Who's Who #5

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Who's
Who
Volume V: Across the Multiverse
Written and Drawn by
the many creators of the DC2 and DC3
Cover by
Boris Mihajlovic
Compiled and Edited by
Don Walsh

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Well, here we are, the fifth issue of Who's Who, and quite an issue it is! Thirty-two entries, and an art gallery of Earth-Two heroes, with a full range of heroes, villains, groups, places, and this time, we get to add an event entry. And we get to introduce a new artist, Wekhter, so welcome aboard! Everyone really came through with some great work, and I'm proud to have shepherded the work to the final stage. I've also tried something new, peppering entries with links to other entries as well, so let's hope I get that done properly.

So once more, a big thanks to everyone who contributed in all the various ways, and I now say that having compiled two of these in a row, I'm ready to pass the Who's Who torch on to the next person, and look forward to what new elements can be brought. In the meantime, though, kick back, dig in, and enjoy the grand vista of the entire multiverse of action we have to present here on DC2 and DC3, and please go to the letters page and let all our great creators know just how much you appreciated their work. I know I do.

Take care
Don

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Art by Jamie Rimmer
Words by Scott Morgan Cook

Arsenal (Earth-Two)
Real Name: Lian Harper
Aliases: Kid Arrow, Black Queen’s Knight
Status: Citizen of the United States with no criminal record
Occupation: Bodyguard, Adventurer
Known Relatives: Roy Harper (Father), Jade Nguyen (Mother), Thomas Blake Jr. (Half-Brother)
Group Affiliation: Checkmate, Outsiders, Team Arrow
Base of Operations: Belle Reve
Height: 5’ 7”
Weight: 135 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown

Powers & Abilities: Arsenal possesses no superhuman powers. Instead, she is a highly-trained athlete, with strong knowledge of hand-to-hand combat, and is an expert sharpshooter, rivaling the best in the world. She has the strength of a woman her age, height and build who engages in intensive regular exercise.

History: Lian Harper was destined to become a superhero. And nobody knew it better than Lian Harper.

The daughter of the hero Red Arrow (formerly Speedy, then later Arsenal), Lian grew up around costumed adventurers. Her “grandfather” was Oliver Queen and her “uncle” was Connor Hawke, both heroes who went by Green Arrow. She was trained in archery from a young age, then moved up to self-defense, until at age 15 when she donned cape and cowl and became Kid Arrow.

For three years, she helped protect Star City and all its inhabitants. But as soon as she turned 18, Lian was drafted into Checkmate. After months of training, she became the Black Queen’s Knight, personal bodyguard to Tatsu Yamashiro. Abandoning the bow and arrow, she began using firearms and went by Arsenal.

One day, Checkmate decided to put together their own team of superheroes, and placed Lian as the leader. Since then, the Outsiders have been protecting the world from all metahuman threats.

The Future: Lian will have to deal with assassins, maniacs and a terrible enemy from her past.

First Appearance: CHECKMATE: OPERATION OUTSIDERS #1

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Picture by Mischief, colors by Boris Mihajlovic
Words by Jay McIntyre

Batman (Maximum! imprint)
Real Name: Bruce Wayne
Status: Citizen of the United States with no criminal record.
Occupation: Owner and Chairman of Wayne Industries.
Known Relatives: Martha Wayne (mother; deceased), Thomas Wayne (father; deceased).
Group Affiliation: None
Base of Operations: Gotham City.
Height: 6' 1''
Weight: 209 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black.

Powers & Abilities: Bruce Wayne has no superhuman powers, but possesses the strength and stamina of a man his age, height and build who engages in intensive daily exercise, and is an extremely capable hand-to-hand combatant with a wide knowledge of martial arts, having spent years in training. His focus on physical development was at the cost of more cerebral training, and only after he began his career as the Batman did he begin to focus on his investigative and forensic education.

History: The story is well-known: Bruce Wayne was with his parents for a fun night in Gotham City when a killer took Thomas and Martha away from him. He swore to gain revenge on the criminals that prey on people like his family, and set out to make himself a perfect physical specimen. He set out on his mission, developing his body and learning a variety of martial arts that he blended into his own unique style. An enraged and grief-stricken young Bruce wouldn't understand during this time how important it would be to develop scientific skills to battle crime. When he returned home, he met up with Alfred, the son of his parents' old butler, who had been like a brother to him during his hard childhood. Alfred also loved the Wayne family, and agreed to the mission that Bruce had set before himself, being a sparring partner during training, as well as acting in the field occasionally, when another pair of eyes, ears or hands is needed. Bruce Wayne's public persona is not that of the bored playboy, having not dwelled on that part of his mission. Instead, Gotham City knows him as a shattered, sad man who never recovered from the death of his parents, and grief and world-travel has left him unable to run his family business effectively. Instead, most of the real work is done by his CEO, Lucius Fox.

The criminal element of Gotham did not take the news of the Batman seriously at first, instead viewing his presence as a poor joke. As he gained their attentions with several successful and painful busts, however, they instead saw him as nothing more than a rival criminal, a competitor to the criminal Consortium that runs Gotham and hired the super steroid-charged Bane to kill him. It was during this initial conflict with the Consortium, and his clash with Bane, that proved to Bruce the need to develop his mind, and build his investigative and forensics skills up to the level of his physical prowess.

During all of this he also caught the eye of Captain James Gordon; the tough-as-nails leader of Gotham's SWAT, and just about the only honest cop in the city. Gordon sees Batman as a half-mad criminal who must be taken down as well. While the corrupt elements of the GCPD view Batman as a primary target, however, Gordon was forced to realize that Batman was more useful upsetting and impairing the Consortium, and now views him as a weapon to fight this criminal element in a way he normally couldn't, before the time comes he has to put Batman down as well. Gordon has called upon the services of a private investigator to try to discern Batman's identity, to gain further leverage over him.

Bruce Wayne was present to witness the murders that orphaned Dick Grayson, and took the youngster into his home, to train him as an apprentice. Alfred has initially disagreed with this arrangement, worried for the potential security risk that comes with adding another person to a secret. Over time however, Dick has begun to soften this position.

The Future: What none of them yet realize is that the man who murdered Dick's parents, the former chief clown of Haly Circus, has just awoken from a coma, a reborn Joker; the clash between them is inevitable. Throw in a criminal psychologist interested in Bruce Wayne, Gordon still trying to discover his identity, the private eye on the case having a fixation for riddles, and Batman's future looks to be busy and interesting indeed. Beyond that lays a most unsuspected killer, and also a young woman with a penchant for cats and burglary.

First Appearance: MAXIMUM: BATMAN! #1

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Art by Joey Jarin
Words by Brian Burchette

Bumblebee (Earth-One)

Real Name: Karen Beecher
Status: Citizen of the United States with no criminal record
Occupation: Research Engineer
Group Affliation: Teen Titans West
Base of Operation: San Francisco, California
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 135lbs
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black

Powers and Abilities: Bumblebee created an exoskeleton costume that enables her to fly, cause sonic disruptions, and project powerful force blasts. Her solar-powered antennae, inside her helmet, allows her to emit electrical 'stings' through quartz prism eyepieces. Bumblebee's exoskeletal wings enable her to fly and cause sonic disruptions. The question to how she can shrink to within three inches in height has yet to be revealed.

History: There is a bit of mystery surrounding the hero known as Bumblebee. She was first spotted in New York City with the young man with the code-name of Risk. During an alien invasion led by Blackfire, Bumblebee helped Raven and Speedy (the only two Teen Titans not captured) in rescuing their friends. After this adventure, she moved to San Francisco where she went to work for S.T.A.R. Labs and started to date Mal Duncan.

Another alien invasion, this time by both Rann and Thanagarian soldiers, brought her and Risk, as well as other young heroes, together to stop the battle that was destroying their city. As this adventure continued, she seems to be stepping up as the undeclared leader of this west coast version of Teen Titans, though they have yet to formally declare themselves as a group.

The Future: As the Teen Titans West forms, Karen will indeed be voted in as their leader, but a horrible secret that she shares with her teammate, Risk, may just force her to not only step down from that position, but walk away from the team completely.

First Appearance:TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1

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Art by Wekhter
Words by James Steel

Cassandra Cain (Earth-Five)
Real Name: Cassandra Cain
Alias: Formerly Kasumi
Status: There are no known legal records of Cassandra Cain
Occupation: None at Present
Known Relatives: David Cain (Father)
Group Affiliation: Former member of the Teen Titans, Fearsome Five and the League of Assassins
Base of Operations: Mobile
Height: 5’ 3”
Weight: 115 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black

Powers & Abilities: Cassandra possesses peak physical prowess for her age, height and build, and is trained extensively in the martial arts, making her one of the foremost melee combatants on the planet.

History: Cassandra Cain was born to be a weapon. Raised in a world of silence for the first five years of her life, Cass was trained to fight by her father, David Cain, forged into a weapon to be used by the League of Assassins.

However, when she was twelve, she accompanied Cain on one of his missions. It was there when she first encountered death. Seeing her father’s victim die before her deeply effected the girl. Cain picked up on this, attempting to slow down her training but the damage was already done. The young woman began to question the League and her place in it, until finally a mission brought her face to face with Kid Eternity. The hero convinced her to change her ways and she eventually joined the newly-formed Teen Titans. Her time with the team was short-lived though, as her father came looking for her. While Cass managed to convince him to let her stay, she choose to leave the team, partly in case Cain changed his mind and partly because she finally wanted to find out who she was, and not who others wanted her to be.

The Future: As Cass searches for her place in the world, she runs into a former masked hero.

Showcase Issue: ULTIMATE TEEN TITANS#4
First Appearance: Outsiders/Teen Titans #1 (as Kasumi); Outsiders/Teen Titans #3 (as Cassandra Cain)

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Art by Ramon Villalobos
Words by Charlie Wilkins
Catman (Earth-One)
Real Name: Thomas Blake
Status: Citizen of the United States of America with a known criminal record (time served)
Occupation: Soldier-of-fortune
Known Relatives: None known
Group Affiliation: Secret Society of Super-Villains; formerly a member of the Suicide Squad
Base of Operations: Currently unknown to the authorities, rumored to be Hub City; formerly Bell Reve Maximum Security Prison
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 230Ibs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown

Powers & Abilities: Thomas has peak human athletic abilities, is skilled in a number of martial arts, and also adept in the use of a range of weaponry, though his preferred weapons of choice are his two bowie knives, strapped to his utility belt. This belt also contains a number of weapons and tools. Blake also has enhanced senses, brought about by his own meditations in the wilderness. His attunement to an 'inner great cat' has resulted in a tendency to go "red" when pushed to a certain point, at which time his fighting skills increase at least two-fold, and he will attack anyone, friend or foe, without mercy. He is attempting to control this tendency.

History: Thomas Blake never thought his life was that exciting. The son of rich parents, he always lived a life of apparent luxury, but that was never good enough for him. He squandered his family fortune running around hunting jungle cats in Africa, and then for some unknown reason, had an epiphany. He returned to America a changed man, and turned to crime, seeking the adrenaline rush that super-villainy provided. He fought against the Batman, and inevitably failed, his skills not enough to defeat the Caped Crusader. After a string of failed big-time heists, he was finally arrested and imprisoned in Belle Reve, where Amanda Waller gave him the option of serving his sentence, or gaining time served by working with the Task Force X initiative, aka the Suicide Squad. Unlike a number of members of the team, when his tenure with the team was over, he left, hoping to find himself once more after feeling lost within the team after a mission in Africa and then suffering defeat at the hands of Catwoman. Instead of returning to the villain fold, he decided to retire from limelight until he felt himself ready to be a viable threat to those he faced. Blake returned to the jungles where he experienced that first epiphany, and for months assumed a role in a pride of lions, and for the first time in a long time he felt whole again, honing his senses, training himself up to be the man he wanted to be.

