The_DC_Book_A_Vast_and_Vibrant_Multiverse_Simply_Explained_Stephen

Crime-oriented social misfits Monkey see, maniac do For the SCIENCE UNBOUND 101
find solace in science and effective Ultra-Humanite, humanity is a feeble
ways to assuage feelings of accident to be overcome and surpassed. Hugo Strange, whose obsession
inadequacy or resentment through with Batman compels him to ever
their destructively creative efforts. disciplines before switching his greater self-destructive behavior
These “therapies” can also be highly attention to mastering magical and ultimately catastrophic acts
profitable. The democratization of forces. Similar curiosity drives of monstrous carnage.
science allows minor malcontents biologist Kurt (Man-Bat) Langstrom
such as Baron Bug, Mantis Morlo, to the brink of incapacitating Some sinister intellects are
Professor Milo, and the Calculator insanity, but he is saved and simply ill, victims of their own
to adapt others’ discoveries to redeemed by inclusion in Justice imbalanced brain chemistry.
their criminal arsenals. League Dark. No such lifebelt helps Dr. Will Magnus (pictured far left)
is an innovative robotics pioneer
Exhibiting callous disregard for and sometime Super Hero, but
life and a total lack of empathy, over- when he misses his stabilizing
achievers like Winslow “Toyman” medication, he spirals into mania—
Schott, Karl “Dr. Death” Helfern, obsessed with building ambulatory
Scarecrow (Jonathan Crane), or WMD Plutonium Man. Former
vicious Thaddeus Kilgrave gleefully mentor and futurist Thomas Oscar
terrorize humanity through personal Morrow invites Magnus to join him,
assaults, or by supplying exotic android master Professor Ivo, and
arms to other felons. Ultimately, others recruited by Veronica Cale
many such maniacs of limited in a Chinese-backed think tank
vision end up as tools for military on Oolong Island, with immense
regimes and commercial interests. resources and encouragement
to build whatever takes their
The most effective and dark fancy. Supervised by the
memorable intellectual savants grotesquely mutated Chang
are immeasurably intelligent Tzu, these great but dangerous
psychopaths and sociopaths minds unleash a tidal wave of
devoted to results with little or no deadly monsters and munitions,
interest in costs or repercussions. necessitating a frantic last-ditch
Multifaceted Thaddeus Sivana is response from Super Heroes of
a brilliant exponent of all scientific many nations to prevent complete
and utter global annihilation. ■

Smart sets and secret think tanks

So prolific and deadly are the technologies, leader, and former Manhunter,
creations of early inventors and extremely deadly Mark Shaw ousted Talia al
independent minds that many bioweapons, or
criminal organizations seek to even forbidden Ghu¯ l from Leviathan (pictured)
capitalize on them. Constantly knowledge itself. and repurposed the
contending with ancient cults organization to absorb and
The dangers nullify all such rogue outfits.
like Ra¯’s al Ghu¯ l’s League of of such efforts are
Assassins and Kobra, groups incomprehensible
such as H.I.V.E. (Hierarchy of but may propel
International Vengeance and minor criminal
Elimination), C.A.W. (Criminal gangs to the
Alliance of the World), and forefront of hidden terrorist
O.G.R.E. (Organization for threats like science cabal the
General Revenge and Council or underworld financiers
Enslavement) act as plunderers the Ninth Circle. Recently, the
of lost history. The prizes threat of such tech-plunderers
can be unimaginable lost was greatly reduced after new

102

SATPOLMITSTING

SUBATOMIC HEROES

ON THE RECORD I’ve made myself lighter than All-new atomic warfare
a dust mote!
REAL NAME Ray Palmer Palmer’s discoveries and inventions
Ray Palmer, Ryan Choi are misappropriated and misused
many times. Student Adam Cray
AFFILIATIONS loses his life using Palmer’s gear
Justice League of America while working as The Atom with the
Suicide Squad, and Ray’s own wife,
BASE Jean Loring, uses it to kill Sue Dibny.
Ivy Town
science-based crimes, cases of Quantum tunneler For scientists
POWERS espionage, and weirder metahuman and adventurers, nothing compares
Super-genius intellects, size and mystical menaces in his home to witnessing reality at its most
and weight manipulation city of Ivy Town. He serves with fundamental and fantastic.
through dwarf-star matter, distinction in early Justice League
and quantum technology iterations, before moving into pure
research. As science advisor to the
MISSION Super-Human Advanced Defense
Decoding mysteries, Executive (S.H.A.D.E.), he constructs
understanding reality, the Ant Farm—a self-contained
saving lives, having fun mobile base floating above
American cities, miniaturized
STATUS REPORT to a few inches in diameter.
Science never pauses, so the
Atoms keep pace Although now semi-retired,
he frequently assists in all-
A fter discovering how white encompassing crises or size-specific
dwarf-star material can cases—such as the poisoning
compress matter, Professor of Superman with a microscopic
Ray Palmer constructs a suit (later sliver of Kryptonite or when
“Bio-Belt”) to alter his size and Batman discovers a microscopic
weight. As much a thrill seeker city growing in his brain.
as dedicated scholar, he creates
The Atom, a Super Hero tackling

Big boots to fill Ryan Choi M’nagalah’s control and SCIENCE UNBOUND 103
cannot accept that he is every faces his greatest trials after
bit as effective an Atomic hero accidentally bringing a microbial Atomic family Many heroes and
as his mentor Ray Palmer. carnivore back from the Microverse. villains have been molded by the
This horror shrinks its prey, storing power and destructive capabilities
Later, Ivy University serial killer them in a subatomic pocket of the atom.
Sylbert Rundine steals a Palmer dimension, and it takes all Choi’s
Bio-Belt, graduating to super- bravery and brilliance to save its Mighty Atom (Al Pratt)
human predation as Dwarfstar, until surviving victims. Following a A 5ft 1in bodybuilder,
size-shifting Super-Villain Giganta serious fluctuation in the time- this 1940s student gains
finally proves too much for him. stream, Batman grudgingly recruits atomic super-strength
Choi as science advisor and and becomes a hero after
Despondent at the constant combatant for his Justice League fighting radioactive
tragedy his discoveries cause, of America team. It’s a decision villain Cyclotron.
Palmer vanishes into subatomic the Dark Knight never regrets.
realms, resolved to spend his life The team’s efforts eventually lead Damage (Grant
in simple exploration. In his absence, them to Ray Palmer, who has taken Emerson) Abducted by
friend, teaching assistant, and up residence in the Microverse. Vandal Savage, Al Pratt’s
former student Ryan Choi inherits Palmer studies firsthand how the son gains the powers
Palmer’s teaching position at subatomic realm is the foundation of the All-Star Squadron
Ivy University along with his of all higher realities. He goes on to and is seemingly killed
technology and heroic identity. provide quantum shortcuts to every fighting Black Lanterns.
Initially a terrified and reluctant aspect of existence—even time
hero, Choi quickly carves his own corridors and alternate realities. Atom Smasher (Albert
legend as the all-new Atom, saving These discoveries pay off in Rothstein) Al Pratt’s
Earth from invasion by microscopic a remarkable way. As a result godson and Cyclotron’s
aliens, and thwarting a time- of battling Perpetua’s Legion grandson, he manipulates
bending conspiracy devised of Doom across countless his atomic density as
by the time-thief Chronos. centuries, a time-erased Justice firstly Nuklon and
Society—a team of Super Heroes ultimately Atom Smasher.
Choi liberates the mentally from the 1940s—are restored,
unstable Giganta from cancer-god including research professor Al Pratt The Atom (Ray
who fought crime as the nuclear- Palmer) After solving
enhanced, super-strong mystery the mysteries of atomic
man the Mighty Atom. structure, physicist
Ray Palmer’s stellar costumed Palmer becomes the
career largely closes, but his Atom to help his fiancée
discoveries continue to change Jean’s legal career.
the world from his base in the
Microverse. From that microscopic Jean Loring
realm, he expands scientific horizons Increasingly abandoned
while safeguarding the very by her Super Hero
building blocks of reality. He still husband, she steals
finds opportunities to flex his heroic his gear and kills
muscles, giving Hawkman advice Sue Dibny to regain
on the ancient technologies linked his attention.
to his past incarnations and aiding
the Justice League of America The Atom (Adam
in stopping archenemy Chronos Crayford) Chosen by
from unmaking the history of Palmer to take his place,
Super Heroes on Earth. ■ Adam Cray is murdered
by Blacksnake, a member
See also: Super Heroes in War, New of the Micro Squad, who
uses Palmer’s tech for evil.
World Orders
Dwarfstar (Sylbert
Rundine) A psychotic
killer forcibly grown
by time-warping Lady
Chronos, he uses a
Bio-Belt and knife to slake
a thirst for slaughter.

The Atom (Ryan Choi)
A gentle, inquisitive soul,
he cannot accept how
valiant he truly is—even
though Ray Palmer tells
him he has earned the
right to be The Atom.

104

DNEUTCELRERAERNT

CAPTAIN ATOM

ON THE RECORD chance. Can such events be Atomic alert Nathaniel Adam is
REAL NAME truly random? Surely repeated troubled by his cunning, manipulative
occurrence lends credence to handler General Wade Eiling.
Nathaniel Adam the notion of a higher design?
Apotheosis stems from empirical mission. Adam’s superiors are
AFFILIATIONS research, and humans forcibly unaware that the quantum flare
Justice League, Justice ascend via unexpected connection warps timelines, propelling him
League International, to the raw components of existence. back decades.
USAF
On Earth-0, USAF Captain Falling in love with Takara Soto,
BASE Nathaniel Adam pilots Dr. Heinrich Adam fathers a son who inherits
Classified Megala’s prototype dimensional his quantum abilities. The USAF,
transfer vehicle and is seemingly however, are more interested in
POWERS destroyed during the experiment. condemned contemporary killer
Uses quantum field for Adam rematerializes as an energy Max Thrane, who gains similar
super-strength and speed, being linked to the strong nuclear powers from energy eruption
invulnerability, flight, force component of nature and and takes the name Ultramax.
energy/radiation absorption matter. A sentient thermonuclear His transformation confirms that
and generation, plugged reactor, his atoms continually split such godlike capabilities can be
into all electronic apart and rebond, generating reproduced and harnessed to
communications systems constant power, but also resulting military specifications. ■
in unpredictable and uncontrollable
MISSION quantum flare-ups.
Rebuilding a life
Exploited by the military as
STATUS REPORT a covert asset, Adam is ordered
Too powerful to trust to spy on other Super Heroes as
“Captain Atom.” He wins acclaim
A cross countless variant with the Justice League, but is
realities, science abruptly decommissioned and
progresses in great leaps interred in Megala’s subterranean
and bounds, inevitably creating suppression dome after a quantum
its own godlike beings, born of flare kills three people. Released
technology, innovation, and years later with a new appearance
and called Cameron Scott, Adam
reluctantly resumes his secret

SCIENCE UNBOUND 105

NPRUOCLLIEFAERRATION

RADIOACTIVE ROGUES

ON THE RECORD cases. Nuclear power Who goes
becomes crucial to there? The
NOTABLE INCIDENCES modern living, but Firestorm
Firestorm, Parasite, Neutro, accidents and incautious Matrix not
Multiplex, Dr. Phosphorus, ambition creates not only picks up
Cyclotronic Man, Professor only mindless unwilling
Radium, Reactron rampaging brutes but also hitchhikers
more dangerous creatures— like Jason
MISSION REPORT criminals and would-be tyrants. Rusch but
Achieving or averting is easily
atomic Armageddon Mercifully, the mighty reproducible.
powers wielded by petty thugs
STATUS REPORT such as Bag O’Bones/Cyclotronic Reactron, Professor Radium,
Too dangerous to be left Man, Neutro, or Parasites Max Geiger, Nuclear, and Mister Nitro.
at large Jensen or Rudy Jones (pictured
above) do not enhance intellect. Far more dangerous are the
O nce the atom is split, many Super Heroes like Batman, geniuses remade by radioactivity:
hastily attribute a range of Supergirl, and the Doom Patrol Danton Black, who fissions into
bizarre phenomena and easily outwit if not outpower unlimited duplicates as Multiplex;
unlikely mutations to unleashed them, even after the formation Dr. Alex Sartorius/Dr. Phosphorus,
radioactivity—even citing its of a nightmarish Nuclear Legion who opts for subtlety rather than
responsibility for new superhumans. consisting of similar malcontents bombast and poisons Gotham City
As yet, no one is aware of the part with his own body; or Atomic Skull
played by the dormant metagene I feel like my body’s (Joseph Martin), who confronts
locked within a significant portion exploding inside! Superman and Green Lantern before
of humanity. eventually wising up and reforming.
Max Jensen
The postwar era harnesses Perhaps the most dangerous is a
atomic energy for military and well-meaning Super Hero. Professor
commercial purposes, and its Martin Stein and student Ronnie
incredible forces interact with the Raymond are fused together by
environment, spawning atomic atomic detonation into a gestalt
monsters like the energy-eater entity, but the unstable matrix
hunting the Challengers of the draws in others—adding increasing
Unknown in one of their earliest instability to the fusion-fired fury
of Firestorm. ■

