Doc Shadow

Atomic Blonde with Charlize Theron and James McAvoy
 

Article I Section 8 is a list of powers which are granted to Congress.
 
Article I Section 9 is a list of things which Congress is prohibited from doing or which Congress can only do in certain circumstances.
 
Trying to argue that the leader of the executive branch is able to do something which is specifically included in the list of things which Congress can do but only under certain circumstances...that's a crap argument from a Constitutional standpoint.
 
Lincoln suspended habeas corpus during the civil war. Lincoln deported to foreign countries various newspaper editors who editorialized against him even though they were natural born citizens of the United States. And you shouldn't be able to find the ability to do that in the Constitution either whether by the president, congress, or the courts.
 
If we're going to take "what a president got away with in the past" as the gold standard for what is allowed constitutionally, Trump could deport without trial almost all the people who run US-based media companies because Lincoln did it. Then Trump could order the detention of all the Democrats in concentration camps "in order to protect the country" because FDR did it to the Japanese with Executive Order 9066.
 
Honestly, the reason we have a Constitution is so that crap like that can't happen. It's to our shame that we as a country have allowed violations of the Constitution in the past. But in my opinion, shameful blatantly unconstitutional acts of the past are not a valid argument to allow such violations in the future.
 
2 cents

A lite-hero book similar to Basic Hero or Sidekick, priced to sell.  I intro'd way more people to the Hero System successfully using those books than by any other means combined. I used to buy 5-10 at a time and give them away. If the game isn't gaining new players, it's dying. The way to get new players is by lowering the bar / making the product more accessible, available, and attainable. 
 
 

I am actually for strong borders. I am not convinced having a bad economy in your own nation automatically entitles you to cross a border into another country. But the caravan are asylum seekers, while many of them are no doubt just wanting better standards of living but were not in immediate danger, there ARE others that didn't want their kids getting murdered in cold blood by drug cartels or the like.  And at least those coming to seek a better job are sympathetic, unlike the corporations that eagerly snatch them up so they can pay them bare minimum and treat them as poorly as they like because otherwise said worker risks getting his butt (and the butts of his family) deported on THEIR terms.
 
And unfortunately, in my opinion, we often make it very HARD for folks to do things legally.
 
It should not take 10 plus years to earn your US citizenship.
The courts and officials in charge of citizenship should not be as woefully understaffed and underfunded as they are. We need more funding to expand and stream line the process.
We should go after those exploiting illegal immigrants more than we do the illegal immigrants themselves.
 
My lord, sometimes I want to kick Congress in its collective keister. There are things they could do to HELP those trying to do it by the laws. THAT I think, about 90% of most Americans of either political bent could agree with.
But that would require them actually doing something.
 
Nevermind our President who clearly is okay with immigrants as long as they're blonde.
 
 
 
 
 

My Dad taught me two things about politics:
 
1) No matter what they're telling you, they're not telling you the whole story.
2) No matter what they're talking about, they're talking about money and power.
 
So as much as the current administration stinks of hatred, it's not hatred for hatred's sake. It's a deliberate attempt to play on the old, white, male Establishment's fear that they're going to lose their position of power to a younger, more racially and more sexually diverse political body. 
 
In the 2016 election, the Democratic party tried to build a coalition of all the minority groups they could get on board. Blue collar workers? They've pretty much always voted Democratic (and so have their Union leaders). Latinos and African-Americans? Obviously.  LGBTQ? "You can't vote for Republicans, they're all religious fanatics and hate and fear you." Women? "Any woman who doesn't vote for Hillary is a traitor to her sex." And so on. In not so many words, the Democratic party made the 2016 election an issue of breaking the upper-class white male political hegemony. If you were an upper-class (or middle-class) straight white Christian male, they didn't have any use for you. They literally catered to everyone else. (Or it seemed based on the rhetoric and advertising at the time.)
 
The Republicans, seeing where this was going, went all-in on reinforcing the status quo--perhaps never so simply stated as "Make America Great Again". They cast the progress of the previous three or four decades as a problem that only they could fix. They played on the xenophobia, economic uncertainty, superstition, and general inertia of what is still the largest single voting block in the US. 
 
We know how it turned out, of course.
 
The hate is not the agenda. The hate is a tool to promote the real agenda: To prevent the loss of political power by those who have held it for pretty much the entire history of our country.
 
They're worried about becoming a minority . . . which, I suppose, is a tacit admission that minorities are sometimes treated very badly in this country.
 
 
Of course, I'm not a political scientist--I'm an actual scientist--so this may be completely off. But that's how it looks from where I stand.

I've bowed out of the political threads in general to avoid exploding in rage, but I checked in to see if this had come up here, since it's super relevant to me.
 
This is a "get out the vote" ploy, but it isn't just a "get out the vote" ploy. If you don't think that this administration will follow through on this, I believe that you are sadly mistaken. The DOJ has also filed a brief statement dating that employers should be able to discriminate based on gender identity[4]. The only reason trans folk haven't been kicked out of the military en masse is because the order is held up in court. Whether this administration hates us, or is just using us as a scapegoat, it doesn't matter. They want us gone.
 
 
First, a note, transgender is an adjective, not a verb, so it's "transgender person, not "transgendered person." Not a huge deal, but I wanted to point it out. [1]
 
Now the main question, real world effects:
 
Immediate legal effects are minimal. The administration can interpret Title IX however they want, but they can't change the actual law. For good or ill, it's up to the courts to interpret the law, and congress to change the law if they don't care for the interpretation.
 
That said, the administration (as noted above) can weigh in on any lawsuits brought under Title IX, and they can sway the courts. and given the new composition of the Supreme Court, I don't hold out a lot of hope for any sane decision on this topic there. There's worse the administration can do, but I'll come back to that.
 
The government is also messing with us on passports. There was a clear cut process for changing the gender marker on one's passport, and the admin says that the process hasn't changed, but we are fining our requests rejected for spurious reasons. I ended up with only a "provisional" passport, even though every piece of my documentation was exactly as requested. Initially they declined to give me even that and I had to push.

You ask if trans folk can participate in activities as individuals of their actual gender[2][3], as opposed to the gender they were assigned at birth. The answer there is a resounding "maybe." It's works differently in different places in the country. In some places, we're completely acknowledged as our actual gender. In others, they'll leave a trans girl to die in the hallways during an active shooter drill because they think a trans girl in the girls bathroom is scarier than a psycho with a gun. Various cases are winding through the courts to establish which of our rights the government will actually acknowledge. Over all, the trend has been going toward fully acknowledging our gender.
 
And that leads us to the worse thing the DOJ can do. Armed with this (mis)interpretation of Title IX, I expect them to start filing suits against the places that do treat us as our true gender, claiming that it is sex discrimination to allow "men" in woman only spaces. They wouldn't even have to initiate the suit. They could just join one of several in progress around the country.
 
Combined, these are a clear sign that our identities are under attack. If they invalidate my gender for federal purposes, will any of my ID even be valid? Since Real ID exists, probably not. Which makes it impossible for me to get a job. Or vote. Sure, I'd have a couple of choices. I could get a new ID with an "M" on it. I'm lucky enough to mostly pass. That would have me outing myself in every situation that I needed to present an ID. Or, I could go completely back in the closet. Walk around pretending to be a guy. 
 
Beyond all of the legal ramifications, though, there's another, more immediate effect. By further marginalizing and demonizing us, the administration is signaling to the people out there who already hate us that we do not enjoy the protection of the state. That we are fair game. It is virtually inevitable that this will ratchet up the rhetoric and even violence against us. And if they get there way, there will be bathroom bills across the country, requiring me to use the men's room. So I'd have to either not exist in public, risk my life using the wrong restroom, or break the law on a regular basis and end up in men's jail. How well do you think I'd fare there?.
 
In conclusion, this administration wants people like me gone. I get the impression they'd prefer us dead, but they'll settle for back in the closet.
 
Well, I'm not going back in the closet.
 
[1] Also, some people probably do find "transsexual" offensive, so it would be rude to use it them. I think most of us just find it archaic and annoying. A few of us (but not me) even still use it to describe ourselves. Language. Go figure.
[2] My paraphrase.(I don't want to put words in your mouth).
[3] I'm not going to go into it here, but the sex vs. gender distinction is not as clear as many would like. The science is pretty clear that the idea of two distinct sexes is convenient shorthand, but woefully over-simplified.
[4] This is actually a threat to way more than just us trans and other LGBTQfolks, but that's another discussion.[5]
[5] yes, that footnote was out of order. Sorry.[6]
[6] Not sorry.
 
 
 

My universe, Else Earth, started out as a 3rd Edition Champs campaign in middle school. We played in one campaign or another for 8 years and then college and life moved everyone away. I have been in 2 champions games since 1991. 
But I love making characters and writing worlds...So in 1996, I went through my old notebooks and cribbed character files and started putting it together as it's own world. 
 
I mostly abandoned the old CU, though I have a few characters/teams who were CU characters (Solitaire from 4th Ed Champions team played a BIG part in one of our campaigns.) I'm still building the world 20 years later in fits of creativity, innovation, and/or nostalgia.
 

The History of the Champions Earth
 
Mid 1920s through the early 1940s
   The Pulp Era began in 1925 with the first major adventure of Doc Savage and his Fabulous Five; it lasted until the early 40s overlapping with the later heroic age. Among the most active heroes were: Savage (1925-1945), The Shadow (1929-1940), globetrotting explorer Jack Colt (1927-1939), private eye Blake Diamond (1930-1944), Agent 13 (1932-1937) and adventurer Preston Walker (1926-1932). Most kept fighting as long as they were effective, some (Agent 13 for example) dropped out of sight as soon as their “mission” was accomplished, a few like Jack Colt had the end of their careers written in blood, one – Doc Savage – vanished mysteriously only to reappear half a century later un-aged and in perfect health.
 
Late 1930s through early 1950s
   World War II brought forth the Golden Age of Heroes, and for the first time the super-powered hero made his appearance. The late 30s and early 40s gave birth to many heroes whose legends have lived on throughout time. Among the most famous were: Captain America (1940-1945), The Flash (1940-1954), The Atom (1941-1954), Steel (1942-1959), Union Jack (1939-1956), Tricolor (1940-1944), The Human Torch (1942-1947), Bullet (1940-1946) and the man who had started the age - Patriot (1938-1946). One by one the heroes appeared, in July of 1941 they were united by President Roosevelt to partake in a secret mission overseas. From this early gathering came Team America, the greatest gathering of heroes ever seen. Not since the days of Mount Olympus had the world known such power. This was truly the Golden Age of Heroes. Then on the Day of Infamy naval and air forces from the Empire of Japan shattered the US Pacific Fleet at anchor in Pearl Harbor, aroused from her peacetime slumbers America entered the Second World War. In January of 1942 President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill brought forth all the various Allied heroes and proposed to form them into a single all-powerful group, this was the birth of the Liberty Legion.
 
   But the real heroes of the war were not those who donned colorful costumes and had strange powers. They were the Americans and Canadians, the French and Greeks, the British and Norwegians, the Australians and Poles, the ordinary citizens who joined their nation’s armies in the fight for a free world. These men fought in khaki and green and navy blue, marched through winds and rain, trudged across parched deserts and sailed through icy Atlantic swells. These soldiers risked - and many lost - their lives and to them all specially gifted heroes bow in reverence. And there were yet those brave men and women who fought their war in the shadow world of espionage: Nick Carter, Matt Helm, Hugh North and Jessica Mason. All too often these heroes paid the price of valor with blood. Until at long last their sacrifices were rewarded with victory and with peace.
 
   The war was over and so came the decline of the Heroic Age. The 1940s began with the birth of the superheroes and ended with their slide toward obscurity. The final crushing blow came in 1954 when the successor to the wartime Liberty Legion – The Justice Society of America, came under suspicion by the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Rather than divulge their secret identities the Society disbanded, its members retiring to private life.
 
Early 1950s through Early 1980s
   The McCarthy Purges brought on the Age of the Superagents; government founded and operated combined paramilitary, espionage and law-enforcement organizations. The most active agencies were: UNTIL – the United Nations Tribunal on International Law (1950-1970), Task Force X (1954-1969), SHIELD – the Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-enforcement Directorate (1964-2003) and UNCLE – the United Network Command for Law Enforcement (1960-1983). Armed with high technology and nerves of steel they battled the multi-national cartels of crime, terror and conquest: Viper, the Secret Empire, Hydra and Thrush. For thirty years they turned back the tide of evil that threatened to swamp the world. Alone, they stood unflinching and afraid of nothing save the return of the one menace that they were ill equipped to handle. In September of 1983 the menace returned when in the tiny Balkan nation of Latveria, Doctor Doom seized the throne. The Supervillains had returned.
 
Early 1980s onward
   The time had come at last! This was to be the greatest Age of Heroes. It was heralded in by the return of the fastest man on Earth – the Flash in 1983. Among the first of the new breed was test pilot Hal Jordan summoned to the side of a dying alien and given a fabulous ring of power to become – Green Lantern. A freak accident during the testing of an experimental nuclear reactor transforms scientists Mark and Angela Stoddard into Sunburst and Solar. The test flight of an experimental spaceship transforms Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm into Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Girl, the second Human Torch and the Thing; thus is born the Fantastic Four. Genius Industrialist Anthony Stark creates the high-tech armor to become the Invincible Iron-man. Mythology and reality collide with the return of the Norse God of Thunder – the Mighty Thor. In Gotham City a child orphaned by a killer’s gun had sharpened his mind and body to a razor’s edge, Bruce Wayne became a cancer on the Underworld in the form of the Dark Knight Detective – the Batman. As the world rushes headlong to the future the rate of genetic mutation is given a violent surge by nuclear research giving rise to the mutant children of the atom and thus emerge – the Uncanny X-Men. 1987 saw the return of the Sentinel of Liberty, the greatest human combatant of all time – Captain America! As a teen Peter Parker learned a hard lesson about power and responsibility, since then he has lived up to that responsibility as the Amazing Spider-man. The child from Krypton, raised in Smallville, had moved to the city of Metropolis where he fights a never-ending battle for truth and justice, this last son of a destroyed world has become the greatest hero of all time – Superman! Schooled by the master mage known only as the Ancient One this former surgeon has become the Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme – Dr. Strange, the Master of the Mystic Arts. A victim of mob violence Zack Thomas became the living terror of mobsters everywhere as the dark avenger known only as the Wraith. And still more followed them.
 
   This was now the Silver Age of Heroes and inspired by the teams of the Golden Age some of the greatest that ever lived banded together to face menaces that no one hero could defeat. Taking their inspiration from the post-war Justice Society – The Flash, Green Lantern, Atom II and Blue Beetle became the first Justice League of America. In Canada - Blue Star, Sprint, Green Arrow and Apache Chief are the Avant Guard. Across the globe are the four teams of fire and purpose collectively known as Strike Force. But foremost of the teams of the Silver Age are the Earth’s mightiest heroes – the Mighty Avengers.
 
   But these strides forward are not without the occasional step back and the two most disastrous occurred within four years of one another. In 2003, on the recommendation of its director, Colonel Nick Fury, SHIELD was broken up and disbanded as a result of massive enemy infiltration following which Fury and a handful of trusted subordinates spent the next three years cleaning up the corruption. Then far and away worse, in 2007 Superman was struck down saving Metropolis from the rampaging beast that the press dubbed – Doomsday. The greatest Hero on Earth had made the ultimate sacrifice for his adopted home and the entire world mourned in an outpouring of grief the like of which had never been seen. Was this the signal for the decline of the Silver Age? It seems doubtful, UNTIL has been updated and brought back into operation under Fury’s command following the break up of SHIELD. Patriot has returned and taken up residence in Metropolis where he leads a new Strike Force team that has pledged to follow the Man of Steel’s noble legacy and life goes on. Freedom, Liberty and Justice are anything but free. They must be earned through courage, fidelity and sacrifice. But in the end it is that which makes them worth having.
 
   According to definition a Hero is a man who fights against overwhelming odds for a cause, ideals or the lives of innocents. The cause and ideals will vary with the morning’s headlines; while the innocent, in today’s world of muddy morality, may ultimate prove to be the guilty. Which leaves but one constant in that definition. That a Hero is, above all, a man. A man subject to pressures and responsibilities far above those of other men. After a time those pressures and responsibilities can begin to take their toll upon the soul of even the most valiant of heroes. And it is then that the test of a true Hero begins.
 
The True Heroic Age has just begun.
 
 
 
Major Known Heroes of the Silver Age  (1983 onward)
and select Elder Statesman Heroes
 