That all changed when Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke the Terminator (see Deathstroke), came calling, with an offer he could not refuse...

The Future: Catman is given a role in the Secret Society of Super-Villains side-by-side with Deathstroke, Toyman, and the new and mysterious Ravager. His first assignment is nearly disastrous for him, his fighting skills blunted by their lack of use in the jungle, causing Deathstroke to take a personal interest in the man's training. What this entails, and what this will lead to, is unknown to both men, but be sure that it won't be a good thing...

First Appearance: SUICIDE SQUAD #11

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Art by Trevor Yarmovich
Words by Susan Hillwig

Cinnamon (Earth-One)
Real Name: Katherine Manser
Aliases: Chay-Ara, Miss Liberty/Bess Lynn, Moon Fawn (reincarnations of her spirit)
Status: Citizen of the United States with no criminal record (deceased in the modern day)
Occupation: Gunfighter
Known Relatives: David Manser (father, deceased), Gabrielle Manser (mother, deceased)
Base of Operations: The American West, late 1800s
Height: 5’4”
Weight: 110 lbs.
Hair: Red
Eyes: Green

Powers & Abilities:Cinnamon possesses no superhuman powers, except possibly the certainty that her spirit will reincarnate into a new life after her death. Most of Cinnamon’s fighting abilities are self-taught, with unconscious knowledge from her previous lives giving her an edge that belies her size and gender. She has been handling guns since childhood, and is an above-average marksman. Though she relies mainly on typical 19th Century weaponry, she also carries razor-sharp replicas of her father’s badge (similar to Japanese shuriken), which have served her well as a holdout weapon.

History: In 1857, the soul of the ancient Egyptian priestess Chay-Ara (see Hawkgirl) was reincarnated once more, this time in St. Roch, Louisiana as Kate Manser. Doted on by her lawman father, who nicknamed her “Cinnamon” for her flaming-red hair, Kate’s childhood was somewhat sheltered; despite her father’s profession as sheriff, plus the fact that the Civil War was raging not far from where she was growing up, she knew little of the consequences of violence. All that changed in the summer of 1865, when her father arrested a man who was part of a outlaw group of ex-Confederates. On what the townsfolk later dubbed “Black Sunday”, the outlaws rode into St. Roch and proceeded to burn down the town, starting with the church -- eight-year-old Kate was able to escape the burning building, but her mother and the rest died in the flames. Distraught over the horror around her, Kate ran to the sheriff’s office to find her father, only to witness the outlaws brutally murder him in the street, then trample his body with their horses as they rode off with their freed compatriot. Hours later, the surviving townsfolk found her sitting next to his body, her small fingers desperately trying to pull free the star-shaped badge that had been driven into his chest by the horses’ hooves.

With so many children orphaned on Black Sunday, Kate’s plight was not considered unique, and like many others, she landed up in an orphanage in nearby New Orleans. Perhaps it was simply the trauma of what had occurred, or even the unconscious stirring of memories from a previous life, but whatever the reason, Kate refused to let go of what had happened to her parents, and vowed to make the outlaws pay for destroying her formerly-idyllic life. As the years passed, the other children learned to steer clear of the redheaded girl who fought dirtier than any boy in the orphanage, and who snuck out late at night to shoot targets in the woods with a stolen revolver. She even made copies of her father’s badge and filed the edges to razor-sharp points, intent on driving each one into the hearts of the four Confederate outlaws, just like they’d done to her father.

Ten years later, on her eighteenth birthday, Kate Manser left the orphanage and began the arduous task of tracking down the outlaws. It wasn’t until 1877 that she located the first one, and she discovered that carrying out her revenge was more difficult than she’d ever imagined. Luckily, she was soon joined in her task by Jonah Hex, who helped her refine her raw skill until it was up to the job (see Jonah Hex), and the first of the outlaws on her list fell by her hand. A year later, not long after she’d dispatched a second member of the “Black Sunday” group, Kate ran into Jonah again, along with four time-lost members of the Justice League -- among them was the current Hawkgirl, who was cousin to Kate’s future incarnation of Sheira Saunders. Though neither was aware of the truth, Kate nevertheless got the feeling that there was a connection between the two of them, and the encounter made her contemplate for the first time what sort of life lay ahead for her once her vengeance was complete. For the time being, however, Kate continues to search for the remaining outlaws, occasionally coming to the aid of others along the way.

The Future: Cinnamon’s search will come full circle in more ways than one when the trail leads her back to St. Roch, and she crosses paths with her soulmate Prince Khufu...better known as Nighthawk!

First Appearance: WEIRD WESTERN QUARTERLY #10

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Art by James Stubbs
Words by Don Walsh

Cult of the Blood Red Moon (Earth-One
Real Name: Mary Seward
Aliases: Queen of Blood
Status: Citizen of British Empire with no criminal record, deceased; as an undead creature, she no longer receives official legal status; wanted by several governments for various crimes
Occupation: Cult leader, financier, criminal mastermind
Known Relatives: Andrew Bennett (husband, deceased; also a vampire)
Group Affiliation: Founder, leader of the Cult of the Blood Red Moon; formerly allied with the Dragon Queen and her sect of the Black Dragon Society
Base of Operations: Mobile
Height: 5'9”
Weight: 140 lbs.
Hair: Red
Eyes: Red (formerly black)

Powers & Abilities: As a vampire, Mary Seward possesses the traditional powers and weaknesses of her kind of undead. She possesses tremendous superhuman strength and untiring stamina, as well as resistance to damage and greater tolerances toward pain. She can transform into mist, a bat, or a wolf (though she rarely chooses the latter); is able to climb walls unaided like a spider; can hypnotize people who meet her gaze; and can elongate her canine teeth in order to gain sustenance from the blood of the living. This bite is said to be an extremely sensuous feeling, and in its own way is capable of subduing the will of the victim. Mary also has several of the traditional weaknesses associated with vampires: sunlight weakens her (and can do physical damage with enough exposure over time), and fire can destroy her form; a stake through the heart can paralyze her until its removal; she needs to feed off the blood of the living regularly or she weakens and eventually collapses into a coma-like state; and since in life she was an Anglican, many holy objects and places associated with Christianity can repel or even injure her. She has also been shown to be harmed by special kinds of silver (such as “king's” or “queen's” silver, special silver coins blessed by the monarch of Great Britain).

Her most frightening power, however, is her apparent indestructibility. Even when she has been reduced to skeleton and ash, she has eventually reformed and risen again. This is tied into her vampiric origins, which are atypical for this kind of undead. It is believed that until her husband Andrew Bennett can find a way to release himself of his vampiric curse, she will continue to be able to rise from certain final death, again and again, to continue her terror.

Along with her vampiric powers, Mary has developed a level of skill in the magical arts, able to conduct alchemical and sorcerous rites and ceremonies given enough time and preparation, for any number of effects and results. While she is not skilled enough to wield these powers in combat (like other noted magicians such as Zatanna, Doctor Fate, Doctor Occult or Manitou Dawn, for example), it does provide her with tools, weapons and minions that can further expand her repertoire of schemes.

History: Despite the name Cult of the Blood Red Moon, which implies an organization of people devoted to the same belief or philosophy, in truth this group is all about Mary Seward, the Queen of Blood. Despite any number of members at any particular time in its existence, or the influence the members might wield, and schemes they might try to commit, ultimately, it all leads back to Mary's needs and desires.

Mary Seward was born to a merchant family in England in 1582, a vivacious and adventurous woman who enjoyed education and exploration. When she was sixteen, she first met the thirty-one-year-old nobleman Andrew Bennett. He had come to her father for supplies in preparation for a journey he was soon to make with his friend Dr. John Dee, on behalf of the British Crown. Being the sort of woman she was, she secretly followed, and ended up joining the mission, which resulted in the acquisition of a dangerous alchemical journal that Dr. Dee kept in his library.

Andrew grew fond of Mary, who found the dashing, older man quite handsome, and offered her the opportunities she craved. A couple of years later, the two were married, and all seemed to be coming to a happy ending. But in life, there are no endings before death. At some point, Andrew Bennett became a vampire, and all evidence seems to point toward the alchemical ritual held by Dee as the culprit. Indeed, it would seem that Dee was the man who conducted the rite and transformed his close friend into the undead monster. If this is so, why it was done, and if it was done against Bennett's will, remains a secret known only to Andrew, and possibly Mary.

What is known is that at some point after, Andrew returned to his home to attempt to recreate some facsimile of his former life. Mary wanted desperately to join her husband in his undead curse, to remain by his side for eternity, or until he could reverse or escape his curse however he could. She thought it was because of her love for him, and the hurt to her heart at slowly losing him as time would ravage her and death would claim her. After a long period of pleading, Andrew relented and for the first (and last) time, sired a vampire. It wasn't long after her rising as an undead that both of them realized the truth: being a vampire, especially one of such unique construction, could afford Mary the ultimate in opportunities and education, and it had little to do with her love for Andrew. Andrew struggled to help her avoid the dark path her vampirism seductively called out, but in time knew what a terrible mistake he'd made. She embraced her powers, her bloodlust and wanton nature, leaving her husband behind as she headed into the greater world.

Mary began her reign of terror, swiftly adopting for herself the title “Queen of Blood”. She also began to collect followers, both living and unliving, those who flocked to her power and freedom, filling her with greater hubris and evil. However, she was also hunted by her husband, and hounded by the Dee family, who worked to undo the mistake of their forefather. Despite her efforts, she continued to be isolated and kept from truly great evil. It was at her weakest moment during this early period that she met Vandal Savage, and through him gained the resources to found the Cult of the Blood Red Moon. Suddenly empowered, Mary turned the tables on her enemies. While Andrew remained a persistent, indestructible nemesis, the Dee family and others suffered under this renewed vigor.

Since that time, Mary's Cult has become a dangerous threat to living creatures around the globe, opposed only by Andrew, and whatever supernatural hunters he can organize to thwart her. The Blood Red Moon is dedicated to spreading vampirism across the globe, creating an undead kingdom all kneeling before the Queen of Blood. The Cult keeps many living minions for daylight operations, infiltration into all kinds of organizations (intelligence agencies, corporations, criminal syndicates, etc.), potential vampiric recruits and most often food. Above this first level of worshiper (who serves in the hopes of achieving a vampiric state, and the regard of their Queen, for their loyalty) are the vampires. Most are created by the Queen herself, though others are welcome to join if they allow Mary to perform a blood rite that binds their will to hers. Despite all appearances though, as many primary members of the Blood Red Moon have learned the hard way over the decades, being a favored of the Queen of Blood means very little. If in the end, she needs to sacrifice the favorite in order to move her own ends forward, or she's just in a mood that night, she will show no sympathy. There have been only two people she shows genuine emotion toward. The first is her husband, Andrew Bennett, who she still harbors a flickering ember of love for, and genuine hatred that hides this last spark. The second is the Dragon Queen, her lover from the Thirties and Forties, whose death in 1941 seems to have truly unhinged the already demented Queen of Blood.

The Future: In the near-future of the Danger Trail, the two Queens have vanished in the wake of Vandal Savage's failed plan to claim the Iconic Realm. But this lull can only mean they plot worse destruction for the free world; in the present day, however, the Queen of Blood is sure to have heard of the Dragon Queen's brief resurrection and final death, and the organization built by her daughter, Wyrm Indigo, events that are sure to drive her into greater depths of depravity!

