ARACHNO
Arachno has been fighting crime in Metropolis for almost a year and has made several enemies. He has been a constant thorn in the Crime Baron's side and broke up many of his operations. Some believe Aracno is a menace, but others know him as a hero.

Origins
Casey Wayland started life as the son of a professional female athlete. His father mostly raised him because of his mother being on the go all the time. His father was a comic book artist and contributed to some of the cities more famous heroes books. Casey learned to do a little art from his father but found a love of biochemistry. He studied hard in school and was working his way through college as a lab tech at ChemCo when his parents separated.

Casey was working late when his accident happened. Casey doesn’t remember what happened that night or what caused the explosion. He was exposed to a cocktail of chemicals and spider DNA in an explosion at a ChemCo site. He survived abet mutated, but alive. Casey’s mother and father never knew that he was still there when the explosion happened. Casey still has a part time job at ChemCo as a mail clerk that takes up a little bit of his time and part time colorist for his dad.

As Arachno, Casey is bold and some what of a loud mouth, he is even cocky. Casey as himself is quite and reserved, plus a little bit shy around people he has just meet. Arachno has given Casey an outlet to be the dare devil he always wanted to be but was too afraid to try.

Appearance
Casey is a short slim male of athletic build. With his build, he could be a world class gymnast. His mom has even suggested this on more than one occasion. Casey has short brown hair and up until the accident had coppery brown eyes, now they are permanently golden in color and hidden behind sunglasses most of the time. Arachno’s costume is a dark purple with orange lines that look like either a skull or a spider on the mask and chest.

Powers
Arachno’s powers include small spurs on his fingers and feet that help him climb and cling to things in addition to helping him during combat. He has spinnerets in his forearms that secrete a web like materiel that can be used to swing, grab things, entangle bad guys and form a hard projectile. Arachno has incredible strength and can leap great heights. His suit also helps him glide short distances as well.


BLUE NOVA
Blue Nova just appeared in Metropolis recently when an alien craft crashed into Global Techs Research Park. Camera crews captured some footage of him fighting against the invaders but nothing is known about him publicly. 

Origins
Haley’s early life was fairly normal. He was an only child but easily made friends with his next door neighbor, Noah Carter, their friendship has lasted since. He excelled throughout his academic career, but took specific interest in mineralogy and astrology.

While studying radioactive minerals in college, he discovered a way to covert and burn off most sources of radiation. The idea and machine while not commercially cost effective got him enough money from government contracts to let him spend most of his time after college doing whatever he wanted. This turned out to be searching out and researching meteorites and other fallen objects from outer space.

Mineralogist and freelance inventor, Haley Scott, spent most of his time chasing down and researching meteorites. One day, he found a rather unusual specimen, despite having just fallen to Earth, the large car sized meteorite was cool to the touch and gave off no radiation. However when he opened it back in his lab, the inside gave off an eerie light and substance. Haley’s skin absorbed some and for the next hour or so he possessed incredible speed and above average strength. After the effects wore off, radiation poisoning set in leaving him bed-ridden in the care of his best friend, Doctor Noah Carter. Haley named the substance Nova.

Working with the rock, he discovered several things about both the outer layer and inner substance. First is that the outer layer both acted as both containment unit and armor for the substance. Next was that a side effect of the radiation incorporated itself into his organic functions (requiring that he has a certain amount of trace radiation in his system for his body to continue operating). Lastly was that this alien narcotic not only boosted his speed and strength while it was in his system but also left him with the speed capabilities of an Olympic track star and the strength of a casual bodybuilder.

With some research Noah determined that the radiation would kill Haley within five years, sooner if more than minimum dosage was used. Unable to just let himself die, nor go into isolation until his time was up, Haley used some of the outer shell of the meteor and a mobile proto-type of one of his inventions (a radiation converter) to create a suit that would let him use what powers he had gain to help people. Having just completed his test run for the suit he is now ready to begin.

Appearance
Haley is very thin but well toned. His exposure to Nova changed his eyes from green to what they are now and the radiation makes him look like he has had chemo-therapy. Other than that there is nothing all that out of the ordinary about him. The containment suit is a blue-silver metallic body suit made out of a combination of the outer shell from the meteorite and standard ‘superhero’ spandex. The radiation converter is housed within a set of bracers, boots, helmet, and breastplate w/backpack unit (blackened metal in color).

