HEADLINE: Eccentric billionaire Danny Rand announces engagement to longtime girlfriend Colleen Wing! With Randās strange history and unpredictable personality, what can we expect to see from the Rand-Wing wedding? Predictions and more on page six!
MEET COLLEEN WING: The Bugle hosts an exclusive interview with the future Mrs. Rand! How does a former dojo owner and current community center employee land one of New Yorkās most eligible bachelors? Find out on page ten!
THE END OF A BRIEF ERA: Rumors are swirling as Zatanna Zatara spends less and less time at husband Tony Starkās residence. Has this couple called it quits after only a few months of marriage? Catch up with the Bugle Gossipās own Shaunda Davis with the latest on page twenty-four!
Headline:Ā As the ball dropped in Times Square and New York City rung in a new year, new allegations against the Avenger known as Spider-Man came to light. Quentin Beck, the emergent hero known as Mysterio who was killed in an attack on London last week, has left behind one final gift for humanity: drone footage of the fight on Tower Bridge, showing his final moments as they really happened. Viewer discretion is advised, as its contents may be disturbing.
āIt was Spider-Man,ā says Beck in the footage. āHe did thisāthis is his fault. Itās Stark tech. He has Stark tech. He says he wants it allā¦. He wants the power.ā Indeed, Spider-Man can be seen in the footage, visibly in conflict with Beck. Although much of the audio is indecipherable, this reporter could clearly make out āItās over, Beck.āĀ
Mysterioās reply? āOh, god, heās going toā If this video sees the light of day, Spider-Man has killed me.ā
This past springās revelations that Spider-Man is the alias of Peter Parker, a young engineer currently employed at Stark Industries, add credence to the claim. (Editorsā note: Though he previously provided some photography, Parker is no longer affiliated with The Daily Bugle in any capacity.) A series of strange occurrences coupled with Spider-Man sightings have been reported throughout Europe since mid-November, culminating in last weekās Tower Bridge attack. It looks like the Avengers have a cold-blooded killer in their midst.Ā
Please join The Bugle in mourning a fallen hero. ( @ptrparkcrs )
Page 3: This yearās most high-profile partnership started with a wedding so under-the-radar that no one knew it was happening until it was over! Just what is the Stark-Zatara unity like behind closed doors? We here at the Daily Bugle scored an exclusive interview with the happy couple to find out!
Page 6: Nearly two weeks after the death of its leader and founder Erik Lehnsherr, Genosha remains shocked and devastated. In the earliest hours of a countryās existence, events such as these explore how the nation will grow. Follow Daily Bugle correspondent Colin Rayne on a trip to Genoshan soil as he interviews various citizens and tells the story of a country honoring the death of its first leader.
Itās the early hours of December 20th, and the Genoshan council has just confirmed the tragic news that their leader, Erik Lehnsherr (the mutant well known as Magneto), passed away late last night. Initial speculation about the cause of death has been stifled by newly inaugurated Genoshan Press Secretary Madelyne Pryor, but it has been confirmed that Scott Summers (AKA Cyclops), former Minister of Foreign Affairs, has now taken the position as leader of the Genoshan state. His wife and Minister of Health, Dr. Jean Grey-Summers, has neglected to comment. Sources at Sara Memorial Hospital suggest she hasnāt been seen since news of the death broke in national newspapers. Thoughts and considerations remain with Lehnsherrās family and friends, and the wider community of Genosha.
Good evening citizens of New York and surrounding areas! The Daily Bugle comes to you LIVE with a breaking news update. Rumors have emerged that Erik Lehnsherr has instated a travel ban on movement into Genosha. All non-mutants will now be subject to rigorous investigation before passing across the border. More information will be delivered as it is available, but the leadership of Genosha have refused to pass comment. (Q&A for members included beneath the cut!)
What does this mean for my characters?
Your characters will, for a temporary period of time, be unable to pass between Genosha and surrounding areas if they are non-mutant without exceptional circumstances. Feel free to message the main or Anne (@masterofmagnetism) for clarification on these terms / plot out a way for your character to be on the island if you want!
Is there any way to get into Genosha? Can people move out of it freely?
There are ways, yes. Erik Lehnsherr has requested the assistance of mutant teleporter Azazel to move people in and out of the country (however this is not in any official capacity -- he is merely being utilised to assist with any movement that may be beneficial to Lehnsherr, and he may be amenable to bribery if offered a substantial sum). There are also other teleporting mutants who may be amenable to helping those outside of their community. The difference is that if your character is non-mutant and in Genosha without permission, they will be subject to law enforcement, potential charges and imprisonment. Citizens and visitors can, however, leave Genosha at any time they wish ā they will not be prevented from doing so.
Headline: Lord Lords over Tech! New York city set abuzz with its brightest minds in science and innovation announcing new projects. With presentations from everyone from Alchemax to Stark industries weāll be breaking down the biggest breakthroughs of the weekend. Read more top-notch analysis inside!
Front page: Rumors are abound after Captain Marvel joins Maxwell Lord in a real time presentation of LordTechās newest Guardianā¢ security system. Is the hero economy the new gig economy? Or simply an extension?
At 8:30 the skies over Manhattan were alight, not with intergalactic visitors or doomsday devices, but with fireworks. The sight was fitting as Maxwell Lord, the young entrepreneur from National City, smiled. When one thinks of a science expo their likely to think of hours of dull introspection on the physics that allow our technology fueled lives to operate but that was not the case during the hour and a half slated for LordTech Eastās first project. The subsidiary of LordTech, a security staple best known for itās government contracts, has expanded into a number of other projects since making a home in New York City including its medical clinics aimed at bridging the gap in medicine concerning the extraterrestrials among us and subsequent alien-oriented work initiatives, has come back to its routes with the launch of itās GUARDIANā¢ line of security systems which will soon be implemented in many state and federal buildings across the country and itās WARDENā¢ line, a commercial alternative. With this it was also announced that LordTech would be partnering with familiar faces with itās Heroes Program with itās ad campaign heavily featuring Lordās ātrusted friend and confidantā, Valor, who also made his first public appearance since his highly publicized shooting last month, during the presentation to demonstrate the Bio-Encryption aspect of both security lines.
Page 3: Bruce Wayne makes waves with Drake industries introduction.