First Appearance: DANGER TRAIL #1

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Art by Jina B
Words by Samantha Chapman

Deathstroke (Earth-Five)
Real Name: Slade Wilson
Alias: The Terminator
Status: Citizen of the United States, wanted for several counts of murder and terrorism
Occupation: Assassin
Known Relatives: Adeline (wife, estranged); Grant, Joseph (sons), Rose (daughter)
Group Affiliation: None
Base of Operations: Many hidden locations around the country
Height: 6’2’’
Weight: 240
Eyes: blue (one missing)
Hair: white

Powers & Abilities: Slade Wilson is gifted with superhuman agility and an enhanced tactical mind, granting incredible perception and reaction speed, results of the military experiment he went through. He is a swordmaster and a very skilled martial artist. He has also spent years training himself in espionage and 'black ops wetwork', making him a dangerous assassin. His arsenal is well-stocked with guns of all kinds and a number of other weapons, all of which he knows well how to use.

History: Slade Wilson has always been a man of action. At 17, he lied about his birthday to join the U.S. Army, quickly rising through the ranks to become a decorated and respected soldier. Ever-obedient, Slade participated in a top-secret military experiment, to change him into a super-soldier. The resulting illness left him discharged from the army left on bedrest with his young wife Adeline (herself a highly-ranked officer) to care for him. When he recovered, Slade was a changed man—more powerful than ever, though he kept his powers secret, and left with a generous pension and nothing to do.

He took up hunting, his trophies bringing in more money as his family grew, with the birth of his first son. The Wilsons became quite wealthy, and Slade became more desperate for a challenge. He began to hunt people, taking assassination jobs and building a reputation. He created Deathstroke to hide his pursuits, and by the time Adeline discovered what her husband had become, two more children had grown into teen-agers.

One late night, Slade returned from a mission to find the house empty, except for his wife, and her gun. She told him that she knew everything; she had arranged with the Birds of Prey to have their children hidden from Slade, and had returned to kill him herself. Slade was furious, but Adeline would not give up the kids’ location. The confrontation finally culminated in the gunshot that took Slade’s left eye. He recovered, but his wife had disappeared. A few weeks later, Slade’s oldest son Grant, then sixteen, sought out his father and joined him in his work as the Ravager. Slade still does not know where his wife and other two children are.

Today, Deathstroke is more dangerous than ever, having no one to protect. He continues to search for Rose and Joseph, but focuses more on his work.

The Future: Slade has a plan for revenge against the people who took away his kids—the old Birds of Prey! He’ll have to be patient, it will take a lot of time, but he knows what he has to do. Keep an eye out, Teen Titans!

First Appearance: ULTIMATE OMAC #2 (mini-series)

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Art by Alex Vasquez
Words by David Charlton


Doctor Fate (Earth-One)
Secret Identity: Kent Nelson
Alias: Agent of the Lords of Order
Status: Superhero, MIA
Occupation: Archaeologist turned occultist
Known Relatives: Inza Nelson, wife (also MIA)
Group Affiliation: The Justice Society of America (former member)
Base of Operations: Salem, MA
Height: 6' 2’’
Weight: 190 lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blond
Powers & Abilities: Doctor Fate possesses three artifacts, any of which on their own would be a puissant mystical weapon, but used together give him access to the most arcane secrets of the Ninth Age of Magic: the Helm of Nabu, the Amulet of Anubis and the Cloak of Nergal. Sometimes Nelson will wear a modified half-helm called the Helmet of Fate

History: In 1938, archaeologist Sven Nelson excavated the Valley of Ur, uncovering the Tomb of Nabu, a long-dead Egyptian wizard. Sven was killed by poison gas from the tomb, leaving his young son Kent alone. Trapped in the tomb for days, the child donned the Helm of Nabu, which roused the ghost of the wizard, who, taking pity on the boy, trained him in the mystic arts.

Many years passed in the tomb, though it was only weeks in the outside world. In that time, Kent Nelson grew to be an adept, determined to use his powers to fight the menaces that constantly and secretly attacked mankind. But Nabu’s ancient foe, Nergal, sensed that there was a new bearer of the Helm, and attacked the young sorcerer. With the aid of the occultist and medium Inza Kramer, Nelson defeated Nergal, took the Cloak of the Chaos Beast, and earned the right to call himself Doctor Fate, champion and agent of the mystical Lords of Order.

Dr. Fate served with the Justice Society of America and the war-time All-Star Squadron, but when the JSA disbanded in 1951, he and Inza retired to Fate’s Tower in Salem, a magical locus of displaced reality, existing on many planes at once. They aged very slowly, devoting themselves to academic and occultic pursuits. As the years went by, they became aware of subtle signs pointing towards a coming calamity of cosmic proportions. Before the meaning of this became clear, Fate’s Tower was assailed by unknown forces, leaving it in smoking ruin, and Kent and Inza vanished.

The Future: Fearing an unknown but obvious menace, the ghost of Jim Corrigan has taken up the Helm of Nabu, the Amulet of Anubis and the Cloak of Nergal and has embarked on a mission to find Doctor Fate and the Spectre, once again fighting alongside the Justice Society of America.

First appearance: THE IMMORTAL LEGEND OF THE HAWKMAN #2.

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Art by Ramon Villalobos
Words by Charlie Wilkins and Don Walsh

Doctor Occult and Rose Psychic (Earth-One)
Real Names: Richard Occult and Rose Psychic
Aliases: Doctor Occult: The Ghost Detective; Rose Psychic: Rose Spiritus
Status: Citizens of the United States of America, with no criminal record.
Occupation: Private investigators; specializing in the supernatural
Known Relatives: None known
Group Affiliation: Allies to a number of different groups, but no formal memberships
Base of Operations: House of Mystery
Height: Doctor Occult: 6'1”; Rose Psychic: 5'7”
Weight: Doctor Occult: 189 lbs.; Rose Psychic: 140 lbs.
Eyes: Doctor Occult: Gray; Rose Psychic: Violet
Hair: Doctor Occult: Black; Rose Psychic: Black

Powers & Abilities:Richard Occult and Rose Psychic are both attuned to the mystical fields of the world, and adept in the use of magicks long since forgotten by the mundane world at large. Occult can focus the magical energy he commands with the Sigil of Seven, an artifact given to him by his mentor, Zator. Rose Psychic is a sensitive, able to sense psychic impressions and emotions. She is also often a calming influence on those around her, though whether or not this is a power of hers, or just her charisma, remains a mystery.

History: On New Year's Eve, 1899, two children were to be sacrificed to the demonic alien entity called Koth by a Satanic cult. For some reason their pure, untainted souls failed to appease the demon, and instead he stole away with the souls of those that had already been tainted by sin, those of the cult themselves. When he turned his attention back to the babies-- they had vanished, stolen away by Zator, disciple of the group known as "The Seven". Hidden away in a dimensional refuge where "The Seven" resided, they were deemed worthy of mystical training, and so Zator spent years tutoring his charges in the ways of magic, until they reached a point where he could teach them no more, at which point, they journeyed out into the world outside. After their return to America, circa the early 1930s, Doctor Occult opened up his own detective agency, specializing in crimes of a mystical nature.

During this time, Richard and Rose each built reputations for themselves as the “Ghost Detective” and a powerful psychic. They traveled the world dealing with various manifestations of mystical evil. They traveled separately, rarely if ever being present together, leaving no impression of their true connection. Doctor Occult most often challenged evil directly, at the side of various allies and wielding the Sigil of Seven as a powerful weapon for good. Rose would be more subtle, as befit her abilities, cautiously investigating cases and forging bonds with agents that she used to bring down evil. It wasn't until some time in the Forties that their true relationship was revealed, and that despite appearances, they'd been working in concert in their crusade against mystical threats. After that time, the two worked more often in unison, including one disastrous séance in Gotham City that could have been much worse if not for their presence.

Twenty years ago, the fallen angel known as Yeter'el was seeking the destruction of New York, and to do so, was ritualistically murdering men and women at certain points across the city. These murders were brought to the attention of Doctor Occult, and so Rose Psychic and he journeyed to the city, and faced down the malevolent monstrosity-- only to be defeated. Doctor Occult was caught off-guard and run through the chest, leaving Rose Psychic standing against Yeter'el, who was moving in for the kill toward the fallen Occult. Knowing that she could not defeat the creature, instead she made a bargain: her soul for her love, and the demon had to accept, only to find the powerful magician chaining the demon to Doctor Occult's soul, imprisoning the fallen angel there, while ensuring Rose's safety until Occult could figure out a way to break the deal

For twenty years, Doctor Occult wandered the Earth, seeking a way to save Rose, while all that time, Yeter'el whispered into his mind, driving him to the brink. During this time, Occult rendered the demon known as "Old Scratch" human, using a shard of his own soul, and helped the two Flashes, Barry Allen and Jay Garrick, expunge a speed-demon from Kid Flash's soul. It was during this time that the hero community realized how terrible Richard Occult's suffering was when he resorted to ancient blood magic to free Wally West. After Jay Garrick's apparent death, Doctor Occult thought he found new meaning to his life-- he did not believe Garrick had fallen, and chose to search the world for the Golden Age speedster. What he found instead was a dark conspiracy involving the corruption of Kid Eternity, and so, with occasional assistance from The Shade, Madame Xanadu and Jim Corrigan, he battled succubi, vampires, old gods, his enemy Old Scratch, black dogs, and Death itself, until he was freed from the spell that chained Yeter'el to his soul, and came to understand that now was the time to journey into the realms of Hell itself, and rescue his wife before eternal horrors could be inflicted upon her.

Doctor Occult journeyed into Hell, side-by-side with The Shade, and eventually reached the Pit, and with great effort, saved Rose. It was then that a deal had been made, and could not be broken-- someone had to stay here, to suffer, or else evil would bubble up and boil over on the Earth above. Opting to stay, he allowed The Spectre to steal away with Rose, taking her to the world up above, and for one year, he must reside in Hell, at the tender mercies of the daemonium with the knowledge that one year in Hell can last an eternity.

The Future: Now freed from the underworld, Rose Psychic must return the favor for her soul-mate, and save Doctor Occult from suffering, traveling the world to find new kinds of evil and new kinds of magic to challenge the ancient lords of Hell in the name of an eternal power...love

First Appearance: (Doctor Occult) THE FLASH #9; (Rose Psychic) DC2 SPECIAL #1: AN ARKHAM CHRISTMAS CAROL

[Lissilambe]

Art by Alex Vasquez
Words by Tim Abramo

The Flash (Earth-Five)
Real Name: Wallace “Wally” West
Alias: None
Status: Citizen of the United States with no criminal record
Occupation: Mechanic, adventurer
Known Relatives: Iris Allen (née West, aunt), Bart Allen (cousin), Barry Allen (uncle, deceased)
Group Affiliation: None
Base of Operations: Keystone City, Kansas
Height: 6' 0”
Weight: 190 lbs.
Eyes: Green
Hair: Red

Powers & Abilities: Not a natural-born speedster, Wally induced the same accident that gave Barry Allen his ability to access the Speed Force. As a result, Wally does not have the pure speed potential and pedigree that Bart does, although he still is capable of supersonic speed and is currently able to out pace his younger cousin in just about every way thanks to almost a decade of experience. Wally's connection to the Speed Force enables him to manipulate the speed of others, allowing him to “borrow” or “give” speed to objects and people as required.

History: The latest in a long-line of speedsters that have protected the Sister Cities, Wally West became the Flash earlier this decade, after Jesse Chambers, then known as Lady Flash, quit. This, coupled with a reorganization and strengthening of the Rogues Union into it's current incarnation required a new speedster in place to protect Central and Keystone.