Powers
Nova gives Haley increased physical speed for short periods of time which he can use to run at incredible velocities, even up the sides of buildings and across water. Additional doses of Nova further increase his speed but Haley runs the risk of over dosing. In addition his speed allows him to perform a number of classic speeder tricks. His work with radioactive minerals lead to the development of a converter that allows him to use the radiation produced by the Nova to fly sort distances. The helmet he wears includes a HUD computer built into the visor that enables Haley to adjust his sense of sight to high speeds, injector controls, and controls for the exhaust halo in the backpack. A Nova injector is built into the containment suit.


GREY FALCON
The Grey Falcon first appeared in Metropolis in the 1940's. It was not long before she was joined by Centurion, Captain Amazing, Blue Tiger and Tom Turbo. The five formed the Freedom Force. Over time additional heroes were recruited and the team fought against such villains as Doctor Death and Commander Blitzkrieg. After 30 years of fighting for justice, Grey Falcon retired in the early 70’s. She reappeared briefly in 1991 to help in the Battle of Detroit and then again in 2002.  

Origins
Alison Hatly was an ordinary woman. She had just graduated school and was about to embark on a glorious career of teaching kindergarten when she received a mysterious package on her 25th birthday. The package came from her grandmother, her father’s mom. She always had such fun with her grandmother she told great stories so Alison wondered what could be in the tiny box. Inside she found a ring and a note.

Alison, I always hoped I would have a daughter but I never did. Your father was my only child. But since your birth I knew you were the one to carry on the heritage my child. Child of my heart wear this ring with pride you carry a great name. Fight the good fight and always remember. Good always triumphs. Love grandma.

Alison was confused to say the least and even more confused when she put the ring on and fiddled with it on her finger. She was blinded by a bright flash of light and in her place in the mirror stood the Grey Falcon. Super heroine of justice and might. Alison realized that all those stories her grandmother had told were true. She was destined to be a hero!

Appearance
The Grey Falcon has a commanding presence with noble features. Her costume consists mostly of the color grey and she has wings. She protects her identity with a golden mask. 

Powers
As the Grey Falcon she can fly, she has several power beams at her disposal to take down her enemies. In addition her lifter beam can pick up two people with ease. Lastly she has a holding beam to encapsulate her foes and hold them for the authorities. The grey Falcon is protected by a powerful force field that can be projected to protect innocents as well.


JOHNNY PHAZE
Johnny Phaze is a relatively new hero in Metropolis who seems to stay near the University. Most of his adversaries have been low level thugs but Johnny Phaze has faced off against villains such as Brain Chyld and the Shadow.

Origins
Andrew Berkerwitz grew up as any other child in the city of Metropolis. He got good grades in high school which allowed him to obtain several scholarships for college. He decided to study advanced physics due to an article on matter teleportation he read by Professor Kurt Lamons. Fortunately, Professor Lamons taught at Metropolis University and Andrew was able to get into his classes and was accepted to participate in an undergraduate research project. The project involve the final tests of a prototype molecular destabilization unit that operated on Professor Lamons theories.

One fateful night while the team was working late to finalize the prototype, the lab was attacked by the villains known as Sina-Star. One of them knocked the prototype over and it activated striking Andrew with its beam. Next thing he knew he was six floors down in the basement with no knowledge of how he got there. Sina-Star stole the prototype.

Professor Lamons did several tests and discovered that Andrew had the unnatural ability to phase through matter and control his own density. With a lot of practice Andrew began to affect the matter around him by creating an invisible wall that could repel most things. In an attempt to extract vengeance for both stealing the device and putting him in that condition, Andrew took the name Johnny Phaze and decided to fight for justice and put an end to such villains.

Appearance
Andrew has a thin physical build. His costume is blue and white spandex and he wears a latex mask to protect his secret identity.