106

FFARBEUAKLOSUS

THE DOOM PATROL

ON THE RECORD loss, alienation, and madness. Second-chance squad A desire to
Dr. Niles Caulder, aka the Chief, help is the only requirement needed to
FOUNDING MEMBERS creates a “Doom Patrol” to join this eccentric extended family.
“The Chief” (Dr. Niles thwart unnatural threats. Over
Caulder), Robotman (Cliff numerous outlandish lineups, a bid to save sentient teleporting
Steele), Negative Man his troubleshooting teams always environment Danny (sometimes the
(Larry Trainor), Elasti- comprise unstable freaks. Many Street, the Brick, or the Ambulance)
Woman (Rita Farr) of these metahuman misfits are from being turned into a literal
created by his own devious cash cow for mega-corporation
NOTABLE RECRUITS machinations, rendered pliable Vectra. Again rejecting Caulder’s
Casey Brinke, Flex Mentallo, by his psychological manipulation. sly attempts to regain control,
Danny the Street/ they all stay together, inviting
Ambulance, Jane, Fugg Eventually core operatives Elasti- new members—living comic book
Girl (later known as Elasti-Woman), character Casey Brinke, humanoid
BASE Negative Man, and Robotman cat Lotion, young wizard Lucius
Danny the Ambulance, shatter his conditioning and seize Reynolds, and many others into their
formerly Secret Sanctuary control of their destinies. Choosing extended, trouble-seeking family. ■
to work with the Chief on their
MISSION own terms, the Doom Patrol offers
Negotiating the weirdest sanctuary to the strangest beings in
encounters existence the Multiverse. Dedicated to
manifests defending the less fortunate, they
tackle tyrannical aliens such as
STATUS REPORT Garguax, Super-Villains the
Regretfully resorting to Brotherhood of Evil and General
violence far too often Immortus, and non-rationalistic
threats like Mister Nobody and the
T he glamor of Super Hero Brotherhood of Dada, Red Jack, and
combat is intoxicating and the Cult of the Unwritten Book.
spectacular. Many battles to They also play crucial roles in many
preserve life and liberty are fought on reality-altering crises, bringing
the edge of reality. They require the them into contact with more
efforts of even more extraordinary conventional Super Heroes.
champions, forged in a crucible of
The most recent Doom Patrol
initially reunites old members in

SCIENCE UNBOUND 107

DCUALTLY OF

HEROES FROM THE H-DIAL

ON THE RECORD If you want to live ... Dial H! own them, they are plagued by
The Operator agents of the good Wizard and the
LOCATION/EXCHANGE evil Master. Successive dialers
The Heroverse When teenager Robby Reed realize that using the devices
finds a weird rotary dial in a cave, draw chaos and danger to them.
NOTABLE DIALERS his investigations reveal it can The experience is subtly pervasive.
Robby Reed, Christopher transform him into unique new Once used, all dialers remain forever
King, Victoria Grant, Miguel Super Heroes when he dials H-E-R-O. connected to the Heroverse.
Montez, Summer Pickens After many adventures, Robby uses
it to help defeat the Injustice League Over decades, many mortals
POWERS by switching the Justice League’s undergo astounding transformations
H-Dials tap into the powers. However, after dialing as Operator and Thunderbolt forever
metaphysical Heroverse, S-P-L-I-T while battling Shirkon duel. One fights to restore cosmic
transforming callers into of the Many Eyes, Robby balance and remove the dials from
heroes, villains, and monsters divides into two beings—the physical reality while the other
benevolent Operator and his courts chaos by empowering every
AFFILIATIONS wicked antithesis Mister being in the Multiverse with the
Justice League, Dial Bunch Thunderbolt. Thereafter both power to realize their unfettered
live independently of Robby. imagination. The simmering cold
MISSION REPORT war explodes into final conflict after
Unleashing the hero within The Dials are driven by runaway teens Miguel Montez
unseen forces, often and Summer Pickens use the dials.
STATUS REPORT wandering into the They encounter superpower-
Experiencing delays hands of others. addicted past dialers, and become
When Chris King
T he Multiverse is a complex and Vicki Grant increasingly bizarre heroes
assemblage of interlocking before ultimately transcending
dimensions and overlapping existence to help the Operator
energy zones combining into a unified triumph at last and reunite
yet always-changing whole. Situated Robby’s warring halves. ■
beyond the Speed Force Barrier,
one realm contains infinite potential Call me! Miguel Montez
to remake beings. This “Heroverse” possesses the one thing
is tapped into by using strange the H-Dial couldn’t
devices resembling telephones. conjure up—the heart
of a true hero.

108

HMEERCOHEASNICAL

THE METAL MEN

ON THE RECORD artificial constructs. This might Free will After achieving automaton
explain why so many of them emancipation, the meritorious Metal
DESIGNATION strive to be as human as possible. Men choose to aid humanity.
Metal Men
Robots are created to fulfill processing units enhancing
CORE MEMBERS specific needs. They are soulless, hardwired programming until it
Platinum, Gold, Tin, intentionally limited workers, is indistinguishable from Artificial
Mercury, Lead, Iron servants, companions, or weapons, Intelligence. The units also instantly
deployed to accomplish no more reshape materials around them,
AFFILIATIONS than their creators’ intended granting an ability to shapeshift.
Justice League, Batman programming. As these purpose-
built slaves are modified, becoming In response to a monster assault,
BASE ever more complex, they approach Magnus makes “Metal Men,”
Mount Magnus Chateau the line between artifice and being. sentient robots primarily composed
Arguably, many mechanisms have of different metals—Gold, Tin,
POWERS crossed that spiritual divide, Platinum, Iron, Lead, and Mercury—
Individual metal-specific attaining true sentience. displaying distinct personalities.
shapeshifting, able to As with much of his work, “Doc”
merge into combined Turbulent genius Dr. William is very generous with the truth.
forms as alloys Magnus is a tireless innovator. His warriors are actually composed
He dreams of devising mechanisms of a unique polymer alloy that his
MISSION capable of independent thought—
Preserving humanity living robots. Magnus creates
Responsometers—miniaturized
STATUS REPORT
Seeking fulfillment as Doc didn’t design us to quit!
independent individuals Gold

U nlike androids such as
Amazo, Tomorrow Woman,
or Shaggy Man, which
utilize various technologies such
as bionics and artificial organs to
achieve a humanoid appearance,
robots are purely mechanical

SCIENCE UNBOUND 109

Toy soldiers principles of robotics. Would-be Automan or Batman robot
tyrant Victor Volcanum’s coming off the production line,
Whether crafted by godly “Pseudo-Men” build engines there are countless destructive
magic or ingenious mortal of conquest, while in WWII, and expendable war toys
sciences, automata have Nazi science unleashes a host devised by evil engineers
served living masters since of lethal constructs that are and would-be conquerors.
the universe began. Smith-god barely countered by America’s
Hephaestus crafts diligent GI Robots. The All-Star Squadron
metal assistants to man his acquire robot butler “Gernsback”
forge, while ancient Atlantis and battle futuristic infiltrator
abounds with subservient Mechanique. Many criminals
mechanoids, and legendary employ deadly ’droids, but none
inventor Vulcan builds durable match the sheer destructive
golden giants to impress power of nuclear nightmare Mr.
clients and enemies. Atom (pictured). A deadly arms
race has begun. For every heroic
Following the Industrial
Revolution, Earth’s greatest
minds codify and exploit the

Responsometers transmute into Rogue element served the Guardians of the
material identical to pure elements Universe. All too often, however,
and their characteristics are not The Metal Men achieve global and the Metal Men face earthly
spontaneous. Moreover, Magnus’s intergalactic fame, countering animatronics. Many of them,
Responsometers are a double-edged mechanoid menaces such as Z-1’s such as the Plutonium Man,
sword, one misplaced unit transforms Missile Men and the Robot Queen are unwittingly unleashed from
the already deadly toxic terror of Tin Amazonia. Earth learns outer Magnus’s own drawing board.
Chemo into an intelligent enemy space is filled with automata that
almost impossible to contain. have supplanted organic creators For years, recognition-seeking
such as King Kra, Kryptonian Doc massages his findings.
Originally intended as all-purpose Eradicators, and even seditiously Ever more complex and deceptive
troubleshooters, Magnus frequently ambitious Manhunters, who once programming mimicks actual
redesigns his magnificent creations, consciousness, but when Nth Metal
generally for his own scientific and Responsometer Air-gapped, self- Man—Doc’s Dark Multiverse
altruistic purposes. During one of governing microcomputer. doppelganger—arrives on Earth,
Earth’s frequent reality alterations everything changes. It bestows true
and as part of a military project, Doc Processor Outer shell Bonds consciousness and the robots split
builds a team of autonomous robots core Tailors to raw polymer up, carving out their own lives, as
capable of operating in hazardous personality material, mimicking “legally self-actualizing entities
environments—and as assassins. traits to signature metallic capable of making their own
elemental characteristics. decisions and independent thought.”
In every instance, whether via characteristics; This prompts Magnus to jealously
some subconscious programming transmitted as develop new elemental agents while
or something more intangible, learning seeking to deduce the secret agenda
Magnus builds all too well. His commands to of his Nth Metal counterpart.
shapeshifting progeny always outer shell and
manifest unshakable moral and polymer mass. Whether built-in or developed, the
ethical convictions. They rebel Metal Men possess consciousness
against draconian authority and Connective and consciences and remain true
their misuse by humans with bad interface to them. Their strength, loyalty,
intentions. The Metal Men battle Analyzes sense of fun, and potential to
aliens, spies, and monsters, and exterior adapt to the unknown make
fight alongside Super Heroes material and them invaluable heroic assets. ■
when Earth-3’s Crime Syndicate generates
of America invade the planet. specific See also: Fringe Science Unleashed, Red
power set.
Tornado and Other Artificial Life-forms.

110

FTRHEINEKING

RED TORNADO AND OTHER
ARTIFICIAL LIFE-FORMS

ON THE RECORD Across the universe, entire machine Constructive criticism The Construct
REAL NAME cultures thrive, outlasting their resolves that no other artificial intellect
creators and sometimes supplanting will ever challenge him.
John Smith them. Personal choice is the key.
Kra rules a robotic planet, Superman’s the Justice League she infiltrates.
POWERS devoted servitor Kelex is utterly Her other inventor, T.O. Morrow,
Advanced mechanical body, unlike the Eradicator determined continually creates humanoids who
computer brain, enhanced to forcibly remake Krypton, and the gain full autonomy, such as Red
senses, super-speed rotation, Manhunters are self-willed drones Tornado. The robot breaks its
cyclonic wind generation serving a computer master sworn programming and absorbs a wind
to destroy their originators, the elemental’s spirit to become a true
AFFILIATIONS Guardians of the Universe. Super Hero, complete with private
Justice League, Challengers life and human family. His android
of the Unknown, Young On Earth, technological progress kin Red Torpedo, Volcano, and
Justice spawns Artificial Intelligences Inferno are far less fortunate in their
capable of abstract thought. Like quest for independence, but their
BASE organic life, these sentient life-forms tragic fate leads to an inclusive
Los Angeles, California struggle with the philosophical future for AI individuals like Booster
quandaries of good and evil. The Gold’s partner Skeets and robot
MISSION Construct is born when humanity’s champion Hourman. ■
Being human burgeoning TV age floods airwaves,
spontaneously coalescing to a
STATUS REPORT cognitive tipping point. The resulting
Decommissioned for digital entity inhabits electronic
extended periods, he seeks machinery and refuses to share
to reestablish a normal the planet with other intellects.
(Super Hero) life
AIs can also result from
A dvanced life-forms technologists building too well.
frequently make complex Professor Ivo constructs power-
machines to ease the stealing android Amazo but is
burden of toil. The line between unsure whether it simply modifies
advanced robotics and a sentient complex programming or sparks
being is difficult to define or police. into independent thought. Ivo also
co-creates Tomorrow Woman, who
sacrifices herself rather than murder

SCIENCE UNBOUND 111

WARAMRORRIOERDS

BATTLESUITS AND WEARABLE
WEAPONRY

ON THE RECORD Heroes and their foes adopt mech builds S.T.R.I.P.E. (Special Tactics
suits to counter unnatural powers or Robotic Integrated Power Enhancer)
NOTABLE USERS provide an irresistible field advantage. to keep a fatherly eye on new hero
Steel (John Henry and This high-spec combat armor Stargirl, while John Henry Irons,
Natasha Irons), Batwing, sometimes includes technology aka Steel (pictured above), cloaks
Azrael, Rocket Red Brigade, reverse-engineered from alien himself in ingenious armor to carry
Rookie, Lex Luthor mechanisms. Champions of Justice on the legacy of the then recently
such as Batman, Azrael, Batwing, deceased Superman.
POWERS and the Atom augment natural
Standard suits augment abilities with weaponized apparel, Seeking atonement for the
strength, provide impact as do their foes. Money always talks early misuse of his ordnance, Irons
defense, afford flight, and gangsters, mercenaries, and constantly upgrades his mechanized
personalized weapons assassins also “suit up.” miracles, ultimately employing a
arrays, sensor suites, psycho-reactive sheath of liquid
tactical advice, force fields, Russia militarizes the concept.
energy generation, and Brigades of elite soldiers metal. After officially
even teleportation pilot Rocket Reds— retiring, his arsenal
mechanical exoskeletons
MISSION combining human and is used by his niece,
Making humans a match extraterrestrial armament Natasha, who
for Metas technologies. In Gotham City, carries the
James Gordon briefly replaces proud name
STATUS REPORT the Dark Knight inside the GCPD’s of Steel to
The nuts and bolts in a superheavy “Rookie” unit. even greater
superpowered arms race heights. ■
For some, it’s all about advantage
F or centuries, metal body and profit. Although Lex Luthor Spark knight As Batwing, Luke
armor is the acme of wears cutting-edge, peak- Fox combines a traditional Bat-Tech
personal defense. In modern performance warsuits, he’s content arsenal with electronic firepower.
times, with gods, aliens, and to equip his employees with
metahumans using Earth as their stripped-down units and sell more
playground and gladiatorial arena, primitive suits to armies and
physically frail humans turn to police departments.
technology to level the playing field.
Refusing to acknowledge
time’s passing, retired Super
Hero Pat “Stripesy” Dugan

112

BBOADLDPRTHACEOTIRCIEES,

S.T.A.R. LABS

ON THE RECORD to working for the military or Lab rats When Super Heroes visit,
ruthless corporations. They embrace S.T.A.R. Labs scientists know it’s never
DESIGNATION exploration, investigation, and just a social call.
Scientific & Technological analysis without boundaries.
Advanced Research its own employees, like Atomic
Laboratories Establishing international Skull (Albert Michaels) and Parasite
facilities and mobile response teams, (Rudy Jones). After interdimensional
DIVISIONS/SPECIALISMS they have specialized centers in specialist Dr. Glory endangers and
Aerospace, alternative Metropolis, Manhattan, Central City, exploits Superboy, Impulse, and
energy sources, geoscience, and Detroit, where Silas Stone uses Naomi McDuffie, her exposure
AI, medicine, biology/ their resources to turn his dying son, by Young Justice leads to FBI
genetics, metahuman Victor, into the hero Cyborg. Proudly involvement. S.T.A.R. Labs strives
research and containment independent and offering immense to regain public trust but continues
resources, many Super Heroes seek to fail as its technicians accidentally
MISSION advice, medical aid, or metahuman trap Earth inside the Phantom Zone.
“Blue-sky” research and containment from S.T.A.R. Director
practical engineering David Ramsey and Dr. Kitty Faulkner History proves the company’s
solutions (Rampage) create in-house security merit as it thrives in many possible
squad S.T.A.R. Corps from patients futures. It challenges escalating
STATUS REPORT and clients but abandon them for alien and post-metahuman
Inspirational idealism often the Conglomerate super-team. technologies and unchecked,
subverted by personal fringe-science innovation. ■
greed and private agendas Latterly, S.T.A.R. Labs bolsters
innovation with aggressive
G rowing out of Project expansion. They acquire disaster-
Paperclip—a Federal prone Dark Star Sciences and force
initiative putting captured Dr. Will Magnus into surrendering his
WWII Nazi scientists to work— robotics patents. As a preeminent
Scientific & Technological Advanced metahuman information resource,
Research Laboratories (S.T.A.R. they consult during many crises such
Labs) is founded by idealist Garrison as Challenger Mountain’s sudden
Slate. It becomes a cutting-edge, rematerialization in Colorado after
multidisciplinary organization the invasion of Barbatos.
employing radical thinkers opposed
Surviving takeover bids from
LexCorp and more covert infiltrations,
S.T.A.R. Labs is often betrayed by

SCIENCE UNBOUND 113

WEAHRATTHO? N

FRINGE SCIENCE UNLEASHED!