Born in Blue Valley (a Kansan suburb of Keystone City) to apathetic parents, Wally's true joys of childhood were the weekend excursions into the big city with his Aunt Iris. He was able to explore a wider world than he imagined, thanks to her press pass. One of the most notable trips was going backstage at the Haly Circus where Wally met acrobat Dick Grayson. The pair began a strong bond that has only grown now that they are both active heroes.

Wally was deeply affected when his beloved Uncle Barry, then the Flash of the Sister Cities, died in the line of duty. Having been as close to Barry as he was to his Aunt Iris, Wally felt the city's pain a thousand times more acutely. Left to pick up the pieces as a very young man with a lifetime of sadness already behind him, Wally did his best to help Iris raise his cousin Bart, while working within the system to help the Sister Cities as well, much as Barry did with his lab work.

When Jesse left Central and Keystone for New York, Wally began secretly looking through newspaper accounts, Internet conjecture and Barry's own journals, collecting the chemicals and knowledge necessary to reproduce the accident that turned Barry from chronically late lab technician into a super hero. After several failed attempts he was finally found the right combination of chemicals and voltage, and gained access to the Speed Force. Ever since, he has used those gifts to protect the Cities as the Flash, wearing a costume distinct from his predecessors, but still honoring their legacy.

The Future: Great changes are in store for Wally West as the idealism of youth gives way to the pragmatism of adulthood and he is forced to ask a very dangerous question – will he ever live up to his uncle's reputation and will the people of Central and Keystone let him? As the Rogues continue to pose a greater threat, and new allies and enemies emerge, Wally finds himself hurtling towards a very uncertain future – is a crisis inevitable?

First Appearance: ULTIMATE SPEED FORCE #1[/url]

[Lissilambe]

Cartography by James Steel
Words by James Steel, Samantha Chapman and Don Walsh

Gotham(Earth-Five)
Gotham County was formed in 1643, when the Massachusetts General Court passed down a ruling to join up the local communities into a regional political entity to ensure government services and representation. It received its name after Gotham City, the largest and most influential of the county's townships. Gotham County is famous as the area that Elbridge Gerry districted into a salamander-like shape in 1812 that gave rise to the word gerrymandering.

Gotham City itself dates back to 1633. Originally a small fishing and logging town, its fortunes rose and dropped with the rise and fall of the fishing and whaling industry. It was a depressed township falling into decay like much of the county when Andrew Wayne, great-grandfather of current C.E.O Bruce Wayne, started Wayne Enterprises shortly after the end of World War II. He focused the company on public uses for the technologies coming out of the war. The city grew in response, and the region began to form an industrial corridor through the Fifties and Sixties, but the efforts of Thomas Wayne and his advisors helped to foresee future trends, and shifted Wayne Enterprises away from industry, and into technology and electronics (even changing the name to WayneTech in the early Eighties). This shift helped to forge a “high-tech” corridor from Nashua, New Hampshire down to Boston, Massachusetts, and increased the fortunes of the county as a whole, and the city in particular.

As Gotham City grew, some of the smaller villages became suburbs of Gotham, and even larger towns were nearly absorbed. Between many infrastructure projects driven by Gotham City, and the relative growth for all of the area, it is often difficult for anyone outside of natives to tell when one town or city ends and another begins. With the abolition of Massachusetts' county system, most people have taken to calling the entire area Gotham, adding to the belief that Gotham City actually encompasses the entire geographic location of Cape Anne and the North Shore of the state. To most, even those who live in the city proper, it is all Gotham. Neither city nor county...it is just Gotham. For good or ill.

Arkham, Massachusetts
The former city of Arkham was nearly destroyed in a massive fire back in the Thirties. The remains have slowly been divided into Gotham City, Salem and Essex, as the remains of the township were abandoned. However much of the town's center remains empty and unused, slowly reclaimed by nature. No one is quite sure why the town collapsed so completely following the fire, though older refugees can sometimes be tricked into crazy whisperings about something dark and unnatural at that time, though they will quickly then grow silent and haunted.

A - Arkham Asylum
Doctor Jeremiah Arkham established Arkham Asylum in the early 1900s, in hopes of combating the unusual rate of insanity among the residents of the town and its outlying areas. Today, the asylum is all that remains of the township, and has been taken over by the Commonwealth as a maximum security sanitarium housing only the criminally insane. Dr. Hugo Strange runs Arkham today, and all of his staff works hard to combat their reputation for lax security and "revolving-door" crime. Notable criminals currently in residence include Harvey Dent, Nora Fries, and the enigmatic Clown Prince of Crime known only as the Joker.

B - Poison Ivy’s House
Several years ago, research company Darkwood Labs had an experiment go wild, destroying the facility that once sat on this spot, and giving birth to Poison Ivy. The land continues to give off fumes that are toxic to normal humans, forcing the Commonwealth to quarantine the area. More than ten minutes exposure will inflict respiratory distress, leading to unconsciousness within another ten minutes, and greater exposure will result in death. Poison Ivy, immune to this toxic gas, contracted a small ranch-style house in the middle of the land, where she tends her plants with the inoculated Harley Quinn.

Downtown
Since the creation of WayneTech (formerly Wayne Enterprises), the downtown area has seen rapid growth. Containing mainly office buildings and apartments, it features much of the colonial-gothic architecture for which the city is renowned.

C – Clocktower
This tall building overlooks the downtown area, making it the perfect roost for the Birds of Prey. Here is Oracle's base of operations, filled to the brim with her computers and technology, and fitted for her chair. From this location, she can monitor crime and danger, and direct the action of all of her Birds. Barbara Gordon's less-conspicuous apartment is in the same building, on a much lower floor.

D - Gotham P.D. Central
The Gotham City Police Department (one of the oldest in the country) is headquartered here, under the leadership of Commissioner James Gordon. Despite superhero activity in the city, the police are a proud and productive force, the good cops working tirelessly against crime and corruption, even when it all-too-often rears its head within their own ranks. Despite a (somewhat deserved) reputation for corruption and incompetence inflated by a hostile media and political machines, the members of GCPD have always fought to be an example for their city. Notable officers include Captain Sarah Essen, Detective Sergeant Harvey Bullock, and fomer Detective Sergeant Renee Montoya.

E – Gotham Central Park
Gotham City's largest open space, and a favorite afternoon and tourist destination. The park contains lawn areas for outdoor movies, wooded space with hiking paths, walking and bike trails, and a small lake. The Central Park Pavilion boasts 6,000 seats, and is used as a stage for concerts, traveling shows and the annual appearance of Haley's Circus. The park officially closes at 11pm, but police and superhero surveillance keep a close watch to cut down on criminal activity.

F - Renee’s Apartment
Renee Montoya, otherwise known as Batgirl, lives in a small fourth-story apartment with windows facing alleys and walls; a cramped space, but one that affords her all the privacy she needs to use her own home as home base. Rather than take up room in the Batcave or Clocktower, she keeps her costume and equipment hidden, always ready to spring into action. The most incriminating weapons are still kept at Oracle's base, but all the rest that she needs is here at home.

G - Wayne Tower
The largest building in Gotham City, Wayne Tower holds the main offices and design labs of WayneTech. The company has been the driving force behind the expansion of Gotham, both city and county, with a full quarter of it’s citizens employed in either Wayne Tower or one of the dozens of other WayneTech buildings or subsidiaries, across Massachusetts. Since Bruce Wayne took over as CEO it has focused on computer and medical technology, and entered the field of non-lethal weapons and technology for police forces around the world.

East End
The oldest part of Gotham City, the East End is home to its many factories and docks. While it still has a thriving theater district, the rest of the area is run down, home to many of Gotham’s poor.

H - Ace Chemical Factory
Owned by Oswald Cobblepot, this factory is best known as the birthplace of the Joker. Five years ago, a battle with the Batman found both combatants here, and the man who would become the Joker was submerged in a vat of chemicals that permanently altered his skin, hair, and sanity. The chemical plant has had very little good press in the years since, despite the effort put forth by Cobblepot to produce “green” solutions to problems once solved with harsh mixtures.

I - MCI-Blackgate
Located on a rocky island at the mouth of the bay, Massachusetts Correctional Institution-Blackgate is a maximum security prison, home to some of Gotham County's worst criminals. There are visiting hours offered, but the difficulty of reaching the island by ferry and the magnitude of the crimes often committed by Blackgate residents make for very few visitors. Security is tight, and all threats are taken with extreme seriousness.

J - ”Crime Alley”
Formally called Park Row, this small street is the location of the deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne many years past, and Max and Claire Kelly much more recently. What was once a part of a well-respected neighborhood has become known for crime and tragedy, and is now to be avoided by residents (despite a rise in tourism that sadly only helps maintain the increased crime rate). This is worsened by the fact that it still provides the quickest route from the theater district to some of Gotham's best hotels in the Downtown area, an enticing prospect for visitors.

K - Selina Kyle’s Apartment
Despite her success as a city councilor, Selina Kyle has chosen to keep this tenth story apartment in one of the East End’s better apartment complexes. Living here along with her assistant Holly Robinson, Selina feels this allows her to keep in better touch with those citizens she’s trying to help in the first place. The apartment itself is a simple two-bedroom affair, its interior decoration showing Selina’s love of felines.

Kane Acres
Kane Acres is the city’s newest development, only about twenty years old. It is mainly a residential area, also containing the city’s zoo, as well as its main mall, and Gotham University.

L - Gotham City Zoo
A popular attraction for tourists and residents alike, the Gotham Zoo has had its share of problems over the years. Despite the efforts of various animal-themed Gotham villains to free their creatures of choice, the zoo has always enjoyed the patronage of citizens looking to relax. Current exhibits include a netted bird sanctuary, donated by Oswald Cobblepot, an African landscape, and a daily show with trained lemurs and monkeys.

M - Jim Gordon’s House
As police salaries go, the Commissioner is pretty well off, and has been in the same lovely home for the whole of his daughter's life. With Barbara's independence established, and with the sad passing of his wife, Jim has been left to keep the house by himself, though Barbara visits as often as her disability allows. He has converted many of the now-unnecessary rooms to studies and work spaces, filling the house with his passions to keep him company.

Oceanside
Oceanside holds the city's wealthier neighborhoods, many of whom live along the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. The southwestern area contains a number of quiet neighborhoods.

N - Brown Residence
A single story home located in the Oceanside neighborhood near to the East End is the home of Stephanie Brown, secretly the heroine known as Spoiler and her father Arthur, formerly the host of the popular Gotham-based game show, Cluemaster. When Arthur was temporarily imprisoned for a short-lived crime spree his Aunt Harriet moved in to care for Stephanie. She still lives with them to this day.

O - Cobblepot Manor
About a decade ago, Oswald Cobblepot purchased this entire island in the east part of Gotham, building a large three story, fifty-room mansion here. The mansion is located on the southern tip while the rest has been transformed into a bird sanctuary, home to a number of rare and endangered species. Oswald lives here with a handful of servants, as well as his assistants Dawn and Holly Granger.

P - Sherwood Florist
Sherwood Florist is a two-story building owned and operated by Dinah Lance, the current Black Canary. She has a small group of employees, including Stephanie Brown. Above the florist shop is Dinah’s apartment. Dinah keeps the few costumes and other crime fighting supplies she uses as Black Canary in a hidden room located off of her bedroom.