From the dark skies of Gotham City comes itās shining beacon, and thatās not even thinking of the famed Bat-Signal that takes over the clouds. Wayne Enterprises own Bruce Wayne made an appearance outside of his home town for the first time in what mightāve been years, usually making his own announcements from the safety of his office, or leaving the many figureheads of Wayneās massive company reach to their own devices. The former Playboy offered a warm greeting to everyone and professed that projects that had been previously announced were moving ahead as scheduled. There wouldnāt be much news on the WayneTech front besides a few key updates to pre-existing software. However, the surprise was to come later, for Gothamās Favorite Son was sharing the spotlight with one of his own. Presenting Tim Drake, one of Wayneās adopted sons, he explained that he had bought the youngerās company when it belonged to his since deceased father when it had been facing bankruptcy. Passing the now revived company to his son, Drake Industries was to thrive again under itās new, and rightful, management. From there, Drake took to the stage, explaining with vigor his plans to create a cybersecurity network able to be installed and applied to computing devices worldwide. This unnamed network has been supposedly in a prototype Beta for some time, but Drake looks to launch sometime in the very near future.
Page 6: Stark industries stuns with the unveiling of nanotech. clinical trial lists are already filling and stock is on the rise. Is this the return on Tony Stark? Read what our experts think on page 6!
Stark Industries finally presents to the world a brand new concept that has been at the forefront of Iron Man and recent Avengers technology for the past twelve months, harnessing multi-universal concepts and ideas as well as building on previous iterations. It is called nanotechnology, and its uses, according to Head of R&D at S.I. Tony Stark, are practically limitless. Although the material used to create the nanobots is kept under lock and key in the vaults of the company, the basic principle is that they are powered by clean, arc reactor energy, housed in a unit that can be kept on a personās body either on their chest, wrist, stomach or wherever there is space on their skin.
The first trialed use of this nanotechnology in the general public is in medicine and healthcare. Teaming up with Rand Enterprises, Stark has been working on new, intuitive prosthetics following his personal experiences in Berlin. These prosthetics not only provide limbs to those who have suffered traumas, but also act to heal internal disabilities as well. Results from trials have been promising in regards to insulin production management, blood constituent monitoring, hormone replacement, and many others. Stark is to give a speech on the subject at the expo, titled: āThe Future of A.I: Bettering the World Through the Human Brain.ā The United States military has voiced their interest in potential use for combat injuries, but it has not yet been confirmed whether Stark has signed these contracts or not.
The uses of nanotechnology that can be seen in the Iron Man armor are extraordinary, allowing the suit to form and repair itself during combat situations, as well as provide immediate first aid to the person wearing it. Stark has also demonstrated that weapons can be formed through pure force of thought and will, however rejects that nanotechnology will be linked entirely to neurons of the general public during its initial introduction. Regardless, the future looks bright, and this spark of genius is sure to put Stark back on the map!
Page 9: The illusive Lena Luthor makes first public appearance since The Seige on New York. Will L-Corpās dip into Virtual Reality mean progress in the medical field or are itās ethical implications a ticking time-bomb? Read more on page 9 and decide for yourself!
L-VR lenses are the next piece of technology produced by L-Corp. The contact lenses are the latest in virtual reality technology based in an augmented reality designed by some of the worlds best world building architects. The lenses are entirely run through cell towers, allowing the lenses to be used seemingly anywhere. The lenses connect not only to their brain, creating NPCs based on memory and allowing the user to warp the world around them, but they also connect to a userās biology, making the virtual reality feel as real as this one. Fail safes are tied into the userās biometrics to allow the user to escape at the push of a virtual button if stress becomes too much. Currently, all locations in the L-VR map are real-world locations but game managers are working to integrate more and more locations every day, including maps of other worlds or even fantasy dimensions. Users are able to submit ideas for locations and adventures to L-Corp for pending approval.
In her presentation Ms.Luthor asserted, āL-VR is only available in its beta-form to select psychiatric hospitals as an experimental program working with patients suffering from PTSD in order to help them overcome their triggers. Plans are in progress to expand this to help other trauma victims and patients recovering from serious illnesses as a form of combatting depression and anxiety. In the coming years, L-Corp has hopes to make L-VR available in retail form, allowing anyone to turn their dreams into virtual reality.ā
Headline: After the disastrous take-down during the Siege, investors and consumers are understandably nervous about the security of Stark Industries. Rumors abound that the Tech company might have to make some major changes if it hopes to survive ā maybe even a change of ownership? Some investors feel that might be for the best. Is the Stark Brand a lasting one? Or will it slip into obscurity?Ā Read more top-notch analysis inside!
Page 3:Ā We live in a strange world, and New York City is like a magnet for the strangest. Now some theorists are proposing that there might be more than one! The multiverse theory is one thatās been around for some time, but some are now claiming they have actual proof. Maybe even living proof!Ā Read more speculation on page 3!
Page 6: In the era of social media, Youtube has become a staple in most of our lives. Everything from crafts, to exercise, toĀ āhow toā videos... And now, alien speculation. Not about their existence, since that question has been more than answered, but about their place on our planet. One Youtuber has even taking to calling them outright dangerous, a menace to be dealt with. Responses have been mixed.Ā Read more on page 6 and decide for yourself!
What: Erik sits with The Daily Planet for an interview about Genosha: who they are, what their government is like, their hopes for the future.
Tagging: Erik Lehnsherr ( @master-of-magnetismā ) & Kara Danvers ( @maidenxfmightā )
Warnings: Holocaust mention, genocide mention, death mention, injury mention
KARA: āYou ready?ā
Was she? Karaās jaw hurt from how hard her teeth had been clenched. The notes on her page seemed to jump off, the contrast too high. There was too much noise. The cameramanās heartbeat pounded like a drum against the inside of her skull. Sheād rather be home, tucked under her blankets with her ear-muffs on. Room dark.
āYeah, Iām ready.ā If she tilted her glasses down, she could see him. If she cared less, she could fry through the wall that separated them. Someone said ābring him inā and Kara pushed her glasses up her nose.
ERIK: This, heād expected. The world had turned upside down over one long weekend, and everyone was still trying to make sense of it all. There were mixed responses to the change of status quo, thus far, and news organizations had been clamoring for a word from the leader of the worldās newest sovereign state.
If Erik had his way, heād be there now, but it was important to go through the motions this early on. It was strange but freeing to be able to walk the streets of New York without concealing himself.
The producers were chatting at him now, presumably trying to prep him, but Erik was more focused on trying not to smack at the hand of the makeup artist tapping powder on his face. As it turned out, he didnāt have toāshe was brushed aside by the producer, who had one hand pressed to his earpiece. āRight through here.ā
It was Kara. Because of course it was. He knew, heād been prepped, but his ribs still twinged slightly at the memory of the last time heād seen her. Even so, he plastered on a cool smile, settling himself into the chair opposite her. āMs. Danvers.ā
KARA: She waited until he was seated across from her before meeting his eyes. She looked at the set of the cameras, the rug beneath their feet, the small coffee table with the obligatory glasses of water that sat on top, him. He looked the same, and her heart moved double-time in her chest. Rao, she didnāt want this.