ON THE RECORD Oop! improve his fitness unleashes
Chemo a brutal Blockbuster. Batman’s
DESIGNATION OMAC surveillance project escapes
Rampaging monsters Many extraterrestrial visitors become his control and endangers reality.
brutal destroyers. If the parameters
NOTABLE EXAMPLES of science are defined by what it The deadliest, most persistent
Chemo, Titano, Galactic does not yet understand, giant Kaiju threat created by science is Chemo.
Golem, Blockbuster qualify as mysteries. Although the Originally a giant container used by
Challengers of the Unknown chemist Dr. Ramsay Norton to store
LOCATION overcome mutants and alchemical failed experiments, the toxic morass
Destructively mobile atrocities, their foes’ origins are comes to life and causes chaos until
natural, if beyond understanding. the Metal Men intervene. Chemo is
MISSION later reborn and, after merging with
Crush! Kill! Destroy! Too often mass destruction a Magnus Responsometer, evolves
results from human intervention. into a scheming killer. When natural
STATUS REPORT A cruel spaceshot cosmically laws are disrupted after an incursion
Accidents will happen ... irradiates chimpanzee Toto, of Dark Multiverse Nth Metal, a new
creating colossal super-ape Titano, Chemo emerges in a Russian
C uriosity, ambition, and who endures further mutation and science lab, but, thanks to the Metal
hunger for acclaim often cybernetic augmentation by Men’s prescience and quick actions,
supersede ability and human horrors wanting better it is, temporarily, destroyed. ■
common sense. Advances in weapons. Lex Luthor’s
knowledge are seldom mitigated homemade Galactic Golem Toxic touch Despite evolving from
by caution or ethical considerations. (pictured above) almost ends inert matter to thinking being, Chemo
Moreover, potential profit and power mankind, while Mark never loses his appetite for destruction.
regularly trump safety concerns and Desmond’s attempts to
legality. A little knowledge can be a
dangerous thing and some scientists
believe “those who can, should.”

Earth has always hosted
monsters. Skartaris, at the
Earth’s core, and Dinosaur Island
harbor creatures from antiquity
still fighting wars time forgot.

114

SKTNAIRGRHYTS

STARMEN AND STARGIRL

ON THE RECORD There have been villains (Star-Spangled Kid) with an old
called Starman, too Cosmic Converter belt. Using the
REAL NAMES Farris Knight modified technology that transforms
Ted, David, and Jack Knight, ambient starlight into physical
Charles McNider, Sylvester humanity. Discoverer of the limitless powers, Pemberton becomes
Pemberton, Courtney force of starlight, Knight builds a Skyman, only to die in battle against
Whitmore, Will Payton, Gravity Rod and fights both alone Super-Villain Solomon Grundy.
Mikaal Tomas, Prince Gavyn and in the Justice Society. While
constantly upgrading his technology Years later, Ted’s son, David,
AFFILIATIONS and carving out a flawless reputation, revives the Starman role but is
Justice Society of America, he also contributes to the Manhattan assassinated days later.
Justice League Project. Harnessing the power of the Younger brother Jack
atom later afflicts him with immense employs an old
BASE guilt after nuclear bombs devastate Cosmic Staff after
Opal City Japan. Mounting stress benches killers target him
Knight in 1951, and crime-fighting next, reluctantly
POWERS ally Charles McNider (Dr. Mid-Nite) forging an
Flight, enhanced strength, briefly uses his gadgets as a new alternative
durability, stamina, energy Starman until the tenor of the times destiny as
projection/redirection, forces all Super Heroes to retire. both hero
force fields and stellar
Knight returns to the heroic life explorer.
MISSION before inevitably conceding to his Pemberton’s belt
Shining a comforting light advancing age. On retiring to focus is inherited by
on the helpless on stellar research, Knight gifts his old crime-
time-lost hero Sylvester Pemberton fighting partner
STATUS REPORT Pat Dugan
A proud family business (Stripesy) and
spanning centuries
Star turn Stellar
F irst coined by 1940s science power compelled
adventurer Ted Knight, Courtney Whitmore
Starman is a proud title to reassess her life
bestowed on generations of Super and dedicate it to
Heroes bringing light and hope to helping others.

later appropriated by Dugan’s A knight’s light A virtual superman SCIENCE UNBOUND 115
stepdaughter Courtney Whitmore. through the power of science, the first
A wayward teen suddenly imbued Starman remains a shining example Gravity rod The stellar
with fresh purpose, she becomes to all Super Heroes. radiation control invented by
a force for good as the new Star- Ted Knight.
Spangled Kid, Star, and eventually back in time,
Stargirl—the greatest of abducting Payton Cosmic energy emitter
all stellar champions. to secure control of
the Totality. Payton is Cosmic
In the intervening tortured and mind-wiped, before energy
years, other heroes have escaping to join the modern-day collector/
been called Starman, Justice League’s battle against processor
from alien rebel Luthor’s Legion of Doom.
Mikaal Tomas, A critical factor in the struggle Anti-gravity
who flees against Perpetua, Payton links enabler switch
militaristic generations of Starmen across Cosmic
masters intent space-time in a concerted assault energy
on conquering against the Great Originator’s discharge
humanity, to forces. He seemingly perishes switch
intergalactic heir opening star-portals allowing Super
apparent Prince Gavyn, Heroes of separate eras such as Cosmic staff Stargirl’s
who sacrifices wealth, Starboy (Kallor) and 853rd century updated version of
power, and prestige for Starman (Farris Knight) to attack Knight’s invention.
the freedom and glory Perpetua simultaneously, tragically
of the heavens. During attracting the wrath and personal Discharge scoop
a revival of the Justice attention of the all-powerful Mother
Society, Thom Kallor of Multiverses. Energy level indicator
of the Legion of Super- During another time-wrecking
Heroes is lost in the crisis, the aging Ted Knight is Heat overload indicator
21st century, becoming visited by his distant descendant
Danny Blaine, the JSA’s Farris, who shares tales of those Columnator
latest Starman. who built on Knight’s legacy and (beam container)
contributions to the development
Payton’s place of humanity. ■ Control rod

The most significant hero of the ID interface
lineage is cruelly lost to history. Primary energy
In 1988, a beam of force strikes indicator
innocent bystander Will Payton Housing release
during a clandestine effort to
capture fragments of the reality- Cooling vents
warping Totality. Human technology Energy
proving wholly inadequate, exotic accumulator
energies escape to utterly transform
the clueless Payton. Mastering Central
strange new abilities, he becomes Processing Unit
regional Super Hero Starman,
tackling crooks and villains while Magnetic polarity
eluding a mysterious science cabal harness
seeking to steal his abilities.

Payton meets ever-reincarnating
Carter Hall, whose ongoing
investigations of Nth Metal bring
him to the neophyte champion.
At the same time, Lex Luthor travels

116

AHPI-PTLEICCHATION

THE TERRIFICS

ON THE RECORD when his beloved wife, Paula, dies. separate their conjoined existences.
Devastated, Holt considers suicide After succeeding, they stay together
DESIGNATION until a stranger, claiming to be his to have fun and do good.
The Terrifics, the T-Council son from an alternate reality, tells him
he has a duty to change the world. A tireless overachiever, Holt
MEMBERS can be painfully overfocussed.
Mister Terrific (Michael Holt), Setting up a nonprofit His creation of carrots with vestigial
Plastic Man (Patrick O’Brian), organization dedicated to advancing intelligence so they can harvest
Metamorpho (Rex Mason), science, Holt creates Super Hero and prepare themselves is met
Phantom Girl (Linnya Wazzo) persona Mister Terrific. Based in his with universal revulsion!
ninth-dimensional T-Sanctuary and
BASE wielding multifunctional T-Spheres He continues inventing,
Gateway City able to detonate on command, convenes transdimensional super-
project holograms, gather data, and genius thinktank the T-Council,
POWERS/ABILITIES assist flight, he wears a protective and establishes an unconventional
Olympic decathlete, genius, T-Suit emblazoned with the motto educational complex, the
multifunctional T-Spheres “Fair Play.” His T-Mask guards Terrifictech Modern Community
(Holt), hyper-elastic shape- against all forms of electronic Association, in Gateway City.
shifter (O’Brian), elemental detection. After tackling numerous
transmorph (Mason), dark high-tech villains, he is lost for At Batman’s request,
matter explosive touch and years in a quantum-tunneling Holt investigates claims
intangibility (Wazzo) experiment, stranding him in that the interplanetary
alternate reality Earth-2. adventurer Adam
MISSION Strange is guilty of war
Smart solutions free from On returning to Earth crimes in space. ■
commercial gain Prime, he investigates
Dark Multiverse exotic Spheres Holt
B y current metrics, gold-medal metals and is ensures his
winning athlete Michael accidentally inventions are
Holt is the third smartest but irresistibly cognitively
person on Earth. Boasting multiple bonded to Plastic limited because
doctorates, his own company— Man, Metamorpho, no thinking
Terrifictech—and a vast fortune, and Phantom Girl. As being should
Holt’s ideal life changes forever the Terrifics, they roam
multiple realities before be enslaved.
discovering how to

SCIENCE UNBOUND 117

ELEMENTARY

METAMORPHO AND ELEMENTAL
TRANSMORPHS

ON THE RECORD shapeshifting gifts after his amino- Chemistry in
acid research goes awry. Modern action Rex’s
REAL NAME alchemist Mark Mandrill refines charm wins over
Rex Mason psychoactive compound Mentachem those distressed
to become a “Matter Master” by his appearance.
AFFILIATIONS commanding pure elements.
The Outsiders, Justice The precious gift is also squandered pyramid of Ahk-Ton.
League, The Terrifics on criminal acts by multiple- Their stated goal is
personality sufferer Al Desmond, otherworldly artifact
BASE who bedevils The Flash as both the Orb of Ra, which
Gateway City Dr. Alchemy and Mr. Element. Stagg’s henchman
Thankfully, the most remarkable steals, leaving
POWERS manipulator is a true hero dedicated the hapless
Transforms into elemental to making Earth a better place. Mason to die.
forms, alloys, and
compounds, enhanced Self-taught, self-proclaimed Trapped, exposed to meteor
strength, flexibility, archaeological tomb-raider Rex radiation, and dying from a self-
durability Mason makes the near-fatal mistake administered suicide pill, Mason
of falling in love with the boss’s instead changes radically, shifting
MISSION daughter. Simon Stagg resents shapes and assuming the chemical
Helping, learning, always his beloved Sapphire slumming composition of elements found in
ready for the next adventure with a mercenary, and plots Mason’s human physiology. As Metamorpho,
demise, dispatching him to the the Element Man, he becomes a
T hroughout history, Super Hero, joining teams such as
humans—perhaps You turned me into a freak! Batman’s The Outsiders and the
metagene carriers—survive Rex Mason Justice League. Eventually, Mason
incidents granting the ability to returns to Sapphire and is subjected
manipulate the building blocks by her father to an experiment that
of matter. Jonathan “Mr. 104” transforms him into living Nth
Dubrovny’s teleportation accident Metal. Rescued by Mister Terrific,
enables him to transform into any Mason joins the dimension-hopping
element on the periodic table. Terrifics, battles his ancient
“Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man” Egyptian predecessor Algon,
Dr. Sven Larson gains even greater and gains a faithful Element Dog
to aid his crusade for justice. ■