Q - Wayne Manor
Stately Wayne Manor is the home of Bruce Wayne, his ward Carrie Kelly, and their butler Alfred Pennyworth. The large mansion sits on the edge of the city, in an area filled with about half a dozen other mansions, all owned by some of Gotham’s more influential citizens. Unknown to the people of Gotham it is also the location of the Batcave.

First Appearance: ULTIMATE BATMAN AND ROBIN #1

[Lissilambe]

Art by Joey Jarin
Words by Don Walsh

Green Lantern (Earth-Five)
Real Name: Alan Scott
Status: Citizen of the United States with no criminal record
Occupation: Engineer, broadcasting mogul, now retired
Known Relatives: Molly Mayne Scott (wife, deceased)
Group Affiliation: Founder of the Green Lantern Corps; former member of the Justice Society of America (disbanded); member of the “Round Table”
Base of Operations: Gotham City
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 188 lbs.
Eyes: Green
Hair: Blond

Powers & Abilities: When Alan Scott originally found the lantern-shaped battery, he learned he could thrust his hand into the core and absorb some of the boundless energies within, indicated by a green band of the energy that would form around his ring finger. He found he could fly and form any number of objects from the greenish flames, limited only by his imagination and willpower. It could create incredibly durable objects for protection and offense, and he became very skilled and creating these objects. While the energy was nearly limitless in effect against most objects, some very basic organic matter (primarily wood and similar vegetable life) proved resistant to direct contact. Alan never learned the reason for this weakness, but did learn to work around in.

Over the decades of exposure, Green Lantern found the duration of his “power ring” increasing, until at some point during the Eighties, he realized that he was creating the emerald energy internally. The power battery still contains these forces as well, but Alan no longer needs to recharge, no matter how long he uses the power, or in what quantities. He has also discovered that with great concentration, even his one great weakness, wood, has proven to be no more, and very little can stop his green flame.

This energy has also kept Alan young and vital, at least slowing (and possibly halting) his aging process. He possesses the strength and stamina of a man thirty-five years of age who engages in regular intensive exercise, despite being nearly one hundred years of age. As the energy became internalized, Alan also felt his senses expanding, making him aware of supernatural threats or imbalances, sensory powers he is still adapting and learning to use.

History: Alan Scott was a young engineer fresh from college and working a construction job with a company building a railroad through a section of the Canadian wilderness out near Alaska. He was examining a blast-site to ensure its stability for a planned bridge, when he discovered a green-colored object resembling an ancient lantern. He took possession of the item, brought it back to his camp, and began to examine it. While he was busy with this, an Inuit shaman calling himself the Black Prophet threatened doom on the railroad company from the terrible forces they were unearthing. The project started to become mired in mysterious accidents and sabotage.

Alan could see a powerful, blazing flame giving off light but no heat in the heart of the lantern. He experimentally reached into the lantern to test the flame and discovered that he could absorb a portion of the strange power. Armed with this strange “power ring”, he undertook an investigation of the mysterious attacks and exposed the Prophet as the criminal, using modern techniques to instill superstitious fear and drive off the company.

He eventually returned to the United States, sneaking the lantern back home with him, and after seeing the destruction and havoc evil men could cause, dedicated his newfound power to stopping them and saving innocents. He donned a costume and used the name of the object that provided his power.

As the Green Lantern, he met the first Flash, Jay Garrick, and eventually other mystery men of the early Forties, and they banded together as the Justice Society of America. Even after the JSA disbanded in the early Fifties, Alan Scott continued his crusade against evil, though at a slower pace than before. During the mid-Forties, he'd discovered that one of his foes, a lovely young woman named Harlequin, was in truth his secretary, Molly Mayne, who had become a criminal to win his attentions. Between finding love, and building a business in the burgeoning communications field, Alan's activities as the Green Lantern were curtailed. He was never slow to don the mask and ring of his alter ego when the situation truly called for it.

In recent years, Alan has had to come to term with the fact that he has absorbed much of the green energy from his battery, and become a living power battery in return. This has kept him effectively immortal as he watched his beloved wife Molly grow older, as well as his other comrades and family. He has also grown in power during this time. When his wife passed away recently, he was shattered, but forced himself to recover and accept that he couldn't continue on as Green Lantern. Not on his own, not with the world as large and dangerous as it was, nor without anyone to help him keep grounded, to keep a connection to the people he wanted to help. He crafted a set of power rings, and began to recruit others to act as his agents and allies, trusted wielders of the green flame to bring justice to the Earth. Their first mission against despotic, telepathic futurist Hector Hammond was a resounding success and has filled Alan with hope and genuine optimism for the first time in a long time.

The Future: As Alan Scott continues to recruit members for his Corps, he must determine if an old foe has truly turned over a new leaf, if another old foe has somehow survived the decades as well, and deal with the increasingly unlimited powers he appears to wield these days. Worse still is a fact that has evaded his attention while building a circle of companions and allies: he has been able to craft a dozen power rings...and what can that imply for his 13th Green Lantern?

First Appearance: ULTIMATE ALL-STARS #3

[Lissilambe]

Art by Jamie Rimmer
Words by Don Walsh

Green Lantern Corps (Earth-Five)
Roster: Doctor Light (Kimiyo Hoshi), Green Lantern I (Alan Scott), Green Lantern II (Hal Jordan), Jade Flash (Jesse Chambers), Sentinel (John Stewart), Star Sapphire (Carol Ferris), Torchbearer (Kyle Rayner), Zorya Utrenyaya, “Morning Star” (Valentina Vostok); Warrior (Guy Gardner, honorary member)
Base of Operations: Gotham City (home to founder and coordinator Alan Scott; various members operate out of their own cities world-wide)
Status: Active; privately run organization with no official government sanctions

History: Alan Scott faced a turning point following the funeral of his beloved wife, Molly Mayne Scott. After seven decades of being Green Lantern, he was now seemingly immortal and in his prime, and a living power battery no longer in need of recharging his powers, but also worn after all those years of fighting all manner of evil. While he mourned in isolation following her burial, he bore witness to a number of events that showed his power was still needed. His crusade was more necessary than ever, but the world had grown in complexity even as it seemed to shrink in distance with all the modern technology. With effort, he discovered he could forge a dozen power rings to give to worthy individuals, to create a corps of Green Lanterns to help him in this crusade.

He turned to the daughter of an old ally, Jesse Chambers, and convinced her to take up a power ring and try again to live up to the ideals of her parents, Johnny Quick and Liberty Belle. He also contacted John Stewart, a government agent he'd befriended years earlier. When he found Jesse, she was being rescued by Guy Gardner, and when he saw Guy form his own, limited power ring, Alan charged it up and drew him into the dangerous mystery that loomed ahead of them. In time, these four came across Valentina Vostok, a Russian intelligence agent; Dr. Kimiyo Hoshi, research scientist in Japan; and Hal Jordan, test pilot from California. By the time these seven people had uncovered the villainous manipulations of telepathic futurist Hector Hammond, and shut down his plot to turn the world into Hammond's own view of a meritocratic utopia under his rule, Alan had his first five recruits. Gardner offered to stay an honorary member if his help should be needed (and when wouldn't it be, in Gardner's view).

The Corps members then selected personalized names and looks, and returned to their various homes. They would take up the crusade for justice, both in their individual regions, as well as teaming up in various combinations. Meanwhile, Alan looks for another seven members to take up the duties, and two of them appear to be coming from areas the original Green Lantern was not prepared for.

The Future: Slacker artist Kyle Rayner stumbles over a frightening chance to prove himself worthy of his own power ring, in the face of Hector Hammond's revenge contingency. Meanwhile, Alan faces an even greater decision: whether or not to grant old enemy Star Sapphire a ring in order to give her a chance for redemption, with two questions hanging in the air. First, can she be trusted, and second, even if she can be, can the ring override the gem's desires?

First Appearance: ULTIMATE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1

[Lissilambe]

Art by Jamie Rimmer
Words by David Charlton


Hawkman and Hawkwoman (Earth-Two)
Secret Identities: Katar Hol and Shayera Hol of Thanagar
Aliases: Carter and Shayera Hall of Midway City
Status: Retired police officers of Thanagar and former superheroes
Occupation: Museum curators
Known Relatives: Paran Hol, son (AKA Raptor) and Kayera Hol, daughter (AKA Shrike)
Group Affiliation: The Justice League of America (former member)
Base of Operations: Midway City
Height: 6' (Katar), 5’5’’ (Shayera)
Weight: 190 lbs (Katar), 135 (Shayera)
Eyes: Blue (Katar) and Green (Shayera)
Hair: Black (Katar) and Red (Shayera)
Powers & Abilities: Katar and Shayera’s powers come from the Thanagarian Nth Metal in their flight harness, which gives them enhanced strength, senses and endurance. Also, both Hawkman and Hawkwoman are highly trained in the martial arts and forensic sciences of two worlds, and are especially skilled with (and fond of!) antique weaponry of Earth.

History: Katar and Shayera Hol were married partners in the police force of Thanagar and came to Earth in pursuit of a deadly criminal. Enchanted with the primitive planet, they requested assignment there to study crime-fighting methods, and while they returned to Thanagar many times, Earth soon became their home. Discovering a love of ancient Earth artifacts and weapons, they took up positions as curators of Midway Museum.

Soon after, they became members of the Justice League of America, becoming especially friendly with Ralph and Sue Dibny, while Katar struck up a friendly, though often garrulous rivalry with Oliver Queen. After the Super Crisis and the calamitous aftermath which saw the resignation of the founding members of the JLA, Katar and Shayera became the de facto leaders of the League, joined by Green Arrow and Black Canary, Elongated Man, the Atom and Zatanna. The team continued for a few years, operating out of the Satellite Headquarters, but soon even those heroes relinquished the task to a new generation.

Katar and Shayera have twins, Paran and Kayera, who have recently returned to Earth after a tumultuous stint in a Thanagarian boarding school. The two teenagers have been known to take to the skies as Raptor and Shrike, often teaming up with the youngest generation of so-called “Meta-Teens” much to the mixed chagrin and pride of their parents.

Retired now to their museum, Katar and Shayera, thanks to their alien metabolism and prolonged exposure to Nth Metal, still remain unbowed by age and occasionally return to adventuring.

The Future: With Earth-Two under assault by an unknown menace, and the Justice Society of America of Earth-One rallying heroes, can it be long before the Pinioned Paladins once again take flight...?

First appearance: JUSTICE LEAGUE LEGACIES #1.

[Lissilambe]

Art by Wekhter
Words by Samantha Chapman and James Steel

Krypton (Earth-Five)
Humanity is not alone in the universe. Far away, as recently as a decade ago, there was a bright, flourishing planet called Krypton, filled with life and science and wonders that Earthlings can only dream of today.

The People: Kryptonian physiology is very similar to humans, when Kryptonians are under their natural red sun wavelengths. The people of Krypton were generally peaceful, preferring a calm and passive state to any type of warfare or panic. At the time of the Tragedy, Kryptonians had been on the planet for tens of thousands of years, and knew enough about their history to chose to live as a united planet, rather than a divided one. Like all sentient species, there had been violence and war in the past, but the end of the Kryptonian age was a happy one. Physically, Kryptonians displayed as much variation in heights, weights and colorations as humans do. Like humans, Kryptonians were very social beings, and thrived on competition and interaction.