Name
1st Appeared
Affiliation
Power type
Current Status
Doc Savage
1925
US Gov.
Highly trained / Super Science
Semi-retired
Patriot $
1938
US Gov / L L / Strike Force
Mutate - highly trained
Active - Metropolis
Captain America
1940
T A / L L / Avengers
Mutate - highly trained
Active – East Coast
The Atom
1941
T A / L L / JSA
Mutate - highly trained
Retired - 1954
Sub-mariner
1941
Atlantis / Avengers
Alien – Sea Powers
Semi-retired
Steel
1942
US Gov./ Liberty Legion
Mutate - Brick
Retired - 1959
Nick Fury $
1943
SHIELD / UNTIL
Highly Trained
Active - worldwide
The Flash II
1983
Justice League of America
Mutate - Speed
Dead - 1998
Green Lantern
1984
Guardians / JLA
High Tech - Ring
Dead - 2004
Power Girl
1984
JLA
Alien - Brick
Dead - 1996
Sunburst !
1984
Solar
Mutate – Density control
Active – L.A.
Solar !
1984
Sunburst
Mutate – Energy control
Active – L.A.
Atom II
1985
JLA
Mutate - Shrinking
Active – San Francisco
Ace of Diamonds !
1985
US Gov.
Highly Trained
Retired - 2001
Blue Beetle
1985
JLA
Gadgeteer
Active - Dallas
Mr. Fantastic
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate - Stretching
Active - NYC
The Invisible Woman
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate - Invisibility
Active - NYC
Human Torch II
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate – Flame control
Active - NYC
The Thing
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate – Brick
Active - NYC
The Hulk
1986
Avengers / Defenders
Mutate - Brick
Dead - 2005
Thor !
1987
Avengers
God of Thunder
Active – East Coast
Iron-man !
1987
Avengers
Powered Armor
Active – West Coast
Doc Pym
1987
Avengers
Gadgeteer
Active – West Coast
Wasp
1987
Avengers
Mutate – Shrinking
Active – West Coast
Professor X
1988
X-Men
Mutant- Egoist
Active – Shiar Galaxy
Cyclops
1988
X-Men / X-Factor
Mutant – Energy blaster
Active - NYC
Jean Grey
1988
X-Men / X-Factor
Mutant - Telekinesis
Active - NYC
Beast
1988
X-Men/ Avengers/ X-Factor
Mutant – Agile brick
Active – NYC
Iceman
1988
X-Men / X-Factor
Mutant – Ice powers
Active – NYC
Angel
1988
X-Men / Defenders
Mutant – Wings
Semi-retired
Midnight $
1988
none
Mutate- Darkness cont.
Active – Hudson City
Captain
 Mar-vell
1989
Kree Militia
Alien – highly trained
Dead - 1998
Lightmaster
1989
Justice League of America
Mutant – Light control
Semi-retired
Doctor Druid
1989
Avengers
Egoist
Dead – 1992
Atomic Knight
1989
Defenders
Powered Armor
Semi-retired
The Batman
1990
Justice League of America
Highly trained
Active - Gotham City
Spider-man !
1990
none
Mutate – Spider powers
Active – NYC
Hawkeye
1990
Avengers
Highly trained
Active – West Coast
Captain Atom
1990
Justice League of America
Mutate – Atomic cont.
Active – mobile
Power Man !
1990
Crusader & Starburst
Mutate - brick
Active – Seattle
Samson the Strong !
1990
Strike Force
Mystic Brick
Active – Metropolis
Superman
1991
Justice League of America
Alien - Brick
Dead - 2007
Crusader !
1991
Power Man & Starburst
Martial Artist
Active – Seattle
Starburst !
1991
Power Man & Crusader
Mutate – Energy cont
Active – Seattle
Black Canary
1991
Justice League of America
Mutate – Sonic Powers
Active – Gotham City
Daredevil
1992
none
Mutate – Hyper Senses
Dead – 2008
Scarlet Witch
1992
Avengers
Mutant – Probability cont
Semi-retired
Doctor Strange
1992
Defenders
Sorcerer
Active – Vibora Bay
Hercules
1993
Avengers
Demi-God – Brick
Inactive
Black Knight
1993
Avengers
Highly trained
Inactive
Mockingbird
1993
Avengers
Highly trained
Active – West Coast
Wonderman
1993
Avengers
Mutate – Brick
Active – West Coast
Blue Star
1994
Avant Guard
Mutant – Electric cont
Active – Canada & UK
Sprint
1994
Avant Guard
Mutant – Speedster
Active – Canada & UK
Green Arrow
1994
Avant Guard
Highly trained
Active – Canada & UK
The Wraith !
1994
none
Highly trained
Inactive
Apache Chief
1995
Avant Guard
Mystic – Grower
Active – Canada & UK
Major Victory
1995
Justice League of America
Mutate – Brick
Active – D.C.
Centurion $
1995
Strike Force
Powered Armor
Active – MA & Hong Kong
Copperhead
1995
Captain X
Powered Armor
Dead – 2000
Storm
1996
X-Men
Mutant – Weather cont
Active – NY
Wolverine
1996
X-Men
Mutant – senses & regeneration
Active – NY
Colossus
1996
X-Men
Mutant – Brick
Active – NY
Black Widow
1996
Avengers
Martial Artist
Active – East Coast
Captain X
1996
Copperhead
Martial Artist
Inactive
Captain Marvel II
1997
Avengers
Mutate – Energy cont
Inactive
Karate Master
1997
Justice League of America
Martial Artist
Active – San Francisco
Ms. Marvel
1997
Avengers
Mutate – Brick
Retired – 2001
The Vision
1997
Avengers
Android – Density cont
Semi-retired
Black Dragon
1997
Strike Force
Martial Artist
Active – US
Atomic Force !
1998
Strike Force
Mutate – Magnetic cont
Active - Florida
Nightcrawler
1998
X-Men
Mutant – Teleporter
Active – NY
Amazing Man
1998
Fantastic Four
Mutant – Phaser
Active – East Coast
Nightmare $
1998
Strike Force
Mutate – Brick
Active – New England
The Flash III
1998
Justice League of America
Mutate – Speedster
Active – St. Louis
The Scarlet Spider !
1999
Strike Force
Mutate – Spider powers
Active - Boston
Gunmetal Silk
1999
Midnight Archer
Highly trained
Active – Chicago
Midnight Archer
1999
Gunmetal Silk
Highly trained
Active - Chicago
Shadowcat
1999
X-Men
Mutant – Phaser
Active – NY
Mind-Star $
1999
Strike Force
Mutant – Egoist
Active – Boston
Tigra
2000
Avengers
Mutate – Cat powers
Active – West Coast
She Hulk
2000
Avengers/ Fantastic Four
Mutate - Brick
Active - LA
War Machine
2000
Avengers
Powered Armor
Inactive
Blademaster !
2001
Strike Force
Highly trained
Active – Paris
Rogue
2001
X-Men
Mutant – brick/ power-leech
Active - NY
Ultrahawk
2002
Strike Force
Mutate – Energy blaster
Dead - 2005
Guardian $
2002
Justice League of America
Mutate – Cosmic power
Active – MA & NV
The Sandman!
2002
none
Highly trained
Active - Hudson City
Starfox
2003
Avengers
Alien – Brick
Inactive
Ms. Marvel II
2003
Fantastic Four
Mutate – Brick
Active - NY
War Chief !
2004
Strike Force
Mystic Brick
Active - Europe
Shadowalker !
2004
Strike Force
Martial Artist
Active - Metropolis
Green Lantern II
2005
Justice League of America
High Tech – Ring
Active – CA
The Ghost !
2006
none
Mutant – Invisibility
Active – Vibora Bay
Wonder Woman
2006
Justice League of America
Amazon – Brick
Active – D.C. and NYC
Jack o’ Lantern !
2007
none
Martial Artist / Gadgeteer
Active – Hudson City
Psi Force $
2007
Strike Force
Mutant – Telekinesis
Active – Metropolis
Harmony $
2007
none
Highly trained
Active – Northeast US
Dark Angel $
2008
none
Highly trained
Active – Hudson City
Longbow $
2008
none
Highly trained
Active – Hudson City
Sea Sprite !
2008
Strike Force
Mutate – Sea Powers
Active - Miami
 
 
 
Major Known Villain Organizations
Name
Leader (s)
Approximate Size
Goals
Viper
Serpent Council
12,000
World Domination
Demon
Inner Circle of Morbanes
8,000
Mystical Power
Hydra
Madame Hydra & Baron Strucker III
11,000
World Domination
A.I.M. 1.
Scientist Supreme
14,000
Recognition of Sovereignty
C.O.B.R.A.  2.
Unknown   3.
1,000
Unknown
The Secret Empire
Unknown  4.
7,500
Rule of America
 
 
Major Currently Active Villain Teams
Name
Members
The Destroyers
The Black Skull II*, Star Smasher !, Sonic Spirit !, Blowtorch !, Ares, Black Paladin !
The Masters of Evil
Baron Zemo III*, Goliath, Mr. Hyde, Living Laser, Boomerang, The Grim Reaper, Tachyon $
The League of Thieves*
King of Clubs*!, Jack of Spades!, Ace of Hearts!, Queen of Diamonds!
The Sinister Squadron
Terminator*, Blacklash, Force!, Shadowdragon!, Bullseye
Brotherhood of Evil Mutants
Magneto*, Mystique, Sabertooth, Blob, Toad, Pyro, Juggernaut, Destiny
Femmes Fatal
Cheshire*, Moonstone, Titania, Howler$
Grab $
Black Diamond*, Bluejay, Cheshire Cat, Hummingbird
The War Machine
Warlord*!, Warbird$, Warcry$, Warhead$, Warmonger$, Warpath$
Eurostar $
Fiacho*, Durak, Feuermacher, Mentalla, Scorpia, Ultrasonique
 
 
 
 
 
Major Active Villains
Name
Stomping Grounds
Power Level
Doctor Doom
Latveria, New York City
Extreme
Loki
Asgard, Northeastern US
Extreme
The Mandarin
Valley of the Dragons in China
Extreme
Ultron XII
Continental US
Extreme
The Joker
Gotham City
Moderate
Ras Al Ghul
Middle East, Gotham City
High
Juggernaut
New York
Very High
Ronan the Accuser
Kree-Lar
Very High
Hobgoblin!
Metro New York
Moderate
The Kingpin
New York City
High
Baron Mordo
Transylvania, Vibora Bay
Very High
Baron Zemo III
Eastern US, Germany
High
Batroc the Leaper
France, New York
Moderate
Thermostar $
Eastern US
Moderate
Green Dragon!
Boston, San Francisco, Hudson City
Low
Star Smasher!
Eastern US
Very High
Crimson Dynamo
Mobile worldwide
High
Force!
New England
Moderate
Grond
Western US
Very High
Blacklash
Los Angeles
Moderate
Boomerang
San Diego
Low
Ares
Olympus, Eastern US
Very High
The Fixer
Western US
Moderate
Goliath
Metropolis
Moderate
Living Laser
Western US
Moderate
Nebula
Mobile - Deep Space
Very High
Moonstone
Continental US
High
Stormfront $
Mid-western US
Moderate
Magneto
Eastern US
Extreme
Galactus
Mobile – Deep Space
Incalculable
Tigershark
Atlantic Ocean
High
Cheshire
Northeastern US
Moderate
Terminator
DC, Baltimore, Gotham City
High
Taskmaster
Hudson City
High
Sinestro
Western US
Very High
Madame Hydra
Western Hemisphere
High
King of Clubs!
Northern US
Low
Jack of Spades!
Western US
Low
Ace of Hearts!
Southern US
Moderate
Queen of Diamonds!
Eastern US
Moderate
Terrax
Mobile – Deep Space
Very High
Mystique
Eastern US
Moderate
Annihilus
Negative Zone, New York City
High
The Absorbing Man
Seattle
High
Kraven the Hunter
Africa, New York City
Moderate
Kang the Conqueror
Mobile across time and space
Very High
Card Shark $
Hudson City
High
The Red Skull
Philadelphia, New York City
High
Mechassassin $
Europe
High
Anubis $
Egypt, Metropolis
Moderate
Blowtorch $
Hudson City
Moderate
Firewing $
Eastern US
High
Howler $
Metropolis
Moderate
Shadowdragon $
Hudson City
Moderate
Icicle $
Chicago
Moderate
Tokofanes $
Southern US
Extreme
Black Skull II
Metropolis, Europe
High
Penny Dreadful !
Hudson City
Low
Baron Strucker III
Eastern Hemisphere
High
Black Paladin $
England, France
Very High
The Riddler
Gotham City
Low
Tachyon $
Chicago
Moderate
Masque $
Eastern US
Low
Talisman $
Vibora Bay
Moderate
The Imperial Khan $
Taqiristan
Very High
 
 
Known Hero Teams of the Silver Age
 
The Mighty Avengers
Founded: 1988   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., UN & UNTIL
Current Bases: Avengers Mansion, New York City
                       Avengers Compound, Los Angeles
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Iron-man
1988 - F
yes
Inactive
Thor
1988 - F
no
Active - NYC
The Hulk
1988 – F
no
Inactive - Dead
Doc Pym aka Ant-man, Giant-man, Goliath & Yellowjacket
1988 – F
no
Active – LA
Wasp
1988 – F
yes
Reserve
Captain America* - EC
1988
yes
Active – NYC
Hawkeye* - WC
1990
yes
Active – LA
Scarlet Witch
1992
no
Reserve
The Beast
1993
no
Reserve
Sub-mariner
1997
no
Reserve
Hercules
1993
no
Reserve
Black Knight
1994
no
Reserve
Mockingbird
1995
no
Reserve
Wonderman
1995
no
Active - LA
She-Hulk
2003
no
Active – LA
The Vision
1998
yes
Reserve
Starfox
2003
no
Reserve
Ms. Marvel
1999
no
Inactive
Captain Marvel II
1997
yes
Reserve
Doctor Druid
1991
yes
Inactive - Dead
War Machine
2001
no
Inactive
Tigra
2001
no
Active – LA
Black Widow
1999
no
Active – NYC
Sersi
2008
no
Active - NYC
Quicksilver
2009
no
Active - NYC
 
 
 
The Fantastic Four
Founded: 1986   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., NYPD & UNTIL
Current Base: Four Freedoms Plaza, New York City
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Mister Fantastic *
1986 – F
yes
Active
The Invisible Woman
1986 – F
yes
Active
The Human Torch II
1986 – F
no
Active
The Thing
1986 – F
yes
Active
She-Hulk
1999
no
Inactive
Amazing Man
2002
yes
Inactive
Ms. Marvel II
2006
no
Inactive
 
The Uncanny X-Men
Founded: 1988   currently active
Unsanctioned Organization
Current Base: Unknown location in New York State
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Professor X
1988 – F
yes
Inactive
Cyclops
1988 – F
yes
Reserve
Jean Grey aka Marvel Girl
1988 – F
no
Reserve
The Beast
1988 – F
no
Reserve
Ice-man
1988 – F
no
Reserve
Angel
1988 – F
yes
Inactive
Storm *
1996
yes
Active
Wolverine
1996
yes
Active
Colossus
1996
no
Active
Nightcrawler
1998
no
Active
Shadowcat
1999
no
Active
Rogue
2002
no
Active
Gambit
2008
no
Active
 
 
 
 
Avant Guard
Founded: 1996   currently active
Sanctioned by: Canadian Gov., UK Gov. & UNTIL
Current Base: Akiminski Island, James Bay, NT
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Blue Star
1996 -F
yes
Active
Sprint *
1996 -F
yes
Active
Green Arrow
1996 -F
yes
Active
Apache Chief
1996 -F
yes
Active
 
The Dynamic Defenders
Founded: 1997   inactive as of 2002
Unsanctioned Organization
Former Base: The Retreat, Arizona
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Doctor Strange
1997 – F
yes
Inactive
The Hulk
1997 – F
no
Inactive
Atomic Knight
1997 – F
no
Inactive
Angel
1999
no
Inactive
 
Justice League of America
Founded: 1986   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., UN & UNTIL
Current Base: Watchtower space station
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
The Flash II
1886 – F
yes
Inactive – Dead
Green Lantern
1986 – F
yes
Inactive – Dead
Atom II
1986 – F
no
Reserve
Blue Beetle
1986 – F
no
Reserve
Power-Girl
1990
no
Inactive - Dead
Lightmaster
1993
yes
Inactive
Captain Atom
1992
yes
Reserve
Black Canary
1993
no
Active
The Batman *
1997
yes
Active
Karate Master
1999
no
Reserve
The Flash III
2000
no
Active
Major Victory
2000
no
Active
Superman
2003
yes
Inactive – Dead
Guardian
2004
no
Active
Green Lantern II
2006
no
Active
Wonder Woman
2007
no
Active
 
 
Strike Force
Founded: 1998   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., UN & UNTIL
Main Base: Strike Force Mansion Command Headquarters, Boston
Additional Bases: Hong Kong, Paris, Miami, Metropolis
 
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Centurion * Bos $
Strike Force Commander
1998 - F
yes
Active – Boston, Hong Kong
Black Dragon
1998 - F
no
Active - Boston
Nightmare $
1998 - F
no
Active - Boston
Atomic Force * Mia!
1998 - F
yes
Active - Miami
The Scarlet Spider !
1999
no
Active – Boston
Mind Star $
2000
yes
Active – Boston
Saturn Five!
2001
no
Active - Miami
Ultrahawk
2002
yes
Inactive - Dead
Blademaster * Par
2002
yes
Active – Paris
El Cid !
2002
no
Active – Paris
Patriot * Met $
2003
yes
Active - Metropolis
Musketeer !
2003
yes
Active – Paris
Witch Hazel !
2004
yes
Active - Miami
Dreadnought
2004
no
Active - Paris
Saber $
2002
yes
Active - Metropolis
Challenger !
2002
yes
Active – Hong Kong
Ronin
2003
no
Active – Hong Kong
Commander Atlas !
2004
no
Active - Miami
Steel Dragon * HK !
2002
yes
Active – Hong Kong
Psi Force $
2007
no
Active - Metropolis
GunRunner !
2005
no
Active - Miami
War Chief !
2005
no
Active - Paris
Tsunami
2006
no
Active – Hong Kong
Samson the Strong !
2007
no
Active - Metropolis
Shadowalker !
2007
no
Active - Metropolis
Sea Sprite !
2008
no
Active - Miami
 
 
Notes:
   An F denotes a founding member.
   An * denotes a team’s current leader.
   Footnote 1. A.I.M. denotes Advanced Idea Mechanics.
   Footnote 2. C.O.B.R.A. denotes Corporate Organization for the Benevolent Return to Autocracy.
   Footnote 3. UNTIL suspects the following individuals have COBRA ties and may in fact lead the agency:
                       Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne, Justin Hammer, Alvin Roxxon, James Sinclair, Gideon Stevens.
   Footnote 4. UNTIL believes this may be a front organization for the Red Skull, Hydra or both.
   ! = needs updating, $ = ready to go, no symbol = needs to be created.
 
Metropolis is in southern New Jersey along the Atlantic coast side. Gotham City is in southeastern Maryland on the Chesapeake. Vibora Bay is in northern Florida in the pan-handle along the Gulf Coast. Hudson City is in Connecticut turned 90 degrees so that the city is oriented East /West rather than North/South along the bisecting Stewart River.
 
Anti-aging treatments have been available since the introduction of Perpetuon by Stevens Bio-Med in 2000, a one-time treatment known as Anagathics Beta was introduced three years later. In the former case annual treatments purge the build-up of aging toxins from the body resulting in no change in physiological age, while the later treatment slows the build-up of aging toxins by two-thirds resulting in a physiological aging of one year for every three that pass. Perpetuon treatments cost approximately $750,000 each, down from $3,000,000 when first introduced. The Anagathics Beta treatment costs $400,000, down from $750,000 in 2003. The two treatments are not compatible. Some superheroes have taken advantage of the treatments, some haven’t. In some cases the cities that they protect have footed the bills as a way of thanking the heroes for what they have done over the years.

On Hilary...
 
As early as summer 2015, I actually liked the thought of Trump winning the Republican nomination because I felt any Dem could beat him........EXCEPT Hilary.  She'd energize the Republicans, she was an easier target, she really doesn't come across well.  The last, I think, was the clincher...she was in fact a terrible campaigner.  Had she won, some things would be different but the gridlock in DC would have been horrific.  I suspect we'd be in a government shutdown right now, for example.
 
On the global warming, yeah.  It doesn't apply to all of them, but a good chunk of evangelicals simply turn their brains off.  The Bible holds all truth that matters;  their brains don't have shutters, they're tucked inside a neutronium shell.  
 
And yes, lots of people have no idea of the scale of things.  Like how the US burns, IIRC, about 20 MILLION gallons of gasoline every day.  They also don't understand how the system works...how little carbon there actually is, as a percentage of the atmosphere.  (I had a notion of a character who drew in and recombined the gases in the air, to make stuff like Kevlar, or creating a graphene-sheet armor.  On the one hand, all you need is carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen for a LOT of useful materials.  Turns out...to get 1 gram of carbon, you need 7 cubic meters of air.)  So it doesn't take that much to start messing things.  Plus, over the centuries, we've extensively altered the biosphere.  We've stripped the rich, complex old growth forests which had extraordinarly dense biospheres.  And this has happened on a scale of thousands, even tens of thousands of square miles.  So we have massive output of carbon that had been, by and large, locked in place for millenia, AND a reduced absorption capacity.
 
It's pessimistic to say this, but...the best case I can see is that the measures we're allowed to take are always a step shy of what's needed when they are allowed.  I simply don't think we'll bite the bullet hard enough to make the moves that will be needed.  And I do mean best case....because in all honesty, I think we're 2 steps shy of what's needed NOW.  The situation is only getting worse, and this at a time when we're even more divided than ever.

While it's arguable that the two main American political parties don't currently offer a big ethical contrast, at least philosophically they now represent clear choices over a range of issues.

Now time for the sexy sexy changing of the guard!
 
 

I refuse to believe that could be real.  Tony Stark would have arranged something far grander than a simple headstone.  I'm thinking the Tony Stark Memorial Cemetery, with a giant mausoleum in the center.  Around the periphery of the mausoleum are several dozen statues of various Iron Man armors, each with eternal flames burning.  Daily fireworks shows.  Maybe even dancing girls. 