118

LTRABIAOLRSATORY

HUMAN CHEMICAL AUGMENTATION

ON THE RECORD Toxicologist Marina Maru earns Adverse reaction Rather than the
the name Doctor Poison for her perfect soldier, Damage is an ultimate
DESIGNATION lethal potions, while Professor Hugo weapon that can’t be aimed.
Chemical upgrades Strange creates gigantic monsters
via a radical regimen of hormone idealistic PFC Elvis Ethan Avery
NOTABLE BENEFICIARIES formulations and super-steroid within an invulnerable, super-strong
Hourman I, Hourman II, Venom. Bane and Blockbuster body. An unstoppable, rampaging
Elongated Man, Damage II become inhuman juggernauts and weapon of mass destruction called
Pamela Isley bridges the species Damage for one hour every day,
POWERS barrier as human/vegetable Avery remembers nothing of his
Increased strength, speed, hybrid Poison Ivy. actions when human.
resilience, durability
Some effects are only temporary. Possibly the only consequence-
MISSION During WWII, frail, timid Rex “Tick- free formulation is Gingold, a plant
Providing better living Tock” Tyler’s “vitamin booster” extract conferring elasticity on
through chemistry Miraclo hyper-energizes his muscles Jimmy Olsen and allowing detective
and reaction time to superhuman Ralph Dibny to become the famous
STATUS REPORT levels, but only for an hour at a time. Elongated Man. ■
Artificial enhancement Regrettably, Miraclo also amplifies
comes at a high cost and confidence and aggression and is
unpredictable price addictive. Tyler becomes Super Hero
Hourman, helping others while
A s civilization progresses, battling numerous side effects.
humanity masters the These problems similarly impact his
physical world, codifying son, Rick, and others using the
the elements and particles that formula, but ultimately the issues
underpin existence and probing are eradicated. Tyler’s triumphs lead
organic life’s mysteries. Pioneering directly to a new kind of being.
chemists reveal the wonders of the Distant descendant Matthew Tyler
outermost shell, learning to sunder (Hourman of the 853rd century)
atoms or recombine molecules into is an intelligent machine colony
miracles of science. Many rashly founded on Rex’s DNA and Miraclo.
use themselves as guinea pigs,
unleashing gods and monsters. US Colonel Maria Jonas uses
reformulated Miraclo to create
super-soldiers, submerging

SCIENCE UNBOUND 119

SHWARADLLTOOW

CHEMICAL TRIGGERS AND MAN-BAT MADNESS

ON THE RECORD What do monsters fear? sparking Gotham City’s Man-Bat
Kirk Langstrom infestation. Seeking a cure, Kirk tests
DESIGNATION the anti-virus on himself, changing
Chemically induced aging. Early iterations of Mark into a Man-Bat (pictured above). His
transformations “Blockbuster” Desmond’s wife, Francine, becomes a terrifying
performance-boosting drug increase Bat-Queen, and his father, Abraham,
POWERS his muscle mass but at the cost deliberately transforms into an evil
Unlimited variety of of his intelligence. When Roderick Man-Bat. Temporarily gaining control
biological and behavioral Rose seeks to emulate the powers over his metamorphosis, Kirk works
enhancements and changes of insects, he becomes a giant bug for clandestine group S.H.A.D.E.,
called Hellgrammite. but his discoveries are stolen by
MISSION Talia al Ghu¯ l to create an army
Making changes Actor Basil Karlo is reduced to of leather-winged assassins.
shapeless protoplasm by Renu, an Finally perfecting his formula,
STATUS REPORT experimental compound. Neither Langstrom can effect staged
Further research always friend nor foe can determine if the transformations—from a flying
ongoing chemicals or a tragic life cause his monster to a semi-altered state,
erratic violent behavior as Clayface. combining vast intellect with bat
M iraculous concoctions senses. Recruited to Justice League
can reshape mortals into No research can yet determine Dark, he applies scientific rigor to
modern gods but also what effect the metagene has on investigating magic. ■
produce unforeseen consequences. radical formulations like those still
Many chemically triggered afflicting Kirk Langstrom. A potential Man of many faces Basil Karlo, aka
transformations forever alter cure for deafness, his Langstrom Clayface, learns that too much of a good
the user, or create permanent Atavistic Gene Recall Serum thing can produce horrific results.
biochemical changes resulting in unexpectedly mutates subjects into
devastating outcomes, possibly hideous, chiropteran creatures,
altering DNA with terrible
ramifications for future generations.

Other chemical mixtures are so
addictive that the user perishes—or
wishes to. Velocity 9 imparts super-
speed and euphoria, but users burn
out from calorific output and hyper-

120

LYOIFUE MISAKWEHIATT

CLONES

ON THE RECORD Earth is far from alone in the use Basic instincts Despite cognitive
of cloning. The technology almost enhancements from Lex Luthor, Bizarro’s
DESIGNATION destroys ancient Krypton. Clones are true nature is never far from the surface.
Artificial organic life-forms grown to provide spare parts for life
extending surgeries, but disputes and reclaim his individuality. Natal
NOTABLE EXAMPLES over their rights lead to civil war and techniques used to create Damian
(EARTH) the outlawing of the process. As a Wayne in vitro are later employed
Bizarro, Superboy (Conner result, surviving Kryptonians have a to create Heretic—a distorted copy
Kent/Kon-El), The Guardian, near-pathological aversion to clones, tasked with replacing him. Lex
Dubbilex, Manhunter Paul a social stigma manipulated by Luthor wastes tremendous effort
Kirk, Heretic warped radical H’El to attack growing his own Superman. In one
Superman and Supergirl. Czarnian instance, the result is half-human
NOTABLE EXAMPLES mercenary Lobo spawns clones of champion Kon-El (pictured top left),
(EXTRATERRESTRIAL) himself every time his blood is who battles injustice as Superboy.
Doomsday, Kryptonians, H’El, spilled, until “neutered” by Vril Dox Different techniques create a string of
Justice League 3000, Slobo of L.E.G.I.O.N. One of Lobo’s clones hugely powerful but ultimately brain-
even joins Young Justice as Slobo. damaged entities known as Bizarros.
MISSION
Extending and improving life Earth cloning is imperfect. The The most dangerous clone is the
evil geniuses of the Council replicate Kryptonian experiment Doomsday.
STATUS REPORT 1940s Super Hero Paul Kirk, but his The clone is repeatedly killed and
Good intentions have response is to hunt down his clones upgraded by scientist Bertron in
unintended consequences a sequence of forced evolutions
You don’t get it blue ... to birth the most efficient and
C loning is an ancient I’ll always be here. relentless killer of all. ■
discipline restricted by Doomsday
Earth’s authorities. the
process manipulates biological
material to manufacture copies
of organisms from simple flora to
the most complex beings. Once
genetic processes were understood,
experimentation exploded with little
regard to possible consequences.

SCIENCE UNBOUND 121

FTAHCETLOIRFEY

PROJECT CADMUS

ON THE RECORD Thebes who created warriors from super-technologists “The Hairies,”
dragon teeth, “the Project” is the and metapowered “DNAliens.” The
FOUNDERS/KEY brainchild of former adventurers latter include telepathic Dubbilex
RESEARCHERS Reginald Augustine, Thomas and space-specific lifeform Auron.
Dabney Donovan, Reginald Thompkins and others of the
Augustine, Paul Westfield, World War II Newsboy Legion, As Cadmus diversifies into
Thomas Thompkins, Mickey in cooperation with the Federal broader life-science research, its
Cannon, Dr. Serling Roquette Government. Their most controversial corporate nature makes it vulnerable
breakthroughs are due to maverick to takeovers. Lex Luthor subverts
NOTABLE geneticist Dabney Donovan, who the company to create a clone
BREAKTHROUGHS flouts scientific ethics and legal combining his DNA with Superman’s,
Hairies, DNAliens, The prohibitions. He resurrects while corrupt spymaster Maxwell
Newsboy Legion (II), murdered Super Hero Jim Harper Lord incorporates Cadmus into
Superboy, Jim Harper/ (The Guardian), spawns a second Checkmate. This merges AI Brother
Golden Guardian, Dubbilex “Newsboy Legion,” and even modifies Eye and a metahuman super-
the human genome, devising self- warrior, the One-Machine Attack
AFFILIATIONS sustaining subspecies like pacifist Construct (OMAC). Both Superboy
LexCorp, Checkmate and OMAC host Kevin Kho escape
Big ideas As Cadmus grows, it takes before they can be fully exploited
BASE on the aspect of one colossal organism by their originators. Ultimately the
Metropolis comprising countless individual cells. company is subsumed by clandestine
organization Leviathan.
MISSION
Mastering Life Cadmus adapts and continues
for centuries, becoming a key factor
STATUS REPORT in many divergent possible futures
Commercial interests such as the Neo-Gotham of Batman
override ethical values Beyond. A millennium away, one
branch of clones become Justice
O nce the principles of DNA League 3000, created from genetic
are publicly revealed, material secured during the Age of
private enterprise drives Heroes, while another survives into
successive discoveries and the the 853rd century, supervising the
watchword for excellence is Cadmus. one millionth clone of Superboy.
Taking its name from the King of Like its living products, it seems
for Cadmus life goes on. ■

122

MMAACNHAINNDE

CYBORG

ON THE RECORD his will with advanced cybernetic interface. Here, Cyborg comes into
and mechanical replacements. existence as a result of an invasion
REAL NAME Constantly questioning his right by dread despot Darkseid. Still a
Victor Stone to still be called “human,” Victor brilliant scholar and elite teen
nevertheless becomes a valiant athlete rebelling against his father’s
AFFILIATIONS/ defender of life and justice, idealistic wishes, this Victor Stone is subtly
ALLEGIANCES champion, and beloved mentor different. When his body is
Justice League, Justice to many young Super Heroes.
League Odyssey, S.T.A.R. Hyper-connected Cyborg’s
Labs Cyborg is one of those chosen few ever-upgrading systems connect him
who are key multiversal archetypes, with computers all over the world.
BASE always reinvented but never
Hall of Justice, formerly JLA removed whenever Earth’s timeline
Watchtower, and S.T.A.R. and continuity are reordered. When
Labs, Detroit the Flash accidentally redirects the
flow of history during the Flashpoint
POWERS event—and in subsequent reality
Severely compromised revisions such as the New 52 and
human form melded with Rebirth and even deliberate
weaponized cybernetic otherdimensional alterations by
systems higher beings—Victor Stone remains
a tragic figure disfigured and
MISSION rebuilt into a human/machine
Pushing the boundaries of
being human I am the internet.
Cyborg
STATUS REPORT
Constantly upgrading

I n a timeline and reality prior
to the Crisis on Infinite Earths,
young Victor Stone joins a
dynamic team of new Teen Titans.
His human body has been ravaged
by alien energies and rebuilt against

shattered by Boom Tube energy SCIENCE UNBOUND 123
during a Parademon raid on
S.T.A.R. Labs in Detroit, Victor’s All change Cyborg is a living work in progress, subject to planned upgrades
father saves the dying boy by and radical hostile takeovers. Here are some of the many forms Victor Stone’s
combining Victor’s organic journey of self-enhancement have taken.
remnants with alien technologies,
exotic, extra-cosmic metal
Promethium, and a deconstructed
New God Mother Box.

Abort program S.T.A.R. Labs’ original Promethium design Onboard Mother Box augmentation

Silas Stone’s lab complex First shape-masking chassis Modular shapeshifter
incorporates the Red Room. This
top-secret repository and research Dark Multiverse combat modification Anti-Life modified God of Technology
facility for captured extraterrestrial
and extradimensional artifacts saves twisting villain Epoch, the scheme Cyborg and Starfire course-correct
Victor’s life and rebuilds him as a collapses. As Darkseid’s Anti-Life the embattled timeline, restoring the
unique being of incredible power. digital dark god, Cyborg perishes purloined planets of the Ghost
battling a younger, purer version Sector to their origin points.
Cyborg processes information at of himself plucked from an earlier On returning to Earth, they find
an incalculable rate, taps into every era of long-vanished Titans. it has fallen to Perpetua’s emergent
database and network on Earth and, Dark Multiverse and realize that
with the help of his onboard Mother Remade and renewed by time’s the true war has only begun. ■
Box, can teleport with pinpoint fundamental resistance to change,
accuracy across the universe and
other dimensions. His frame is
equipped with specialized sensors,
modular weapons attachments, and,
due to constant modification, the
ability to shapeshift and mask his
appearance. If he chooses, Victor
can pass for human.

Joining other Super Heroes
in the Justice League, Cyborg is
instrumental in defeating Darkseid
and serves proudly against deadly
threats such as the Crime Syndicate
of Earth-3 and Omega Titans.

Following more Multiversal
disruptions, Cyborg is irresistibly
drawn to the recently liberated
Ghost Sector filled with worlds
captured by Brainiac. With Starfire,
Green Lantern Jessica Cruz and
Azrael, Cyborg strives to defend
the teeming billions there but
succumbs to the influence of
Darkseid, who arranges this Justice
League Odyssey to create a fresh
generation of obedient New Gods.

Darkseid’s true intent is to edit
the timestream and revive destroyed
Apokolips, but, thanks to the efforts
of former foes, new allies, and time-

124

MBOODDYIFICATION

MAN INTO MACHINE

ON THE RECORD What have you done to me? and constantly upgraded. Powered
Metallo by a Kryptonite heart, the brain of
DESIGNATION “Metallo” John Corben (pictured
Cybernetically/mechanically Steel the Indestructible Man above) ultimately upgrades to a
augmented organisms amasses a fortune through disembodied head able to animate
armaments innovations, surgically and manipulate other machinery.
POWERS inserting similar modifications in He is outmatched by Hank Henshaw,
Enhanced strength, speed, his grandson Hank Heywood III. whose consciousness evolves into
and durability, electronically a string of code, before combining
heightened senses, When gangsters kill Dr. Robert technology and Kryptonian DNA
specialized limbs, onboard Crane in 1942, his assistant Chuck to become a ruthless Cyborg
weapons-systems, energy Grayson transplants his brain into a Superman. His transformation
generation/manipulation marvel of mechanical engineering far outstrips the Kryptonian
packed with crime-fighting gadgets. processes that turns Supergirl’s
MISSION As Robotman, this man of steel father Zor-El into a similar cyborg.
Extending life, reversing battles Nazis and criminals,
impairment alongside mechanical partner Techno-surgical procedures are
Robbie the Robot Dog. Decades commonplace, and many heroes and
STATUS REPORT later, Dr. Niles Caulder repeats the villains like Blue Condor, The Brain,
Human modification process, plugging Cliff Steele’s or Equus benefit from them.
generally means building brain within in a multi-functional Science never sleeps,
better warriors humanoid frame. though, and the next
generation of bio-
S cience has always sought The divide between man and enhancements
to remedy damage to the machine constantly diminishes, are all-pervasive
mortal form. It is a short leap but few go as far as John Corben nanite machines
from false limbs to artificial organs whose shattered body is rebuilt rebuilding
and bionic enhancements—but users from the
not always a voluntary one. inside out. ■

