New Virus Hits Superhero Community

Wodan Berserk {Photo credit to Celtic Bolt}

A disturbing finding was made less then two days ago by Metropolis scientists and doctors after looking over many new super human patients. A new virus has been discovered spreading throughout the exo-human community!

The virus appears to only infect human beings who've received super powers from Brainiac's Exobytes, exo-heroes being a title to separate the new generation from the original superheroes. The virus appears to target meta and magic based exo-humans and leave them powerless. Although most effected are heroes, the villain community has not been so lucky to avoided contamination.
The first recorded victim was a hero going by the name of Sky Stroller. He was flying over the park when his flight based powers slowly left him. He broke his right leg and hand, but some of his doctors argue he should be happy to be alive.

Sky Stroller however has fallen into a depression and must hang up his cape and title. If a cure is not found he will never fly again. Billy Grecko, his real name, is just one among many falling ill to the virus. Embarrassingly enough the virus is spread primarily through the transfer of saliva, or in some cases as an STD. This is disturbing news considering the rate of which the virus has afflicted the superhuman community.

Due to the nature of the virus, a Green Lantern has stepped forward to held investigate the origin of the virus. The Oracle also suggested using a joint team of heroes and villains to solve this problem effecting both groups.
Some villainous groups of exo-humans have grudgingly accepted the offer, knowing their own powers may very well be at stake. Small groups of three or four will be organized, according to the Oracle, and sent to suspected areas that the virus may have originated from. This is going by the first victims and places they have been. The first villainess to be placed in one of these teams is Entropy Cell. Shes been somewhat trusted by the hero community for her calm and passive attitude when facing off with the forces of justice.

When asked to put a hero forward, Superman didn't hesitate to suggest Wodan Berserk. The choice may confuse those who aren't familiar with the first interaction between the highly criticized warrior and the man of steel. The first encounter was a rather unfriendly one in which Superman had to quickly arrest the xenophobic hero, who insulted Superman for his alien origin. So it must have seemed like an easy choice for a mission that might take away the powers of the investigators.

Berserk, rather he had the choice or not, excepted the offer with a cynical laugh. Following the enlistment of the first hero and villain, many others were place either in a group or are still awaiting the job. The list of active recruits includes heroes Rocketkid, Patriot, Robohobo, and Mega King. While the villains only have the additions of Plight and Wolfgang.

Will they be enough to solve this mystery and cure the exo-human virus, or is this the beginning of the end for the new generation of super humans?  

Civilians Protest Unmonitored Heroes

Wodan Berserk threatening camera man.

 We see them everyday now in the major cities. They pull us out of burning buildings and beat up the occasional trans-dimensional robot. Most people around the world are, without a doubt, happy to see the new generation of heroes but what about us in the actual cities who have to put up with them day in and day out?

Yesterday night in Metropolis, as the sun began to set, a large battle broke out between several rogue heroes and villains. This battle started out harmlessly enough above the skies of our fair city. The super powered criminals were out doing their thing when they were approached by one of the new up and coming super heroes. They out numbered him three to one and jumped at the opportunity to rid themselves of an obstacle. The junior hero was quickly assisted however by not two heroes, which would have even the odds.
Not four heroes, which would have given a clear advantage.
Not six, but eight other heroes. Eight heroes who happen to be roaming the city with dangerous super powers and no supervision by the Justice League.  

Needless to say, the super powered villains were easily out matched and began to flee their blood thirsty pursuers. By the time they had reached the street below, a magic wielding Amore was beaten into unconsciousness. One villain called Shorty tried to make a run for it while the other, Super Disease, tried to stand his ground.

"Totally uncalled for and disgusting!" proclaimed a Mrs. Santiago whose car was picked up off the street by one of the vigilantes. She was forced to exit her vehicle in a hurry at the risk of her life. She had two payments left on her family Neon, and she was forced to watch in horror as it was thrown thirty feet through the air to impact with the helpless Super Disease. The target would have been hospitalized by the impact alone but the heroes saw fit to explode the vehicle and rain countless punches down upon his shattered body.

It looked like enough had been done to stop the small time super villains, but Shorty remained unscathed and that just couldn't be allowed by our so called protectors.
Ripping up gravel and sending other vehicles flying through the air; the heroes gave chase down the busy road while unleashing a hail of explosives, lasers, bullets, and bolts of electricity. Shorty, who had not a single drop of blood on his hands, was found beaten to death just fifty yards from a police station. None of the so called heroes has come forward to claim responsibility for the murder and not a single member of the Justice League would speak a word of the matter.

I took it upon myself to track down some of the heroes involved in the event. The first hero I tracked down was Tyler. Wearing normal civilians cloths no one would suspect much from the well manured young man, and not many would guess that he had the strength to pick up and toss a car with ease. Tyler could not be reached to answer questions, but another hero involved in the incident could.

I was not surprised to find Wodan Berserk had already left Metropolis for Gotham. A guilty conscious perhaps? Not likely. The suspected domestic terrorist was captured by local authorities with the aid of Superman after several heroes escaped one of Brainiac's ships. He was found to be both brainwashed and severely dangerous. Wodan Berserk is suspected to have ties to countless criminal organizations, not to mention his blatant ties to Nazi mysticism. It was because of this that the Justice League originally had a remote camera following him around to keep an eye on his activities.
But where is this hovering camera now? After several weeks of watching him use overwhelming force on possible criminals, the Justice League saw fit to allow him to operate unsupervised and unrestricted.
With no repercussions to his actions.

Now Wodan Berserk is being used as just one of many examples by P.A.T.C.H. (People Against The Cruelty of Heroes). The group has been growing rapidly due to many recent cases of rookie superheroes taking the law into their own hands with disastrous results. The group promises to protest in every super human active city in North America and Europe by the end of the year. Their first demand to the Justice League? Full video monitoring of every super human working for them.

"I have six children!" mentioned Erica Earnst. "How can I feel that they are safe when there are cars being thrown through the air? When capes are beating people to death in the street? How can you expect me to sit by and do nothing!?"

Ms. Earnst founded the Metropolis branch, and first branch, of P.A.T.C.H. eight months ago after her eldest son was accidentally hit by a shock wave created by Superman. It had twenty members after the first month and now it has members all over the world. Keep your eyes open for the protesters as they will be organizing protests outside Metropolis City Hall and Crime Alley in Gotham.  

Stanly Summers, Feb 1, 2011.