The History of the Champions Earth
 
Mid 1920s through the early 1940s
   The Pulp Era began in 1925 with the first major adventure of Doc Savage and his Fabulous Five; it lasted until the early 40s overlapping with the later heroic age. Among the most active heroes were: Savage (1925-1945), The Shadow (1929-1940), globetrotting explorer Jack Colt (1927-1939), private eye Blake Diamond (1930-1944), Agent 13 (1932-1937) and adventurer Preston Walker (1926-1932). Most kept fighting as long as they were effective, some (Agent 13 for example) dropped out of sight as soon as their “mission” was accomplished, a few like Jack Colt had the end of their careers written in blood, one – Doc Savage – vanished mysteriously only to reappear half a century later un-aged and in perfect health.
 
Late 1930s through early 1950s
   World War II brought forth the Golden Age of Heroes, and for the first time the super-powered hero made his appearance. The late 30s and early 40s gave birth to many heroes whose legends have lived on throughout time. Among the most famous were: Captain America (1940-1945), The Flash (1940-1954), The Atom (1941-1954), Steel (1942-1959), Union Jack (1939-1956), Tricolor (1940-1944), The Human Torch (1942-1947), Bullet (1940-1946) and the man who had started the age - Patriot (1938-1946). One by one the heroes appeared, in July of 1941 they were united by President Roosevelt to partake in a secret mission overseas. From this early gathering came Team America, the greatest gathering of heroes ever seen. Not since the days of Mount Olympus had the world known such power. This was truly the Golden Age of Heroes. Then on the Day of Infamy naval and air forces from the Empire of Japan shattered the US Pacific Fleet at anchor in Pearl Harbor, aroused from her peacetime slumbers America entered the Second World War. In January of 1942 President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill brought forth all the various Allied heroes and proposed to form them into a single all-powerful group, this was the birth of the Liberty Legion.
 
   But the real heroes of the war were not those who donned colorful costumes and had strange powers. They were the Americans and Canadians, the French and Greeks, the British and Norwegians, the Australians and Poles, the ordinary citizens who joined their nation’s armies in the fight for a free world. These men fought in khaki and green and navy blue, marched through winds and rain, trudged across parched deserts and sailed through icy Atlantic swells. These soldiers risked - and many lost - their lives and to them all specially gifted heroes bow in reverence. And there were yet those brave men and women who fought their war in the shadow world of espionage: Nick Carter, Matt Helm, Hugh North and Jessica Mason. All too often these heroes paid the price of valor with blood. Until at long last their sacrifices were rewarded with victory and with peace.
 
   The war was over and so came the decline of the Heroic Age. The 1940s began with the birth of the superheroes and ended with their slide toward obscurity. The final crushing blow came in 1954 when the successor to the wartime Liberty Legion – The Justice Society of America, came under suspicion by the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Rather than divulge their secret identities the Society disbanded, its members retiring to private life.
 
Early 1950s through Early 1980s
   The McCarthy Purges brought on the Age of the Superagents; government founded and operated combined paramilitary, espionage and law-enforcement organizations. The most active agencies were: UNTIL – the United Nations Tribunal on International Law (1950-1970), Task Force X (1954-1969), SHIELD – the Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-enforcement Directorate (1964-2003) and UNCLE – the United Network Command for Law Enforcement (1960-1983). Armed with high technology and nerves of steel they battled the multi-national cartels of crime, terror and conquest: Viper, the Secret Empire, Hydra and Thrush. For thirty years they turned back the tide of evil that threatened to swamp the world. Alone, they stood unflinching and afraid of nothing save the return of the one menace that they were ill equipped to handle. In September of 1983 the menace returned when in the tiny Balkan nation of Latveria, Doctor Doom seized the throne. The Supervillains had returned.
 
Early 1980s onward
   The time had come at last! This was to be the greatest Age of Heroes. It was heralded in by the return of the fastest man on Earth – the Flash in 1983. Among the first of the new breed was test pilot Hal Jordan summoned to the side of a dying alien and given a fabulous ring of power to become – Green Lantern. A freak accident during the testing of an experimental nuclear reactor transforms scientists Mark and Angela Stoddard into Sunburst and Solar. The test flight of an experimental spaceship transforms Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm into Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Girl, the second Human Torch and the Thing; thus is born the Fantastic Four. Genius Industrialist Anthony Stark creates the high-tech armor to become the Invincible Iron-man. Mythology and reality collide with the return of the Norse God of Thunder – the Mighty Thor. In Gotham City a child orphaned by a killer’s gun had sharpened his mind and body to a razor’s edge, Bruce Wayne became a cancer on the Underworld in the form of the Dark Knight Detective – the Batman. As the world rushes headlong to the future the rate of genetic mutation is given a violent surge by nuclear research giving rise to the mutant children of the atom and thus emerge – the Uncanny X-Men. 1987 saw the return of the Sentinel of Liberty, the greatest human combatant of all time – Captain America! As a teen Peter Parker learned a hard lesson about power and responsibility, since then he has lived up to that responsibility as the Amazing Spider-man. The child from Krypton, raised in Smallville, had moved to the city of Metropolis where he fights a never-ending battle for truth and justice, this last son of a destroyed world has become the greatest hero of all time – Superman! Schooled by the master mage known only as the Ancient One this former surgeon has become the Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme – Dr. Strange, the Master of the Mystic Arts. A victim of mob violence Zack Thomas became the living terror of mobsters everywhere as the dark avenger known only as the Wraith. And still more followed them.
 
   This was now the Silver Age of Heroes and inspired by the teams of the Golden Age some of the greatest that ever lived banded together to face menaces that no one hero could defeat. Taking their inspiration from the post-war Justice Society – The Flash, Green Lantern, Atom II and Blue Beetle became the first Justice League of America. In Canada - Blue Star, Sprint, Green Arrow and Apache Chief are the Avant Guard. Across the globe are the four teams of fire and purpose collectively known as Strike Force. But foremost of the teams of the Silver Age are the Earth’s mightiest heroes – the Mighty Avengers.
 
   But these strides forward are not without the occasional step back and the two most disastrous occurred within four years of one another. In 2003, on the recommendation of its director, Colonel Nick Fury, SHIELD was broken up and disbanded as a result of massive enemy infiltration following which Fury and a handful of trusted subordinates spent the next three years cleaning up the corruption. Then far and away worse, in 2007 Superman was struck down saving Metropolis from the rampaging beast that the press dubbed – Doomsday. The greatest Hero on Earth had made the ultimate sacrifice for his adopted home and the entire world mourned in an outpouring of grief the like of which had never been seen. Was this the signal for the decline of the Silver Age? It seems doubtful, UNTIL has been updated and brought back into operation under Fury’s command following the break up of SHIELD. Patriot has returned and taken up residence in Metropolis where he leads a new Strike Force team that has pledged to follow the Man of Steel’s noble legacy and life goes on. Freedom, Liberty and Justice are anything but free. They must be earned through courage, fidelity and sacrifice. But in the end it is that which makes them worth having.
 
   According to definition a Hero is a man who fights against overwhelming odds for a cause, ideals or the lives of innocents. The cause and ideals will vary with the morning’s headlines; while the innocent, in today’s world of muddy morality, may ultimate prove to be the guilty. Which leaves but one constant in that definition. That a Hero is, above all, a man. A man subject to pressures and responsibilities far above those of other men. After a time those pressures and responsibilities can begin to take their toll upon the soul of even the most valiant of heroes. And it is then that the test of a true Hero begins.
 
The True Heroic Age has just begun.
 
 
 
Major Known Heroes of the Silver Age  (1983 onward)
and select Elder Statesman Heroes
 
Name
1st Appeared
Affiliation
Power type
Current Status
Doc Savage
1925
US Gov.
Highly trained / Super Science
Semi-retired
Patriot $
1938
US Gov / L L / Strike Force
Mutate - highly trained
Active - Metropolis
Captain America
1940
T A / L L / Avengers
Mutate - highly trained
Active – East Coast
The Atom
1941
T A / L L / JSA
Mutate - highly trained
Retired - 1954
Sub-mariner
1941
Atlantis / Avengers
Alien – Sea Powers
Semi-retired
Steel
1942
US Gov./ Liberty Legion
Mutate - Brick
Retired - 1959
Nick Fury $
1943
SHIELD / UNTIL
Highly Trained
Active - worldwide
The Flash II
1983
Justice League of America
Mutate - Speed
Dead - 1998
Green Lantern
1984
Guardians / JLA
High Tech - Ring
Dead - 2004
Power Girl
1984
JLA
Alien - Brick
Dead - 1996
Sunburst !
1984
Solar
Mutate – Density control
Active – L.A.
Solar !
1984
Sunburst
Mutate – Energy control
Active – L.A.
Atom II
1985
JLA
Mutate - Shrinking
Active – San Francisco
Ace of Diamonds !
1985
US Gov.
Highly Trained
Retired - 2001
Blue Beetle
1985
JLA
Gadgeteer
Active - Dallas
Mr. Fantastic
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate - Stretching
Active - NYC
The Invisible Woman
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate - Invisibility
Active - NYC
Human Torch II
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate – Flame control
Active - NYC
The Thing
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate – Brick
Active - NYC
The Hulk
1986
Avengers / Defenders
Mutate - Brick
Dead - 2005
Thor !
1987
Avengers
God of Thunder
Active – East Coast
Iron-man !
1987
Avengers
Powered Armor
Active – West Coast
Doc Pym
1987
Avengers
Gadgeteer
Active – West Coast
Wasp
1987
Avengers
Mutate – Shrinking
Active – West Coast
Professor X
1988
X-Men
Mutant- Egoist
Active – Shiar Galaxy
Cyclops
1988
X-Men / X-Factor
Mutant – Energy blaster
Active - NYC
Jean Grey
1988
X-Men / X-Factor
Mutant - Telekinesis
Active - NYC
Beast
1988
X-Men/ Avengers/ X-Factor
Mutant – Agile brick
Active – NYC
Iceman
1988
X-Men / X-Factor
Mutant – Ice powers
Active – NYC
Angel
1988
X-Men / Defenders
Mutant – Wings
Semi-retired
Midnight $
1988
none
Mutate- Darkness cont.
Active – Hudson City
Captain
 Mar-vell
1989
Kree Militia
Alien – highly trained
Dead - 1998
Lightmaster
1989
Justice League of America
Mutant – Light control
Semi-retired
Doctor Druid
1989
Avengers
Egoist
Dead – 1992
Atomic Knight
1989
Defenders
Powered Armor
Semi-retired
The Batman
1990
Justice League of America
Highly trained
Active - Gotham City
Spider-man !
1990
none
Mutate – Spider powers
Active – NYC
Hawkeye
1990
Avengers
Highly trained
Active – West Coast
Captain Atom
1990
Justice League of America
Mutate – Atomic cont.
Active – mobile
Power Man !
1990
Crusader & Starburst
Mutate - brick
Active – Seattle
Samson the Strong !
1990
Strike Force
Mystic Brick
Active – Metropolis
Superman
1991
Justice League of America
Alien - Brick
Dead - 2007
Crusader !
1991
Power Man & Starburst
Martial Artist
Active – Seattle
Starburst !
1991
Power Man & Crusader
Mutate – Energy cont
Active – Seattle
Black Canary
1991
Justice League of America
Mutate – Sonic Powers
Active – Gotham City
Daredevil
1992
none
Mutate – Hyper Senses
Dead – 2008
Scarlet Witch
1992
Avengers
Mutant – Probability cont
Semi-retired
Doctor Strange
1992
Defenders
Sorcerer
Active – Vibora Bay
Hercules
1993
Avengers
Demi-God – Brick
Inactive
Black Knight
1993
Avengers
Highly trained
Inactive
Mockingbird
1993
Avengers
Highly trained
Active – West Coast
Wonderman
1993
Avengers
Mutate – Brick
Active – West Coast
Blue Star
1994
Avant Guard
Mutant – Electric cont
Active – Canada & UK
Sprint
1994
Avant Guard
Mutant – Speedster
Active – Canada & UK
Green Arrow
1994
Avant Guard
Highly trained
Active – Canada & UK
The Wraith !
1994
none
Highly trained
Inactive
Apache Chief
1995
Avant Guard
Mystic – Grower
Active – Canada & UK
Major Victory
1995
Justice League of America
Mutate – Brick
Active – D.C.
Centurion $
1995
Strike Force
Powered Armor
Active – MA & Hong Kong
Copperhead
1995
Captain X
Powered Armor
Dead – 2000
Storm
1996
X-Men
Mutant – Weather cont
Active – NY
Wolverine
1996
X-Men
Mutant – senses & regeneration
Active – NY
Colossus
1996
X-Men
Mutant – Brick
Active – NY
Black Widow
1996
Avengers
Martial Artist
Active – East Coast
Captain X
1996
Copperhead
Martial Artist
Inactive
Captain Marvel II
1997
Avengers
Mutate – Energy cont
Inactive
Karate Master
1997
Justice League of America
Martial Artist
Active – San Francisco
Ms. Marvel
1997
Avengers
Mutate – Brick
Retired – 2001
The Vision
1997
Avengers
Android – Density cont
Semi-retired
Black Dragon
1997
Strike Force
Martial Artist
Active – US
Atomic Force !
1998
Strike Force
Mutate – Magnetic cont
Active - Florida
Nightcrawler
1998
X-Men
Mutant – Teleporter
Active – NY
Amazing Man
1998
Fantastic Four
Mutant – Phaser
Active – East Coast
Nightmare $
1998
Strike Force
Mutate – Brick
Active – New England
The Flash III
1998
Justice League of America
Mutate – Speedster
Active – St. Louis
The Scarlet Spider !
1999
Strike Force
Mutate – Spider powers
Active - Boston
Gunmetal Silk
1999
Midnight Archer
Highly trained
Active – Chicago
Midnight Archer
1999
Gunmetal Silk
Highly trained
Active - Chicago
Shadowcat
1999
X-Men
Mutant – Phaser
Active – NY
Mind-Star $
1999
Strike Force
Mutant – Egoist
Active – Boston
Tigra
2000
Avengers
Mutate – Cat powers
Active – West Coast
She Hulk
2000
Avengers/ Fantastic Four
Mutate - Brick
Active - LA
War Machine
2000
Avengers
Powered Armor
Inactive
Blademaster !
2001
Strike Force
Highly trained
Active – Paris
Rogue
2001
X-Men
Mutant – brick/ power-leech
Active - NY
Ultrahawk
2002
Strike Force
Mutate – Energy blaster
Dead - 2005
Guardian $
2002
Justice League of America
Mutate – Cosmic power
Active – MA & NV
The Sandman!
2002
none
Highly trained
Active - Hudson City
Starfox
2003
Avengers
Alien – Brick
Inactive
Ms. Marvel II
2003
Fantastic Four
Mutate – Brick
Active - NY
War Chief !
2004
Strike Force
Mystic Brick
Active - Europe
Shadowalker !
2004
Strike Force
Martial Artist
Active - Metropolis
Green Lantern II
2005
Justice League of America
High Tech – Ring
Active – CA
The Ghost !
2006
none
Mutant – Invisibility
Active – Vibora Bay
Wonder Woman
2006
Justice League of America
Amazon – Brick
Active – D.C. and NYC
Jack o’ Lantern !
2007
none
Martial Artist / Gadgeteer
Active – Hudson City
Psi Force $
2007
Strike Force
Mutant – Telekinesis
Active – Metropolis
Harmony $
2007
none
Highly trained
Active – Northeast US
Dark Angel $
2008
none
Highly trained
Active – Hudson City
Longbow $
2008
none
Highly trained
Active – Hudson City
Sea Sprite !
2008
Strike Force
Mutate – Sea Powers
Active - Miami
 
 
 
Major Known Villain Organizations
Name
Leader (s)
Approximate Size
Goals
Viper
Serpent Council
12,000
World Domination
Demon
Inner Circle of Morbanes
8,000
Mystical Power
Hydra
Madame Hydra & Baron Strucker III
11,000
World Domination
A.I.M. 1.
Scientist Supreme
14,000
Recognition of Sovereignty
C.O.B.R.A.  2.
Unknown   3.
1,000
Unknown
The Secret Empire
Unknown  4.
7,500
Rule of America
 
 
Major Currently Active Villain Teams
Name
Members
The Destroyers
The Black Skull II*, Star Smasher !, Sonic Spirit !, Blowtorch !, Ares, Black Paladin !
The Masters of Evil
Baron Zemo III*, Goliath, Mr. Hyde, Living Laser, Boomerang, The Grim Reaper, Tachyon $
The League of Thieves*
King of Clubs*!, Jack of Spades!, Ace of Hearts!, Queen of Diamonds!
The Sinister Squadron
Terminator*, Blacklash, Force!, Shadowdragon!, Bullseye
Brotherhood of Evil Mutants
Magneto*, Mystique, Sabertooth, Blob, Toad, Pyro, Juggernaut, Destiny
Femmes Fatal
Cheshire*, Moonstone, Titania, Howler$
Grab $
Black Diamond*, Bluejay, Cheshire Cat, Hummingbird
The War Machine
Warlord*!, Warbird$, Warcry$, Warhead$, Warmonger$, Warpath$
Eurostar $
Fiacho*, Durak, Feuermacher, Mentalla, Scorpia, Ultrasonique
 
 
 
 
 
Major Active Villains
Name
Stomping Grounds
Power Level
Doctor Doom
Latveria, New York City
Extreme
Loki
Asgard, Northeastern US
Extreme
The Mandarin
Valley of the Dragons in China
Extreme
Ultron XII
Continental US
Extreme
The Joker
Gotham City
Moderate
Ras Al Ghul
Middle East, Gotham City
High
Juggernaut
New York
Very High
Ronan the Accuser
Kree-Lar
Very High
Hobgoblin!
Metro New York
Moderate
The Kingpin
New York City
High
Baron Mordo
Transylvania, Vibora Bay
Very High
Baron Zemo III
Eastern US, Germany
High
Batroc the Leaper
France, New York
Moderate
Thermostar $
Eastern US
Moderate
Green Dragon!
Boston, San Francisco, Hudson City
Low
Star Smasher!
Eastern US
Very High
Crimson Dynamo
Mobile worldwide
High
Force!
New England
Moderate
Grond
Western US
Very High
Blacklash
Los Angeles
Moderate
Boomerang
San Diego
Low
Ares
Olympus, Eastern US
Very High
The Fixer
Western US
Moderate
Goliath
Metropolis
Moderate
Living Laser
Western US
Moderate
Nebula
Mobile - Deep Space
Very High
Moonstone
Continental US
High
Stormfront $
Mid-western US
Moderate
Magneto
Eastern US
Extreme
Galactus
Mobile – Deep Space
Incalculable
Tigershark
Atlantic Ocean
High
Cheshire
Northeastern US
Moderate
Terminator
DC, Baltimore, Gotham City
High
Taskmaster
Hudson City
High
Sinestro
Western US
Very High
Madame Hydra
Western Hemisphere
High
King of Clubs!
Northern US
Low
Jack of Spades!
Western US
Low
Ace of Hearts!
Southern US
Moderate
Queen of Diamonds!
Eastern US
Moderate
Terrax
Mobile – Deep Space
Very High
Mystique
Eastern US
Moderate
Annihilus
Negative Zone, New York City
High
The Absorbing Man
Seattle
High
Kraven the Hunter
Africa, New York City
Moderate
Kang the Conqueror
Mobile across time and space
Very High
Card Shark $
Hudson City
High
The Red Skull
Philadelphia, New York City
High
Mechassassin $
Europe
High
Anubis $
Egypt, Metropolis
Moderate
Blowtorch $
Hudson City
Moderate
Firewing $
Eastern US
High
Howler $
Metropolis
Moderate
Shadowdragon $
Hudson City
Moderate
Icicle $
Chicago
Moderate
Tokofanes $
Southern US
Extreme
Black Skull II
Metropolis, Europe
High
Penny Dreadful !
Hudson City
Low
Baron Strucker III
Eastern Hemisphere
High
Black Paladin $
England, France
Very High
The Riddler
Gotham City
Low
Tachyon $
Chicago
Moderate
Masque $
Eastern US
Low
Talisman $
Vibora Bay
Moderate
The Imperial Khan $
Taqiristan
Very High
 