But she kept her gaze firm, and she refused to back down. Heād told her to embrace her anger, and she was learning. She found a polite smile for the sake of manners, and the camera crew around them. āMr. Lehnsherr. Shall we get right to it?ā
The less time she spent with him, the better. She gave a nod to the cameraman, keeping Erik in her periphery as she watched him count down. āWelcome, ladies and gentleman, to another Daily Planet exclusive. Today weāll be talking with Erik Lehnsherr about his recent acquisition of Genosha. He has been a vocal proponent of mutant rights for years; a war that only last week ended in a showdown with government authorities. Mr. Lehnsherr, thank you for coming in today.ā
ERIK: The cast of her eyes made something between his still-sore ribs and his stomach twist itself into knots. She glanced around the studio, eyes cutting back to him every few moments, and Erik knew intimately that particular sort of wariness. The importance of keeping eyes on a threat without making eye contact and risking the response to that. He could feel the way her heartbeat sped up in her chest, even behind the carefully maintained mask of neutral interest.
She had almost killed him. Could, still, if it came to it. And yet she was afraid. Furious, too, since the heat in her eyes was only just banked, but he knew the signs of fear nevertheless. (She was looking at him like heād once looked at Schmidt, and he wasnātā¦ he wasnāt like that. Was he?)
Erik looked away for a moment, shoved whatever that was squarely back into its box. Now was not the time. (Never was preferable.) Focus on Genosha. Only Genosha. Not Kara, not Raven, and definitely not Schmidt.
And then the cameraman was counting down, and Erik plastered back on a cool smile, watching the camera light flick from red to green. Compartmentalization. He settled back in his seat, demeanour shifting into the suave steadiness Kara had become acquainted with in the Before. āItās my pleasure, Ms. Danvers. The world has changed very quickly, in the last few weeks, for everyone, and Iām honored to help provide what I can of clarity and perspective.ā
KARA: āIām sure our viewers would love some of both.ā Karaās fingers ran over her edges of her notebook. He looked as comfortable in the hot seat as he had in that alley, with a cigarette held loose in his fingers and fire dancing in his eyes. She had to remind herself this was a job, just a job.
She loved what she did, truly. Journalism hadnāt only been about following in Clarkās footsteps, it had been about sharing the truth. Her own planet had died, and everyone she knew along with it, because her parents had kept the truth to themselves. She wondered what truth she was trying to expose here. Genosha wasnāt only for Erik. It was for Scott, for Jean and Gabby and Lorna. Twisting it for them wouldnāt actually help.
Her own feelings didnāt matter, and she tamped them down as best she could. Even when her skin crawled, even when her heart hammered out of her chest.
āLetās start with your vision for Genosha. Itās obviously new, and will have much growing to do. Tell us about it now, and where do you see it going in the future?ā
ERIK: The mention of Genosha made the smile a bit easier, a bit more genuine. He was proud of what theyād accomplished, proud to be able to talk about it.
āMy vision is, and always has been, a place where mutantkind can be safe from the oppression weāve faced for so long in human societies. I lived in Israel for some time, many decades ago, and I quite took to the idea of creating a space where a people that had been roundly oppressed on a global basis could live freely in close community with their own kin. Thatās why we offered mutants, and by-birth metahumans, automatic citizenship eligibility. And the island is coming along well, so far. We have a diverse set of mutants on the island who are willing and able to help shape our peoplesā new homeland. There are teams dedicated to terraforming the island and fostering fauna growth, teams dedicated to construction, and then, of course, the Council, led by myself, that will be shaping our national policies. Weāve been able to swiftly secure resources and funding for business growth. In the meantime, transportation between New York City and Genosha is easyāall thatās required is a security check at the border.ā
KARA: It had always been hard to argue with Erik. His history had more than earned him the right to his anger, and his love for his people shone through in every word he said. She thought of Jason, and blacks and whites, and all those grey areas in between. What happened to her felt so black and white, wrong, but Erik saw more shades of grey than she did.
Her hands skimmed over her notebook, a movement she worked hard to quell, and her eyes never left Erik. āAn admirable vision.ā More than a vision, a reality literally growing not too far from where they sat. There was a notable enough pause between one question and the next that her cameraman poked his head around his screen. A question burned on the tip of her tongue, and she swallowed it back. āWhat would you say to mutants or metahumans who want somewhere safe, but who were possiblyā¦spooked by the violence it took to create it?ā
ERIK: A long silence settled between them, in the wake of her noncommittal response, and Erik didnāt falter in demeanor even as the cameramen and producers exchanged confused glances. Silence had a tendency to reveal truthsāand there one was, plain as day in the question. Plain to the two of them, anyways.
āMany of us grew up surrounded by violenceāif not from the beginning, then certainly from when our powers became clear. Whether it was experimentation, harassment, familial abuse, workplace discrimination, or something else, every single one of us has stories they can tell. And I am sorry that more violence was necessary to break us free. But we tried warnings, we tried negotiations. It is my honest opinion that we went above and beyond our obligations to try for peaceful resolution before the seige, even after they murdered a mutant hero in the middle of Central Park. The X-Men spent years trying to protect humans from threats, even at their own peril. Professor Xavier was happy to welcome students into his home whose families were either unwilling or unable to house their mutant children. We wrote op-eds, we made speeches, we penned explicit warnings that war would come if we werenāt brought to the table to help smooth things out. Instead, humans only raised the stakes.ā There was only a hint of anger in his tone, most of it stubbornly crushed under the facade of careful diplomacy. Most, but not all.
āSome of the methods necessary to our win were unfortunate, Iāll freely admit. But it got people to listen, finally. And now we have our own place, where we are building the peaceful society weāve never had the chance to live in for ourselves. I want the mutants and metahumans who watched their TV screens for that long weekend to know that I didnāt build Genosha as a victory pyre. It is not meant to be a symbol of constant war. It is meant to be for all my people what I always wanted myselfāa *home. A safe haven. Nothing more or less.ā
KARA: A safe haven. Kara let herself smile, despite the way her heart still hammered against her chest, how she had to remind herself to sit still. It was the message sheād wanted to get out, after all. The only thing that had pulled her out of the moment of shock following Snapperās given assignment was the thought of ensuring the message of hope that was Genosha itself would get out.
That Erik somehow answered her unspoken question in the process of answering her actual question was unimportant.
(It still curled tightly in her chest, settled heavy on her shoulders. She still had to swallow against the nauseous feeling of it in her throat.)