Technology: Krypton had a more technologically-advanced society than present-day Earth. Most obviously, Krypton knew how to travel at faster-than-light speeds, allowing them to begin to colonize the empty planets in their system. They used geothermal and kinetic energy from the core of their planet as a source for power, a method that kept energy costs cheap and innovation easy, but that had dire consequences that no one could have predicted. Kryptonians used technology in much the same way that humans do; they made great advances in holographic projection, and applied those to the arts of filmmaking and virtual gaming; they used electricity to power small vehicles, and to provide light that could compare to that of the daytime. Communication was nearly instantaneous over wireless devices (although meeting in-person was a sign of professionalism and respect within the scientific community). In general, technology was well-received and widely-accepted, and men and women of science were highly-respected. Unlike humanity, new advances and innovations rarely rattled the calm and science-loving Kryptonians, sometimes blinding them to the negative sides of their research.

The Tragedy: After generations slowly siphoning energy from the core of the planet, Krypton itself began to rebel. The delicate balance of energy and heat was thrown off, and parts of the planet’s upper mantle began to cool and crack, damaging the outer crust irreparably. This put tremendous strain on Krypton's entire stability, and caused it to tear itself to shreds. Despite the valiant efforts of Jor-El, the first scientist to identify the problem, and his son Kal-El, the people were unwilling to believe that their home could be in such danger. When Krypton had finally endured too much, the planetary collapse, then explosion, nearly wiped out the Kryptonian race. Those living on the planet could not have survived. The resulting debris spun out toward the close colonies, decimating the populations on neighboring planets as well. Where full cities once stood tall, only small areas of habitable land remained. Argo, the largest of the colonies, was the most successful survivor, and has become a new homeworld for the refugee colonists who were lucky enough to find ways off-world. Only this small fraction of the Kryptonian population remains, trying desperately to rebuild, but knowing their people will never again reach the heights from which they've fallen.

Notable Kryptonians: Jor-El, Kal-El, Lyla Lerrol, Zor-El, Kara-El

The Future: Non-existent for the homeworld, the colonists struggle to keep the ragged survivors of the race going as they wait for word from their one lone scout, a vibrant young woman who's found herself trapped on Earth...and becoming its greatest champion!

First Appearance: LAST SUN OF KRYPTON #1 (mini-series) (Krypton); ULTIMATE SUPERGIRL #1 (Argo)

[Lissilambe]

Art by Boris Mihajlovic
Words by Brian Burchette

Manhunter III (Earth-One)

Real Name: Katherine (Kate) Spencer
Status: Citizen of the United States with no criminal record
Occupation: Unemployed; former Assistant District Attorney for Las Vegas
Known Relatives: Paul Kirk (father); Peter Campbell (ex-husband, deceased); Ramsey Campbell (son)
Group Affiliation: The Outsiders
Base of Operation: Las Vegas, Nevada
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 145lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown

Powers and Abilities: The mysterious Manhunter suit gives Kate enhanced strength as well as protection from injuries. She also carries an extremely powerful energy staff. Without these, she possesses no superhuman abilities, though she does possess a fine legal mind.

History: The story of Kate Spencer and the Outsiders began when Ms. Spencer moved from New York City to Las Vegas to replace Adrian Chase as Assistant District Attorney. Her first major case was the rape of Helena Bertinelli (see Huntress), a complex situation that pulled her deep into the world of organized crime as well as costumed heroes. She was fired from her job when it was believed she leaked information to Vito Bertinelli that eventually caused the death of Helena’s rapist.

The Manhunter costume appeared on Kate’s doorstep one night with the note: “The Manhunter will rise again”. It was signed “The Order of St. Dumas”. It wasn’t long before she donned the uniform and began her career as a crime-fighter. Her choice, however, also came at a price. Her ex-husband was murdered by a vengeful Vito Bertinelli, and her son was lost to her by the same man in a bomb that was planted in her car. Although Kate was the prime suspect in the murder of Vito Bertinelli, she was eventually exonerated. Her life in shatters, she turned to fellow Outsider and friend, Grace Choi (see Grace Choi), for comfort.

The Future: There are many questions that still hang over the head of Kate Spencer; most importantly, why was she given the Manhunter suit by the Order of St. Dumas. Her biological father, the second Manhunter, Paul Kirk, has revealed that he is aware of the Order, and has had a long talk with her about it. What the discussion was has yet to be revealed. An ancient prophecy is about to unfold, with Kate Spencer being at the very heart of it.

First Appearance: (As Kate Spencer) NEW OUTSIDERS ANNUAL #1; (as Manhunter) idlewilder.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=newoutsiderspasswordprotected&action=display&thread=1325]NEW OUTSIDERS #22

[Lissilambe]

Art by Roy Flinchum
words by Charlie Wilkins

Mr. Punch (Earth-One)
Real Name: Unrevealed
Status: Unrevealed
Occupation: Criminal Mastermind
Known Relatives: None known
Group Affiliation: The 100
Base of Operations: Formerly Gotham City, currently mobile
Height: 5'7”
Weight: 165 lbs.
Eyes: Gray
Hair: Black

Powers & Abilities: Mr. Punch is a criminal genius, showing a heightened intellect that rivals the greatest in the superhuman community. Not only has he shown an inability to feel pain, he also displays regenerative qualities, able to recover from injuries within minutes. He has also displayed some moderate levels of superhuman strength, and has some knowledge of hand-to-hand combat.

History: Little is known about Mr. Punch, leader of the 100. The criminal organization went through a shift in power recently; the old guard, those who comprised "The Hundred" or "El Ciento," were ejected forcibly by one hundred new men and women, all sharing one goal-- total control over the criminal underworld. Working with unrivaled efficiency, they were building to an all-out gang war against the Four Familes of Gotham (Falcone, Thorne, Maroni and Cobblepot) but that was stalled. Instead, with the death of their operative Blackguard, Mr. Punch decided that the Secret Society of Super-Villains would have to be broken into pieces, and then the 100 could assume their position at the top of the underworld. As such, the 100-- all one hundred operatives-- journeyed to Hub City, and are now lying in wait, ready for a full-scale war with the Secret Society.

The Future: Who is Mr. Punch? What does he wants? And how will he go about it? It all unfolds in the first six issues of Secret Society of Super-Villains!

First Appearance: Secret Society of Super-Villains#1

[Lissilambe]

Drawn by Don Walsh, colored by Tim Abramo
Words by Susan Hillwig

Nighthawk (Earth-One)
Real Name: Hannibal Hawkes
Aliases: Hank Hawkes; Khufu Ma-at Ka-Taar, Strong Bow, Thomas “Tomahawk” Hawkins(in previous reincarnations)
Status: Citizen of the United States, former outlaw; deceased in the modern day
Occupation: Traveling repairman and handyman, adventurer
Known Relatives: Frank (father, deceased); Delia (mother, deceased)
Group Affiliation: Partners with Cinnamon; Allies with several other frontier heroes and lawmen
Base of Operations: The American West, late 1800s
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 185 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black

Powers & Abilities: Though already a fine marksman and hand-to-hand fighter in his current life, Nighthawk also has the advantage of centuries of skills to call upon, in both combat and general knowledge. The disadvantage is that he is not consciously aware of any of them and therefore, whenever any of these past-life skills manifest, he merely thinks himself a quick study of the situation. He has also been able on some occasions to understand foreign languages (or at least foreign to Hannibal Hawkes’ rural background) though he lacks the ability to speak them.

History: In 1848, the soul of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Khufu (see Hawkman) was reincarnated once more, this time as Hannibal Hawkes, the son of a dry-goods merchant in rural Missouri. Outwardly, Hannibal was no different than any other child growing up, aside from appearing to be just a little bit smarter than his peers -- the word “clever” was used often to describe the Hawkes boy -- and an air of restlessness that seemed to hang about him, as if he was waiting for something to happen. By 1862, he seemed to have found that something: the Civil War had been raging for almost a year, and Hannibal ran away from home to enlist in the Union Army.

Unfortunately, being only fourteen, he was turned down by recruiters, but that did nothing quash his desire to join the fight. He hooked up with a gang of civilian “volunteers”, who in reality were just outlaws looking to use the chaos of war to hide their activities. Even after Hannibal realized the truth, however, he couldn’t shake the lure of excitement enough to quit the gang.

His given name shortened to “Hank” by the gang’s leader, as Hannibal quickly sunk deep into their murderous lifestyle, his cleverness coming in handy many times over the years. After the war ended, the gang moved back into their old avenues of crime, dragging the young man along with them. It wasn’t until 1868, when they stole $20,000 off a train bound for Louisville, that Hannibal decided he’d had enough. Running off with the money, he headed back to his hometown of Fox Grove. Hannibal’s father, thinking his son dead all these years, welcomed him back with open arms, and Hannibal foolishly tried to resume his old life. It wasn’t long before the gang caught up with him, threatening to kill the elder Hawkes unless Hannibal returned the money. The young man complied, only to have the gang beat him senseless, then shoot both him and his father, burying them in a shallow grave.

Luckily for Hannibal, the gunshot wound was not fatal, but the trauma was enough to partially awaken his first incarnation, Pharaoh Khufu, who lent Hannibal the strength to survive the ordeal. Unaware on any conscious level that another force was influencing his actions, the young man stitched a representation of Khufu’s hawk-symbol onto his shirt, hid his face behind a mask, then set out on the trail of his former partners. Though he was forced to kill the gang’s leader, Hannibal did capture the others and bring them to justice. After doing so, he decided to continue living the life of a masked man, taking the name Nighthawk. In his new identity, he strove to take down those who preyed upon the weak and innocent, hoping that it would somehow help him atone for his own mistakes. He traveled the West under the guise of a simple fix-it man, putting his clever mind to work by helping folks in plain sight, while keeping his eyes and ears open for any sign of trouble in whatever towns he visited.

Though most records of Nighthawk’s exploits have not survived to present day, it is known that he eventually crossed paths with his ancient love, Chay-Ara (see Hawkgirl), and that he died during an unexplained conflict in 1885. In modern times, Khufu’s soul resides within Carter Hall, who has access to memories from all his incarnations, including Hannibal Hawkes.

The Future: Though Nighthawk has faced down a lot of tough characters, he’ll soon get more than he bargained for when he tangles with the mysterious figure known as El Diablo!

First DC2 Appearance: WEIRD WESTERN QUARTERLY #5

[Lissilambe]

Art by Mischief
Words by Pat Owen

Ocean Master (Earth-One)
Real Name: Orm Marius
Alias: The Supreme One (OGRE name)
Status: Royal citizen of Atlantis, and wanted fugitive from justice
Occupation: Usurper, formerly head of the royal guard of Poseidonis
Known Relatives: Orrin (a.k.a Arthur Curry, a.k.a. Aquaman, half-brother); Merganys (mother)
Group Affiliation: Current leader of the Oceanics, secretly head of OGRE
Base of Operations: Deep within the ocean depths
Height: 6'2
Weight: 185 lbs.
Eyes: Green
Hair: Black

Powers & Abilities: Ocean Master is born with the standard Atlantean abilities to withstand extreme pressures of the ocean, breathe underwater freely, and superhuman strength when hydrated derived from the vast oceanic pressures he lives under. He can swim at tremendous speeds, greater than the typical member of his race. His primary piece of equipment is a staff that is able to fire energy blasts.