 
Known Hero Teams of the Silver Age
 
The Mighty Avengers
Founded: 1988   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., UN & UNTIL
Current Bases: Avengers Mansion, New York City
                       Avengers Compound, Los Angeles
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Iron-man
1988 - F
yes
Inactive
Thor
1988 - F
no
Active - NYC
The Hulk
1988 – F
no
Inactive - Dead
Doc Pym aka Ant-man, Giant-man, Goliath & Yellowjacket
1988 – F
no
Active – LA
Wasp
1988 – F
yes
Reserve
Captain America* - EC
1988
yes
Active – NYC
Hawkeye* - WC
1990
yes
Active – LA
Scarlet Witch
1992
no
Reserve
The Beast
1993
no
Reserve
Sub-mariner
1997
no
Reserve
Hercules
1993
no
Reserve
Black Knight
1994
no
Reserve
Mockingbird
1995
no
Reserve
Wonderman
1995
no
Active - LA
She-Hulk
2003
no
Active – LA
The Vision
1998
yes
Reserve
Starfox
2003
no
Reserve
Ms. Marvel
1999
no
Inactive
Captain Marvel II
1997
yes
Reserve
Doctor Druid
1991
yes
Inactive - Dead
War Machine
2001
no
Inactive
Tigra
2001
no
Active – LA
Black Widow
1999
no
Active – NYC
Sersi
2008
no
Active - NYC
Quicksilver
2009
no
Active - NYC
 
 
 
The Fantastic Four
Founded: 1986   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., NYPD & UNTIL
Current Base: Four Freedoms Plaza, New York City
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Mister Fantastic *
1986 – F
yes
Active
The Invisible Woman
1986 – F
yes
Active
The Human Torch II
1986 – F
no
Active
The Thing
1986 – F
yes
Active
She-Hulk
1999
no
Inactive
Amazing Man
2002
yes
Inactive
Ms. Marvel II
2006
no
Inactive
 
The Uncanny X-Men
Founded: 1988   currently active
Unsanctioned Organization
Current Base: Unknown location in New York State
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Professor X
1988 – F
yes
Inactive
Cyclops
1988 – F
yes
Reserve
Jean Grey aka Marvel Girl
1988 – F
no
Reserve
The Beast
1988 – F
no
Reserve
Ice-man
1988 – F
no
Reserve
Angel
1988 – F
yes
Inactive
Storm *
1996
yes
Active
Wolverine
1996
yes
Active
Colossus
1996
no
Active
Nightcrawler
1998
no
Active
Shadowcat
1999
no
Active
Rogue
2002
no
Active
Gambit
2008
no
Active
 
 
 
 
Avant Guard
Founded: 1996   currently active
Sanctioned by: Canadian Gov., UK Gov. & UNTIL
Current Base: Akiminski Island, James Bay, NT
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Blue Star
1996 -F
yes
Active
Sprint *
1996 -F
yes
Active
Green Arrow
1996 -F
yes
Active
Apache Chief
1996 -F
yes
Active
 
The Dynamic Defenders
Founded: 1997   inactive as of 2002
Unsanctioned Organization
Former Base: The Retreat, Arizona
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Doctor Strange
1997 – F
yes
Inactive
The Hulk
1997 – F
no
Inactive
Atomic Knight
1997 – F
no
Inactive
Angel
1999
no
Inactive
 
Justice League of America
Founded: 1986   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., UN & UNTIL
Current Base: Watchtower space station
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
The Flash II
1886 – F
yes
Inactive – Dead
Green Lantern
1986 – F
yes
Inactive – Dead
Atom II
1986 – F
no
Reserve
Blue Beetle
1986 – F
no
Reserve
Power-Girl
1990
no
Inactive - Dead
Lightmaster
1993
yes
Inactive
Captain Atom
1992
yes
Reserve
Black Canary
1993
no
Active
The Batman *
1997
yes
Active
Karate Master
1999
no
Reserve
The Flash III
2000
no
Active
Major Victory
2000
no
Active
Superman
2003
yes
Inactive – Dead
Guardian
2004
no
Active
Green Lantern II
2006
no
Active
Wonder Woman
2007
no
Active
 
 
Strike Force
Founded: 1998   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., UN & UNTIL
Main Base: Strike Force Mansion Command Headquarters, Boston
Additional Bases: Hong Kong, Paris, Miami, Metropolis
 
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Centurion * Bos $
Strike Force Commander
1998 - F
yes
Active – Boston, Hong Kong
Black Dragon
1998 - F
no
Active - Boston
Nightmare $
1998 - F
no
Active - Boston
Atomic Force * Mia!
1998 - F
yes
Active - Miami
The Scarlet Spider !
1999
no
Active – Boston
Mind Star $
2000
yes
Active – Boston
Saturn Five!
2001
no
Active - Miami
Ultrahawk
2002
yes
Inactive - Dead
Blademaster * Par
2002
yes
Active – Paris
El Cid !
2002
no
Active – Paris
Patriot * Met $
2003
yes
Active - Metropolis
Musketeer !
2003
yes
Active – Paris
Witch Hazel !
2004
yes
Active - Miami
Dreadnought
2004
no
Active - Paris
Saber $
2002
yes
Active - Metropolis
Challenger !
2002
yes
Active – Hong Kong
Ronin
2003
no
Active – Hong Kong
Commander Atlas !
2004
no
Active - Miami
Steel Dragon * HK !
2002
yes
Active – Hong Kong
Psi Force $
2007
no
Active - Metropolis
GunRunner !
2005
no
Active - Miami
War Chief !
2005
no
Active - Paris
Tsunami
2006
no
Active – Hong Kong
Samson the Strong !
2007
no
Active - Metropolis
Shadowalker !
2007
no
Active - Metropolis
Sea Sprite !
2008
no
Active - Miami
 
 
Notes:
   An F denotes a founding member.
   An * denotes a team’s current leader.
   Footnote 1. A.I.M. denotes Advanced Idea Mechanics.
   Footnote 2. C.O.B.R.A. denotes Corporate Organization for the Benevolent Return to Autocracy.
   Footnote 3. UNTIL suspects the following individuals have COBRA ties and may in fact lead the agency:
                       Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne, Justin Hammer, Alvin Roxxon, James Sinclair, Gideon Stevens.
   Footnote 4. UNTIL believes this may be a front organization for the Red Skull, Hydra or both.
   ! = needs updating, $ = ready to go, no symbol = needs to be created.
 
Metropolis is in southern New Jersey along the Atlantic coast side. Gotham City is in southeastern Maryland on the Chesapeake. Vibora Bay is in northern Florida in the pan-handle along the Gulf Coast. Hudson City is in Connecticut turned 90 degrees so that the city is oriented East /West rather than North/South along the bisecting Stewart River.
 
Anti-aging treatments have been available since the introduction of Perpetuon by Stevens Bio-Med in 2000, a one-time treatment known as Anagathics Beta was introduced three years later. In the former case annual treatments purge the build-up of aging toxins from the body resulting in no change in physiological age, while the later treatment slows the build-up of aging toxins by two-thirds resulting in a physiological aging of one year for every three that pass. Perpetuon treatments cost approximately $750,000 each, down from $3,000,000 when first introduced. The Anagathics Beta treatment costs $400,000, down from $750,000 in 2003. The two treatments are not compatible. Some superheroes have taken advantage of the treatments, some haven’t. In some cases the cities that they protect have footed the bills as a way of thanking the heroes for what they have done over the years.

I saw the movie Jaws at too young an age.
Good movie. Bigger Boat, yadda yadda
 
And yet, when the public pool ( a large one) was nearly empty, and one could see the blue of the Deep side... some part of my young mind just knew KNEW that some @@$#  shark had slipped through some pipes all the way from the ocean, and somehow slipped in there ... 
and it was waiting.
Oh yes.
Nevermind the physical impossibility. Never mind the pool was was chlorined and not sea water! I could no help but feel building trepidation every time I got too far into the deep end and soon got back to the shallower side.
 
Dun nah dun nah..du nah nuh ... I'm almost SURE it's waiting on the other side of that grate there....
 
 
Now, of course as an adult, I know better. Sharks do not worm their ways into swimming pools through pipes far too small for them.
 
No, tornadoes CARRY them there
 
 
 
 

Are your men on the right pills? Maybe you should execute their trainer.

The History of the Champions Earth
 
Mid 1920s through the early 1940s
   The Pulp Era began in 1925 with the first major adventure of Doc Savage and his Fabulous Five; it lasted until the early 40s overlapping with the later heroic age. Among the most active heroes were: Savage (1925-1945), The Shadow (1929-1940), globetrotting explorer Jack Colt (1927-1939), private eye Blake Diamond (1930-1944), Agent 13 (1932-1937) and adventurer Preston Walker (1926-1932). Most kept fighting as long as they were effective, some (Agent 13 for example) dropped out of sight as soon as their “mission” was accomplished, a few like Jack Colt had the end of their careers written in blood, one – Doc Savage – vanished mysteriously only to reappear half a century later un-aged and in perfect health.
 
Late 1930s through early 1950s
   World War II brought forth the Golden Age of Heroes, and for the first time the super-powered hero made his appearance. The late 30s and early 40s gave birth to many heroes whose legends have lived on throughout time. Among the most famous were: Captain America (1940-1945), The Flash (1940-1954), The Atom (1941-1954), Steel (1942-1959), Union Jack (1939-1956), Tricolor (1940-1944), The Human Torch (1942-1947), Bullet (1940-1946) and the man who had started the age - Patriot (1938-1946). One by one the heroes appeared, in July of 1941 they were united by President Roosevelt to partake in a secret mission overseas. From this early gathering came Team America, the greatest gathering of heroes ever seen. Not since the days of Mount Olympus had the world known such power. This was truly the Golden Age of Heroes. Then on the Day of Infamy naval and air forces from the Empire of Japan shattered the US Pacific Fleet at anchor in Pearl Harbor, aroused from her peacetime slumbers America entered the Second World War. In January of 1942 President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill brought forth all the various Allied heroes and proposed to form them into a single all-powerful group, this was the birth of the Liberty Legion.
 
   But the real heroes of the war were not those who donned colorful costumes and had strange powers. They were the Americans and Canadians, the French and Greeks, the British and Norwegians, the Australians and Poles, the ordinary citizens who joined their nation’s armies in the fight for a free world. These men fought in khaki and green and navy blue, marched through winds and rain, trudged across parched deserts and sailed through icy Atlantic swells. These soldiers risked - and many lost - their lives and to them all specially gifted heroes bow in reverence. And there were yet those brave men and women who fought their war in the shadow world of espionage: Nick Carter, Matt Helm, Hugh North and Jessica Mason. All too often these heroes paid the price of valor with blood. Until at long last their sacrifices were rewarded with victory and with peace.
 
   The war was over and so came the decline of the Heroic Age. The 1940s began with the birth of the superheroes and ended with their slide toward obscurity. The final crushing blow came in 1954 when the successor to the wartime Liberty Legion – The Justice Society of America, came under suspicion by the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Rather than divulge their secret identities the Society disbanded, its members retiring to private life.
 
Early 1950s through Early 1980s
   The McCarthy Purges brought on the Age of the Superagents; government founded and operated combined paramilitary, espionage and law-enforcement organizations. The most active agencies were: UNTIL – the United Nations Tribunal on International Law (1950-1970), Task Force X (1954-1969), SHIELD – the Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-enforcement Directorate (1964-2003) and UNCLE – the United Network Command for Law Enforcement (1960-1983). Armed with high technology and nerves of steel they battled the multi-national cartels of crime, terror and conquest: Viper, the Secret Empire, Hydra and Thrush. For thirty years they turned back the tide of evil that threatened to swamp the world. Alone, they stood unflinching and afraid of nothing save the return of the one menace that they were ill equipped to handle. In September of 1983 the menace returned when in the tiny Balkan nation of Latveria, Doctor Doom seized the throne. The Supervillains had returned.
 
Early 1980s onward
   The time had come at last! This was to be the greatest Age of Heroes. It was heralded in by the return of the fastest man on Earth – the Flash in 1983. Among the first of the new breed was test pilot Hal Jordan summoned to the side of a dying alien and given a fabulous ring of power to become – Green Lantern. A freak accident during the testing of an experimental nuclear reactor transforms scientists Mark and Angela Stoddard into Sunburst and Solar. The test flight of an experimental spaceship transforms Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm into Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Girl, the second Human Torch and the Thing; thus is born the Fantastic Four. Genius Industrialist Anthony Stark creates the high-tech armor to become the Invincible Iron-man. Mythology and reality collide with the return of the Norse God of Thunder – the Mighty Thor. In Gotham City a child orphaned by a killer’s gun had sharpened his mind and body to a razor’s edge, Bruce Wayne became a cancer on the Underworld in the form of the Dark Knight Detective – the Batman. As the world rushes headlong to the future the rate of genetic mutation is given a violent surge by nuclear research giving rise to the mutant children of the atom and thus emerge – the Uncanny X-Men. 1987 saw the return of the Sentinel of Liberty, the greatest human combatant of all time – Captain America! As a teen Peter Parker learned a hard lesson about power and responsibility, since then he has lived up to that responsibility as the Amazing Spider-man. The child from Krypton, raised in Smallville, had moved to the city of Metropolis where he fights a never-ending battle for truth and justice, this last son of a destroyed world has become the greatest hero of all time – Superman! Schooled by the master mage known only as the Ancient One this former surgeon has become the Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme – Dr. Strange, the Master of the Mystic Arts. A victim of mob violence Zack Thomas became the living terror of mobsters everywhere as the dark avenger known only as the Wraith. And still more followed them.
 
   This was now the Silver Age of Heroes and inspired by the teams of the Golden Age some of the greatest that ever lived banded together to face menaces that no one hero could defeat. Taking their inspiration from the post-war Justice Society – The Flash, Green Lantern, Atom II and Blue Beetle became the first Justice League of America. In Canada - Blue Star, Sprint, Green Arrow and Apache Chief are the Avant Guard. Across the globe are the four teams of fire and purpose collectively known as Strike Force. But foremost of the teams of the Silver Age are the Earth’s mightiest heroes – the Mighty Avengers.
 
   But these strides forward are not without the occasional step back and the two most disastrous occurred within four years of one another. In 2003, on the recommendation of its director, Colonel Nick Fury, SHIELD was broken up and disbanded as a result of massive enemy infiltration following which Fury and a handful of trusted subordinates spent the next three years cleaning up the corruption. Then far and away worse, in 2007 Superman was struck down saving Metropolis from the rampaging beast that the press dubbed – Doomsday. The greatest Hero on Earth had made the ultimate sacrifice for his adopted home and the entire world mourned in an outpouring of grief the like of which had never been seen. Was this the signal for the decline of the Silver Age? It seems doubtful, UNTIL has been updated and brought back into operation under Fury’s command following the break up of SHIELD. Patriot has returned and taken up residence in Metropolis where he leads a new Strike Force team that has pledged to follow the Man of Steel’s noble legacy and life goes on. Freedom, Liberty and Justice are anything but free. They must be earned through courage, fidelity and sacrifice. But in the end it is that which makes them worth having.
 
   According to definition a Hero is a man who fights against overwhelming odds for a cause, ideals or the lives of innocents. The cause and ideals will vary with the morning’s headlines; while the innocent, in today’s world of muddy morality, may ultimate prove to be the guilty. Which leaves but one constant in that definition. That a Hero is, above all, a man. A man subject to pressures and responsibilities far above those of other men. After a time those pressures and responsibilities can begin to take their toll upon the soul of even the most valiant of heroes. And it is then that the test of a true Hero begins.
 
The True Heroic Age has just begun.
 
 
 
Major Known Heroes of the Silver Age  (1983 onward)
and select Elder Statesman Heroes
 