The room seemed to shift around them, the tension rising in the wake of the small strain of anger in his voice. Kara remained steadfast in the center, āYou built peace at the end of a war youāve been fighting a lot longer than just one weekend. And it is peace, for any mutant or metahuman who wishes to enter.ā Alien was notably absent. The tension in the room told Kara it wasnāt the time or the place to point that out. This was about Genosha. āFor anyone looking to enter, what do you think day-to-day life will be like for citizens of Genosha? What can they expect in the ways of laws, economy, relations and movement between other countries?ā
ERIK: The next question was expected, wasnāt a surprise, but his heartbeat ticked up in speed once, twice, thrice before he took control to slow it down, gaze and steady smile still aimed at Kara before he turned to the camera.
āIn some ways, Genosha wonāt be all that different from what our citizens are used to elsewhere. We have the same basic laws meant to keep the peace. Weāre building small businesses, infrastructure, greenhouses for food supplyāexactly what youād expect to find in any community. Obviously, given the nature of our citizenry, we intend to have a large space in society for the use of powers and abilities. No mutant needs to be afraid to use their abilities on Genoshaāif you need help learning to use them, Xavierās Institute has been the golden standard of that sort of education for years. People will find their place in our society where their interests and skills meet, and that is on particular display in the High Council, whose names and positions I do believe I sent over. Warren Worthington is in charge of our Ministry of Commerce due to his expertise in business. Jean Grey is heading up our Ministry of Health and overseeing the construction of our healthcare system due to her medical experience. Charles Xavier is responsible for our Ministry of Education, for obvious reasons. Iāve taken great care to select an experienced and trustworthy Council to guide the direction of our growing country, and they in turn are excellent at scouting talent to best fulfill their own responsibilities.ā
And now to relations. The truth wasnāt something even those close to him knew, yet, but he knew the story that needed to be told. The one the world needed to hear so they wouldnāt decide Genosha was too much a threat, after all. āAs for diplomatic relationships, building and maintaining good relationships with other nations is of paramount importance. We want to serve not only as a safe haven, but as an advocate for our people abroad, improving conditions for mutants and metahumans who may not wish to relocate. As I mentioned before, movement into and out of Genosha currently requires only a security check at the border. Weāre working on the creation of passports and visas, so itās possible that the border may tighten in the future, but such is the case for any country. Border security varies based on the political landscapeāand weāre making a good-faith effort to be far more open than I think most new countries would be in such close proximity to one with which they recently finished a war. I want to extend my thanks to the U.S. State Department for their willingness to work on forging a positive working relationship between our nations despite the obvious rocky history.ā
KARA: His heart ticked up, and Kara zeroed in on it. She watched the expressions play across his face, his smile steady but the moment between the question and his answer notable. Her fingers danced across her notebook, and she wanted to push. It was half her job, wasnāt it? Get answers. But there was a stark difference between sitting across the table from someone demanding answers for an article in print, and sitting in front of a myriad of cameras.
āThat brings us to the actual layout of your government. Are you looking at a democracy, wherein officials are elected after the initial establishing of the country is done; a constitutional monarchy?ā Her lips ticked up, imagining Jean with a crown. But that would mean Erik falling into a soft life somewhere, finally at peace. The race of his heart and the anger flashing through his eyes before sheād flown away from Genosha told Kara peace was still so far away for Erik Lehnsherr.
ERIK: He could see the questions burning on her tongue by the way her fingers curled around the pen and skirted across the page, as if she were mentally imagining it filling with all the answers she wanted to demand.
But she was not alone with him, for better or for worse, the both of them were on camera, and there were lines, professional and personal, that she wouldnāt cross. Not here.
āCertainly, thatās along the lines of my vision for what lies further down the line. I believe that people deserve a right to be represented by their governmentāsomething which was decidedly not the case for mutants in America, before the recent restructuring of the Accords. Thatās one of the primary reasons I established the Council; of course, I could hardly be expected to do all the work on my own, but large decisions for our country are meant to be discussed by myself and relevant Council membersāor for the most important decisions, amongst the entire Council. I can understand that from the outside it might look like simply delegating tasks, but my Council is meant to lay the groundwork for a deliberative body that makes decisions for our people. For purposes of ease, in these early days, I have the final say as of now, but I chose people that I trust to be honest with me, not simply tell me what I want to hear. Iām confident that the decisions we make moving forward will be whatās best for all of our people. But in short, yes: I intend for our country to eventually shift officially to a constitutional monarchy. Eventually, my hope is to abolish the monarchy entirely, but that would obviously be quite a ways in the future.ā
KARA: So Jean could end up in a crown. The thought was oddly comforting, even while her heart continued to race. She wanted to do Genosha justice, ensure any mutants wishing to find peace knew there was a place for them. There were viewers who wanted to know everything, and Kara just wanted to be home. She wanted to be somewhere she couldnāt hear his heartbeat.
Her eyes dropped to her notebook, where most of the questions had already been asked. āOf course, of course, yeah. One more question, Mr. Lehnsherr, and weāll let you get back to what Iām sure is an incredibly busy job building an entirely new country. And again, thank you for taking the time to talk with us today. It means a lot, not only to The Planet, but to so many who are looking at Genosha with so many questions, and even hope.ā
She wanted to ask him to promise against violence in the future. She wanted to ask him if had any regrets. She wanted to ask him selfish things she already knew the answer to. She swallowed them down. āIf you close your eyes and you imagine Genosha five, ten, fifteen years in the future, what does daily life look like, the culture, theā¦food, the smells? Is religion engrained in the culture? What does it look like when Genosha goes from an upstart to a home?ā
ERIK: She was sitting there asking him what the future looked like, and Erik had to bite the inside of his cheek to refrain from laughing. That was the question, isnāt it? Erik had spent his whole life fighting for a better future, but in all honesty? Heād never expected to live to see it. Heād long ago resigned himself to the idea that this fight would kill himāthat he could open the door for others, but wouldnāt make it to the other side.
But here he was, now, and he didnāt know what to do with himself. He could never concede thatānot to his family, not to his people, and certainly not to his enemies. He was pushing through, helping construct this new world step by step, but the final vision was still shrouded in clouds on the horizon.
( He should be dead, shouldāve been in Ravenās placeā )
Erik smiled at the camera and pretended that heād ever had the optimism to sustain a dream. Pretended that the dreams heād once had hadnāt been squashed by the people watching this broadcast, all the little humans snuggled up under their blankets at home, again and again and again. Pretended that his dreams hadnāt been massacred in Auschwitz, and burned in Vinnitsa, and killed again by a bullet in Cuba and another in Central Park a decade later.
āGenosha is open to all mutants and metahumans, from all over the world. Every one of them will bring different traditions with them, a different piece of fabric in the quilt. As we grow together, new traditions should spring up, native to Genosha, to our species.ā They needed to move away from human traditions. Away from humans.