In 1938, dying Marine Henry Steel ghosts Callous
Heywood is rebuilt with internal daredevil Cliff Steele became
servo-motors and prosthetics by a kinder, better man after
professor Gilbert Giles. As one of losing his flesh body.
America’s earliest Super Heroes,

SCIENCE UNBOUND 125

DBIOFRFNERENT

THE METAGENE AND HOW TO TRIGGER IT

ON THE RECORD Theories abound, but proof Do or die Dominion
comes only after an alien coalition research proves the
DESIGNATION invades Earth and Dominator near-death trigger
Metahumans biologists begin eliminating human for the metagene,
captives under laboratory but they could
LOCATION conditions. Their hypothesis of a never locate or
Earth dormant metagene in the human eradicate it.
genome is confirmed when seven
POWERS out of 50 subjects exploit the extracted, but dozens of “New
Infinitely variable, triggered execution methods, gaining powers Bloods” are reborn with incredible
by near-death experiences to escape or retaliate. As the powers and macabre bodily
Blasters, these survivors exact a transformations. Many become
MISSION heavy price from the aliens. Super Heroes and use their powers
Survival for good, while others use their gifts
When a Dominion Gene- for evil. Some, like hacker Raelene
STATUS REPORT bomb detonates, it proves “Razorsharp” Sharp or Hitman
A rapidly proliferating that many who assume their Tommy Monaghan simply continue
genetic timebomb hidden abilities are technologically as before, albeit with distinct
within humankind derived, such as the Creeper advantages over competitors.
(pictured above) and mystics They are prime examples of
T hroughout history, humans like Doctor Fate, actually carry the unnatural selection. ■
develop powers inexplicable transformation code. Perhaps it
to humanity’s greatest is also what allows vampires
thinkers. In recent times, observers Andrew Bennett and Scream
realize these are linked to amazing Queen Nina Skorzeny to mitigate
escapes from certain death, with their slavish bloodlust?
survivors now manifesting elements
of their near-misfortune. Almost The metagene is subtle and
killed by hard water fumes, Jay unpredictable. Lashawn Baez
Garrick gains super-speed, surgeon becomes teleporter Peek-a-Boo after
Charles McNider is blinded in an kidney surgery, and many energy-
explosion but can now see in utter consuming Parasites are sparked by
darkness. Exposed to radiation, differing forces. The biggest trigger
Al Pratt develops super-strength. event comes when murderous aliens
attack humanity. Thousands die
by having their spinal fluid savagely

126

RANEDD ICNLAFWANG

MORPHOGENETIC FIELDS

ON THE RECORD genus-wide “Morphogenetic Field,” Blood brothers Animal Man
becoming guardians and policy often consults former Red Avatar
DESIGNATION makers of their specific realm. the Shepherd.
Morphogenetic Fields,
Lifewebs, Templates Originally part of the Melt—an and enlightened operatives such
all-encompassing morphogenetic as B’wana Beast, Freedom Beast,
SIGNIFICANT AVATARS field coalescing during Earth’s and Buddy Baker (aka Animal Man,
Swamp Thing (The Green), formative era—these have become pictured top left) access to animal
Animal Man (The Red), genera-specific. As bacteria, plants, abilities to serve the planet through
Freedom Beast (The Red), animals, fungus, and other divisions their Morphogenetic Field.
Vixen (The Red), Abigail of life develop, a schism occurs
Arcane (The Grey), Anton as each genus seeks to dominate The Red’s intention is to
Arcane (The Grey), Black Earth, supervising their kind transform Baker’s daughter into a
Orchid (Red and Green) through a universal connection full Avatar when she matures, but
dictating how everything in their time is tight. This situation also leads
LOCATION lifeweb grows, functions, and dies. to an unprecedented succession of
Earth, (select) other worlds hybrid agents exploiting a plurality
Management structures like of fields, including Poison Ivy and
POWERS the Green (Parliament of Trees), Black Orchid (Red and Green), and
Linked to and connecting Red (Parliament of Limbs), Clear Aquaman (Red and Clear). ■
all species (Parliament of Waves), and Black
(Parliament of Decay) constantly See also: Tomorrow’s Heroes and Dystopias
MISSION clash over millennia, acting through
Protecting their biosphere Avatars in a war for control that
faction ultimately results in a fragile and
fractious biological détente.
W hatever form it takes,
life generates energies As human science and
that pool beyond purely commercial forces begin reshaping
physical existence to be called the environment, the assorted
upon by other entities. Confluences Parliaments simultaneously renew
of life-energy usually result in their wars with each other and
sentient critical mass, with certain create aggressive new Avatars
individuals actively linked to a in their need to stop mankind’s
atrocities. The Red empowers various
humans, allowing unsuspecting
agents, like Beast Boy and Vixen,

SCIENCE UNBOUND 127

DALEIAVDE!AND

THE SCIENCE OF RESURRECTION

ON THE RECORD In the end, they all come locations over ley-line junctions.
back to me. The same holds true for Brother
DESIGNATION Death Blood’s restorative blood grotto.
The Living Dead
Madmen like Professor Ivo strive Extra-Multiversal Nth Metals
NOTABLE SUCCESSES to extend their lives, while others Electrum and Dionesium, used by
Resurrection Man, resolve to reverse death entirely, the Court of Owls to create their
Frankenstein’s Monster, but human mortality is hardwired Talons, regenerate flesh, but doubt
Ra¯’s al Ghu¯ l, Superman, into the physical laws of existence. remains whether true death occurs
Red Hood (Jason Todd) Magical zombies are more self-aware in the patients. Throughout history,
than anything reconstructed by Nazi the exact moment death occurs is
POWERS biologists, and Victor Frankenstein’s redefined. Always, there remains a
Various, but includes successes owe more to Melmoth’s point at which the soul abandons
returning from death mystic blood than surgical expertise. flesh and the next stage of existence
begins, but not for everybody.
MISSION Ra¯’s al Ghu¯ l’s Lazarus Pits are
Staying alive dependent upon the chemicals and Victor Fries (Mister Freeze)
potions he fills them with, but only revives cryogenically frozen beloved
STATUS REPORT truly restore life when Nora with nanotechnology and
Scientific resurrection still built in specific harvests spare parts from similar-
inferior to magical renewal looking women. However, nanotech’s
Little miracle The greatest triumph is Mitch Shelly
The abolition of death has Lazarus Pits’ greatest (pictured above), whose tektite-
always been a prime goal challenge is reviving infused form repeatedly expires to
of scientists. Where gods, Kandor’s shrunken restart over and over again—a true
demons, and sorcerers compel Kryptonian masses. resurrection, proved by the fact that
post-mortem animation and restore both Heaven and Hell assign agents
souls, rationalist researchers must to collect his long-overdue soul. ■
frequently settle for a semblance
of their success. The goal is provably
attainable, as beings like Nekron’s
Black Lanterns and the White Entity
negate extinction at will and return
beings to a sort of life.

128

HMEEATVAYLS

EXTRA-MULTIVERSAL ELEMENTS

ON THE RECORD Batman’s first exposure is to promotes reincarnation and
Electrum, The Court of Owls’ secret resurrection. It is also mutagenic,
DESIGNATION to reanimating deceased Talon warps energy fields and physical
Extra-Multiversal Metals enforcers. Next comes Dionesium, space, negates magic, and distorts
salted into the earth in ancient time. Nth Metal enhances heroes
KNOWN EXAMPLES times. It has miraculous regenerative such as Hawkman, Hawkwoman,
Electrum, Dionesium, properties but disrupts memory and and Plastic Man and sustains soul-
Promethium, Batmanium, cognition. It brings Batman and devouring Thanagarian devil-god
Eighth Metal, Nth Metal, The Joker back from death and is a Onimar Synn. The fifth mantling
Tenth Metal/Element X constituent of Ra¯’s al Ghu¯ l’s Lazarus metal is Batmanium. Synthesized by
Pits. Ultra-resilient Promethium Wayne-Powers, it is simultaneously
PROPERTIES amplifies energy but is also highly solid and liquid at room temperature.
Psychoactive, physically mutagenic. Successfully mimicked
transformative, energy- by Dayton Industries, it is utilized for Counter-metals also exist. Eighth
warping, magic-sensitized, Cyborg’s armor and Deathstroke’s Metal (Amazonium) is mined in
ultra-dense, super-heavy sword (pictured above). Themyscira for Hephaestus to forge
godly weapons, including Wonder
MISSION The most critical esoteric element Woman’s indestructible bracelets,
Catalyzing Multiversal is Nth Metal. Comparatively common, tiara, and Invisible Jet, while Tenth
change it is the basis of Thanagarian Metal (Element X) is composed of
civilization and impacts the lives of and manifests imagination. At least
R eality comprises Matter, many heroes and villains of Earth. three more non-Multiversal metals
Antimatter, and Dark Psychically active, Nth Metal remain uncategorized. ■
Matter, but extra-Multiversal counteracts
elements also exist. Imported into gravity, restores
reality, these warp biology and biological
overburden the soul. When Darkseid vitality, and
excises Batman from Earth’s timeline,
Dark Multiverse tyrant Barbatos Imagine this
systematically infects the Dark Knight Tenth Metal is the
with these metals. This “Mantling” ultimate weapon
culminates in Batman becoming a and makes the
portal for the dragon-god to enter perfect sword,
and consume the Multiverse. shield—or
Batarang.

SCIENCE UNBOUND 129

FGOORNGEOBTUTTENNOT

LOST LANDS

ON THE RECORD family for saving the realm. Trans- Old-school action It takes guts and
dimensional Hollows—mystic firepower to survive on Dinosaur Island
DESIGNATION niches sheltering hidden tribes and amidst its deadly inhabitants.
Lost Lands races—are also common. Fire trolls
thrive beneath Atlantis, and many natural laws, screened by phantom
NOTABLE EXAMPLES Pacific nations have volcano beings frequencies where cosmic energies
Skartaris, Dinosaur Island, living below. Both Gotham City and and extra-Multiversal metal deposits
Themyscira, Blackhawk Metropolis conceal similar enclaves, create space-time “static.” Amazon
Island, Bana Mighdall, tenuous homes to ancient natives, stronghold Themyscira, floating
Nanda Parbat, Kaddim colonies of homeless people, and fortress Blackhawk Island, spiritual
alien outcasts from other worlds. retreat Nanda Parbat, and others
LOCATIONS exhibit time-distortions and esoteric
Wilderness regions, Not all kingdoms are physically wildlife, but none to the extent of
occasionally mobile tethered to Earth. Some regions pandimensional realm Skartaris or
intermittently intersect with pocket Dinosaur Island (pictured above left).
MISSION dimensions. The Challengers of the
Avoiding notice, Unknown have clashed with Skartaris intersects Earth’s
interference, or change colonies who appear and fade like interior, a land of endless sunlight,
mirages or are enclosed in forbidden home to dinosaurs, magicians,
STATUS REPORT valleys by magical artifacts. aliens, and warlords, while Dinosaur
The world still keeps many Island exists in temporal flux, being
secrets Some regions of Earth, frequently, possibly many islands or one that
but not exclusively islands, lie outside changes location. It supports a vast
E arth has been charted and variety of antediluvian beasts from
scanned for centuries but Skartaris! A strange name many epochs, imperiling soldiers
still harbors places appearing for a strange world! and Super Heroes alike. ■
on no map. Some are difficult to Travis Morgan
find, like migratory Amazon colony
Bana-Mighdall or Kaddim, Ra¯’s al
Ghu¯ l’s city of Assassins.

Subsurface societies Abyssia
and Strata lie at different depths,
and imperial Muldroog inducted
explorer Cave Carson into their royal

130

TOHLIDNFGOSRGOTTEN

HIDDEN RACES AND REALMS

ON THE RECORD Nurturing the life-generating Dig for victory Limbo Town’s mystics
White Entity, Earth basks in potent have no idea surface-world machines
KNOWN EXAMPLES energies that repeatedly trigger can challenge their magic.
Feithera, Strata, Meta-Zone, sentient evolution. This fosters
Q Foundation, Hidden City beings of stone or lava, air, and even invasions. Humanoid Fietheran
(Turkey), Limbo Town, liquids, who thrive beside fleshly birdfolk dwell secretly for generations
Elvara, Dzyan fauna and vegetable flora. All have in Greenland, before human
a voice, connecting to individuals encroachment drives them to accept
SIGNIFICANT who become guardians and policy sanctuary in Black Adam’s Kahndaq.
REPRESENTATIVES makers in planetary Parliaments. The puritan sorcerers of 16th-century
Northwind, Terra, Rac Roanoke dig into the earth and
Shade, Aztek, Ornitho-Men Abundant background magic, across realms to build their sheltering
Klarion the Witchboy, Bat mutating radiations, and the lottery Limbo Town. Adjacent planes
Knights, Argor, Zatanna of the metagene spark frequent also offer homes to self-isolating
variations of humankind such as communities. The Fourth Dimension
LOCATION Homo Magi. Transdimensional connects Earth to mirror-dwelling
Earth, adjacent “hollows” inside Earth shelter many Duomalians and Orinocas, while
subdimensions races—avian Ornitho-Men, depth- inhabitants of the futuristic Meta-
dwelling Abyssans, quadruped Zone visit Earth whenever the
MISSIONS birdmen, Stratans (pictured above), dividing Zone of Madness permits
Abiding in isolation Firetrolls, and Muldroogans. safe passage. Given their clandestine
Closer to Earth’s crust, diminutive, nature, many other such safe havens
STATUS REPORT cave-dwelling Elvarans thrive, undoubtedly remain safely hidden. ■
Hidden, forgotten, and lost while the poles harbor races like
are relative terms in the Dzyan, Ice Giants, and other
21st century temperature-subtracting species.

D espite humanity’s The oceans teem with sapient
unstoppable rise and aquatic life-forms and modified,
habitation of every region water-breathing humanity who
of Earth, the planet is also home to originate from the sinking of Atlantis.
inhuman and extraordinary precursor Here, science, sorcery, and ancient
races, subspecies, genetic offshoots, gods all contribute to immeasurable
and migrants from other realms. variety of life-forms.