Name
1st Appeared
Affiliation
Power type
Current Status
Doc Savage
1925
US Gov.
Highly trained / Super Science
Semi-retired
Patriot $
1938
US Gov / L L / Strike Force
Mutate - highly trained
Active - Metropolis
Captain America
1940
T A / L L / Avengers
Mutate - highly trained
Active – East Coast
The Atom
1941
T A / L L / JSA
Mutate - highly trained
Retired - 1954
Sub-mariner
1941
Atlantis / Avengers
Alien – Sea Powers
Semi-retired
Steel
1942
US Gov./ Liberty Legion
Mutate - Brick
Retired - 1959
Nick Fury $
1943
SHIELD / UNTIL
Highly Trained
Active - worldwide
The Flash II
1983
Justice League of America
Mutate - Speed
Dead - 1998
Green Lantern
1984
Guardians / JLA
High Tech - Ring
Dead - 2004
Power Girl
1984
JLA
Alien - Brick
Dead - 1996
Sunburst !
1984
Solar
Mutate – Density control
Active – L.A.
Solar !
1984
Sunburst
Mutate – Energy control
Active – L.A.
Atom II
1985
JLA
Mutate - Shrinking
Active – San Francisco
Ace of Diamonds !
1985
US Gov.
Highly Trained
Retired - 2001
Blue Beetle
1985
JLA
Gadgeteer
Active - Dallas
Mr. Fantastic
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate - Stretching
Active - NYC
The Invisible Woman
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate - Invisibility
Active - NYC
Human Torch II
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate – Flame control
Active - NYC
The Thing
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate – Brick
Active - NYC
The Hulk
1986
Avengers / Defenders
Mutate - Brick
Dead - 2005
Thor !
1987
Avengers
God of Thunder
Active – East Coast
Iron-man !
1987
Avengers
Powered Armor
Active – West Coast
Doc Pym
1987
Avengers
Gadgeteer
Active – West Coast
Wasp
1987
Avengers
Mutate – Shrinking
Active – West Coast
Professor X
1988
X-Men
Mutant- Egoist
Active – Shiar Galaxy
Cyclops
1988
X-Men / X-Factor
Mutant – Energy blaster
Active - NYC
Jean Grey
1988
X-Men / X-Factor
Mutant - Telekinesis
Active - NYC
Beast
1988
X-Men/ Avengers/ X-Factor
Mutant – Agile brick
Active – NYC
Iceman
1988
X-Men / X-Factor
Mutant – Ice powers
Active – NYC
Angel
1988
X-Men / Defenders
Mutant – Wings
Semi-retired
Midnight $
1988
none
Mutate- Darkness cont.
Active – Hudson City
Captain
 Mar-vell
1989
Kree Militia
Alien – highly trained
Dead - 1998
Lightmaster
1989
Justice League of America
Mutant – Light control
Semi-retired
Doctor Druid
1989
Avengers
Egoist
Dead – 1992
Atomic Knight
1989
Defenders
Powered Armor
Semi-retired
The Batman
1990
Justice League of America
Highly trained
Active - Gotham City
Spider-man !
1990
none
Mutate – Spider powers
Active – NYC
Hawkeye
1990
Avengers
Highly trained
Active – West Coast
Captain Atom
1990
Justice League of America
Mutate – Atomic cont.
Active – mobile
Power Man !
1990
Crusader & Starburst
Mutate - brick
Active – Seattle
Samson the Strong !
1990
Strike Force
Mystic Brick
Active – Metropolis
Superman
1991
Justice League of America
Alien - Brick
Dead - 2007
Crusader !
1991
Power Man & Starburst
Martial Artist
Active – Seattle
Starburst !
1991
Power Man & Crusader
Mutate – Energy cont
Active – Seattle
Black Canary
1991
Justice League of America
Mutate – Sonic Powers
Active – Gotham City
Daredevil
1992
none
Mutate – Hyper Senses
Dead – 2008
Scarlet Witch
1992
Avengers
Mutant – Probability cont
Semi-retired
Doctor Strange
1992
Defenders
Sorcerer
Active – Vibora Bay
Hercules
1993
Avengers
Demi-God – Brick
Inactive
Black Knight
1993
Avengers
Highly trained
Inactive
Mockingbird
1993
Avengers
Highly trained
Active – West Coast
Wonderman
1993
Avengers
Mutate – Brick
Active – West Coast
Blue Star
1994
Avant Guard
Mutant – Electric cont
Active – Canada & UK
Sprint
1994
Avant Guard
Mutant – Speedster
Active – Canada & UK
Green Arrow
1994
Avant Guard
Highly trained
Active – Canada & UK
The Wraith !
1994
none
Highly trained
Inactive
Apache Chief
1995
Avant Guard
Mystic – Grower
Active – Canada & UK
Major Victory
1995
Justice League of America
Mutate – Brick
Active – D.C.
Centurion $
1995
Strike Force
Powered Armor
Active – MA & Hong Kong
Copperhead
1995
Captain X
Powered Armor
Dead – 2000
Storm
1996
X-Men
Mutant – Weather cont
Active – NY
Wolverine
1996
X-Men
Mutant – senses & regeneration
Active – NY
Colossus
1996
X-Men
Mutant – Brick
Active – NY
Black Widow
1996
Avengers
Martial Artist
Active – East Coast
Captain X
1996
Copperhead
Martial Artist
Inactive
Captain Marvel II
1997
Avengers
Mutate – Energy cont
Inactive
Karate Master
1997
Justice League of America
Martial Artist
Active – San Francisco
Ms. Marvel
1997
Avengers
Mutate – Brick
Retired – 2001
The Vision
1997
Avengers
Android – Density cont
Semi-retired
Black Dragon
1997
Strike Force
Martial Artist
Active – US
Atomic Force !
1998
Strike Force
Mutate – Magnetic cont
Active - Florida
Nightcrawler
1998
X-Men
Mutant – Teleporter
Active – NY
Amazing Man
1998
Fantastic Four
Mutant – Phaser
Active – East Coast
Nightmare $
1998
Strike Force
Mutate – Brick
Active – New England
The Flash III
1998
Justice League of America
Mutate – Speedster
Active – St. Louis
The Scarlet Spider !
1999
Strike Force
Mutate – Spider powers
Active - Boston
Gunmetal Silk
1999
Midnight Archer
Highly trained
Active – Chicago
Midnight Archer
1999
Gunmetal Silk
Highly trained
Active - Chicago
Shadowcat
1999
X-Men
Mutant – Phaser
Active – NY
Mind-Star $
1999
Strike Force
Mutant – Egoist
Active – Boston
Tigra
2000
Avengers
Mutate – Cat powers
Active – West Coast
She Hulk
2000
Avengers/ Fantastic Four
Mutate - Brick
Active - LA
War Machine
2000
Avengers
Powered Armor
Inactive
Blademaster !
2001
Strike Force
Highly trained
Active – Paris
Rogue
2001
X-Men
Mutant – brick/ power-leech
Active - NY
Ultrahawk
2002
Strike Force
Mutate – Energy blaster
Dead - 2005
Guardian $
2002
Justice League of America
Mutate – Cosmic power
Active – MA & NV
The Sandman!
2002
none
Highly trained
Active - Hudson City
Starfox
2003
Avengers
Alien – Brick
Inactive
Ms. Marvel II
2003
Fantastic Four
Mutate – Brick
Active - NY
War Chief !
2004
Strike Force
Mystic Brick
Active - Europe
Shadowalker !
2004
Strike Force
Martial Artist
Active - Metropolis
Green Lantern II
2005
Justice League of America
High Tech – Ring
Active – CA
The Ghost !
2006
none
Mutant – Invisibility
Active – Vibora Bay
Wonder Woman
2006
Justice League of America
Amazon – Brick
Active – D.C. and NYC
Jack o’ Lantern !
2007
none
Martial Artist / Gadgeteer
Active – Hudson City
Psi Force $
2007
Strike Force
Mutant – Telekinesis
Active – Metropolis
Harmony $
2007
none
Highly trained
Active – Northeast US
Dark Angel $
2008
none
Highly trained
Active – Hudson City
Longbow $
2008
none
Highly trained
Active – Hudson City
Sea Sprite !
2008
Strike Force
Mutate – Sea Powers
Active - Miami
 
 
 
Major Known Villain Organizations
Name
Leader (s)
Approximate Size
Goals
Viper
Serpent Council
12,000
World Domination
Demon
Inner Circle of Morbanes
8,000
Mystical Power
Hydra
Madame Hydra & Baron Strucker III
11,000
World Domination
A.I.M. 1.
Scientist Supreme
14,000
Recognition of Sovereignty
C.O.B.R.A.  2.
Unknown   3.
1,000
Unknown
The Secret Empire
Unknown  4.
7,500
Rule of America
 
 
Major Currently Active Villain Teams
Name
Members
The Destroyers
The Black Skull II*, Star Smasher !, Sonic Spirit !, Blowtorch !, Ares, Black Paladin !
The Masters of Evil
Baron Zemo III*, Goliath, Mr. Hyde, Living Laser, Boomerang, The Grim Reaper, Tachyon $
The League of Thieves*
King of Clubs*!, Jack of Spades!, Ace of Hearts!, Queen of Diamonds!
The Sinister Squadron
Terminator*, Blacklash, Force!, Shadowdragon!, Bullseye
Brotherhood of Evil Mutants
Magneto*, Mystique, Sabertooth, Blob, Toad, Pyro, Juggernaut, Destiny
Femmes Fatal
Cheshire*, Moonstone, Titania, Howler$
Grab $
Black Diamond*, Bluejay, Cheshire Cat, Hummingbird
The War Machine
Warlord*!, Warbird$, Warcry$, Warhead$, Warmonger$, Warpath$
Eurostar $
Fiacho*, Durak, Feuermacher, Mentalla, Scorpia, Ultrasonique
 
 
 
 
 
Major Active Villains
Name
Stomping Grounds
Power Level
Doctor Doom
Latveria, New York City
Extreme
Loki
Asgard, Northeastern US
Extreme
The Mandarin
Valley of the Dragons in China
Extreme
Ultron XII
Continental US
Extreme
The Joker
Gotham City
Moderate
Ras Al Ghul
Middle East, Gotham City
High
Juggernaut
New York
Very High
Ronan the Accuser
Kree-Lar
Very High
Hobgoblin!
Metro New York
Moderate
The Kingpin
New York City
High
Baron Mordo
Transylvania, Vibora Bay
Very High
Baron Zemo III
Eastern US, Germany
High
Batroc the Leaper
France, New York
Moderate
Thermostar $
Eastern US
Moderate
Green Dragon!
Boston, San Francisco, Hudson City
Low
Star Smasher!
Eastern US
Very High
Crimson Dynamo
Mobile worldwide
High
Force!
New England
Moderate
Grond
Western US
Very High
Blacklash
Los Angeles
Moderate
Boomerang
San Diego
Low
Ares
Olympus, Eastern US
Very High
The Fixer
Western US
Moderate
Goliath
Metropolis
Moderate
Living Laser
Western US
Moderate
Nebula
Mobile - Deep Space
Very High
Moonstone
Continental US
High
Stormfront $
Mid-western US
Moderate
Magneto
Eastern US
Extreme
Galactus
Mobile – Deep Space
Incalculable
Tigershark
Atlantic Ocean
High
Cheshire
Northeastern US
Moderate
Terminator
DC, Baltimore, Gotham City
High
Taskmaster
Hudson City
High
Sinestro
Western US
Very High
Madame Hydra
Western Hemisphere
High
King of Clubs!
Northern US
Low
Jack of Spades!
Western US
Low
Ace of Hearts!
Southern US
Moderate
Queen of Diamonds!
Eastern US
Moderate
Terrax
Mobile – Deep Space
Very High
Mystique
Eastern US
Moderate
Annihilus
Negative Zone, New York City
High
The Absorbing Man
Seattle
High
Kraven the Hunter
Africa, New York City
Moderate
Kang the Conqueror
Mobile across time and space
Very High
Card Shark $
Hudson City
High
The Red Skull
Philadelphia, New York City
High
Mechassassin $
Europe
High
Anubis $
Egypt, Metropolis
Moderate
Blowtorch $
Hudson City
Moderate
Firewing $
Eastern US
High
Howler $
Metropolis
Moderate
Shadowdragon $
Hudson City
Moderate
Icicle $
Chicago
Moderate
Tokofanes $
Southern US
Extreme
Black Skull II
Metropolis, Europe
High
Penny Dreadful !
Hudson City
Low
Baron Strucker III
Eastern Hemisphere
High
Black Paladin $
England, France
Very High
The Riddler
Gotham City
Low
Tachyon $
Chicago
Moderate
Masque $
Eastern US
Low
Talisman $
Vibora Bay
Moderate
The Imperial Khan $
Taqiristan
Very High
 
 
Known Hero Teams of the Silver Age
 
The Mighty Avengers
Founded: 1988   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., UN & UNTIL
Current Bases: Avengers Mansion, New York City
                       Avengers Compound, Los Angeles
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Iron-man
1988 - F
yes
Inactive
Thor
1988 - F
no
Active - NYC
The Hulk
1988 – F
no
Inactive - Dead
Doc Pym aka Ant-man, Giant-man, Goliath & Yellowjacket
1988 – F
no
Active – LA
Wasp
1988 – F
yes
Reserve
Captain America* - EC
1988
yes
Active – NYC
Hawkeye* - WC
1990
yes
Active – LA
Scarlet Witch
1992
no
Reserve
The Beast
1993
no
Reserve
Sub-mariner
1997
no
Reserve
Hercules
1993
no
Reserve
Black Knight
1994
no
Reserve
Mockingbird
1995
no
Reserve
Wonderman
1995
no
Active - LA
She-Hulk
2003
no
Active – LA
The Vision
1998
yes
Reserve
Starfox
2003
no
Reserve
Ms. Marvel
1999
no
Inactive
Captain Marvel II
1997
yes
Reserve
Doctor Druid
1991
yes
Inactive - Dead
War Machine
2001
no
Inactive
Tigra
2001
no
Active – LA
Black Widow
1999
no
Active – NYC
Sersi
2008
no
Active - NYC
Quicksilver
2009
no
Active - NYC
 
 
 
The Fantastic Four
Founded: 1986   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., NYPD & UNTIL
Current Base: Four Freedoms Plaza, New York City
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Mister Fantastic *
1986 – F
yes
Active
The Invisible Woman
1986 – F
yes
Active
The Human Torch II
1986 – F
no
Active
The Thing
1986 – F
yes
Active
She-Hulk
1999
no
Inactive
Amazing Man
2002
yes
Inactive
Ms. Marvel II
2006
no
Inactive
 
The Uncanny X-Men
Founded: 1988   currently active
Unsanctioned Organization
Current Base: Unknown location in New York State
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Professor X
1988 – F
yes
Inactive
Cyclops
1988 – F
yes
Reserve
Jean Grey aka Marvel Girl
1988 – F
no
Reserve
The Beast
1988 – F
no
Reserve
Ice-man
1988 – F
no
Reserve
Angel
1988 – F
yes
Inactive
Storm *
1996
yes
Active
Wolverine
1996
yes
Active
Colossus
1996
no
Active
Nightcrawler
1998
no
Active
Shadowcat
1999
no
Active
Rogue
2002
no
Active
Gambit
2008
no
Active
 
 
 
 
Avant Guard
Founded: 1996   currently active
Sanctioned by: Canadian Gov., UK Gov. & UNTIL
Current Base: Akiminski Island, James Bay, NT
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Blue Star
1996 -F
yes
Active
Sprint *
1996 -F
yes
Active
Green Arrow
1996 -F
yes
Active
Apache Chief
1996 -F
yes
Active
 
The Dynamic Defenders
Founded: 1997   inactive as of 2002
Unsanctioned Organization
Former Base: The Retreat, Arizona
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Doctor Strange
1997 – F
yes
Inactive
The Hulk
1997 – F
no
Inactive
Atomic Knight
1997 – F
no
Inactive
Angel
1999
no
Inactive
 
Justice League of America
Founded: 1986   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., UN & UNTIL
Current Base: Watchtower space station
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
The Flash II
1886 – F
yes
Inactive – Dead
Green Lantern
1986 – F
yes
Inactive – Dead
Atom II
1986 – F
no
Reserve
Blue Beetle
1986 – F
no
Reserve
Power-Girl
1990
no
Inactive - Dead
Lightmaster
1993
yes
Inactive
Captain Atom
1992
yes
Reserve
Black Canary
1993
no
Active
The Batman *
1997
yes
Active
Karate Master
1999
no
Reserve
The Flash III
2000
no
Active
Major Victory
2000
no
Active
Superman
2003
yes
Inactive – Dead
Guardian
2004
no
Active
Green Lantern II
2006
no
Active
Wonder Woman
2007
no
Active
 
 
Strike Force
Founded: 1998   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., UN & UNTIL
Main Base: Strike Force Mansion Command Headquarters, Boston
Additional Bases: Hong Kong, Paris, Miami, Metropolis
 
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Centurion * Bos $
Strike Force Commander
1998 - F
yes
Active – Boston, Hong Kong
Black Dragon
1998 - F
no
Active - Boston
Nightmare $
1998 - F
no
Active - Boston
Atomic Force * Mia!
1998 - F
yes
Active - Miami
The Scarlet Spider !
1999
no
Active – Boston
Mind Star $
2000
yes
Active – Boston
Saturn Five!
2001
no
Active - Miami
Ultrahawk
2002
yes
Inactive - Dead
Blademaster * Par
2002
yes
Active – Paris
El Cid !
2002
no
Active – Paris
Patriot * Met $
2003
yes
Active - Metropolis
Musketeer !
2003
yes
Active – Paris
Witch Hazel !
2004
yes
Active - Miami
Dreadnought
2004
no
Active - Paris
Saber $
2002
yes
Active - Metropolis
Challenger !
2002
yes
Active – Hong Kong
Ronin
2003
no
Active – Hong Kong
Commander Atlas !
2004
no
Active - Miami
Steel Dragon * HK !
2002
yes
Active – Hong Kong
Psi Force $
2007
no
Active - Metropolis
GunRunner !
2005
no
Active - Miami
War Chief !
2005
no
Active - Paris
Tsunami
2006
no
Active – Hong Kong
Samson the Strong !
2007
no
Active - Metropolis
Shadowalker !
2007
no
Active - Metropolis
Sea Sprite !
2008
no
Active - Miami
 
 
Notes:
   An F denotes a founding member.
   An * denotes a team’s current leader.
   Footnote 1. A.I.M. denotes Advanced Idea Mechanics.
   Footnote 2. C.O.B.R.A. denotes Corporate Organization for the Benevolent Return to Autocracy.
   Footnote 3. UNTIL suspects the following individuals have COBRA ties and may in fact lead the agency:
                       Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne, Justin Hammer, Alvin Roxxon, James Sinclair, Gideon Stevens.
   Footnote 4. UNTIL believes this may be a front organization for the Red Skull, Hydra or both.
   ! = needs updating, $ = ready to go, no symbol = needs to be created.
 
Metropolis is in southern New Jersey along the Atlantic coast side. Gotham City is in southeastern Maryland on the Chesapeake. Vibora Bay is in northern Florida in the pan-handle along the Gulf Coast. Hudson City is in Connecticut turned 90 degrees so that the city is oriented East /West rather than North/South along the bisecting Stewart River.
 
Anti-aging treatments have been available since the introduction of Perpetuon by Stevens Bio-Med in 2000, a one-time treatment known as Anagathics Beta was introduced three years later. In the former case annual treatments purge the build-up of aging toxins from the body resulting in no change in physiological age, while the later treatment slows the build-up of aging toxins by two-thirds resulting in a physiological aging of one year for every three that pass. Perpetuon treatments cost approximately $750,000 each, down from $3,000,000 when first introduced. The Anagathics Beta treatment costs $400,000, down from $750,000 in 2003. The two treatments are not compatible. Some superheroes have taken advantage of the treatments, some haven’t. In some cases the cities that they protect have footed the bills as a way of thanking the heroes for what they have done over the years.

(Jerkass has a point, banging on the 4th wall, yes, I am aware that all my attempts can be broken into tropes. I've learned to live with it)
 
There was a long stretch of silence at the Ambassador's question.
 
It was Arctic Fox who broke it, "Well, looks like we don't get the short cut to the cure for cancer. Having this thrown in our faces by a superior culture, I now completely understand why over a century ago some islanders ate smug missionaries." And she shot La'Vesh a look that could curdle milk.
"Ah," Despite his diplomatic training, La'Vesh seemed at a loss for words himself there, before clearing his throat once more and saying "I have given you only the slightest problem of it. Some of you would qualify as genetic offshoots of your species. In the wrong hands this could lead to an arms race of genetic coding for superwarriors, or the extermination of superhuman potential."
 
"Like the lady said," Pinprick piped up, "You already sold us. Don't rub it in."
 
"Wait," I said, something about the talk of 'missionaries' rang a bell, "What if you were to cure a limited number of humans, covertly. As you probably know, we have a lot of religions on our world. I'm a believer in one of them."
 
"Ah, are you of the Church of Ceiling cat then?" La'Vesh inquired.
 
"I…what?" I blinked, "No."
 
"I was joking. A little humor to ease what might have to be a negative response to whatever request you're trying to make," he explained.
 
"Oh we don't use humor around here," Tornado said straight faced.
 
"Not to ease things anyway," Pinprick added.
 
It was my turn to ahem, "What I'm trying to say is, if you were to allow us to use the cure on a limited amount of people, it's entirely possible that people would assume a supernatural agency was responsible but disagree on the details enough that eventually it would pass. You'd hardly break any prime directive at all, and no one outside of us would know there is a 'cure' that we passed up."
 
One of the troopers spoke up, "With respect, Ambassador, they have given up much and  did, in a sense, save our lives by their surrender."
He frowned, angelic face falling into cautious consideration, "How limited?"
 
"One hospital" I said.
 
They others on the team looked over at me. Lady Obsidian nodded, "I think I see what you're getting at, but better lay it out for us so we're all on the same page."
 
The plan was approved by everyone, well, almost everyone. When Doctor Bench came out of the mystical realm he'd been stored in he was livid. Furious, and no amount of trying to convince him otherwise would work.
 
"You decided, all of you decided? You got to decide the fate of millions!" He accused.
 
"To keep the cure, we would have had to kill them," I said, and not for the first time, "And even then, you could beat there would be serious talk of other attempts in even greater numbers. Doctor, the Hyadesians are dedicated to preventing this particular version of the cure to us and…" I took a breath, "For good reason. And no, they won't grant us an alternative treatment worldwide but they're willing…"
 
"I don't give a damn," The man was almost shaking, "You, each and everyone of you here, is playing GOD with the lives of your fellow human beings, and we don't even get a seat at the table."
 