āI see children who can claim a homeland rather than a host, able to play safely in our communities and learn their powers while surrounded by people who can provide the guidance they need. Genosha will be built on community for our people, not competitionāall of us working for collective benefit instead of individual wins at the expense of our kin. I see my people using their gifts freely, creating new advances that will change the world. I want a city centre that showcases the best we have to offerārestaurants filling the air with the smells of their food, boutiques of creative wares, monuments commemorating our best and brightest, a government that works efficiently to meet the peopleās needs as thy arise instead of being bogged down in political disagreements.ā
Erik sat forward, eyes shining with earnestness. āMost importantly, I want every single resident to feel the words Iāve been pushing for years: mutant and proud. Or metahuman and proud, as the case may be,ā he tacked on with a chuckle. āRegardless, I want my people to embrace their true nature, their true power. Perhaps some would paint that as a religion: I wouldnāt go that far. I am a Jewish mutant, and I am proud of it. At last our people have their freedom. And if I do my job right, we will never be afraid again.ā
KARA: A small silence followed the answer. The cameras took a moment to focus on his face, and Kara tried to parse through everything heād said. She wanted it for them. For Scott, Jean, Gabby, Lorna. A place to be happy and themselves, to grow and thrive. Again, alien was notably absent, but she pushed it aside.
This was the end, a goodbye, hopefully without the āsee you later.ā
āThat soundsā¦wonderful. Thank you again, Mr. Lehnsherr. Iām sure you have much to do. And thank you, viewers, for joining us tonight. This has been a Daily Planet special.ā
The red lights on the camera ticked off one by one, and Kara was out of her seat in an instant, almost suspiciously fast. She gave a polite āthank youā and a smile, and offered her hand to shake because thatās what good reporters did. Thatās what the camera crew expected of her. She made it out of the room, down the stairs, into the alley before the rolling in her stomach caught up with her and she bent over the studio dumpster.
Headline: A former professor of biochemistry and cellular biology at Culver University, Dr. ElizabethĀ āBettyā Ross, is no stranger to high-pressure and complex problems. In recent years she made waves as a staunch political advocate for enhanced individuals, standing against her own father ā Colonel Thaddeus Ross, the head of the Panel. But daughter has far surpassed her parentage when she stepped forward during our cityās darkest hour. Her proposals have led to a peaceful resolution of the Siege of New York, and for a moreĀ āhands offā approach to enhanced individuals. Provisions have been approved for Mutantkind, including the formation of the self-governed isle of Genosha, and a more thorough ratification of the Sokovia Accords and Accountability Process have been been created in development with focus groups. Many are hailing Dr. Ross herself as a hero, not only for ending the Siege, but for finding a compromise between freedom and accountability.Ā Read more about Dr. Betty Ross inside!Ā
Page 3: Utilizing their powers, Mutants have formed their own landmass. Genosha, named by their leader, will be self-governed, and considered a safe haven for Mutantkind, metahumans, and other enhanced individuals whoās powers originate from their genetics. The newly created island sits in the bay, between our city and Gotham. Homes and businesses are rapidly being built by the inhabitants. Impressive as it is, it does raise several questions. Anti-Mutant sentiment still runs high within New York, and a growing number of people have also raised questions about extra-terrestrials. However, for now, there is peace, and on the island of Genosha, a chance for prosperity.Ā Ā Read more on page 3!
Page 6: Ā The newly re-defined Accords have shaken the superhero landscape, redistributing power from one organization and spreading it out amongst several teams. The Panel now operates as a supervisory organization, much like a police Ombudsman. They will supervise and coordinate the movement of teams, but do not dictate where or when superheroes step in. The public is assured that the Panel will investigate large-scale events should they occur, but largely, individual teams are responsible for their members. Superpowered Individuals may also register as an Independent, and will be allowed to operate with much less intensive oversight but still retain protection and supervision from the Panel as needed. In the wake of this, The Avengers have re-formed, and other teams such as the Fantastic Four and Agents of SHIELD have re-solidified. There are rumors that the Justice League will also register under the new laws, but this is as of yet, unconfirmed.Ā
The Sentinel Program has been discontinued indefinitely, and certain groups have been given diplomatic immunity, including: Wakandans, Themyscrians, Genoshians, and Atlantians. These groups will be responsible for investigating any incidents involving their citizens. As a show of good faith, the Sentinel technology has been given to Genoshaās leaders, so they might use it to trace Mutants and metas and offer them a place in their new home. The new Panel will be elected to their posts, led by Dr. Betty Ross in the interim, and will aim to work with superhero teams rather than control them completely. Bounties have been discarded, and certain crimes committed under the previous Accords have been expunged. However, vigilantes will still be dealt with by local police forces. One hopes that this will usher in a new era, but many questions remain as we face a new beginning.Ā Read more on page 6!
Headline: New York City is frozen in fear once more this weekend. But thereās no evil witch this time, and no heroes to save us from her. In fact, it is the superpowered who hold the fate of the city in their hands now. An army, led by Magneto and made up of other prominent Mutants, have stormed the United Nations building here in the city. Theyāve attacked and taken control of Stark Tower. Theyāve destroyed the bridges leading out, so there is no chance of mass evacuation. Perhaps the rich can rely on private jets or helicopters, but even then they fear being shot down from the sky. The entire city is a hostage to a group more powerful than we can possibly imagine. It was at the U.N. that Magneto made his demands, the specifics of which are detailed on page 3. Stark Tower would have been one of the more central places to launch a counter-attack from, or at least assume a defensive position. But that possibility crumbled with barely a fight. (What does that say about Stark himself? We have been unable to reach him for comment.) I myself have championed Mutant rights in the past, but these events are not about equality. They are about fear and domination. And readers... I am afraid. I am afraid of what this means for humans and Mutants alike.Ā
The Bugle will continue to give regular updates on this story as it unfolds.Ā Ā Ā Read all that we have so far inside, including eye-witness accounts of the events.Ā
Page 3: Ā The Daily Bugle has managed to get an inside source on the events that happened, including a list of the demands Magneto made! The Mutant and his army donāt just want an end to registration, they donāt just want Sentinels off the streets ātheyāre demanding a country of their own. To be ruled by no one but themselves. No word yet on whether this will mean taking homes away from innocent civilians, or who will be forced to pay the price if the world governments will authorize such an annexation!Ā Ā Read and judge for yourself on page 3!
Page 6: Magnetoās coup, is both proof and culmination of the fears many people have held about superheroes. It is the crux of registration, the reason for the Accordsā existence. And yet now, there are rumors that registration will come to an endĀ ā or at least face some very big changes. Some fear that superheroes will be allowed to simply take over, effectively ruling by sheer power. Even a just king is still a tyrant if his powers are unchecked! But the Bugle also wants to explore what positive changes might be made to the Accords, and how we might all move forward after this very, very long weekend.Ā Ā Read more speculation and theories inside on page 6!