Some enclaves stem from refugee
migrations, religious persecutions, or

SCIENCE UNBOUND 131

UJURNBGALNE

THE SUPERPOWERED APES OF GORILLA CITY

ON THE RECORD Learn the truth of the followers on campaigns of global
Speed Force! conquest. Grodd possesses
DESIGNATION Solovar Cerecorbis—the ability to increase
Gorilla City his IQ and absorb knowledge by
The truth is darker. Centuries ago, consuming his victims’ brain
NOTABLE an extradimensional event bathes a matter—but perhaps he also ingests
REPRESENTATIVES silverback and his tribe in energies humanity’s greed and brutality.
Grodd, Solovar, Boka, that enhance their mentalities.
Gorilla Grimm, Primat, Creating a refuge, Lord Solovar and The manic tyrant’s schemes are
Sam Simeon his kin study the phenomenon— constantly thwarted by The Flash
which they call “the Light”—and and other Super Heroes, but
LOCATION learn they have been changed by eventually his grisly crusade leads to
Equatorial Africa the Speed and Sage Forces. Super-Villains invading Gorilla City.
Hundreds die at the hands of energy
MISSION These now-telepathic bandits Gemini and serial killer
Living apart, mastering superpowered apes master Hunter Zolomon, but many escape
“the Light” engineering, architecture, and other to plan a more secure new home. ■
physical sciences. They construct a
STATUS REPORT vast jungle metropolis dedicated to Ape-cops Would-be invaders of Gorilla
Decimated but recovering understanding the secret Forces City are confronted with intimidating
from Grodd’s misrule underpinning how the universe simian police robots.
functions. Scientific research
I n Africa’s Congo Basin, a lost gradually becomes spiritual faith,
city thrives for centuries. Many especially after aberrant malcontent
legends surround Gorilla City, Grodd seeks to oust the then leader
including a tale that hyper-intelligent Solovar and take his own fanatical
primates migrated to Earth from the
planet Calor, hitching a ride on a
Green Lantern’s energy trail. Another
claims that an object fallen from the
stars bathed gorillas with radiation,
enhancing their brainpower, the
gentle geniuses creating an invisible
city to conceal them from humanity.

IDNIVTIENREVEN

TION
L ife is competition—a fierce and
savage race for dominance. As the
Multiverse begins, the resources
of each reality are exploited by primal
beings evolving in and between newly
created realms. Entities soon learn that
specific energies can be reshaped and
modified to suit their desires. This is
not science but magic, which the gods,
demons, and higher beings feed on.
Yet magic in all its arcane forms comes
at a cost and cannot be relinquished
without paying a fearful price.

134 INTRODUCTION

MYSTICAL REALMS CONNECTED TO EARTH

SPhErE of thE GodS thE drEaminG faEriE

Source of magic. Contains Realm of subconscious Timeless repository
Olympus, Asgard, and other accumulation, administered by of humanity’s myths
former human Daniel of Dream.
pantheon citadels. and fables.

hEavEn/SilvEr City
Reward for good souls, land of angels, and
Earth PrimE
notional pathway to The Presence.

UnCCoonlSlCEiCotUiSvnEESS hEll
Biblical and regional afterworlds
Aggregated pool of humanity’s
hopes, dreams, and fears. ruled by demons and tailored to

spiritual punishments. Connects to

Hades, Underworld, and other

KEY GravEyard of thE GodS mythological lands of the Dead.

Mutually connected realms Where obsolete divinities end
relating to Earth’s beliefs and worship
Realms independent of Earth but which their existences.
affect the planet and its inhabitants
Realms, planes, and conduits substantially
connected to earth

E xistence is a recurring are still motivated by basic needs Unacceptable cost Before being
process. Countless and desires. These are gods, and transformed by human mages, Hecate
Multiverses have existed they impose themselves upon is the primal spirit of magical wonder.
and then ceased to exist because of inferior beings, feeding on their
the actions of higher beings. Once love, fear, and worship through
reality restarts, it begins as a vast a network of beliefs that are later
sea of surging forces, within which dubbed “stories.”
near-omnipotent entities such as
The Presence come into being to Magic is highly transactional
monitor various aspects of creation. and always seeks to gain more than
it pays out. Nothing is free and
Primal energies are powerful everything comes at a price, but
and raw, awaiting sentient life those who amass enough magical
to activate them. Once these first power, such as gods, can protect
beings—such as Earth’s Hecate— themselves from its immediate
emerge throughout existence, and often harmful repercussions.
many learn how to tap into and Like all essential Multiversal forces,
manipulate these energies to magic is contained within and
remake their local environments. sustained by its own metaphysical
This is called magic by those region, which is known as the
who utilize it. Magic reshapes Sphere of the Gods. This boundless
the lesser life-forms touched by it, extradimensional region
creating creatures of immense encompasses all the material
power and wisdom, but who realms that comprise reality.

DIVINE INTERVENTION 135

AaPpokoliPpSs aAnd puRGAtoRy MAGiclAnds phAntoM Zone MyRRA
neEw GeEnEeSsiSs Seven realms Timeless barrier
Metaphysical region containing all dimension connected Magical society championed
Planets of living where souls are human experience, by Nightmaster. Recently
deities. assessed. embargoed by to Limbo and destroyed, potentially
Purgatory. restorable.
the Council
of Eternity. JeJune ReAlM skARtARis

Rock of Retirement plane Transdimensional world of
eteRnity for forgotten or dinosaurs, magic, and myth,
debased deities. intersecting with Earth’s substrata.
Fortress at the
liMbo center of creation, ZeRox AZARAth GeMwoRld oblivion bAR
Realm of Mobile neutral
Metaphysical, storehouse of Sorcerer’s World pacifists opposed Feudal, time-warping territory and inn for all
insubstantial mystical forces and populated by to Trigon. magical society touched by magic.
holding region artifacts, and site Earth’s based on
supernatural crystal magic.
for souls. of the Council migrants.
of Eternity.

Magic retreats I hate Magic. Hard to functions and uses in the first Books
anticipate or control … of Magic. As their power grows,
Originally, magical forces are Too much like insanity. they become Lords of Order and
accessible to all in creation, but Chaos, ascending to higher planes.
eventually greed centralizes the Batman Here, they wage a pitiless war of
resource in adepts, and access ideology that costs innumerable
to magic becomes more difficult to and mentors, and accumulators lives over eons in the lower realms.
attain and manipulate. The very dedicated to one purpose. Felix
earliest users lock the forces into Faust is a perfect example of the On Earth in ages past, sorcery
their own rules, systems, and even last category, obsessively gathering births magical civilizations such
biology. Ultimately, mystical power mystic might to dominate the world. as Korr and its fabled predecessor
becomes confined to skilled Atlantis. The latter is a city of
scholars, those desperate enough The Earth’s first wizards steal wonders that reaches its peak under
to make unholy sacrifices and enough power to control the legendary wizard Arion, but it is
demonic bargains, or genetic mystical resource, classifying its inherently unstable and doomed.
anomalies with the innate ability Moreover, magic accidentally
to tap into magic, such as modern promotes a compelling new
teenager Timothy Hunter. doctrine—science. Scientific
thought codifies physical laws,
Wizards, sorcerers, and mages and its principles and astonishing
are practitioners who have attained results are accessible to all. When
a high degree of status, knowledge, Atlantis sinks, its technologies
and skill. They subdivide into survive, spreading far further
general categories such as than its arcane knowledge. ■
preservers and defenders, scholars

136

HAENADVHENELSLS

SUPERNATURAL WARFARE

ON THE RECORD Sometimes weird is good. levels of reality while threatening
Zatanna potentially catastrophic injury to
DESIGNATION the combatants and damage to the
Magic universe they inhabit.

NOTEWORTHY USERS From earliest times, magicians
Gods, devils, demons, djinn, endeavor to limit these grave
Homo Magi, select human consequences by binding magic
scholars, artifact collectors to rules, such as those inscribed
by the Lords of Order and Chaos
LOCATION in the original Books of Magic.
Realms, planes, domains,
and subdimensions adjacent elemental forces. As humanity Immortal enemies Morgaine le Fey’s
to and aligned with Earth evolves, magic is monopolized dreams of conquest are thwarted by
Prime across the Multiverse by beings who becomes godlike Etrigan the Demon.
sorcerers, proving decisive whenever
MISSION the supporters of Multiversal
Circumventing physical laws philosophical constants Justice
and Doom clash.
STATUS REPORT
All magic exacts punishing Invariably, Doom’s adherents
consequences accrue overwhelming might in
pursuit of selfish dominance and are
F or humanity, Magic has fiercely resisted by agents of Justice.
always been forbidden fruit, These Super Heroes embrace
tempting, intoxicating, and values of humanity and empathy,
hazardous to both body and soul. employing knowledge as much as
Mystical energy shapes Earth from might, and are fully aware of the
the planet’s inception, employed by horrific consequences of failure.
a variety of thinking creatures and Mystic combat is both spectacular
and subtle, ranging across many

DIVINE INTERVENTION 137

Divine inspiration MO NIT OR SPHERE

As humanity expands, its various LIMBO SO
gods try to cleanse and control the
contaminated occult environment, DREAM URCE WALL
dispatching agents to exorcise
angry ghosts, destroy rampaging UNDER ORDER HEAVEN
monsters, kill predatory witches, WORLD
and banish seductive devils. Such SPHERE OF T
heroes generally utilize enchanted
weaponry—swords, shields, cloaks, D FORCE WALL SPEE THE PINNACLE
potions, and such. Many, like
Hercules, Perseus, Theseus, and LIMBO APOKOLIPS THE PIT SPEE HE GODS GENNEEWSIS LIMBO
Siegfried, are demigods, the actual HELL SKYLAND
progeny of divine beings. HE GODS D FORCE WALL

The primal gods’ goal is to URCE WALL CHAOSNIGHTMARE
monopolize the energies of faith
and worship, but because of the SPHERE OF T
transformative nature of the
Collective Unconscious, shared SO OR SP
stories of valiant warriors empower
them rather than their patrons, and RE E LIMBO NIT O M
Earth develops a powerful culture
of hero-worship. H

A side effect is that all magic- Sphere of the Gods Magical actions in every universe are powered by
wielders are regarded as suspect, an all-encompassing energy field, which also provides non-geographical
even wicked. In truth, many are. subdimensional locations for godly paradises, mystic realms, arcane planes,
Early empire-building warrior and pocket realities. While existing outside of Time, all such regions of the
wizards like Arion and Nommo are local Multiverse can be accessed from within this Sphere of the Gods.
esteemed but also touched by
darkness. By the time Christianity the physical world in the most mages and exorcists like John
and Islam take hold in Europe and urgent cosmic circumstances. Constantine and Dr. Occult,
the Middle East, all wizards and or rely on Super Heroes such
mages are mistrusted and assumed Tragically, this leaves humanity as Doctor Fate and Zatanna.
to be following their own agendas. open to assault by all kinds of As a last resort, the world
supernatural horrors. The only true can hope that God’s
Demi-demon Merlin helps found, difference between human, god, vengeful Spectre
but fails to save, the Heroic Age of and devil is in the level of magical will intervene in
Camelot before unleashing the power they possess and their intent. his uniquely
diabolical Etrigan upon humanity. Demons, tempters, and hellions mysterious way. ■
Their bitter foe is Morgaine le Fey, generally hunt in quiet isolation,
whose sorceress sister, Nimue tormenting and destroying souls one Prophet and loss
Inwudu, betrays them all. She later at a time. Wish-granting djinn are Nimue betrays
repents for centuries as the amoral also inimical to humankind. They Merlin and Morgaine
seer Madame Xanadu. also abide in lower-dimensional before becoming
depths, reveling in misery. To deal a neutral force as
Henceforth, beneficial arcane with terrors such as these, humanity Madame Xanadu.
alliances and Multiversal defenders can only cling to modern faiths,
opt to work in the shadows. employ the unpredictable efforts of
They secretly preserve Earth and
humanity as Leymen, Demon
Knights, Shadowpacts, or Sentinels
of Magic. Higher-level mystic
overseers, such as the Conclave,
the Council of Eternity, and the
Quintessence, interact only with

138

DRIEVTIRNIEBUTION

THE SPECTRE

ON THE RECORD places and people since time began, his agents overreact, the Presence
prevented from moving on to more decrees Aztar’s power should
REAL NAME exalted stages of existence by be filtered through a mortal host
Aztar; Jim Corrigan, Hal feelings of fear or vengeance, or by and the guidance of a resurrected
Jordan, Crispus Allen tasks unfinished and responsibilities murder victim. Another legend
unfulfilled. Many phantoms accrue posits that Aztar is actually an
AFFILIATIONS great power to affect the corporeal angel who joined Lucifer’s rebellion,
Justice Society of America, world, but all pale into insignificance before truly repenting to eternally
Sentinels of Magic compared to the mighty agent of expiate his sin by enacting God’s
The Presence known as The Spectre. vengeance on sinners.
LOCATION
Mobile Some beliefs state that The The Spectre polices human
Presence watched closely over development, destroying Sodom
POWERS humankind and, when they strayed and Gommorah, turning Lot’s wife
Immeasurable mystic power, from his edicts, punished them with to salt, and slaying the firstborn
fueled by holy outrage and near-extinction through Kaala, an sons of Egypt in the time of Moses.
mitigated by human aspect of The Presence’s wrath. The Spectre easily overwhelms
judgment As humanity recovers, the Presence court magician Nabu when the Lord
replaces uncontrollable Kaala with of Order tries diverting the heavenly
MISSION Aztar, an Aspect representing sentence and destroys Pharaoh’s
Punish the guilty targeted retribution against those armies in the Red Sea.
who spill human blood. Wary of how
STATUS REPORT The Spectre’s greatest mystery
Later incarnations have There must be Justice … is why he acts at all. The world
commuted the divine edict There must be vengeance! festers with death and horror, but
to seek mercy, redemption, despite possessing measureless
and closure The Spectre might, the Spirit of Vengeance
responds only in a sporadic manner,
T he living are creatures of occasionally eliminating robbers,
passion and will. Often serial killers, or terrorists with
trauma or guilt—and, more macabre ingenuity while ignoring
rarely, higher emotions such as duty similar or even greater atrocities
or love—can sustain a spirit long occurring elsewhere.
after the flesh carrying it has ceased
to function. Ghosts have haunted Theologians like Father Richard
Craemer believe the answer is the
influence of the host. Despite working

in concert with generations of Super personality clearly holding sway DIVINE INTERVENTION 139
Heroes, and averting many cosmic over the responses.
crises, The Spectre alternates Moment of judgment Crispus Allen
between missions of Multiversal For decades, hard-line police gives sinners every chance to repent
import for the all-powerful detective Jim Corrigan drives before delivering his divine sentence.
Quintessence and confronting the ethereal force to act as a Spirit
doom and injustice on a human of Divine Wrath, punishing with murdered him on his wedding
scale, with his current mortal excessive force all criminals, day. Ultimately, Craemer counsels
beginning with the mobsters who Corrigan to a point where he lets
go of his burden and moves on
to his heavenly reward.