History: Orm Marius grew up always striving to eventually take what he believed to be his rightful place on the throne of Poseidonis. He spent his young life training and preparing for the day that he dreamed would eventually come when he took the crown. Years later, when the new king was to be named, he lost to his younger half-brother, Orin (see Aquaman), who had grown up on the surface. Bitter and angered, Orm stumbled upon his mother, a sorceress named Merganys. She twisted his spiteful feelings into the belief that he deserved to be at the throne and it was a fluke that Orin was crowned. Orm left Poseidonis and spent a long time planning and plotting how to enact his revenge. Taking the name Ocean Master, he took control of the off-shoot civilization of Atlanteans known as the Oceanics. He also began a secret organization on the surface known as OGRE, under the alias of the Supreme One. He used OGRE in order to restore the magicks his mother had lost long ago. It was then that he finally began to unleash his real plan on Atlantis. Merganys created a near perfect clone of Orin named Thanatos whom Orm sent to assassinate his royal half brother. During the attack, Orm revealed his identity as the Ocean Master to his brother, which shook Aquaman to his core. After a quick rescue from Aqualad, Ocean Master and Thanatos retreated but the usurper's plans were only just beginning. Ocean Master formed his own alliance of the seas' worst to make a direct assault on the Poseidonis itself in order to finally take the throne.

The Future: Ocean Master gets what he has always dreamed of...sort of.

First Appearance: (as the Supreme One) AQUAMAN #10; (as Orm, Ocean Master) AQUAMAN #14

[Lissilambe]

Art by Alex Vasquez
Words by Samantha Chapman

Poison Ivy (Earth-Five)
Real Name: Pamela Isley
Alias: none
Status: Citizen of the United States with a criminal record (time served)
Known Relatives: none
Group Affiliation: Partners with Harley Quinn
Base of Operations: Gotham City
Height: 5’8’’
Weight: 155
Eyes: Green
Hair: Bright red

Powers & Abilities: Poison Ivy has complete control of all plant life. She can make plants grow or shrink at will, and to animate them to fight for her or aid her in other ways. She can use their poisons freely, as she has an immunity to all natural toxins. Ivy can use her feminine wiles to further her cause, with access to a blend of pheromones that can control those already attracted to her, though she prefers to rely on stronger tactics. Despite her immunity (or perhaps because of her connection to the natural world), some man-made toxins can affect her normally.

History: Pamela Isley grew up environmentally-conscious, outraged by humanity’s treatment of the planet since she was a child. In addition to attending (eventually organizing) protests and demonstrations, Pam went to Gotham University to become a botanist, and gain a better understanding of humanity's effect on the environment. It was during an internship with Darkwood Labs that Pam underwent her transformation. A professor’s dangerous experiment caused an explosion that would have killed her, if her metahuman genes hadn’t activated. Pam was transformed into Poison Ivy.

Initially, Pam tried to continue life as usual, but found it more productive to use her powers in the vein of the first few Gotham costumed criminals, and she eventually took on the name Poison Ivy full time. Her crimes were all centered around her political goals, targeting businesses and technologies that harmed the environment. She considers it her duty to give a voice to the plants that no one else would listen to. She was violent in her first years, and more dedicated to vengeance as her criminal career went on. She was eventually stopped by District Attorney Harvey Dent, but made it through her trial without a prison sentence, due to the skill of her lawyer.

After getting caught, Ivy began to fade from the scene, slipping into a kind of retirement in her small house on the outskirts of the city. She eventually met and befriended Harley Quinn, becoming a vital part of her only friend’s life before she quite knew what she was doing. The two are a pair these days, with Ivy in charge. And with the arrival of the new Batgirl (see Batgirl) on the scene, Ivy’s been paying a lot more attention to superheroes these days…

The Future: The little house on poisoned ground is going to get more crowded, assuming Ivy can handle more of Harley’s little bits of fun! There’s a show-down to come before the year is out, and let’s not forget a budding romance – will Ivy be willing to reform enough to catch herself a bat?

First Appearance: ULTIMATE GOTHAM GIRLS #1

[Lissilambe]

Art by Trevor Yarmovich
Words by Brian Burchette

Red Tornado (Earth-One)
Real Name: None
Alias: John Smith, Reddy
Status: As an android, Red Tornado possessed no legal status; currently deactivated
Occupation: Hero
Group Affiliation: The Outsiders
Base of Operations: Las Vegas, Nevada
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 325 lbs
Eyes: None
Hair: None

Powers & Abilities: Red Tornado's android form can generate cyclones of various sizes and strengths, that he has used in offensive combat and to carry himself great distances. As an android, he possesses superhuman strength and endurance, as well as some resistance to damage.

History: The android with a soul was created by renegade scientist T. O. Morrow for the crime boss, Vito Bertinelli, who planned on using him as a weapon against his long time enemy, Anthony Scarapelli. During the opening night of the Star Fish Casino, Red Tornado first attempted to kill Scarapelli, but soon found himself conflicted and ended up trying to kill both Bertinelli and Scarapelli. He was stopped by Batgirl (see Batwoman) and the Outsiders; he turned away from his original programming and joined the team, becoming fast, close friends with Barbara Gordon.

During an alien invasion by the Star Conqueror, Red Tornado sacrificed himself to stop a nuclear strike by the United States Government. However, before his body was destroyed he was able to download his memories into the brain of Barbara Gordon. When it was discovered by his comrades that he still lived, they went searching for a new body for him. It was then that they discovered his original body had come from the world of Apokolips; Reddy (as his team-mates liked to call him) had been created from an Animate of Doctor Bedlam's. They returned to the third world and retrieved a new body for him, and with the help of Dr. Morrow and Zatanna (see Zatanna), were able to separate the two heroes again.

However some of what was Red Tornado still lingered inside the mind of Batwoman and when it was revealed that Barbara Gordon had unconsciously murdered Vito Bertinelli, under the influence of Red Tornado’s original programming, Red Tornado chose to shoulder the blame so not to shatter the world of the woman he had grown to care very much for. Announcing himself as the killer and admitting that he was still unable to purge that particular part of his programming, Tornado asked to be deactivated until the Outsiders could find Dr. Morrow and eliminate the problem.

The future: The story of Red Tornado is far from over, but when and where he will reappear depends on Batwoman’s search for the elusive Dr. T.O. Morrow.

First Appearance: The NEW OUTSIDERS ANNUAL #1

[Lissilambe]

Art by Jorell Rivera
Words by Jay McIntyre

Robin (Maximum! Imprint)
Real Name: Richard "Dick" Grayson
Status: Citizen of the United States with no criminal record, still a minor
Occupation: Student
Known Relatives: John Grayson (father, deceased) Mary Grayson (mother, deceased)
Group Affiliation: Apprenticed to the Batman
Base of Operations: Gotham City.
Height: 5' 3''
Weight: 131 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black

Powers & Abilities: Richard Grayson is a world-class acrobat and gymnast, with the strength of a person his age, height and build who engages in intensive daily exercise. He is quickly learning a unique martial arts style that blends with his acrobatic prowess, and is studying criminology.

History: Dick Grayson loved the circus life, and while the death of his parents left him intensely grief-stricken, he was also bound and determined to remain part of circus life, disdainful of the life of "marks", the normal people that the circus fleeced of their money. So when Bruce Wayne took him in, he was quite angry, seeing Bruce as just as responsible for ending his old life as the death of his parents.

But when Bruce revealed himself as Batman, and informed Dick of the fact that his parents' death was no accident, Dick began to understand. Now this was a lifestyle he could get into. It was rough, yes, and it was fraught with difficulties, but it was, nevertheless, outside the normal rules of society, as his old life had been. And in the long run, it looks to be even more fun.

The Future: The man who murdered Dick's parents, the chief clown of Haly Circus,was gunned down by Gotham's Consortium when those deaths did not have the desired result. Awaking from a coma as a homicidal maniac, the clash between this "joker" and young Robin is inevitable. Beyond that, a young cat burglar will disrupt Robin's equilibrium considerably...

First Appearance: MAXIMUM: BATMAN! #5

[lissilambe]

Art by Jamie Rimmer
Words by Jay McIntyre

Rose Wilson (Earth-One)
Status: Citizen of the United States with no criminal record, still a minor
Occupation: None
Known Relatives: Slade Wilson (a.k.a. Deathstroke the Terminator, father); Adeline Kane (mother); Joseph Wilson (brother); Grant Wilson (brother)
Group Affiliation: Formerly operative for Deathstroke, the Terminator, formerly member of Teen Titans.
Base of Operations: Mobile
Height: 5' 4''
Weight: 126 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: White/ash-blonde

Powers & Abilities: Rose Wilson possesses limited precognitive abilities, enabling her to see flashes of the future, though with little control. She is highly-trained in the martial arts, and particularly skilled with the quarterstaff.

History: Rose Wilson was the last child born to Slade Wilson, the assassin better known as Deathstroke the Terminator (see Deathstroke) and his now ex-wife, Addie Kane. By the time she became pregnant with Rose, Addie was already on the outs with Slade and withheld knowledge of the pregnancy from him. For many years, Addie played an elaborate game of deception, up to and including suggesting that Rose's father was actually Floyd Lawton, the rival assassin known as Deadshot.

Eventually, though, after a clash with Deadshot, Slade discovered his daughter's identity and took her with him, training her in his arts and ways. Originally she was simply to be his ally in the field; later, after an attempt to buy off one of the Teen Titans failed, Slade decided to use Rose instead, to infiltrate the Titans for him and help him take them down when the time was right.

What Slade did not anticipate was Rose bonding with the Titans, confiding in Nightwing (see Nightwing), and siding with the Titans against him. Her mother and one of her brothers helped her escape in the confusion.

The Future: As part of Addie's new plan for her daughter, Rose and her brother Joseph will join Titans West.

First Appearance: ROGUES GALLERY # 2

[lissilambe]

center][/center]
Cartography and words by Tim Abramo

---

The Sister Cities, side by side across the Missouri River, share a strong bond and symbiotic history dating back over 100 years. Come explore the soul of America's heartland: Keystone City, Kansas and Central City, Missouri!

Between the Sister Cities

Interstate 72

Interstate 72 is the main artery that connects the Sister Cities to the rest of their respective suburbs and states. Places that can be reached along this vital highway include Blue Valley, Kansas, (birthplace of the current Flash, Wally West),and Fallville, Iowa, (birthplace of the second Flash, Barry Allen as well as theater legend Daphne Dean).

(0) Crossing the Missouri River [/u]

• Barton-Messner Tunnel: Completed in 1951, this three tube tunnel is used predominantly by traffic coming from and going to Keystone's Infantino International Airport, as well as those sticking to the northern third of either city. One of the largest public works projects undertaken after WWII, 90,000 travelers use the tunnel each day.
  
  
• Lampert Bridge: The most popular choice for making the trip between Central and Keystone, the Lampert Bridge is a two-tier suspension bridge with an upper level constructed in 1935 and a lower tier added in 1972 to help manage traffic flow. Both tiers have four lanes for traffic in either direction, serving millions of cars, trucks and buses across each year.
  
  
• Wieringo Crossing: The newest means to commute between Central and Keystone, the Wieringo Crossing was finally completed in 2005 after 25 years in development. A steel truss bridge designed to accommodate foot and commuter traffic for the southern portions of Central and Keystone, Wieringo Crossing was also featured in the 1980 film of the same name, starring a young Daphne Dean.
  
  
• Kanigher Pier and Ferry: As one of the original means of travel between the Sister Cities, ferry boats still have a very important function to those wishing to avoid the bridges and tunnel. At peak hours, the ferry leaves every fifteen minutes; off peak, it makes the trip twice an hour.
  

(1) Gardner Island [/u]

Uninhabited and largely undeveloped, even today, Gardner Island was once the estate of Keystone Motors founder William Slout, designed to be used by his family as a getaway away from his getaway in Central City. By the 1950's, the mansion had fallen into disrepair as the Slout family preferred to travel abroad and the property was seized by the federal government in 1989 over several million dollars of back taxes to make room for the Wieringo Tunnel.