Page 3: Our Editor-In-Chief, J. Jonah Jameson recently suffered a stress-induced cardiac event. As heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, we thought we would take this opportunity to educate our readers on how to protect their cardiac health! Lifestyle changes, including good nutrition, quitting smoking, and regular exercise are only the beginning. Read more on page 3 about how to reduce stress, limit alcohol, and manage weight in order to live a heart-healthy life!Ā
Page 6: June is traditionally the most popular month to marry, and that remains true even to this day! The tradition is rooted in Greek and Celtic cultures. The Gerco-Roman goddess Juno, for whom the month is named, is the patron of matrimony and childbearing. In the Celtic Calendar, the Day of Beltane (May 1st) is the day when young couples would pair off to court for three months. Their weddings wouldāve been on Lammas Day, August 1st, but impatient and love-struck youths shortened the waiting time to mid-June, and the tradition has stuck! The beautiful color palettes and fantastic summer wedding are sure to make for a memorable and joyous wedding. Congratulations to all the couples who have been married so far in this beautiful month! Read more about the history of June weddings, and other matrimony traditions on page 6!Ā
Headline: After a short rest in which I recovered from my health issues, I have returned to speak on the recent events that have shaken our city to itās core. But JJJ, you might be saying -- Donāt you hate the Spider-Man? Isnāt this what youāve been asking for all this time? No, dear readers. The unwilling unmasking, the pervasive violation of privacy this young man suffered, is not what I wanted.Ā
I have deliberately chosen to use an artistās rendition of Spider-Man for this Bugleās front page. I do not condone those who have shared the photos of his face on social media, and I have ordered all my staff to dispose of any such pictures sent to our publication. I have been a staunch defender of the Accords and Registration. I believe that every citizen has a right to feel safe in their homes, and the right to know who is protecting us. But I have always hoped for the process to be voluntary. To rip someoneās mask away, particularly a young man only on the cusp of adulthood, is despicable. We as a city have failed Spider-Man in sharing those photos, and the Bugle will not be party to that.Ā
I have been critical of Spider-Man, and indeed, all heroes who choose to remain above accountability. I believe a real hero faces their mistakes and takes responsibility when they have harmed the citizens they claim to protect. I question those who think the rules do not apply to them, and I question them harshly in order to exact answers. I stand by what I have written in response to the Accords. I believe our heroes should not be allowed to act without impunity, but I believe this about all who serve the common good. Law enforcement, the justice system, emergency responders -- all must abide by common ethics and accountability. Enhanced individuals carry a far greater burden because their abilities can carry far greater consequences.Ā
But it is time to take responsibility for the mistakes I have made. My own ward, Mattie Franklin, was a vigilante. She was far too young to be involved in matters like this, but she bravely gave her life to stand for her ideals. It is Mattieās death that has made me wary of allowing young people to idolize superheroes to the point of imitation. Unquestioned hero-worship, even of actual heroes, is a recipe for tragedy. I know this intimately.
Spider-Man too, as we know now, was also very young when he became a superhero. Perhaps he felt he had no choice. And that is a consequence of living in a world where superheroism is a secret, elite club. Until recent years, no one has questioned who should take on the mantle of heroism, powered or not. There has been no infrastructure, no training offered to young people who find themselves with intense abilities. And where there is leadership, in the case of the Avengers, the Justice League, and the mutant Institute, there is no oversight questioning the morals of those who look at gifted children and encourage them to risk their lives fighting dangerous battles.Ā
Do we blame young people for having stars in their eyes when they look at the likes of Iron Man, Professor X, or Batman? I do not. But do I question the ethics of grown men and women who allow young people to fight by their side when facing world-ending events? Of course I do. Anyone who has ever been a parent, who has ever loved and cared for a child and dreamed of watching them grow into their potential, would do the same. Perhaps these older superheroes care for their younger counterparts. I do not deny that. I merely question the way they have shown it.Ā
Contrary to what some might believe, I do not want an end to superheroes. That is a genie that cannot be put back into the bottle. But after decades of ruined cities, civilian casualties, loss of business, property, and childrenās livesĀ -- losses after which superheroes returned home without accountability -- it is not unfair to ask for change.Ā
This, however, was not the change I wanted. Nor the change I would expect from any reasonable person. Would I have acted differently, if I had known Spider-Man was just a teenager when he began his career? No. I have long suspected that he was young and impressionable. Why then, were my headlines so harsh? It was an attempt, perhaps misguided, to reach this young man. To impress on upon the consequences of playing with fire. To make him realize that there are lives at stake, including his own. Spider-Man has a family who cares for him. That he signed the Accords and chose to remain anonymous is proof of that.Ā
He may call us sensational, and he is welcome to take issue with how we have reported about the Accords and superheroes. None of us is infallible, nor should we expect anyone to be. But he cannot claim we, or at least I, have never considered who may be under that mask. It is a question that has haunted me for years, and not because I wanted toĀ āgetā Spider-Man. I wanted to save him, before he caused tragedy or became a tragedy himself.Ā
Nevertheless, his words are powerful, and we will be sharing them with you now. We ask all of you to read them carefully, and to remember who this young man is, and all he has done for us. We encourage anyone who has shared his revealing photos to take them down and dispose of them. This young man has protected our city. He has protected us and our loved ones. Now we will protect him and his loved ones. Good luck, Spider-Man.
A Letter to the Editor in Response to Spider-Man & Superhero Unmaskings
byĀ Peter Parker
Iām writing in response to recent events. Not the big, world-ending ones, not the horrible wave of fear that swept the city a few weeks ago (But maybe we should be talking about that more? That was big. Jameson, do your job.). Something smaller and closer to home.Ā
Spider-Man has an identity, and youāve all seen his faceāsurprise! Sorry heās not better looking! This wasnāt how you were supposed to find out. I know it looks kind of trivial by comparison, but itās important to me.
My name is Peter Parker, and Iāve been Spider-Man since I was fifteen years old. Judging by the number ofĀ āthere are new people checking out your LinkedIn profile!ā emails Iāve gotten, most of you have figured it out. Iām a New Yorker, like you, Queens born and raised. I recently started a job at a major tech company (I donāt need to spell it out, you know the one). For eight and a half years, I was a freelance news photographer for theĀ Bugle.Ā Despite being their best guy on the Spider-Man beat, for reasons that are probably now pretty obvious, I was never once offered a staff position. IĀ couldĀ write a thinkpiece on theĀ BugleāsĀ systemic exploitation of desperate, cash-strapped minors, and maybe I will, but thatās not the point of this letter.
