out half of the dynamics

as to "Who's Who?" on this patchwork world.

It's a regular mosaic of mythological proportions.

So this month I'm here to give some extra

behind-the-scenes scoop on some of the new

personalities running around Star City!

Chloe Sullivan is new to 'our' earth (as mentioned,

along with yours truly and a few billion more!) and she hails

from a small town experience that certainly  didn't prep

her for the hustle and bustle of the down-and-out Star

City. She's an old soul, though, and has quickly made

the transition not only to the big city, but also the

reverse-engineered computer technology brought to us courtesy

of some of our time-lost friends and dwellers in the Time Warp Zones.

Chloe is a mathematical genius, with a great sense for

coordinating and strategizing. She helps coordinate all

the activities and divisions in the city...a daunting task

to say the least.

Next up comes a 'new' Black Canary, who at first was thought

to have been reunited with Arrow after a highly publicized

breakup last year when they both departed the Justice

 League (geez! I feel like Rona Barrett with the gossip report!)

But we discovered that this is an older Black Canary

who, like our world's known entity, came to this earth from another.

On the earth this new Canary was from, where there was

never a Superman, she lost her Green Arrow during the Crisis,

even as he resided in a new android body. His sacrifice allowed

Canary and several dozen inhabitants of their earth to make

safe passage to our earth before the Great Explosion closed

off all those many other worlds. 

Arrow originally took a lot of heat when the Canary we know
as a long-time Leaguer originally returned to this earth from
her home on Earth 2, romantically linked to the significantly older
Queen. Now, with rumors swirling that he has taken up with another
'version' of Black Canary, he is under attack again.

 ARTICLE NOTATIONS:

*Star City ranked lower only that the following cities, all judged

on economic growth, poverty levels, school capabilities, drug use,

and gun violence; Dakota, Detroit, Gotham City, Hub City, and

Los Angeles. Definitely not statistics they wish to be tied to.

** Former Star City mayor Thomas Bolt was not only

indicted by a grand jury on 16 different counts--ranging from

misappropriation of funds to cronyism, bribery, and extortion-- but

there were allegations raised at his trial that he also masqueraded

as the city's nefarious drug lord, Steelclaw.

Bolt denied those charges to the end, and now a possibly new

Steelclaw is loose in the city while the former mayor sits behind bars.

***H.I.V.E. (Hierarchy of International Vengeance

and Extermination) (No, we kid you not!)

Obviously a super-villain terrorist organization with cells

around the world. Built from the embers of C.Y.C.L.O.P.S.

and other such organizations. Little is known, except that

they have been implicated in several FBI and CBI reports,

but their existence was revealed when the Teen Titan Bumblebee

went undercover in one of their 'Youth Training Programs.'

**** S.K.U.L.L. is a criminal organization with known

ties to scientific stakes, and formerly headed by the Atomic Skull.

***** S.T.A.R. Labs (Scientific and Technological Advanced

Research Laboratories); worldwide company with facilities in

most major cities. S.T.A.R. does R & D, meta-human studies,

housing and study of alien artifacts, and much more.

***

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!

***