Powers
Johnny Phaze can increase his own density which gives him great strength and resistance to attacks. He can also become intangible and pass through matter. While intangible he can be affect by gravity, force and magnetic attacks. Johnny has mastered his abilities to the point he can increase the density of air in a limited area to use as a defense or to hurl as a power physical attack. Professor Lamons built a harness that allows Johnny to tap into his density powers to perform a quick teleport. Unfortunately teleportation tires Johnny out.


THE GLADIATOR
The Gladiator is a hero of noble qualities, of course. He is a fighter, and he lives up to that. When engaging crime he fights to the bitter of bitter ends. Refusing to give up in spite of his odds, he has such faith that good will prevail that it is almost dangerous for him. On more than one occasion he has nearly lost his life in the pursuit of bringing criminals to justice. He welcomes allies in fighting crime, and he capitalizes on the abilities and resources teammates can provide. He tends to sound stoic and cold on the outside, but he is a compassionate and caring individual. When not fighting crime directly he is actively involved in raising money for charities, especially for children.

Origins
James is the younger of two children. Raised in a loving home he lived a comfortable life. In his teenage years he found that he had a knack for athletics and began honing his skills there. He later graduated from high school and attended college to get a degree in physical education. James is a bright individual, but chooses to become a physical trainer. His parents are hard working people that work full time jobs. They live the classic life; have a two story home with two cars, and a white picket fence around the yard. His older sister, Julie also went into college and became a medical examiner specializing in forensics.

James since leaving college has worked as a personal trainer for many people and has also worked teaching fitness classes at many gyms. For many years he felt that he could make a difference in the world, but just never new how. Early in his teens he discovered that he was gaining more and more strength finding that he was much more powerful than other boys his age. He also discovered through accidents that any cuts on him would heal within just hours and no scars would remain. He knew this was out of the norm, and kept this to himself. He worried that people would fear him if people found out about him and his abilities so he kept this secret with him.

As mentioned before James wanted to help make the world a better place, he just wasn't sure how. Oh the difference that one day can make in ones life. James had won a lottery a year after leaving college. He had won millions. James knew now that he had the resources he needed to make that difference in the world.

In what he would call a moment of 'divine inspiration' James recalled the time of the Romans where gladiators would fight in the great coliseums of Rome. He thought of the bravery that was involved there, and decided he would resurrect this warrior not to entertain thousands, but to defend them against evil. After much seeking he found a man that could produce the wares that James needed to make the transformation to become 'The Gladiator'. Since then he has become one of the most unique and well known heroes. His reputation as a crime fighter is well known, as is his charity to children.

In his early crime fighting days; Julie discovered that James was 'The Gladiator' by accident when helping James move between apartments. James had not carefully hidden the equipment he used for his costume. Since then Julie has kept the secret and in exchange has helped James in his crime fighting by using her position in the city government to give James clues, and leads on criminals.

Appearance
'He sports the classic look of a gladiator, with modern materials, and super human powers. He's 6 feet 4 inches tall, 280 pounds, very muscular, with broad shoulders, and the physique of a body builder. In action he wields a short sword in one hand and a large brass colored shield in another. He wears a brass colored helmet, which includes a face cover, which resembles that of ancient Rome. On his right arm is the classic armor that covers and protects the arm. He wears brass colored greaves that protects his lower legs and extends above the knees a few inches; with simple sandals covering his feet. He only wears what would best be described as bulky leather underwear, but taller. It covers the entirety of his lower torso but stops just at his legs.

The only other object he wears is a wide leather strap that crosses his chest. This holds the sheath for his sword on his back. He is a hero of incredible strength, able to lift great weight that no ordinary man could he hope to do. His body also amazingly durable and is able to withstand great punishment from his foes. His body has amazing regenerative powers, able to heal quickly and leaves no trace of a scar.

Powers
His armor and weapons may appear old, but they are made of the most modern of components. The armors are of the strongest metals known to man. The shield too is made of the strongest metals and specially designed so that he can throw it like a boomerang and have it return. The shield is also highly polished and protected so he can reflect energy blasts away. His sword is not just for melee battle, but an instrument to disable his opponents. From it he commands a lightning bolt that stuns his opponents. His melee maneuvers are also superb. Agile and powerful, he is able to take down an opponent and suppress them, all without using lethal force.