I didnāt want people to find out like this. I didnāt want them to find out at all. Iāve closely guarded my identity for years; before this, only a very, very few close friends and family knew the truth, for safety. Hereās a thought exercise: You moonlight as an animal-themed vigilante in primary-colored Spandex (I know itās specific, bear with me here), and you amass a good number of enemies, this newspaper included. They only know you by your mask, by your carefully tailored public persona. They call you a threat, a menace, a nuisance, a sellout. They want to see something bad happen to you. I learned a long time ago that the best way to hurt someone is to go after their loved ones, but if they donāt know the name on your birth certificate, your address, they donāt know who your loved ones are.Ā
Does it sound dumb and cliche to say āIām just a normal guyā? Yeah, it super does, and Iām not, I know that. I havenāt beenĀ normalĀ since high school, when a deeply weird field trip completely upended the course of my life. But Iām still human, Iām still trying. Yes, my current employer knew who I was when they hired me, and, no, it wasnāt contingent on Spider-Manās signature on the Accords. I never set out to be the poster boy for Registration. I never set out to be a hero. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, I got handed a set of superpowers, and the only responsible thing to do was to try to make the world a better place. (Itās calledĀ tikkun olam. Look it up.) I canāt defend all of my actions, and I live with the consequences of them every day, but Iāve only done what I thought at the time was right.
For years, I knowingly fed into theĀ BugleāsĀ narrative of my own villainy, my own violence, my own recklessness. Every day, another headline, another picture I had willingly taken for criminally low pay. Over the years, Iāve developed a weird sort of respect for Jameson. Heās committed to his beliefs, Iāll give him that. Not every criticism was unwarranted, I know that. For years, I was an honest-to-god vigilante. Iāve flouted laws, Iāve caused dizzying amounts of property damage in the name of heroism. I deserve to be held responsible for my actions, and Iāve been trying. Thatās why I signed the Accords. Thatās why I left theĀ Bugle.Ā I would like to implore theĀ BugleĀ to stop this irresonsible reporting and sensationalism of enhanced individuals. This is senseless rage-baiting, stoking the flames of an already precarious situation. Weāre not all the good guys, but weāre trying. In the future, letās use facts to shape our opinions, not the other way around.Ā
And letās stop exploiting us, while weāre at it. I did voluntarily sell my own photography to theĀ Daily Bugle,Ā but I did not consent to recent images of myself that have begun circulating. I am not a minor anymore, they are compromising but not indecent, and I have no actual grounds to stop them. But I was a minor when I started thisāwould you have done the same thing to me then? Would you have ripped open a teenage boyās life and laid it bare for the world to see?Ā I feel violated, I have been stripped of agency, but Iām an adult. Iāll pull through. Five years ago? Eight? Maybe not so much. Maybe the next time you want to pull something like this, whether itās for personal enjoyment or political gain, donāt. Maybe think about the person underneath the mask.Ā
Like most of you, I have people I love; it wasnāt my safety I cared about, it was theirs. Iāve already lost too many of them. Iām sure you know who they are by now, but I promise you, if you go after them, Iāll go after you.Ā
You think youāve seen what Iām capable of; you donāt know the half of it.
According to Meriam-Websters,Ā āheroicsā is defined as āexhibiting or marked by courage or daring.ā A Daily Planet poll revealed most people associate the wordĀ āheroā with capes, and the superhero names that are found in many headlines, both positive and negative. The poll, however, recognized not only those who wear capes and have otherworldly powers, but those who work in hospitals, and patrol the streets; janitors, veterinarians, waste management workers. Each, and many more, display many defining characteristics of a hero.
The Daily Planetās Heroes series sat down with a hero who shows that heroics donāt always come in the shapes most would expect, but can rather be many shapes all at once. She introduced herself as Gretchen, but was quick to point out names can be as amorphous as the topic of this series. She proclaimed herself a spy, and her first act of bravery of the interview was choosing a Hogwarts house.Ā āAre you allowing mixes or do I just have to pick one house? Hogwarts houses are deeply personal, okay?ā
She oscillated between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff for a while before settling on Hufflepuff, making loyalty the first mark of a hero; though, she made a point to mention bravery is inherent in everything she does. Just this once, the Planet allows for a mix: Gryffinpuff.
An American born in the state of Virginia, Gretchen grew up on AC/DC, and has spent her life working for the paycheck that keeps her comfortably situated in New York City. She enjoys chocolate chip cookies soft, not crispy, and spends what little free time she hasĀ ābullying [her] boyfriend.ā Which here brings us to her second heroic act: motherhood. She smiles around the name of her daughter, and speaks with fond annoyance of how she likes to feed her hair to their goats.
She fits the definition of heroics in every way: self-sacrifice for the accomplishment of greater goods, acts of bravery in the face of overwhelming odds. She speaks of her life as a series of adventures, not all of them expected, most of them on the cusp of danger, if not directly in the middle of it. Her aunt told herĀ āsometimes you wonāt know what youāre working with until youāre in the momentā¦ so you have to improvise.ā
But this weekās article turns not only to heroes in the shape of facing one danger after another, but also in the shape of making lifeās small but difficult decisions. Gretchen told The Planet of the chaos of life as a spy, and how choices are often made for her: names, missions, how sheāll be risking her life next. She also told us about the choices sheās made, such as her boyfriend, her family, and those she chooses with whom to surround herself, and to love.
She speaks of her family with the same fondness with which she speaks of her daughter. Her third heroic act of the interview was honesty.Ā āYou want to know one thing about me and I canāt even give you thatāā
Then she speaks of the people in her life. As a spy working under a government agency, with a life defined by constant change, she takes a moment to tell the Planet about the constants in her life. She wears the many masks of a hero, yet wishes to be defined not by the numerous acts of bravery, but by the people she loves and who love her in return.
Heroics is defined asĀ āexhibiting or marked by courage or daring.ā Those acts of courage or daring take many shapes, and many sizes. They are not defined by a cape, a nationality, or a genetic make-up. The definition is left up to the interpreter. Whether your hero is the woman who picks up the trash on the curb every Thursday, or hugged you in a crowded emergency room; whether they are a cape streaking across the sky giving you hope when you need it most, or someone who has worn every mask and seen every horror yet still chooses to love, they wear the mantle of āHeroā just as well.