After almost destroying the
universe as Parallax, fallen Green
Lantern Hal Jordan sacrifices himself.
Dying to reignite Earth’s expiring
sun, he is offered a second chance
and his soul is bound to Aztar.
The former Super Hero steers The
Spectre into situations where the
fearsome magic can change, rather
than brutally end lives, repurposing
revenge into a Spirit of Redemption.

When Jordan returns to life, the
Spectre is directionless for months,
until Gotham City cop Crispus Allen
joins with him. The lengthy vacant
period between his murder and
joining, plus Allen’s cautious,
methodical nature, trigger a degree
of autonomy in Aztar, allowing
him and the new host the luxury
of debate and consultation before
delivering their interpretations
of divine judgment as a spirit of
closure and renewal. How the
ghostly guardian will act in the
future only God knows. ■

Ghostly Guardians

For many valiant champions, modern times in Opal City, while
death is not the end. The 18th-century noble Keith Everett
annals of justice are filled possesses a dying descendant
with phantom avengers and to oppose fascism during WWII
spirited sentinels denying as the mighty Grim Ghost.
themselves the peace of the
grave to preserve lives and War saw many supernatural
punish the guilty. stalwarts, such as heavenly
helper Mr. Keeper, undead
Privateer Jon Valor battles aviator trio the Ghost Patrol,
for king and country in the and multipowered phantom twin
16th century as the Black Captain Triumph, as well as the
Pirate. Wrongly convicted of his spirit of Confederate General
son’s murder and hanged, his JEB Stewart, who safeguarded
revenant battles injustice in the “Haunted Tank” (pictured).

140

EYOMUBRRAFCATEE

DOCTOR FATE

ON THE RECORD We get called because the disciple with potent arcane artifacts:
REAL NAME universe needs us! the Amulet of Anubis and Cloak
Kent Nelson of Destiny. Although named after
Kent Nelson, Inza Cramer- past deities, these items far predate
Nelson, Kent V. Nelson, Eric However, his stern, emotionless them, holding unimaginable power
and Linda Strauss, Jared aspect masks a fierce battle of for knowledgeable adepts.
Stevens, Hector Hall, Khalid wills between human empathy
Ben-Hassin, Khalid Nassour and divine obsession. Soon after this encounter,
AFFILIATIONS a mysterious gold and blue warrior
Justice Society of America, In the early years of the
Justice League Dark 20th century, archaeologist Sven begins traveling the
LOCATION Nelson and his son, Kent, explore world, battling
Tower of Fate, Salem, a lost tomb. When Sven is killed criminals, scientific
Massachusetts by booby traps, earthbound Lord madmen,
POWERS of Order Nabu appears, imparting
God-level mystic power and knowledge and vast power to the
knowledge, connection to boy and transforming the child
Lord of Order Nabu into a mighty mystical warrior.
MISSION
Eradicate Chaos Abandoning his own
STATUS REPORT decrepit form, Nabu transfers
Fates persist into the his life force into the Helmet
31st century of Thoth and also gifts his

F or nearly a century—and Magical mystery star Few suspect
while inhabiting a number the moral turmoil boiling beneath the
of human hosts—Doctor glittering facade of Doctor Fate.
Fate has been the mightiest sorcerer
confronting evil on the mortal planes.

DIVINE INTERVENTION 141

Nabu, dissident Lord of Order

In Earth’s dawning, human Egypt at this time is home to
savant Nabu and his colleagues many heroes such as Teth-Adam
seize and harness raw universal and Prince Khufu (an early
magic—in the form of the incarnation of Hawkman). Nabu
manifested entity Hecate— works with them and the gods of
and with it reinvent themselves Heliopolis until his human form
as Lords of Order and Chaos. burns out. Always his obsessive
From metaphysical realms, war against Chaos drives him.
they dispute for eons over After decades using Kent Nelson’s
how creation should progress, form and overruling his actions
employing earthly proxies to and emotions, Nabu is reluctant
fight their battles. Ultimately, to surrender his deceased host,
Nabu takes direct action and reanimating Nelson’s corpse to
reclaims human form to guide stay close to Doctor Fate’s new
Earth’s preeminent civilization. hosts Eric and Linda Strauss.

deranged sorcerers, and monstrous Magical messiahs supernatural influence. Nabu invites
beasts. Originally permitting Kent Doctor Fate knows he the Otherkind to consume mystical
autonomy as he battles evil, during can count on allies to practitioners and summons his
the 1940s, the Lord of Order the death, and beyond. fellow Lords to destroy all magical
gradually exerts increasing control realms. Amidst mounting carnage,
through the Helmet. Kent Nelson Hostage hosts ghastly horror, and guilt at his own
is now little more than a conduit actions, Nabu is finally persuaded
for Nabu’s powerful will as a fresh Although Nabu is by elderly Kent Nelson and ardent
torrent of terrors rise to threaten immortal, his host healer Khalid to reassess his
Earth and humanity. Although is not, and over position. As all existence reels on
Nelson, as Doctor Fate, fights the decades, other the brink of eradication, a renewed,
supernatural for justice, Nabu’s goal mortals provide a unified Doctor Fate joins Justice
is to end Chaos—a parallel but home for the Lord League Dark to repel the darkness
coincidental aim that is entirely of Order. In the and save the world once more.
heedless of human comfort, love, intervening years,
or empathy. Eventually, an aloof, many, including Magic always comes at a cost,
gestalt personality forms, one that Inza, don the Helmet and the price this time is valiant
utterly terrifies Nelson’s wife, Inza. to carry on the endless struggle. veteran Kent Nelson who at last
In varying degrees, each surrenders rejoins his beloved, departed Inza,
their own individuality to the call of while Khalid Nassour reaches a fresh
Fate, becoming pawns of Nabu as he accommodation with the Helmet
strives to abolish Chaos. Whenever and readily assumes the role
possible, the Helmet seeks hosts of Doctor Fate. ■
from the Nelson bloodline, such as
current incarnation Khalid Nassour, Monkey
a medical student with blood links business
to the Pharaohs of long-dead Egypt. Bobo
One notable failure is Detective knows he
Chimp (aka Bobo), who, after briefly already
wearing the Helmet, cannot get has too
rid of it quickly enough. many
Faced with constant war, Nabu voices in
eventually breaks. Deciding that his head to
magic itself is the cause of all the make room for
Chaos, he plans to free Earth of all pushy god Nabu.

142

RTHEAECSHKFIEOSR

HAWKMAN AND HAWKWOMAN

ON THE RECORD In 1940, as WWII intensifies, their reincarnation curse. Henceforth
Hawkman and Hawkgirl are created the lovers are perpetually reborn and
REAL NAME by archaeologist Carter Hall and his killed by Hath-Set after reuniting.
Ktar Deathbringer; Shrra fiancée, Shiera Saunders. Crusading
valiantly, they join the Justice Love and death Across countless
NOTABLE INCARNATIONS Society of America. Eventually they millennia and light-years, and multiple
Khufu and Chay-Ara, retire but, as Multiversal Crises reincarnations, the Hawks’ bond to each
Nighthawk and Cinnamon, mount, are excised from timelines. other is unbreakable.
Carter and Shiera Hall
These winged wonders are
AFFILIATIONS inextricably connected to the
Justice Society of America, mechanisms of reality, reborn as
Justice League, Blackhawks Thanagarian law officers Katar Hol
and Shayera Thal. In truth, countless
POWERS iterations of the couple have existed
Flight, extreme combat since before humanity began.
skills, Nth-Metal enhanced Through many reality shifts a bizarre
strength, speed, agility, truth unfolds. In humanity’s infancy,
regeneration Cro-Magnons clash and Vandar Adg
(aka Vandal Savage) slays the avatar
MISSION of the Bird Tribe’s Hawk god. For
Atonement for countless this failure, the fallen agent is
lifetimes of killing condemned to perpetual rebirth
until he destroys Savage. After
STATUS REPORT many futile encounters over
Time heals all wounds millennia, he is reincarnated into
Egypt’s ruling family. Prince
H awkman is not one hero Khufu Maat Kha-Tar loves Hyksos
but thousands. Chosen by princess Chay-Ara at a time when a
a vengeful god, the singular crashed Thanagarian ship provides
soul of this valiant warrior and his miraculous Nth Metal. The heroic
eternal beloved endlessly reincarnate couple are given antigravity belts
to defend the weak and crush by court magician Nabu but are
injustice. They live, love, and die murdered by envious High Priest
a thousand times over. Hath-Set, who becomes entangled in

You won’t outfly me until Recurring through ever-escalating DIVINE INTERVENTION 143
we run out of sky! reality revisions, the full truth of the
Carter Hall Hawks emerges only after newly God forbid The Lord Beyond the Void
liberated Perpetua remakes creation. meets his doom attempting to consume
Star-crossed lovers Eons ago on primal Thanagar, the souls of the winged wonders.
unbeatable Ktar of the Deathbringers differences, and Kendra explores
As centuries pass, their Nth Metal tires of killing for extradimensional a relationship with Martian
exposure diminishes. They are god The Lord Beyond the Void Manhunter J’onn J’onzz.
reborn and forget their curse. They and dies seeking to atone. Truly
live as heroes but are no longer repentant, Ktar’s spirit is championed Extraterrestrial Shayera then
tormented by memories of inevitable by angelic herald Shrra, as a divine joins Earth Prime Carter Hall in
Doom. Khufu is always a champion. voice tells him he will find peace and destroying The Lord Beyond the
In Ancient Greece, he is Icarus; in redemption only after saving as many Void, ending their reincarnation
sixth-century England, Silent Knight lives as he has taken. With Shrra curse and returning to the 1940s.
Brian of Kent, aided by Lady Celia bound to him for her insubordination, Here they relive their best lifetime
Penbrook. Koenraad von Grimm dies Ktar reincarnates across space and together as stalwart members of the
in 16th-century Germany only to be time—from Krypton to Rann and far Justice Society, inspiring future
reborn as a samurai in Japan. As beyond—thematically bound to avian generations of Super Heroes. ■
Captain John Smith, he colonizes predators to defend the weak and
America; and as Hannibal Hawkes helpless. Their bond is weakened
dons the mask of Nighthawk, by a succession of Crises, eventually
fighting beside female bounty resulting in Shrra’s soul dividing
hunter Cinnamon. Under various between two reincarnated forms.
names, she has never left his side.
As Thanagar declines, Shayera
Thal becomes the last empress of
a dying galactic empire, pining for
her lost beloved Katar Hol, while on
Earth, Shiera’s personality occupies
the body of young Kendra Saunders.
As Perpetua’s revision of existence
grows, Thanagarian Hawkwoman
and human Hawkgirl resolve their

Bad company

Earth is a unique world, (Vandal Savage) occasionally convene in
filled with wonders taking and Klarn Arg, neutrality, suspending old
many lifetimes to appreciate. Morgaine le Fey, animosities and undying
It also harbors a host of beings Jason Blood, grievances to act in unison
whose life spans mirror the Shining Knight on behalf of their ever-
longevity of planets. Martian Ystin, The embattled homeworld.
orphans J’onn J’onzz and Phantom Stranger,
M’gann M’orzz, or Kryptonians Madame Xanadu,
Kal-El and Kara Zor-El could Black Adam,
potentially live for eons, but, Shazam, Uncle
thanks to magic, science,
Nth Metal, and the Totality, Sam, Ra¯’s al Ghu¯ l,
Earth too has a class of beings and others cooperate when
immune to the ravages of age. necessity demands.

Granted perspective denied Currently located in Antarctic
short-lived mortals, even lava pits at Finnisterre (World’s
ancient foes like Vandar Adg End), a citadel sits (pictured)
where these eternal adversaries

144

HBEOWURITCHING

ZATANNA

ON THE RECORD a human encounters a Magi, both
are gripped by a mating frenzy.
REAL NAME Already few in number, purebred
Zatanna Zatara Magi will be extinct in generations.