Lady Obsidian tilted her head, "Doctor Bench, please. You know far better than any of us as the dangers that they bring up. Gene Editing and splicing are already in our world, the Fumian solution would lead to something akin to giving every set of radicals with an agenda a biological weapon like the world has never seen. It would be blankets and small pox all over again, and on a scale that …"
 
"Oh, please don't lecture me, Doctor Vernon! I am well aware of the risks, but unlike you, I have faith in my fellow human beings to take their lumps and move on! Perhaps you've spent too much time in that suit, but we mere mortals are more robust than you think, and maybe we're more enlightened than you and these aliens think. Thousands of people should not die each day because you're worried we might not be perfect!"  His finger pointed at Lady Obsidian with an accusing jab at the end of each sentence.
Pinprick scowled, "Careful now." I could tell Pinprick agreed with a lot of his points, the look of annoyance and flashes of guilt on his diminutive face were giveaways. But no one talked to the Lady in front of Pinprick like that.
 
Lady Obsidian took a cleansing breath, and said "Perhaps I am too cynical.  It is a danger in my line of work. But we still get to the point where a group of dedicated soldiers were killing themselves to save us from this. And even if they lost, a whole nother army might have come in and this time been less fussy about who died. You think I should have just let them destroy themselves then and risk an intergalactic invasion? It wasn't that long ago we stopped an undersea one."
 
"You should have let them die, yes! You should have looked after your own!" Doctor Bench snapped.
 
"My own? Mmm" Lady Obsidian shook her head, "I think we're done here, Doctor. Mabel will see you out."
 
"I'll never forgive you for this," Bench hissed, and stormed towards the exits as Mabel lit the way "I hope one day your pretentious little Valhalla burns! We don't need gods like you!"
 
"Jerkass had some points," Tornado muttered.
 
"Don't I know it," Lady Obsidian's fists clenched "Everything he said had…. Well, my retirement just got bumped a year closer."
"Don't even joke" I told her with a smile.
 
She didn't respond.
 
"Am I the only one smelling the stink of future supervillain on Doctor Bench there?" Pinprick asked.
 
'Come on, man," I said, "He's a healer."
 
"Just me then," Pinprick muttered.

I almost always try to run my Champions games in the city where the players live.  Usually we live in a big enough city for this to make sense.
 
I then use the Marvel universe as a backdrop and use the Champions villains and organizations as appropriate.  Every once in a while the players will run into an actual Marvel Universe Villain or Villain group and the fun really happens.  For instance when they were fighting the Wrecking Crew.

Well, politicians are always managing their public image and their message, yes. But actually out stumping the rallies almost non-stop? That's reserved for election years, for any other politician.
 
I do believe that a strong ego actually is necessary for a successful politician, particularly those who aspire to significant power. You have to believe you're capable of and worthy to make decisions impacting many people's lives, or you'd be paralyzed by doubt. But NPD is a recognized psychological ailment that detracts from a person's ability to function in society.
 
Besides need for constant adulation, other hallmarks of the condition include: grossly inflated sense of self-worth; total intolerance to criticism; and lack of empathy for others. Sound familiar?

Isn't that always the way?
 
 

The History of the Champions Earth
 
Mid 1920s through the early 1940s
   The Pulp Era began in 1925 with the first major adventure of Doc Savage and his Fabulous Five; it lasted until the early 40s overlapping with the later heroic age. Among the most active heroes were: Savage (1925-1945), The Shadow (1929-1940), globetrotting explorer Jack Colt (1927-1939), private eye Blake Diamond (1930-1944), Agent 13 (1932-1937) and adventurer Preston Walker (1926-1932). Most kept fighting as long as they were effective, some (Agent 13 for example) dropped out of sight as soon as their “mission” was accomplished, a few like Jack Colt had the end of their careers written in blood, one – Doc Savage – vanished mysteriously only to reappear half a century later un-aged and in perfect health.
 
Late 1930s through early 1950s
   World War II brought forth the Golden Age of Heroes, and for the first time the super-powered hero made his appearance. The late 30s and early 40s gave birth to many heroes whose legends have lived on throughout time. Among the most famous were: Captain America (1940-1945), The Flash (1940-1954), The Atom (1941-1954), Steel (1942-1959), Union Jack (1939-1956), Tricolor (1940-1944), The Human Torch (1942-1947), Bullet (1940-1946) and the man who had started the age - Patriot (1938-1946). One by one the heroes appeared, in July of 1941 they were united by President Roosevelt to partake in a secret mission overseas. From this early gathering came Team America, the greatest gathering of heroes ever seen. Not since the days of Mount Olympus had the world known such power. This was truly the Golden Age of Heroes. Then on the Day of Infamy naval and air forces from the Empire of Japan shattered the US Pacific Fleet at anchor in Pearl Harbor, aroused from her peacetime slumbers America entered the Second World War. In January of 1942 President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill brought forth all the various Allied heroes and proposed to form them into a single all-powerful group, this was the birth of the Liberty Legion.
 
   But the real heroes of the war were not those who donned colorful costumes and had strange powers. They were the Americans and Canadians, the French and Greeks, the British and Norwegians, the Australians and Poles, the ordinary citizens who joined their nation’s armies in the fight for a free world. These men fought in khaki and green and navy blue, marched through winds and rain, trudged across parched deserts and sailed through icy Atlantic swells. These soldiers risked - and many lost - their lives and to them all specially gifted heroes bow in reverence. And there were yet those brave men and women who fought their war in the shadow world of espionage: Nick Carter, Matt Helm, Hugh North and Jessica Mason. All too often these heroes paid the price of valor with blood. Until at long last their sacrifices were rewarded with victory and with peace.
 
   The war was over and so came the decline of the Heroic Age. The 1940s began with the birth of the superheroes and ended with their slide toward obscurity. The final crushing blow came in 1954 when the successor to the wartime Liberty Legion – The Justice Society of America, came under suspicion by the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Rather than divulge their secret identities the Society disbanded, its members retiring to private life.
 
Early 1950s through Early 1980s
   The McCarthy Purges brought on the Age of the Superagents; government founded and operated combined paramilitary, espionage and law-enforcement organizations. The most active agencies were: UNTIL – the United Nations Tribunal on International Law (1950-1970), Task Force X (1954-1969), SHIELD – the Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-enforcement Directorate (1964-2003) and UNCLE – the United Network Command for Law Enforcement (1960-1983). Armed with high technology and nerves of steel they battled the multi-national cartels of crime, terror and conquest: Viper, the Secret Empire, Hydra and Thrush. For thirty years they turned back the tide of evil that threatened to swamp the world. Alone, they stood unflinching and afraid of nothing save the return of the one menace that they were ill equipped to handle. In September of 1983 the menace returned when in the tiny Balkan nation of Latveria, Doctor Doom seized the throne. The Supervillains had returned.
 
Early 1980s onward
   The time had come at last! This was to be the greatest Age of Heroes. It was heralded in by the return of the fastest man on Earth – the Flash in 1983. Among the first of the new breed was test pilot Hal Jordan summoned to the side of a dying alien and given a fabulous ring of power to become – Green Lantern. A freak accident during the testing of an experimental nuclear reactor transforms scientists Mark and Angela Stoddard into Sunburst and Solar. The test flight of an experimental spaceship transforms Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm into Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Girl, the second Human Torch and the Thing; thus is born the Fantastic Four. Genius Industrialist Anthony Stark creates the high-tech armor to become the Invincible Iron-man. Mythology and reality collide with the return of the Norse God of Thunder – the Mighty Thor. In Gotham City a child orphaned by a killer’s gun had sharpened his mind and body to a razor’s edge, Bruce Wayne became a cancer on the Underworld in the form of the Dark Knight Detective – the Batman. As the world rushes headlong to the future the rate of genetic mutation is given a violent surge by nuclear research giving rise to the mutant children of the atom and thus emerge – the Uncanny X-Men. 1987 saw the return of the Sentinel of Liberty, the greatest human combatant of all time – Captain America! As a teen Peter Parker learned a hard lesson about power and responsibility, since then he has lived up to that responsibility as the Amazing Spider-man. The child from Krypton, raised in Smallville, had moved to the city of Metropolis where he fights a never-ending battle for truth and justice, this last son of a destroyed world has become the greatest hero of all time – Superman! Schooled by the master mage known only as the Ancient One this former surgeon has become the Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme – Dr. Strange, the Master of the Mystic Arts. A victim of mob violence Zack Thomas became the living terror of mobsters everywhere as the dark avenger known only as the Wraith. And still more followed them.
 
   This was now the Silver Age of Heroes and inspired by the teams of the Golden Age some of the greatest that ever lived banded together to face menaces that no one hero could defeat. Taking their inspiration from the post-war Justice Society – The Flash, Green Lantern, Atom II and Blue Beetle became the first Justice League of America. In Canada - Blue Star, Sprint, Green Arrow and Apache Chief are the Avant Guard. Across the globe are the four teams of fire and purpose collectively known as Strike Force. But foremost of the teams of the Silver Age are the Earth’s mightiest heroes – the Mighty Avengers.
 
   But these strides forward are not without the occasional step back and the two most disastrous occurred within four years of one another. In 2003, on the recommendation of its director, Colonel Nick Fury, SHIELD was broken up and disbanded as a result of massive enemy infiltration following which Fury and a handful of trusted subordinates spent the next three years cleaning up the corruption. Then far and away worse, in 2007 Superman was struck down saving Metropolis from the rampaging beast that the press dubbed – Doomsday. The greatest Hero on Earth had made the ultimate sacrifice for his adopted home and the entire world mourned in an outpouring of grief the like of which had never been seen. Was this the signal for the decline of the Silver Age? It seems doubtful, UNTIL has been updated and brought back into operation under Fury’s command following the break up of SHIELD. Patriot has returned and taken up residence in Metropolis where he leads a new Strike Force team that has pledged to follow the Man of Steel’s noble legacy and life goes on. Freedom, Liberty and Justice are anything but free. They must be earned through courage, fidelity and sacrifice. But in the end it is that which makes them worth having.
 
   According to definition a Hero is a man who fights against overwhelming odds for a cause, ideals or the lives of innocents. The cause and ideals will vary with the morning’s headlines; while the innocent, in today’s world of muddy morality, may ultimate prove to be the guilty. Which leaves but one constant in that definition. That a Hero is, above all, a man. A man subject to pressures and responsibilities far above those of other men. After a time those pressures and responsibilities can begin to take their toll upon the soul of even the most valiant of heroes. And it is then that the test of a true Hero begins.
 
The True Heroic Age has just begun.
 
 
 
Major Known Heroes of the Silver Age  (1983 onward)
and select Elder Statesman Heroes
 
Name
1st Appeared
Affiliation
Power type
Current Status
Doc Savage
1925
US Gov.
Highly trained / Super Science
Semi-retired
Patriot $
1938
US Gov / L L / Strike Force
Mutate - highly trained
Active - Metropolis
Captain America
1940
T A / L L / Avengers
Mutate - highly trained
Active – East Coast
The Atom
1941
T A / L L / JSA
Mutate - highly trained
Retired - 1954
Sub-mariner
1941
Atlantis / Avengers
Alien – Sea Powers
Semi-retired
Steel
1942
US Gov./ Liberty Legion
Mutate - Brick
Retired - 1959
Nick Fury $
1943
SHIELD / UNTIL
Highly Trained
Active - worldwide
The Flash II
1983
Justice League of America
Mutate - Speed
Dead - 1998
Green Lantern
1984
Guardians / JLA
High Tech - Ring
Dead - 2004
Power Girl
1984
JLA
Alien - Brick
Dead - 1996
Sunburst !
1984
Solar
Mutate – Density control
Active – L.A.
Solar !
1984
Sunburst
Mutate – Energy control
Active – L.A.
Atom II
1985
JLA
Mutate - Shrinking
Active – San Francisco
Ace of Diamonds !
1985
US Gov.
Highly Trained
Retired - 2001
Blue Beetle
1985
JLA
Gadgeteer
Active - Dallas
Mr. Fantastic
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate - Stretching
Active - NYC
The Invisible Woman
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate - Invisibility
Active - NYC
Human Torch II
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate – Flame control
Active - NYC
The Thing
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate – Brick
Active - NYC
The Hulk
1986
Avengers / Defenders
Mutate - Brick
Dead - 2005
Thor !
1987
Avengers
God of Thunder
Active – East Coast
Iron-man !
1987
Avengers
Powered Armor
Active – West Coast
Doc Pym
1987
Avengers
Gadgeteer
Active – West Coast
Wasp
1987
Avengers
Mutate – Shrinking
Active – West Coast
Professor X
1988
X-Men
Mutant- Egoist
Active – Shiar Galaxy
Cyclops
1988
X-Men / X-Factor
Mutant – Energy blaster
Active - NYC
Jean Grey
1988
X-Men / X-Factor
Mutant - Telekinesis
Active - NYC
Beast
1988
X-Men/ Avengers/ X-Factor
Mutant – Agile brick
Active – NYC
Iceman
1988
X-Men / X-Factor
Mutant – Ice powers
Active – NYC
Angel
1988
X-Men / Defenders
Mutant – Wings
Semi-retired
Midnight $
1988
none
Mutate- Darkness cont.
Active – Hudson City
Captain
 Mar-vell
1989
Kree Militia
Alien – highly trained
Dead - 1998
Lightmaster
1989
Justice League of America
Mutant – Light control
Semi-retired
Doctor Druid
1989
Avengers
Egoist
Dead – 1992
Atomic Knight
1989
Defenders
Powered Armor
Semi-retired
The Batman
1990
Justice League of America
Highly trained
Active - Gotham City
Spider-man !
1990
none
Mutate – Spider powers
Active – NYC
Hawkeye
1990
Avengers
Highly trained
Active – West Coast
Captain Atom
1990
Justice League of America
Mutate – Atomic cont.
Active – mobile
Power Man !
1990
Crusader & Starburst
Mutate - brick
Active – Seattle
Samson the Strong !
1990
Strike Force
Mystic Brick
Active – Metropolis
Superman
1991
Justice League of America
Alien - Brick
Dead - 2007
Crusader !
1991
Power Man & Starburst
Martial Artist
Active – Seattle
Starburst !
1991
Power Man & Crusader
Mutate – Energy cont
Active – Seattle
Black Canary
1991
Justice League of America
Mutate – Sonic Powers
Active – Gotham City
Daredevil
1992
none
Mutate – Hyper Senses
Dead – 2008
Scarlet Witch
1992
Avengers
Mutant – Probability cont
Semi-retired
Doctor Strange
1992
Defenders
Sorcerer
Active – Vibora Bay
Hercules
1993
Avengers
Demi-God – Brick
Inactive
Black Knight
1993
Avengers
Highly trained
Inactive
Mockingbird
1993
Avengers
Highly trained
Active – West Coast
Wonderman
1993
Avengers
Mutate – Brick
Active – West Coast
Blue Star
1994
Avant Guard
Mutant – Electric cont
Active – Canada & UK
Sprint
1994
Avant Guard
Mutant – Speedster
Active – Canada & UK
Green Arrow
1994
Avant Guard
Highly trained
Active – Canada & UK
The Wraith !
1994
none
Highly trained
Inactive
Apache Chief
1995
Avant Guard
Mystic – Grower
Active – Canada & UK
Major Victory
1995
Justice League of America
Mutate – Brick
Active – D.C.
Centurion $
1995
Strike Force
Powered Armor
Active – MA & Hong Kong
Copperhead
1995
Captain X
Powered Armor
Dead – 2000
Storm
1996
X-Men
Mutant – Weather cont
Active – NY
Wolverine
1996
X-Men
Mutant – senses & regeneration
Active – NY
Colossus
1996
X-Men
Mutant – Brick
Active – NY
Black Widow
1996
Avengers
Martial Artist
Active – East Coast
Captain X
1996
Copperhead
Martial Artist
Inactive
Captain Marvel II
1997
Avengers
Mutate – Energy cont
Inactive
Karate Master
1997
Justice League of America
Martial Artist
Active – San Francisco
Ms. Marvel
1997
Avengers
Mutate – Brick
Retired – 2001
The Vision
1997
Avengers
Android – Density cont
Semi-retired
Black Dragon
1997
Strike Force
Martial Artist
Active – US
Atomic Force !
1998
Strike Force
Mutate – Magnetic cont
Active - Florida
Nightcrawler
1998
X-Men
Mutant – Teleporter
Active – NY
Amazing Man
1998
Fantastic Four
Mutant – Phaser
Active – East Coast
Nightmare $
1998
Strike Force
Mutate – Brick
Active – New England
The Flash III
1998
Justice League of America
Mutate – Speedster
Active – St. Louis
The Scarlet Spider !
1999
Strike Force
Mutate – Spider powers
Active - Boston
Gunmetal Silk
1999
Midnight Archer
Highly trained
Active – Chicago
Midnight Archer
1999
Gunmetal Silk
Highly trained
Active - Chicago
Shadowcat
1999
X-Men
Mutant – Phaser
Active – NY
Mind-Star $
1999
Strike Force
Mutant – Egoist
Active – Boston
Tigra
2000
Avengers
Mutate – Cat powers
Active – West Coast
She Hulk
2000
Avengers/ Fantastic Four
Mutate - Brick
Active - LA
War Machine
2000
Avengers
Powered Armor
Inactive
Blademaster !
2001
Strike Force
Highly trained
Active – Paris
Rogue
2001
X-Men
Mutant – brick/ power-leech
Active - NY
Ultrahawk
2002
Strike Force
Mutate – Energy blaster
Dead - 2005
Guardian $
2002
Justice League of America
Mutate – Cosmic power
Active – MA & NV
The Sandman!
2002
none
Highly trained
Active - Hudson City
Starfox
2003
Avengers
Alien – Brick
Inactive
Ms. Marvel II
2003
Fantastic Four
Mutate – Brick
Active - NY
War Chief !
2004
Strike Force
Mystic Brick
Active - Europe
Shadowalker !
2004
Strike Force
Martial Artist
Active - Metropolis
Green Lantern II
2005
Justice League of America
High Tech – Ring
Active – CA
The Ghost !
2006
none
Mutant – Invisibility
Active – Vibora Bay
Wonder Woman
2006
Justice League of America
Amazon – Brick
Active – D.C. and NYC
Jack o’ Lantern !
2007
none
Martial Artist / Gadgeteer
Active – Hudson City
Psi Force $
2007
Strike Force
Mutant – Telekinesis
Active – Metropolis
Harmony $
2007
none
Highly trained
Active – Northeast US
Dark Angel $
2008
none
Highly trained
Active – Hudson City
Longbow $
2008
none
Highly trained
Active – Hudson City
Sea Sprite !
2008
Strike Force
Mutate – Sea Powers
Active - Miami
 
 
 
Major Known Villain Organizations
Name
Leader (s)
Approximate Size
Goals
Viper
Serpent Council
12,000
World Domination
Demon
Inner Circle of Morbanes
8,000
Mystical Power
Hydra
Madame Hydra & Baron Strucker III
11,000
World Domination
A.I.M. 1.
Scientist Supreme
14,000
Recognition of Sovereignty
C.O.B.R.A.  2.
Unknown   3.
1,000
Unknown
The Secret Empire
Unknown  4.
7,500
Rule of America
 