Keystone City

Located in Doniphan County, Kansas, Keystone City was founded in 1727 as a trading post for the French. After the Louisiana Purchase, Keystone became the center for numerous industries, with plants devoted to the crafting of farming equipment, ships, trains and cars and their parts over the course of the city's existence, adapting and adjusting as each fell in and out of use. The last major shift occurred with the collapse of Keystone Motors, plunging Keystone into a recession it has only recently begun to recover from.

Keystone City is the birthplace of the original Flash, Jay Garrick, and his long-time wife and college sweetheart Joan Garrick (née Williams).

(2) Iron Heights Prison[/u]
Iron Heights is one of the largest and most secure “Supermax” facilities in the country, housing a large portion of the country's worst offenders since it's founding in 1968. Draconian to the extreme, especially in the underground levels, the prison at times resembles a medieval dungeon or Siberian gulag, reserved for the worst of the worst.

The prison is currently administrated by Warden Gregory Wolfe alongside the celebrated criminal profiler team of Hunter and Ashley Zolomon.

(3) Infantino International Airport[/u]
Replacing smaller and more inadequate facilities originally located in Blue Valley, Infantino International opened up in early 2002. Fliers can access over 100 American and 50 international cities from Infantino International, which offers both direct and indirect flights from a wide range of popular airlines.

(4) Gambi's Tailor Shop[/u]
Legendary tailor Paul Gambi's modest shop has operated in the Burnley section of Keystone since 1951. He is associated with crafting the costumes of the legendary Rogues and other criminals, although he explains it as simply “catering to exotic attires and interesting individuals.” His services are available by appointment only and efforts by law enforcement to locate how and when he receives his payment from the criminal element have proven ineffective.

Gambi's Tailor Shop is also secretly the headquarters of the Rogues Union itself, the unused back area serves as wardroom, saloon and Rogues Museum, devoted to more fairly (in their eyes) representing and depicting the Rogues adventures in the Sister Cities than the one seen in Central City's Speedster Museum.

(5) Quickstart Entertainment Complex (QEC)[/u]
Once the location of Keystone Motors, a behemoth of the American auto industry in from the 1930s to the early 1970s, the manufacturer was driven out of business after a precipitous decline in the late 1970's, coupled with the collapse of a last-ditch partnership with John DeLorean's eponymous auto company following his conviction. The massive, sprawling facility at the center of the city was left abandoned for many years.

In 2000, during the “Dot Com Boom,” Quickstart Enterprises purchased the lot, creating the Quickstart Entertainment Complex as part of a massive investment plan by Keystone and local business people to help restore the city to it's former glory and draw new finances to Keystone's struggling sports franchises.

Contained within the QEC is

• Liberty Field: home of the Heartland Bolts of the NFL, an expansion franchise founded in 2002. An AFC also-ran for its few years in the league, the Bolts have finally begun to gain some traction after several consecutive losing seasons thanks to drafting well and key free agent signings during the off season.
  
  
• Chambers Park: home of the Keystone Combines of the MLB; founded in 1961 and named after the founder of Quickstart, the late Johnny Chambers. The Combines have been a contender for the AL Wild Card in recent years, and although they've fallen short in the playoffs most years, they did have a Cinderella run in 1997 that netted them a victory in the World Series.
  
  
• Keystone Raceway: home of NASCAR's Big Belly Burger 500. One of the newest entries into NASCAR's Sprint Series, Keystone Raceway is only the third restrictor-plate required track and offers exciting racing and family fun year round.
  

(6) Offices of the Picture-News[/u]
Founded in 1809, the Picture-News today remains the last bastion of old media left in Keystone City. Renowned for it's coverage of the Flash over the years, the Picture-News has greatly benefited from the reporting of Iris Allen, not just for her connections to the speedsters, but for her reputation throughout the Sister Cities. It has recently expanded to the Internet, hoping to stave off obsolescence.

(7) S.T.A.R. Labs, Keystone[/u]
One of the preeminent research labs in the country, S.T.A.R. Labs-Keystone has developed a large program around studying the nature speed, discovering much about what the Speedsters and the scientific community understands about the “Speed Force” as a concept. It is even hoped that understanding the Speed Force may even contribute to the search for a unified field theory of physics.

Central City

Located in Buchanan County, Missouri, Central City was founded in 1890 by the early robber barons who had made their money in Keystone. The city founders focused maintaining a more cosmopolitan atmosphere where the products and parts manufactured in in Keystone would then be sold in Central City, removed from the smoke-stacks and workers. As Keystone City faltered, Central has been able to thrive by developing industry of it's own, in recent years focused on computer technology and electronics.

Central City is the birthplace of Iris Allen (née West), along with her and Barry Allen's son, Bart; as well Jesse Chambers (formerly the Lady Flash, now known as the Jade Flash of the GLC), daughter of Liberty Belle (Libby Lawrence) and Johnny Quick (Johnny Chambers).

(8) Jackam Arena[/u]
Built in 1948 as the Van Geld Arena, where it was the original center of the city's burgeoning theater movement, eventually supplanted by Theater Row. In 1995, the Van Geld Arena was renamed in honor of slain Central City cop Joe Jackam, who died in the line of duty. Jackam Arena proves to be a popular draw for concerts, with most nationally touring acts making a stop.

(9) The Speedster Museum[/u]
The key landmark of the Sister Cities, the Speedster Museum is a celebration of the various heroes that have filled the Sister Cities, with detailed exhibits on all four Flashes, Johnny Quick and their allies, including Liberty Belle, the Justice Society of America and the newly introduced Impulse. The museum also depicts many of the villains that have plagued the city over the years, although it goes out of the way to neither malign or celebrate their acts. The Speedster Museum is often the ending point for Flash Day, Quick Day and other speedster celebrations, and it's easily in the Top 5 most visited museums in the country.

(10) Theater Row[/u]
The Broadway of the Heartland, Central City's theater district started modestly with a few small stages dwarfed by the Van Geld Auditorium, into a series of thirty top flight theaters that rivals those of Broadway, with top notch productions and top flight talent. Daphne Dean, “the Queen of the Theater District”, has made herself into a legend here, performing in a wide variety of shows alongside some of theater and Hollywood's best and brightest. Current shows in production include: No, No, Nanette, Les Miserables, Sweeney Todd, Bye Bye Birdie and Happy Feet: The Musical.

(11) Broome Academy[/u]
Central City's preeminent private high school. Established in 1894, the school was established on the grounds of the original Central City Hospital, and in the century plus has provided both the wealthiest and the brightest with a top notch education. A number of prominent students have attended through the years, including future Rogue Hartley Rathaway and Keystone union boss Keith Kenyon. Current students include Bart Allen and Carol Bucklen.

(12) Central Citizen Newspaper Offices[/u]
Founded in 1994, the chief rival of the Keystone Picture-News, the Central Citizen is sleeker and hip, more USA Today than New York Times. Though it lacks the gravitas of its cross-city broadsheet rival, it has made far more in-roads online, allowing the Citizen to maintain some relevance in the Sister Cities in the age of instant news.

(13) KFMB Television Studios[/u]
A rare independent station amongst the corporate controlled media landscape, KFMB was founded in 1946 as one of the first converts to the fledgling DuMont Television Network. When DuMont ceased broadcasting in 1956, KFMB began producing local programming, including long-running morning show “The Scene.” and relying on syndicated material and infomercials to fill it's broadcast day.

(14) Granite Peak National Park[/u]
Founded in 1934, the Granite Peak National Park was designed to be a natural counterbalance to the heavy industrial Keystone and heavily developed Central City, featuring numerous trails for hiking, including access to the famous Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail along with sections devoted to camping, swimming and proving to be a popular tourist spot for those that long to get away from the rat race for a breath of fresh air.

[lissilambe]

Art by Alex Vasquez
Words by David Charlton

The Spectre (Earth-One)
Secret Identity: James Brendan Corrigan
Alias: The Spirit of Vengeance
Status: Avenging hero
Occupation: Former police officer, GCPD
Known Relatives: None
Group Affiliation: The Justice Society of America (former member)
Base of Operations: Manhattan
Height: 6' (as Corrigan)
Weight: 180 lbs (as Corrigan)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Red
Powers & Abilities: As Corrigan, the power of flight and intangibility only, along with an intuitive sensitivity for the arcane, but as the Spectre, also physical invulnerability, super-strength, teleportation, telepathy, size-control and matter manipulation.

History: In December of 1938, veteran beat cop Jim Corrigan was killed in the line of duty by gangster “Gat” Benson, but his soul was not destined to rest in peace: Corrigan’s outrage and need for justice was so strong, it roused a slumbering Spirit of Vengeance. Bonded together as the Spectre, the avenging spirit embarked on a divine mission of retribution tempered with mortal compassion.

For many years he served with the Justice Society of America, and the war-time All-Star Squadron, but the longer he spent bonded with the Spectre, the more distant Corrigan felt from his humanity. As a result, the Spectre became more ruthless and more powerful, unfettered by mortal compunctions.

When the JSA disbanded in 1951, Jim Corrigan longed to lay down his burden as the Spirit of Vengeance and refused the call of the Spirit of Vengeance. Yet he was not allowed to rest. He walked the Earth, haunted by the Spectre, for a purpose that had not been revealed to him.

Recently, when Nemesis, the personification of the end of the universe was awakened by the Syrinx, the Spectre rose up to oppose her, but was cast down and has not been seen since. Shortly after, the mystical agent of the Lords of Order, Doctor Fate was attacked by an unknown enemy and also disappeared, leaving behind his magical artifacts.

The Future: Fearing an unknown but obvious menace, the ghost of Jim Corrigan has taken up the Helm of Nabu, the Amulet of Anubis and the Cloak of Nergal and has began embarked on a mission to find the Spectre and Doctor Fate, once again fighting alongside the Justice Society of America.

First appearance: (as Jim Corrigan) JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #3; (as the Spectre) WONDER WOMAN #8

[lissilambe]

Art by Roy Flinchum
Words by Scott Morgan Cook

Suicide Squad (Earth-Two)
Roster: Captain Boomerang (Owen Mercer), Deadshot (Zoey Lawton), Bronze Tiger (Richard Turner), Deadman (Boston Brand)
Base of Operations: “The Box,” located beneath the White House
Status: Active

History: Operating since 1987, Task Force X was a government authorized black ops team. The team was made up of convicted super-criminals who were offered suspended sentences for serving on the Suicide Squad (so named because members had a reputation for not returning from missions). For years, the team went on missions on behalf of the United States. However, in 2002, the program was shut down, as supervillains were considered too dangerous to handle.

The program was re-opened in late 2008, shortly after Amanda Waller was elected President of the United States. Putting together a new team, she recruited Captain Boomerang (Owen Mercer, super-speedster and former Rogue), Deadshot (Zoey Lawton, deranged marksman and mercenary), Bane (A U.S. army recruit powered by the illegal steroid Venom), Deadman (Boston Brand, a ghost with nothing better to do) and Bronze Tiger (Richard Turner, martial artist and former assassin), as well as technological genius Cliff Carmichael to manage the team.

The Suicide Squad was quickly recognized as the President’s personal hit squad. However, the team lived up to its name on a mission to Bialya. Coming into conflict with both the nation’s superhuman team the Onslaught and Checkmate’s own team the Outsiders, Task Force X suffered when Deadman’s actions led to Bane’s untimely death. The squad returned to D.C. largely unaffected, but ready to complete their next mission and come one step closer to freedom.

The Future: With a deceased teammate, the Suicide Squad will begin recruiting new members for the cause. Captain Boomerang visits his old home, Deadshot discovers a strange secret of her past and her heritage, Bronze Tiger’s old life begins to catch up with him and Deadman makes a friend.