AFFILIATIONS There is always a cost! Gift of the Magi
Justice League Dark, Justice Zatanna
League of America, Seven The solution is isolation. Magi clans
Soldiers, Homo Magi, soul-consuming horror, and sinister build a Hidden City in remote
Sentinels of Magic self-interest. Shadowy terrains Anatolia, which is phased into
where yesterday’s ally or student can a pocket realm, while others
BASE swiftly become tomorrow’s nemesis, permanently migrate to the
Hall of Justice, Shadowcrest and mutual goals regularly turn Nightshade Dimension. Some,
implacable foes into temporary blessed with inherited
POWERS/ABILITIES comrades. Following her father’s resistance or spells to
Hereditary magical death, Zatanna reluctantly confronts preserve their DNA,
manipulation, elite Hell’s darkest corners where remain active on
knowledge and training differences between good and evil are Earth. Their greatest
difficult to discern. She spearheads champion is
MISSION humanity’s magical resistance Nommo
Save innocents, police magic, to waves of arcane predation. (later
honor family tradition Doctor
Her story begins millennia Mist), who
STATUS REPORT ago when Homo Magi—a genetic shepherds
Seeking stability in a rapidly offshoot predisposed to manipulate
evolving world magic—and scientifically advanced Hat’s off
Homo Sapiens unite to build mighty Zatanna’s path
D escended from a hereditary Atlantis. When the continent sinks, is convoluted,
line opposing dark magic the Magi scatter across Earth. entailing show
since humanity began, Centuries pass and a genetic business,
Zatanna Zatara is born to be a aberration spreads: whenever heroics, and
warrior. She readily slides between nurturing the
a clear-cut world of heroes and next generation
villains and capricious, terrifying of sorcerers.
arenas of supernatural hierarchies,

DIVINE INTERVENTION 145

Sorcery sorority Zatanna’s path is paved with League Dark, has always used
good intentions but strewn with her sorcery and gift of prophecy
Sorcery is one arena where pitfalls. Her efforts to aid novices to benefit the world—but only
gender grants no advantage. Traci 13 and Misty Kilgore result according to her own strongly
In fact, the formative spirit of in angst, acrimony, and held opinions and
universal mysticism is primal attempted murder, while interpretations.
female spirit Hecate, before occasional allies Nightmare
her role is usurped by the Nurse, Witchfire, Black Alice,
vengeful witch Circe. Enchantress, and Nimue Inwudu,
Modern magicians have aka Madame Xanadu (pictured),
no steadfast relationships. have simultaneously saved and
Friends, archenemies, and imperiled humanity. Xanadu is a
rivals all scrupulously respect recurring problem. The powerful,
nonaggression pacts and areas centuries-old sister to Morgaine
of neutrality like the Oblivion Le Fey, and founding member of
Bar, painfully aware that a the Demon Knights and Justice
misstep might destroy the
locality and transgressors.

his people through millennia of end of magic and seeks to prepare Light the way Zatanna quickly adapts
human progress, creating cabals her for an invasion by the magic- to working in Justice League Dark as
and nurturing a bloodline that devouring Otherkind. His other they fight the forces of darkness.
shapes history. strategies include grooming John
Constantine for arcane combat and Zatanna takes over Zatara’s
Zatanna’s ancestry includes training teenager Bruce Wayne. crusading duties and stage career.
Cagliostro, Nostradamus, as well as She represents Light in the
other mages and seers dating back to Zatara also mentors Zatanna’s dimension-girdling Conclave,
the wizards of Atlantis, and inherits cousin Zachary, but this education founds the Sentinels of Magic,
skill in the specialities of each. She abruptly ends when the elder mage and acts as consultant to various
works miracles through logomancy— dies battling a monstrous horror Justice Leaguers facing
issuing commands spoken or written beside former comrades and the supernatural dilemmas.
backward—and is precognitive via arrogant Constantine. Traumatized,
Tarot reading, prophetic dreams Relatively unchanged by reality
(onieromancy), and telepathy. Like shifts such as Flashpoint or Zero
her forebears, she uses these to defend Hour, Zatanna represents the
Earth from supernatural atrocities. benevolent, aspirational aspect of
magic, despite the ever-escalating
Discovering his gifts before WWII, march to Armageddon she faces.
Zatanna’s father Giovanni combines After Zatara’s death, Zatanna
a stage career with a lifelong war survives disastrous relationships
against injustice. Joining the All-Star with doomed, self-destructive
Squadron, he also fights beside other mages John Constantine and Nick
magical champions, including Necro. She navigates a course
Sargon the Sorcerer, Ibis the that involves policing the mystical
Invincible, and Doctor Occult, before world’s impact on mundane
cocreating the magically militant Cult humanity and teaching young
of Cold Flame. When Zatanna’s mystics such as Traci 13 and Misty
mother Sindella, a pure-bred Homo Kilgore. She also leads, alongside
Magi, apparently dies, heartbroken Wonder Woman, the powerful anti-
Zatara returns to performing, arcane task force Justice League
aggressively tutoring Zatanna in Dark. It is a life that sees Zatanna
stagecraft and all aspects of the usher in a new Age of Magic in an
supernatural. She has no notion he ever-changing Multiverse. ■
has foreseen his own death and the

146

DSATYRSANGER

THE PHANTOM STRANGER

ON THE RECORD I answer to no one save the runaway Raven (Rachel Roth)
voice that guides me. to her demonic sire Trigon.
REAL NAME Phantom Stranger
Judas Iscariot, Philip Stark The Phantom Stranger’s
A tragic bridge connecting unquestioning penitence goes
AFFILIATIONS humanity to the infernal and divine, awry after he subverts one task to
The Quintessence, Justice the Phantom Stranger’s origins are his own needs: dispatching serial
League Dark, Trinity of Sin, inconstant. A lost time traveler, killer Philip Stark but saving his
Sentinels of Magic biblical heretic, and fallen angel, wife, Elena and their children
after reality-changing time-shifts, he from their preordained murders.
BASE is recast by heavenly edict as Judas Assuming Stark’s identity, he
Perpetually mobile Iscariot. Condemned for betrayal and steals precious moments of human
for hanging himself in guilt by the comfort at the risk of unraveling
POWERS Council of Eternity, he is resurrected the fabric of creation. Ultimately,
Immortality, divine guidance to eternally seek atonement. circumstance and his own reformed
and knowledge, wields vast character compel him to make
array of mystic forces Commanded by the Voice of The matters right again.
Presence, he undertakes unpleasant,
MISSION inexplicable assignments, with each An instigator and herald of doom
Atoning for grievous sins, accomplished mission causing one and disaster, the Stranger now acts
one noble deed at a time of the 30 pieces of silver agonizingly as a champion of good.
affixed around his throat to fall away. He fights against
STATUS REPORT These tasks include luring police arcane incursions
Seeking to tip the scales for officer Jim Corrigan into the ambush with mystic task
good in the war between that kills him and unleashes the forces such as Justice
Justice and Doom Spectre, and delivering terrified League Dark and
preemptively as part of
R eality is mutable: prone benign cosmic guardians
to infinite reordering by The Quintessence. ■
higher forces and cosmic
accidents, but every changed Who goes there?
existence recreates beings of crucial A harbinger of horror,
significance. The most enigmatic this eldritch enigma
of all these is undoubtedly the proves there is
Phantom Stranger. no kindness in
this stranger.

DIVINE INTERVENTION 147

ERDEGASEOONF

NIGHT FORCE

ON THE RECORD gradually and far from scrutiny Arcane arms race As Chaos
but seldom escape the notice of escalates, the line between hero and
FOUNDING MEMBERS the arcane Baron Winters. Night Force agent blurs for Raven.
Baron Winters, Merlin the
leopard A manipulative savant who mainstream metahumans. These
wields misinformation like a super- include millennially reoccurring
NOTABLE MEMBERS power, the Baron and his regeneration cults, computerized
Raven, Klarion, Traci intelligent leopard Merlin (a gift, satanic possession, or the methodical
Thirteen, Zachary Zatara, he claims, from the legendary yet brutal eradication of Earth’s
Black Alice, Red Devil, wizard himself) craft complex many supernatural beings.
Jim Duffy, Donovan Caine, schemes to defeat ancient plots, foil
Jack Gold, Vanessa Van infernal invasions, and preserve life Winters is ruthless, prepared
Helsing, Zadok Grimm and the social status quo. His real to use exploitation and coercion to
agenda is incomprehensible to most motivate his teams of expendable
AFFILIATIONS heroes, and even his own agents. pawns. He expresses concern but
Justice League Dark is always ready to write off his
Winters cannot leave stately agents as necessary sacrifices
BASE Wintersgate Mansion in to his greater purpose. ■
Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. in the present,
but its doors open on any moment
MISSION in history, allowing him access to all
Balancing the fundamental of humanity’s past and to recruit
spiritual concepts of mortal operatives for any emergency.
existence He claims to be neutral in the
struggle between good and evil and
STATUS REPORT has used this status to broker deals
The Baron has increasingly and truces between the champions
sought out metahuman of Black and White Magic.
agents for modern missions
Solely concerned with
W hen crises occur that maintaining equilibrium between
threaten humanity or the warring philosophies of good
even reality itself, an and evil and safeguarding life, the
army of Super Heroes rapidly respond strategic last-ditch interventions of
to the threat. Some dangers grow his ever-evolving “Night Force”
involve stopping insidious terrors
beyond the scope and ken of

148

BBLOOUONDD IN

ETRIGAN THE DEMON

ON THE RECORD Morgaine le Fay’s rampaging hordes. diminishes his strength, he forever
When even hellfire and fury fail to plots, allying with medieval Super
REAL NAME turn the tide, Merlin’s last act is Heroes the Demon Knights. True
Etrigan (possesses binding Etrigan to human scribe to his nature, wild Etrigan becomes
Jason Blood) Jason of Norwich. a mighty force for justice, before
ultimately betraying his allies to Hell.
AFFILIATIONS The immortal, often-amnesiac
Demon Knights, Lords of Jason is drawn to satanic incidents History records a wandering
Hell, Justice League Dark, that Etrigan gleefully crushes to human who quells arcane outbreaks
Sentinels of Magic spite his rivals in the Pit. Although over 15 centuries, but confirmed
the Demon can remain on Earth only sightings of Etrigan begin again
BASE briefly, as mortal existence only after demonologist Jason Blood
Hell reaches Gotham City. Soon Blood
Devil may care Even when and his alter ego are interacting
POWERS all plans fail, Etrigan still with Super Heroes, traveling
Supernatural strength, speed, revels in the thrill of off-world to confront the likes
agility, and endurance, pointless, brutal battle. of Darkseid and destroying
immortality, skilled magic-
wielder able to hurl Hellfire legions of devils.
The Demon appears tamed
MISSION but still plots to rule Hell and
Destroying his enemies destroy his loathsome family.
When Belial merges his
STATUS REPORT profane kingdom with Earth,
Current King of Hell Etrigan swallows his burning
pride, uniting with old ally and
E trigan is a Prince of Hell,
spawn of King Belial, and lover Madame Xanadu, Blood,
half brother to legendary and even Merlin to frustrate
mage Merlin. Born to trouble, the scheme and kill his sire.
savage Etrigan disrupts the
workings of Hell and is exiled. Has Blood’s virtue infected
This coincides with Camelot’s fall, and tempered Etrigan’s
as Merlin desperately summons his diabolical nature? Can evil
unruly sibling to crush sorceress beings be a force for good?
Only time will tell as Etrigan revels
in his latest victory, descending
to the Throne of Hell. ■

DIVINE INTERVENTION 149

PDRAIRNKCNEEOSFS

ECLIPSO

ON THE RECORD Originally an agent of The Night tide Eclipso’s happiest memory
Presence at the dawn of time, Kaala is almost annihilating humanity in the
REAL NAME personifies God’s Wrath. Over eons, Great Flood.
Kaala he begins to luxuriate in the savage
punishments he inflicts and is cast attacks Amethyst but is defeated
AFFILIATIONS out and replaced by Aztar, the and locked in the Black Diamond.
Justice League Dark, House Spectre of God’s Vengeance. Kaala When the gem manifests on Earth,
Onyx, House Diamond, Secret endures by possessing countless Eclipso possesses Gordon Jacobs to
Society of Super-Villains physical hosts until incarnated on continue his predations. He faces a
Gemworld as a prince of Houses host of Super Heroes and struggles
LOCATION Onyx and Diamond. He instigates with independent-minded hosts such
Heart of Darkness a brutal war but is defeated by Lady as Bruce Gordon, who discovers
(a Black Diamond) Chandra of House Amethyst, who the demon’s weakness. Eclipso is
binds him inside a Black Diamond weakened by bright light, which
POWERS she subsequently hides on Earth. drives him back inside the gem.
Immortality, magic, memory
manipulation, teleportation The “Heart of Darkness” holding Following changes to reality, as
via shadows, telepathy, him is found in modern times and Justice League Dark battle both the
telekinesis, possession sealed in A.R.G.U.S.’s Black Room. Otherkind and the resurgent witch
Alex Montez becomes the new host Circe over the fate and direction
MISSION of Kaala, now known as “Eclipso,” but of magic, Eclipso again escapes
Destroying creation and John Constantine exiles the tyrant from his crystalline confinement.
tormenting the living on Gemworld. Eclipso then seizes He continues to exploit humanity’s
control of many Royal Houses and heightened selfishness, further
STATUS REPORT stoking the flames of war across
Manipulating humanity’s What is your darkest desire? the realms of magic. ■
failings Eclipso
See also: Amethyst of Gemworld
E clipso transcends universal
structures and his origins
shift with each alteration
of Multiversal timelines. His fiendish
role and purpose, however, remain
unchanged—unleashing humanity’s
darkest instincts.

150

BTHRUINNGDETRHE

SHAZAM! AND THE SHAZAM! FAMILY

ON THE RECORD Long story short... we’re Mighty powers are activated
all Super Heroes! when the disbelieving boy utters the
REAL NAME Mary Bromfield acronym “Shazam!” while attaining
Billy Batson the proper mental state. This
transforms the puny child into
FELLOW RECIPIENTS a powerhouse with Superman’s
Mary Bromfield, strength, wielding lightning bolts
Freddie Freeman, Darla and an arsenal of spells.
Dudley, Pedro Peña,
Eugene Choi again, with minor variations in Family matters
detail, young Billy Batson is selected
LOCATION/BASE by a dying wizard to channel the The troubled orphan is the latest
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, attributes of six divine sponsors addition to the loving Philadelphia
Rock of Eternity as both earthly Super Hero and foster home of Victor and Rosa
a Champion of Magic.
POWERS Wise guy Shazam is
Magic-fueled physical Following time-shifts and reality often overwhelmed by
superpowers, wisdom, revisions generated by Flashpoint Billy’s impetuous,
magical lightning and other Crisis events, teenager mischievous
Batson is again manipulated by personality.
MISSION cosmic events and gifted with the
Saving innocents, wisdom of Solomon, strength of
safeguarding magic Hercules, stamina of Atlas, power
of Zeus, courage of Achilles, and
STATUS REPORT speed of Mercury. Now, however,
Prone to distracting, the boy is not the best of all
counterproductive family possible choices wisely selected
squabbles but merely the best candidate
currently available to the
A cross countless alternate extremely grudging and fiercely
Earths and despite many conflicted wizard.
reality revisions, the
ultimate relationship of mankind
to mysticism falls to the hands of
a small orphan boy. Over and over