 
Major Currently Active Villain Teams
Name
Members
The Destroyers
The Black Skull II*, Star Smasher !, Sonic Spirit !, Blowtorch !, Ares, Black Paladin !
The Masters of Evil
Baron Zemo III*, Goliath, Mr. Hyde, Living Laser, Boomerang, The Grim Reaper, Tachyon $
The League of Thieves*
King of Clubs*!, Jack of Spades!, Ace of Hearts!, Queen of Diamonds!
The Sinister Squadron
Terminator*, Blacklash, Force!, Shadowdragon!, Bullseye
Brotherhood of Evil Mutants
Magneto*, Mystique, Sabertooth, Blob, Toad, Pyro, Juggernaut, Destiny
Femmes Fatal
Cheshire*, Moonstone, Titania, Howler$
Grab $
Black Diamond*, Bluejay, Cheshire Cat, Hummingbird
The War Machine
Warlord*!, Warbird$, Warcry$, Warhead$, Warmonger$, Warpath$
Eurostar $
Fiacho*, Durak, Feuermacher, Mentalla, Scorpia, Ultrasonique
 
 
 
 
 
Major Active Villains
Name
Stomping Grounds
Power Level
Doctor Doom
Latveria, New York City
Extreme
Loki
Asgard, Northeastern US
Extreme
The Mandarin
Valley of the Dragons in China
Extreme
Ultron XII
Continental US
Extreme
The Joker
Gotham City
Moderate
Ras Al Ghul
Middle East, Gotham City
High
Juggernaut
New York
Very High
Ronan the Accuser
Kree-Lar
Very High
Hobgoblin!
Metro New York
Moderate
The Kingpin
New York City
High
Baron Mordo
Transylvania, Vibora Bay
Very High
Baron Zemo III
Eastern US, Germany
High
Batroc the Leaper
France, New York
Moderate
Thermostar $
Eastern US
Moderate
Green Dragon!
Boston, San Francisco, Hudson City
Low
Star Smasher!
Eastern US
Very High
Crimson Dynamo
Mobile worldwide
High
Force!
New England
Moderate
Grond
Western US
Very High
Blacklash
Los Angeles
Moderate
Boomerang
San Diego
Low
Ares
Olympus, Eastern US
Very High
The Fixer
Western US
Moderate
Goliath
Metropolis
Moderate
Living Laser
Western US
Moderate
Nebula
Mobile - Deep Space
Very High
Moonstone
Continental US
High
Stormfront $
Mid-western US
Moderate
Magneto
Eastern US
Extreme
Galactus
Mobile – Deep Space
Incalculable
Tigershark
Atlantic Ocean
High
Cheshire
Northeastern US
Moderate
Terminator
DC, Baltimore, Gotham City
High
Taskmaster
Hudson City
High
Sinestro
Western US
Very High
Madame Hydra
Western Hemisphere
High
King of Clubs!
Northern US
Low
Jack of Spades!
Western US
Low
Ace of Hearts!
Southern US
Moderate
Queen of Diamonds!
Eastern US
Moderate
Terrax
Mobile – Deep Space
Very High
Mystique
Eastern US
Moderate
Annihilus
Negative Zone, New York City
High
The Absorbing Man
Seattle
High
Kraven the Hunter
Africa, New York City
Moderate
Kang the Conqueror
Mobile across time and space
Very High
Card Shark $
Hudson City
High
The Red Skull
Philadelphia, New York City
High
Mechassassin $
Europe
High
Anubis $
Egypt, Metropolis
Moderate
Blowtorch $
Hudson City
Moderate
Firewing $
Eastern US
High
Howler $
Metropolis
Moderate
Shadowdragon $
Hudson City
Moderate
Icicle $
Chicago
Moderate
Tokofanes $
Southern US
Extreme
Black Skull II
Metropolis, Europe
High
Penny Dreadful !
Hudson City
Low
Baron Strucker III
Eastern Hemisphere
High
Black Paladin $
England, France
Very High
The Riddler
Gotham City
Low
Tachyon $
Chicago
Moderate
Masque $
Eastern US
Low
Talisman $
Vibora Bay
Moderate
The Imperial Khan $
Taqiristan
Very High
 
 
Known Hero Teams of the Silver Age
 
The Mighty Avengers
Founded: 1988   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., UN & UNTIL
Current Bases: Avengers Mansion, New York City
                       Avengers Compound, Los Angeles
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Iron-man
1988 - F
yes
Inactive
Thor
1988 - F
no
Active - NYC
The Hulk
1988 – F
no
Inactive - Dead
Doc Pym aka Ant-man, Giant-man, Goliath & Yellowjacket
1988 – F
no
Active – LA
Wasp
1988 – F
yes
Reserve
Captain America* - EC
1988
yes
Active – NYC
Hawkeye* - WC
1990
yes
Active – LA
Scarlet Witch
1992
no
Reserve
The Beast
1993
no
Reserve
Sub-mariner
1997
no
Reserve
Hercules
1993
no
Reserve
Black Knight
1994
no
Reserve
Mockingbird
1995
no
Reserve
Wonderman
1995
no
Active - LA
She-Hulk
2003
no
Active – LA
The Vision
1998
yes
Reserve
Starfox
2003
no
Reserve
Ms. Marvel
1999
no
Inactive
Captain Marvel II
1997
yes
Reserve
Doctor Druid
1991
yes
Inactive - Dead
War Machine
2001
no
Inactive
Tigra
2001
no
Active – LA
Black Widow
1999
no
Active – NYC
Sersi
2008
no
Active - NYC
Quicksilver
2009
no
Active - NYC
 
 
 
The Fantastic Four
Founded: 1986   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., NYPD & UNTIL
Current Base: Four Freedoms Plaza, New York City
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Mister Fantastic *
1986 – F
yes
Active
The Invisible Woman
1986 – F
yes
Active
The Human Torch II
1986 – F
no
Active
The Thing
1986 – F
yes
Active
She-Hulk
1999
no
Inactive
Amazing Man
2002
yes
Inactive
Ms. Marvel II
2006
no
Inactive
 
The Uncanny X-Men
Founded: 1988   currently active
Unsanctioned Organization
Current Base: Unknown location in New York State
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Professor X
1988 – F
yes
Inactive
Cyclops
1988 – F
yes
Reserve
Jean Grey aka Marvel Girl
1988 – F
no
Reserve
The Beast
1988 – F
no
Reserve
Ice-man
1988 – F
no
Reserve
Angel
1988 – F
yes
Inactive
Storm *
1996
yes
Active
Wolverine
1996
yes
Active
Colossus
1996
no
Active
Nightcrawler
1998
no
Active
Shadowcat
1999
no
Active
Rogue
2002
no
Active
Gambit
2008
no
Active
 
 
 
 
Avant Guard
Founded: 1996   currently active
Sanctioned by: Canadian Gov., UK Gov. & UNTIL
Current Base: Akiminski Island, James Bay, NT
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Blue Star
1996 -F
yes
Active
Sprint *
1996 -F
yes
Active
Green Arrow
1996 -F
yes
Active
Apache Chief
1996 -F
yes
Active
 
The Dynamic Defenders
Founded: 1997   inactive as of 2002
Unsanctioned Organization
Former Base: The Retreat, Arizona
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Doctor Strange
1997 – F
yes
Inactive
The Hulk
1997 – F
no
Inactive
Atomic Knight
1997 – F
no
Inactive
Angel
1999
no
Inactive
 
Justice League of America
Founded: 1986   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., UN & UNTIL
Current Base: Watchtower space station
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
The Flash II
1886 – F
yes
Inactive – Dead
Green Lantern
1986 – F
yes
Inactive – Dead
Atom II
1986 – F
no
Reserve
Blue Beetle
1986 – F
no
Reserve
Power-Girl
1990
no
Inactive - Dead
Lightmaster
1993
yes
Inactive
Captain Atom
1992
yes
Reserve
Black Canary
1993
no
Active
The Batman *
1997
yes
Active
Karate Master
1999
no
Reserve
The Flash III
2000
no
Active
Major Victory
2000
no
Active
Superman
2003
yes
Inactive – Dead
Guardian
2004
no
Active
Green Lantern II
2006
no
Active
Wonder Woman
2007
no
Active
 
 
Strike Force
Founded: 1998   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., UN & UNTIL
Main Base: Strike Force Mansion Command Headquarters, Boston
Additional Bases: Hong Kong, Paris, Miami, Metropolis
 
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Centurion * Bos $
Strike Force Commander
1998 - F
yes
Active – Boston, Hong Kong
Black Dragon
1998 - F
no
Active - Boston
Nightmare $
1998 - F
no
Active - Boston
Atomic Force * Mia!
1998 - F
yes
Active - Miami
The Scarlet Spider !
1999
no
Active – Boston
Mind Star $
2000
yes
Active – Boston
Saturn Five!
2001
no
Active - Miami
Ultrahawk
2002
yes
Inactive - Dead
Blademaster * Par
2002
yes
Active – Paris
El Cid !
2002
no
Active – Paris
Patriot * Met $
2003
yes
Active - Metropolis
Musketeer !
2003
yes
Active – Paris
Witch Hazel !
2004
yes
Active - Miami
Dreadnought
2004
no
Active - Paris
Saber $
2002
yes
Active - Metropolis
Challenger !
2002
yes
Active – Hong Kong
Ronin
2003
no
Active – Hong Kong
Commander Atlas !
2004
no
Active - Miami
Steel Dragon * HK !
2002
yes
Active – Hong Kong
Psi Force $
2007
no
Active - Metropolis
GunRunner !
2005
no
Active - Miami
War Chief !
2005
no
Active - Paris
Tsunami
2006
no
Active – Hong Kong
Samson the Strong !
2007
no
Active - Metropolis
Shadowalker !
2007
no
Active - Metropolis
Sea Sprite !
2008
no
Active - Miami
 
 
Notes:
   An F denotes a founding member.
   An * denotes a team’s current leader.
   Footnote 1. A.I.M. denotes Advanced Idea Mechanics.
   Footnote 2. C.O.B.R.A. denotes Corporate Organization for the Benevolent Return to Autocracy.
   Footnote 3. UNTIL suspects the following individuals have COBRA ties and may in fact lead the agency:
                       Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne, Justin Hammer, Alvin Roxxon, James Sinclair, Gideon Stevens.
   Footnote 4. UNTIL believes this may be a front organization for the Red Skull, Hydra or both.
   ! = needs updating, $ = ready to go, no symbol = needs to be created.
 
Metropolis is in southern New Jersey along the Atlantic coast side. Gotham City is in southeastern Maryland on the Chesapeake. Vibora Bay is in northern Florida in the pan-handle along the Gulf Coast. Hudson City is in Connecticut turned 90 degrees so that the city is oriented East /West rather than North/South along the bisecting Stewart River.
 
Anti-aging treatments have been available since the introduction of Perpetuon by Stevens Bio-Med in 2000, a one-time treatment known as Anagathics Beta was introduced three years later. In the former case annual treatments purge the build-up of aging toxins from the body resulting in no change in physiological age, while the later treatment slows the build-up of aging toxins by two-thirds resulting in a physiological aging of one year for every three that pass. Perpetuon treatments cost approximately $750,000 each, down from $3,000,000 when first introduced. The Anagathics Beta treatment costs $400,000, down from $750,000 in 2003. The two treatments are not compatible. Some superheroes have taken advantage of the treatments, some haven’t. In some cases the cities that they protect have footed the bills as a way of thanking the heroes for what they have done over the years.

The History of the Champions Earth
 
Mid 1920s through the early 1940s
   The Pulp Era began in 1925 with the first major adventure of Doc Savage and his Fabulous Five; it lasted until the early 40s overlapping with the later heroic age. Among the most active heroes were: Savage (1925-1945), The Shadow (1929-1940), globetrotting explorer Jack Colt (1927-1939), private eye Blake Diamond (1930-1944), Agent 13 (1932-1937) and adventurer Preston Walker (1926-1932). Most kept fighting as long as they were effective, some (Agent 13 for example) dropped out of sight as soon as their “mission” was accomplished, a few like Jack Colt had the end of their careers written in blood, one – Doc Savage – vanished mysteriously only to reappear half a century later un-aged and in perfect health.
 
Late 1930s through early 1950s
   World War II brought forth the Golden Age of Heroes, and for the first time the super-powered hero made his appearance. The late 30s and early 40s gave birth to many heroes whose legends have lived on throughout time. Among the most famous were: Captain America (1940-1945), The Flash (1940-1954), The Atom (1941-1954), Steel (1942-1959), Union Jack (1939-1956), Tricolor (1940-1944), The Human Torch (1942-1947), Bullet (1940-1946) and the man who had started the age - Patriot (1938-1946). One by one the heroes appeared, in July of 1941 they were united by President Roosevelt to partake in a secret mission overseas. From this early gathering came Team America, the greatest gathering of heroes ever seen. Not since the days of Mount Olympus had the world known such power. This was truly the Golden Age of Heroes. Then on the Day of Infamy naval and air forces from the Empire of Japan shattered the US Pacific Fleet at anchor in Pearl Harbor, aroused from her peacetime slumbers America entered the Second World War. In January of 1942 President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill brought forth all the various Allied heroes and proposed to form them into a single all-powerful group, this was the birth of the Liberty Legion.
 
   But the real heroes of the war were not those who donned colorful costumes and had strange powers. They were the Americans and Canadians, the French and Greeks, the British and Norwegians, the Australians and Poles, the ordinary citizens who joined their nation’s armies in the fight for a free world. These men fought in khaki and green and navy blue, marched through winds and rain, trudged across parched deserts and sailed through icy Atlantic swells. These soldiers risked - and many lost - their lives and to them all specially gifted heroes bow in reverence. And there were yet those brave men and women who fought their war in the shadow world of espionage: Nick Carter, Matt Helm, Hugh North and Jessica Mason. All too often these heroes paid the price of valor with blood. Until at long last their sacrifices were rewarded with victory and with peace.
 
   The war was over and so came the decline of the Heroic Age. The 1940s began with the birth of the superheroes and ended with their slide toward obscurity. The final crushing blow came in 1954 when the successor to the wartime Liberty Legion – The Justice Society of America, came under suspicion by the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Rather than divulge their secret identities the Society disbanded, its members retiring to private life.
 
Early 1950s through Early 1980s
   The McCarthy Purges brought on the Age of the Superagents; government founded and operated combined paramilitary, espionage and law-enforcement organizations. The most active agencies were: UNTIL – the United Nations Tribunal on International Law (1950-1970), Task Force X (1954-1969), SHIELD – the Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-enforcement Directorate (1964-2003) and UNCLE – the United Network Command for Law Enforcement (1960-1983). Armed with high technology and nerves of steel they battled the multi-national cartels of crime, terror and conquest: Viper, the Secret Empire, Hydra and Thrush. For thirty years they turned back the tide of evil that threatened to swamp the world. Alone, they stood unflinching and afraid of nothing save the return of the one menace that they were ill equipped to handle. In September of 1983 the menace returned when in the tiny Balkan nation of Latveria, Doctor Doom seized the throne. The Supervillains had returned.
 
Early 1980s onward
   The time had come at last! This was to be the greatest Age of Heroes. It was heralded in by the return of the fastest man on Earth – the Flash in 1983. Among the first of the new breed was test pilot Hal Jordan summoned to the side of a dying alien and given a fabulous ring of power to become – Green Lantern. A freak accident during the testing of an experimental nuclear reactor transforms scientists Mark and Angela Stoddard into Sunburst and Solar. The test flight of an experimental spaceship transforms Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm into Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Girl, the second Human Torch and the Thing; thus is born the Fantastic Four. Genius Industrialist Anthony Stark creates the high-tech armor to become the Invincible Iron-man. Mythology and reality collide with the return of the Norse God of Thunder – the Mighty Thor. In Gotham City a child orphaned by a killer’s gun had sharpened his mind and body to a razor’s edge, Bruce Wayne became a cancer on the Underworld in the form of the Dark Knight Detective – the Batman. As the world rushes headlong to the future the rate of genetic mutation is given a violent surge by nuclear research giving rise to the mutant children of the atom and thus emerge – the Uncanny X-Men. 1987 saw the return of the Sentinel of Liberty, the greatest human combatant of all time – Captain America! As a teen Peter Parker learned a hard lesson about power and responsibility, since then he has lived up to that responsibility as the Amazing Spider-man. The child from Krypton, raised in Smallville, had moved to the city of Metropolis where he fights a never-ending battle for truth and justice, this last son of a destroyed world has become the greatest hero of all time – Superman! Schooled by the master mage known only as the Ancient One this former surgeon has become the Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme – Dr. Strange, the Master of the Mystic Arts. A victim of mob violence Zack Thomas became the living terror of mobsters everywhere as the dark avenger known only as the Wraith. And still more followed them.
 
   This was now the Silver Age of Heroes and inspired by the teams of the Golden Age some of the greatest that ever lived banded together to face menaces that no one hero could defeat. Taking their inspiration from the post-war Justice Society – The Flash, Green Lantern, Atom II and Blue Beetle became the first Justice League of America. In Canada - Blue Star, Sprint, Green Arrow and Apache Chief are the Avant Guard. Across the globe are the four teams of fire and purpose collectively known as Strike Force. But foremost of the teams of the Silver Age are the Earth’s mightiest heroes – the Mighty Avengers.
 
   But these strides forward are not without the occasional step back and the two most disastrous occurred within four years of one another. In 2003, on the recommendation of its director, Colonel Nick Fury, SHIELD was broken up and disbanded as a result of massive enemy infiltration following which Fury and a handful of trusted subordinates spent the next three years cleaning up the corruption. Then far and away worse, in 2007 Superman was struck down saving Metropolis from the rampaging beast that the press dubbed – Doomsday. The greatest Hero on Earth had made the ultimate sacrifice for his adopted home and the entire world mourned in an outpouring of grief the like of which had never been seen. Was this the signal for the decline of the Silver Age? It seems doubtful, UNTIL has been updated and brought back into operation under Fury’s command following the break up of SHIELD. Patriot has returned and taken up residence in Metropolis where he leads a new Strike Force team that has pledged to follow the Man of Steel’s noble legacy and life goes on. Freedom, Liberty and Justice are anything but free. They must be earned through courage, fidelity and sacrifice. But in the end it is that which makes them worth having.
 
   According to definition a Hero is a man who fights against overwhelming odds for a cause, ideals or the lives of innocents. The cause and ideals will vary with the morning’s headlines; while the innocent, in today’s world of muddy morality, may ultimate prove to be the guilty. Which leaves but one constant in that definition. That a Hero is, above all, a man. A man subject to pressures and responsibilities far above those of other men. After a time those pressures and responsibilities can begin to take their toll upon the soul of even the most valiant of heroes. And it is then that the test of a true Hero begins.
 
The True Heroic Age has just begun.
 
 
 
Major Known Heroes of the Silver Age  (1983 onward)
and select Elder Statesman Heroes
 
Name
1st Appeared
Affiliation
Power type
Current Status
Doc Savage
1925
US Gov.
Highly trained / Super Science
Semi-retired
Patriot $
1938
US Gov / L L / Strike Force
Mutate - highly trained
Active - Metropolis
Captain America
1940
T A / L L / Avengers
Mutate - highly trained
Active – East Coast
The Atom
1941
T A / L L / JSA
Mutate - highly trained
Retired - 1954
Sub-mariner
1941
Atlantis / Avengers
Alien – Sea Powers
Semi-retired
Steel
1942
US Gov./ Liberty Legion
Mutate - Brick
Retired - 1959
Nick Fury $
1943
SHIELD / UNTIL
Highly Trained
Active - worldwide
The Flash II
1983
Justice League of America
Mutate - Speed
Dead - 1998
Green Lantern
1984
Guardians / JLA
High Tech - Ring
Dead - 2004
Power Girl
1984
JLA
Alien - Brick
Dead - 1996
Sunburst !
1984
Solar
Mutate – Density control
Active – L.A.
Solar !
1984
Sunburst
Mutate – Energy control
Active – L.A.
Atom II
1985
JLA
Mutate - Shrinking
Active – San Francisco
Ace of Diamonds !
1985
US Gov.
Highly Trained
Retired - 2001
Blue Beetle
1985
JLA
Gadgeteer
Active - Dallas
Mr. Fantastic
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate - Stretching
Active - NYC
The Invisible Woman
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate - Invisibility
Active - NYC
Human Torch II
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate – Flame control
Active - NYC
The Thing
1986
Fantastic Four
Mutate – Brick
Active - NYC
The Hulk
1986
Avengers / Defenders
Mutate - Brick
Dead - 2005
Thor !
1987
Avengers
God of Thunder
Active – East Coast
Iron-man !
1987
Avengers
Powered Armor
Active – West Coast
Doc Pym
1987
Avengers
Gadgeteer
Active – West Coast
Wasp
1987
Avengers
Mutate – Shrinking
Active – West Coast
Professor X
1988
X-Men
Mutant- Egoist
Active – Shiar Galaxy
Cyclops
1988
X-Men / X-Factor
Mutant – Energy blaster
Active - NYC
Jean Grey
1988
X-Men / X-Factor
Mutant - Telekinesis
Active - NYC
Beast
1988
X-Men/ Avengers/ X-Factor
Mutant – Agile brick
Active – NYC
Iceman
1988
X-Men / X-Factor
Mutant – Ice powers
Active – NYC
Angel
1988
X-Men / Defenders
Mutant – Wings
Semi-retired
Midnight $
1988
none
Mutate- Darkness cont.
Active – Hudson City
Captain
 Mar-vell
1989
Kree Militia
Alien – highly trained
Dead - 1998
Lightmaster
1989
Justice League of America
Mutant – Light control
Semi-retired
Doctor Druid
1989
Avengers
Egoist
Dead – 1992
Atomic Knight
1989
Defenders
Powered Armor
Semi-retired
The Batman
1990
Justice League of America
Highly trained
Active - Gotham City
Spider-man !
1990
none
Mutate – Spider powers
Active – NYC
Hawkeye
1990
Avengers
Highly trained
Active – West Coast
Captain Atom
1990
Justice League of America
Mutate – Atomic cont.
Active – mobile
Power Man !
1990
Crusader & Starburst
Mutate - brick
Active – Seattle
Samson the Strong !
1990
Strike Force
Mystic Brick
Active – Metropolis
Superman
1991
Justice League of America
Alien - Brick
Dead - 2007
Crusader !
1991
Power Man & Starburst
Martial Artist
Active – Seattle
Starburst !
1991
Power Man & Crusader
Mutate – Energy cont
Active – Seattle
Black Canary
1991
Justice League of America
Mutate – Sonic Powers
Active – Gotham City
Daredevil
1992
none
Mutate – Hyper Senses
Dead – 2008
Scarlet Witch
1992
Avengers
Mutant – Probability cont
Semi-retired
Doctor Strange
1992
Defenders
Sorcerer
Active – Vibora Bay
Hercules
1993
Avengers
Demi-God – Brick
Inactive
Black Knight
1993
Avengers
Highly trained
Inactive
Mockingbird
1993
Avengers
Highly trained
Active – West Coast
Wonderman
1993
Avengers
Mutate – Brick
Active – West Coast
Blue Star
1994
Avant Guard
Mutant – Electric cont
Active – Canada & UK
Sprint
1994
Avant Guard
Mutant – Speedster
Active – Canada & UK
Green Arrow
1994
Avant Guard
Highly trained
Active – Canada & UK
The Wraith !
1994
none
Highly trained
Inactive
Apache Chief
1995
Avant Guard
Mystic – Grower
Active – Canada & UK
Major Victory
1995
Justice League of America
Mutate – Brick
Active – D.C.
Centurion $
1995
Strike Force
Powered Armor
Active – MA & Hong Kong
Copperhead
1995
Captain X
Powered Armor
Dead – 2000
Storm
1996
X-Men
Mutant – Weather cont
Active – NY
Wolverine
1996
X-Men
Mutant – senses & regeneration
Active – NY
Colossus
1996
X-Men
Mutant – Brick
Active – NY
Black Widow
1996
Avengers
Martial Artist
Active – East Coast
Captain X
1996
Copperhead
Martial Artist
Inactive
Captain Marvel II
1997
Avengers
Mutate – Energy cont
Inactive
Karate Master
1997
Justice League of America
Martial Artist
Active – San Francisco
Ms. Marvel
1997
Avengers
Mutate – Brick
Retired – 2001
The Vision
1997
Avengers
Android – Density cont
Semi-retired
Black Dragon
1997
Strike Force
Martial Artist
Active – US
Atomic Force !
1998
Strike Force
Mutate – Magnetic cont
Active - Florida
Nightcrawler
1998
X-Men
Mutant – Teleporter
Active – NY
Amazing Man
1998
Fantastic Four
Mutant – Phaser
Active – East Coast
Nightmare $
1998
Strike Force
Mutate – Brick
Active – New England
The Flash III
1998
Justice League of America
Mutate – Speedster
Active – St. Louis
The Scarlet Spider !
1999
Strike Force
Mutate – Spider powers
Active - Boston
Gunmetal Silk
1999
Midnight Archer
Highly trained
Active – Chicago
Midnight Archer
1999
Gunmetal Silk
Highly trained
Active - Chicago
Shadowcat
1999
X-Men
Mutant – Phaser
Active – NY
Mind-Star $
1999
Strike Force
Mutant – Egoist
Active – Boston
Tigra
2000
Avengers
Mutate – Cat powers
Active – West Coast
She Hulk
2000
Avengers/ Fantastic Four
Mutate - Brick
Active - LA
War Machine
2000
Avengers
Powered Armor
Inactive
Blademaster !
2001
Strike Force
Highly trained
Active – Paris
Rogue
2001
X-Men
Mutant – brick/ power-leech
Active - NY
Ultrahawk
2002
Strike Force
Mutate – Energy blaster
Dead - 2005
Guardian $
2002
Justice League of America
Mutate – Cosmic power
Active – MA & NV
The Sandman!
2002
none
Highly trained
Active - Hudson City
Starfox
2003
Avengers
Alien – Brick
Inactive
Ms. Marvel II
2003
Fantastic Four
Mutate – Brick
Active - NY
War Chief !
2004
Strike Force
Mystic Brick
Active - Europe
Shadowalker !
2004
Strike Force
Martial Artist
Active - Metropolis
Green Lantern II
2005
Justice League of America
High Tech – Ring
Active – CA
The Ghost !
2006
none
Mutant – Invisibility
Active – Vibora Bay
Wonder Woman
2006
Justice League of America
Amazon – Brick
Active – D.C. and NYC
Jack o’ Lantern !
2007
none
Martial Artist / Gadgeteer
Active – Hudson City
Psi Force $
2007
Strike Force
Mutant – Telekinesis
Active – Metropolis
Harmony $
2007
none
Highly trained
Active – Northeast US
Dark Angel $
2008
none
Highly trained
Active – Hudson City
Longbow $
2008
none
Highly trained
Active – Hudson City
Sea Sprite !
2008
Strike Force
Mutate – Sea Powers
Active - Miami
 
 
 
Major Known Villain Organizations
Name
Leader (s)
Approximate Size
Goals
Viper
Serpent Council
12,000
World Domination
Demon
Inner Circle of Morbanes
8,000
Mystical Power
Hydra
Madame Hydra & Baron Strucker III
11,000
World Domination
A.I.M. 1.
Scientist Supreme
14,000
Recognition of Sovereignty
C.O.B.R.A.  2.
Unknown   3.
1,000
Unknown
The Secret Empire
Unknown  4.
7,500
Rule of America
 
 
Major Currently Active Villain Teams
Name
Members
The Destroyers
The Black Skull II*, Star Smasher !, Sonic Spirit !, Blowtorch !, Ares, Black Paladin !
The Masters of Evil
Baron Zemo III*, Goliath, Mr. Hyde, Living Laser, Boomerang, The Grim Reaper, Tachyon $
The League of Thieves*
King of Clubs*!, Jack of Spades!, Ace of Hearts!, Queen of Diamonds!
The Sinister Squadron
Terminator*, Blacklash, Force!, Shadowdragon!, Bullseye
Brotherhood of Evil Mutants
Magneto*, Mystique, Sabertooth, Blob, Toad, Pyro, Juggernaut, Destiny
Femmes Fatal
Cheshire*, Moonstone, Titania, Howler$
Grab $
Black Diamond*, Bluejay, Cheshire Cat, Hummingbird
The War Machine
Warlord*!, Warbird$, Warcry$, Warhead$, Warmonger$, Warpath$
Eurostar $
Fiacho*, Durak, Feuermacher, Mentalla, Scorpia, Ultrasonique
 
 
 
 
 
Major Active Villains
Name
Stomping Grounds
Power Level
Doctor Doom
Latveria, New York City
Extreme
Loki
Asgard, Northeastern US
Extreme
The Mandarin
Valley of the Dragons in China
Extreme
Ultron XII
Continental US
Extreme
The Joker
Gotham City
Moderate
Ras Al Ghul
Middle East, Gotham City
High
Juggernaut
New York
Very High
Ronan the Accuser
Kree-Lar
Very High
Hobgoblin!
Metro New York
Moderate
The Kingpin
New York City
High
Baron Mordo
Transylvania, Vibora Bay
Very High
Baron Zemo III
Eastern US, Germany
High
Batroc the Leaper
France, New York
Moderate
Thermostar $
Eastern US
Moderate
Green Dragon!
Boston, San Francisco, Hudson City
Low
Star Smasher!
Eastern US
Very High
Crimson Dynamo
Mobile worldwide
High
Force!
New England
Moderate
Grond
Western US
Very High
Blacklash
Los Angeles
Moderate
Boomerang
San Diego
Low
Ares
Olympus, Eastern US
Very High
The Fixer
Western US
Moderate
Goliath
Metropolis
Moderate
Living Laser
Western US
Moderate
Nebula
Mobile - Deep Space
Very High
Moonstone
Continental US
High
Stormfront $
Mid-western US
Moderate
Magneto
Eastern US
Extreme
Galactus
Mobile – Deep Space
Incalculable
Tigershark
Atlantic Ocean
High
Cheshire
Northeastern US
Moderate
Terminator
DC, Baltimore, Gotham City
High
Taskmaster
Hudson City
High
Sinestro
Western US
Very High
Madame Hydra
Western Hemisphere
High
King of Clubs!
Northern US
Low
Jack of Spades!
Western US
Low
Ace of Hearts!
Southern US
Moderate
Queen of Diamonds!
Eastern US
Moderate
Terrax
Mobile – Deep Space
Very High
Mystique
Eastern US
Moderate
Annihilus
Negative Zone, New York City
High
The Absorbing Man
Seattle
High
Kraven the Hunter
Africa, New York City
Moderate
Kang the Conqueror
Mobile across time and space
Very High
Card Shark $
Hudson City
High
The Red Skull
Philadelphia, New York City
High
Mechassassin $
Europe
High
Anubis $
Egypt, Metropolis
Moderate
Blowtorch $
Hudson City
Moderate
Firewing $
Eastern US
High
Howler $
Metropolis
Moderate
Shadowdragon $
Hudson City
Moderate
Icicle $
Chicago
Moderate
Tokofanes $
Southern US
Extreme
Black Skull II
Metropolis, Europe
High
Penny Dreadful !
Hudson City
Low
Baron Strucker III
Eastern Hemisphere
High
Black Paladin $
England, France
Very High
The Riddler
Gotham City
Low
Tachyon $
Chicago
Moderate
Masque $
Eastern US
Low
Talisman $
Vibora Bay
Moderate
The Imperial Khan $
Taqiristan
Very High
 
 
Known Hero Teams of the Silver Age
 
The Mighty Avengers
Founded: 1988   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., UN & UNTIL
Current Bases: Avengers Mansion, New York City
                       Avengers Compound, Los Angeles
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Iron-man
1988 - F
yes
Inactive
Thor
1988 - F
no
Active - NYC
The Hulk
1988 – F
no
Inactive - Dead
Doc Pym aka Ant-man, Giant-man, Goliath & Yellowjacket
1988 – F
no
Active – LA
Wasp
1988 – F
yes
Reserve
Captain America* - EC
1988
yes
Active – NYC
Hawkeye* - WC
1990
yes
Active – LA
Scarlet Witch
1992
no
Reserve
The Beast
1993
no
Reserve
Sub-mariner
1997
no
Reserve
Hercules
1993
no
Reserve
Black Knight
1994
no
Reserve
Mockingbird
1995
no
Reserve
Wonderman
1995
no
Active - LA
She-Hulk
2003
no
Active – LA
The Vision
1998
yes
Reserve
Starfox
2003
no
Reserve
Ms. Marvel
1999
no
Inactive
Captain Marvel II
1997
yes
Reserve
Doctor Druid
1991
yes
Inactive - Dead
War Machine
2001
no
Inactive
Tigra
2001
no
Active – LA
Black Widow
1999
no
Active – NYC
Sersi
2008
no
Active - NYC
Quicksilver
2009
no
Active - NYC
 
 
 
The Fantastic Four
Founded: 1986   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., NYPD & UNTIL
Current Base: Four Freedoms Plaza, New York City
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Mister Fantastic *
1986 – F
yes
Active
The Invisible Woman
1986 – F
yes
Active
The Human Torch II
1986 – F
no
Active
The Thing
1986 – F
yes
Active
She-Hulk
1999
no
Inactive
Amazing Man
2002
yes
Inactive
Ms. Marvel II
2006
no
Inactive
 
The Uncanny X-Men
Founded: 1988   currently active
Unsanctioned Organization
Current Base: Unknown location in New York State
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Professor X
1988 – F
yes
Inactive
Cyclops
1988 – F
yes
Reserve
Jean Grey aka Marvel Girl
1988 – F
no
Reserve
The Beast
1988 – F
no
Reserve
Ice-man
1988 – F
no
Reserve
Angel
1988 – F
yes
Inactive
Storm *
1996
yes
Active
Wolverine
1996
yes
Active
Colossus
1996
no
Active
Nightcrawler
1998
no
Active
Shadowcat
1999
no
Active
Rogue
2002
no
Active
Gambit
2008
no
Active
 
 
 
 
Avant Guard
Founded: 1996   currently active
Sanctioned by: Canadian Gov., UK Gov. & UNTIL
Current Base: Akiminski Island, James Bay, NT
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Blue Star
1996 -F
yes
Active
Sprint *
1996 -F
yes
Active
Green Arrow
1996 -F
yes
Active
Apache Chief
1996 -F
yes
Active
 
The Dynamic Defenders
Founded: 1997   inactive as of 2002
Unsanctioned Organization
Former Base: The Retreat, Arizona
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Doctor Strange
1997 – F
yes
Inactive
The Hulk
1997 – F
no
Inactive
Atomic Knight
1997 – F
no
Inactive
Angel
1999
no
Inactive
 
Justice League of America
Founded: 1986   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., UN & UNTIL
Current Base: Watchtower space station
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
The Flash II
1886 – F
yes
Inactive – Dead
Green Lantern
1986 – F
yes
Inactive – Dead
Atom II
1986 – F
no
Reserve
Blue Beetle
1986 – F
no
Reserve
Power-Girl
1990
no
Inactive - Dead
Lightmaster
1993
yes
Inactive
Captain Atom
1992
yes
Reserve
Black Canary
1993
no
Active
The Batman *
1997
yes
Active
Karate Master
1999
no
Reserve
The Flash III
2000
no
Active
Major Victory
2000
no
Active
Superman
2003
yes
Inactive – Dead
Guardian
2004
no
Active
Green Lantern II
2006
no
Active
Wonder Woman
2007
no
Active
 
 
Strike Force
Founded: 1998   currently active
Sanctioned by: US Gov., UN & UNTIL
Main Base: Strike Force Mansion Command Headquarters, Boston
Additional Bases: Hong Kong, Paris, Miami, Metropolis
 
 
Membership Roster
Name
Year joined
Served as leader
Current status
Centurion * Bos $
Strike Force Commander
1998 - F
yes
Active – Boston, Hong Kong
Black Dragon
1998 - F
no
Active - Boston
Nightmare $
1998 - F
no
Active - Boston
Atomic Force * Mia!
1998 - F
yes
Active - Miami
The Scarlet Spider !
1999
no
Active – Boston
Mind Star $
2000
yes
Active – Boston
Saturn Five!
2001
no
Active - Miami
Ultrahawk
2002
yes
Inactive - Dead
Blademaster * Par
2002
yes
Active – Paris
El Cid !
2002
no
Active – Paris
Patriot * Met $
2003
yes
Active - Metropolis
Musketeer !
2003
yes
Active – Paris
Witch Hazel !
2004
yes
Active - Miami
Dreadnought
2004
no
Active - Paris
Saber $
2002
yes
Active - Metropolis
Challenger !
2002
yes
Active – Hong Kong
Ronin
2003
no
Active – Hong Kong
Commander Atlas !
2004
no
Active - Miami
Steel Dragon * HK !
2002
yes
Active – Hong Kong
Psi Force $
2007
no
Active - Metropolis
GunRunner !
2005
no
Active - Miami
War Chief !
2005
no
Active - Paris
Tsunami
2006
no
Active – Hong Kong
Samson the Strong !
2007
no
Active - Metropolis
Shadowalker !
2007
no
Active - Metropolis
Sea Sprite !
2008
no
Active - Miami
 
 
Notes:
   An F denotes a founding member.
   An * denotes a team’s current leader.
   Footnote 1. A.I.M. denotes Advanced Idea Mechanics.
   Footnote 2. C.O.B.R.A. denotes Corporate Organization for the Benevolent Return to Autocracy.
   Footnote 3. UNTIL suspects the following individuals have COBRA ties and may in fact lead the agency:
                       Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne, Justin Hammer, Alvin Roxxon, James Sinclair, Gideon Stevens.
   Footnote 4. UNTIL believes this may be a front organization for the Red Skull, Hydra or both.
   ! = needs updating, $ = ready to go, no symbol = needs to be created.
 
Metropolis is in southern New Jersey along the Atlantic coast side. Gotham City is in southeastern Maryland on the Chesapeake. Vibora Bay is in northern Florida in the pan-handle along the Gulf Coast. Hudson City is in Connecticut turned 90 degrees so that the city is oriented East /West rather than North/South along the bisecting Stewart River.
 
Anti-aging treatments have been available since the introduction of Perpetuon by Stevens Bio-Med in 2000, a one-time treatment known as Anagathics Beta was introduced three years later. In the former case annual treatments purge the build-up of aging toxins from the body resulting in no change in physiological age, while the later treatment slows the build-up of aging toxins by two-thirds resulting in a physiological aging of one year for every three that pass. Perpetuon treatments cost approximately $750,000 each, down from $3,000,000 when first introduced. The Anagathics Beta treatment costs $400,000, down from $750,000 in 2003. The two treatments are not compatible. Some superheroes have taken advantage of the treatments, some haven’t. In some cases the cities that they protect have footed the bills as a way of thanking the heroes for what they have done over the years.

The one good thing about the movie, is whether you agree or not, you can see both sides of the argument - unlike the travesty that was the Civil War in the comics.