letter to the editor slid through jameson's office window at like 4 am: hey JJ thanks for paying my bills for the past decade it's been a ride xoxo your friendly neighborhood spider-man
Headline: After yet another Incident where a superhuman could not be contained properly, and thousands across the city suffered as a result, Secretary Rossā has lost his jurisdiction. Accountability in action, folks! Heās been replaced by The World Security Council, an organization we will cover in a separate article. The headline today is about the Sentinel Program. The Sentinels, as some readers may recall, have been in operation since the 1970s. This paper and others have voiced some concerns about their use, specifically with their singular focus onto mutants. However, these new Sentinels have been improved upon. They do not rely on invasive DNA tracking, but instead detect powers that are being used. They will be patrolling the city not to round up every superhuman, but to apprehend those who are not registered and continue to use dangerous, sometimes life-threatening powers and abilities. All assurances are being made that Sentinels will operate using minimal force required to apprehend and contain any threats they detect. Their operation will be overseen by the WSC, though their day-to-day processes are largely automated. Read more about the science and the practical uses of the Sentinels inside!Ā
Page 3: Secretary Ross is out, and the World Security Council is in! Very little was known about this organization until recently, much of their activities coming to light after Natasha Romanoff declassified and blew the whistle on all of S.H.I.E.LD. However, while this council oversaw S.H.I.E.L.D., they are a separate entity. And the public can be assured that the members involved in the unfortunate decision to launch a nuclear device at Manhattan have all been replaced. The WSC now lies in the perfect position to oversee and regulate superhuman activity. Formed of politicians from several major countries, they have both leadership and a global perspective. The organization was involved with the original selection of the Avengers, and thus has criteria in place for determining the threat-levels of superhuman activity, and the protocols in place to address how best to handle it. We at the Bugle fully support the WSC, and look forward to seeing how they will lead us into the future. Read more on page 3 about the history of the WSC, as well as speculations by leading experts as to what this will mean for the Accords and Registration.Ā
Page 6: In the wake of the Enchantressā spell, property destruction was rampant. Though certainly not the greatest concern at the time, now that the effects of fear have faded, new anxieties have sprung up to take their place. Businesses across the city fell victim to looting, vandalism, and attacks that may or may not have even been intentional. Nevertheless, weāve received dozens of reports of businesses in hot water after the event, and some small business owners are even shutting down for good. Family favorite cornerstores and food carts -- just another price to pay in the world of superhumans.Ā
We at the Daily Bugle understand that not everyone will agree with every article we write. That is why we encourage feedback from all our readers, and why we have often posted and replied to Letters To Our Editor. We encourage everyone to speak their mind and exercise their First Amendment Rights to the fullest.Ā
That being said, there is a difference between constructive criticism, civil disagreement, and harassment. Notes such as this one fall distinctly into the latter category. Rather than wax poetic on the dangers of jeopardizing a manās career and livelihood, we at the Daily Bugle would like to take this moment to speak a little bit about our Editor-In-Chief.Ā
John Jonah Jameson II was raised by his mother Betty Jameson and his stepfather/uncle David Jameson. David was an officer of the United States Army and a decorated war hero, however at home his temper was volatile. He regularly abused his wife and step-son, and it was these actions that first opened JJJās eyes to the fact thatĀ āNo oneās a hero every day of the week,ā andĀ āEven the real heroes canāt keep it up all the time.ā Nevertheless, JJJ pursued noble interests and persevered, becoming a Boy Scout and joining the boxing and photography clubs in his local high school. He fought back against bullies, and one altercation involved three other men ganging up on him. JJJ managed to fight them back, and impressed the future Mrs. Joan Jameson. The two were wed shortly finishing school.Ā
While still in high school, he began his journalistic career as a part-time reporter for the Daily Bugle. He attempted to continue his pursuits in college, but was unjustly rejected from his college newspaper because of a rivalry with the editor. However, with money obtained from personal assets and large inheritance, he was able to purchase the Daily Bugle many years later, rescuing this publication from a financial fallout. He revitalized the Bugle with his sense of direction and strong leadership, and despite what detractors may say, his top priority has always been an relentless, fearless pursuit of truth.Ā
J. Jonah Jameson is outspoken. He is unafraid to speak his mind, as we all should be. For decades, Jameson has used his newspaper to crusade in support of civil rights for minority groups and against organized crime. His latter efforts have led to several attacks, including once nearly being killed on the orders of the infamous Kingpin of Crime. His brush with death, however, did not deter him from continuing to publish attacks and exposes of organized crime.
He was a devoted husband to Joan, and the two of them welcomed a son into the world, John Jonah Jameson III. John was one of the youngest applicants ever to be accepted into NASAās astronaut program and he is a distinguished member to this day.Ā
It is his love of family that led to Jamesonās outspoken criticism of superpowered individuals. His wife was killed in an altercation with a masked vigilante, the case remaining open and unsolved to this day. As for his son, Johnās first mission into space was nearly derailed by a mechanical malfunction. A masked hero managed to reattach the Forward Guidance Package back to the craft, and John was miraculously able to regain control of the vessel. However, Johnās accomplishment was all but forgotten in the face of the shiny newĀ āsuperhero.ā This event led to Jameonās first editorial denouncement of superheros. He was grateful that his sonās life had been saved, but appalled that the general public so easily forgets the real heroes in these stories. People like John, who do not wear masks and do not have superhuman abilities, but still risk their lives for the betterment of all mankind.Ā
Since then, Jameson has increasingly spoken out against the glorification of superheroes. He tries to call attention back to our first responders, our police force, our EMTs and doctors, our astronauts and military service-members. The ones so easily forgotten because they cannot shoot lasers or fly into the sun. Glorifying the superhumans of the world leaves us susceptible to overlooking their flaws and mistakes, and Jameson is more than aware of the dangers of such literal hero-worship. He has pointed out time and time again that attacks on this city and around the world happen because of the presence of these superheroes. Would Loki have targeted our city, if not for the Avengers? Would Sokovia have fallen, if not for the hubris of Stark and Banner creating Ultron in the first place? Would Gotham be in the state is in now, if not for the multitude of villains with a personal vendetta against one masked man?
Jameson has never said that these questions would be easy, but they are of the utmost importance to ask and answer. He has published editorials calling into question the moral and ethical concerns of involving children in these superhuman fights. Yes, many of these young people have powers, but is it fair to ask them to take the entire world upon their shoulders? And is it fair, for the rest of us in this city, to constantly be caught in the battles between those who have powers that can devastate entire city blocks?Ā
To be clear, Jameson has never once called for the extermination of superhuman people. He has even championed Mutant-rights, in accordance with his principles of civil rights. However, he has always maintained that practical measures must be taken. Should Charles Xavier be allowed to carte blanche to create his own superpowered army, in the guise of a school for runaway youngsters? Should the Avengers and the Justice League be allowed to proceed with zero oversight from the people they claim theyāre sworn to protect? Jameson says no -- and so should you.Ā
Regulation and oversight are not unreasonable measures to take. If superhumans are held to a higher standard of behavior, it is because the consequences of not doing so have proven to be disastrous. Jameson has experienced this personally, beginning with his stepfather, a man who should have upheld the highest of standards and instead sunk to the lowest of lows. The superheroes we have come to know today are a blessing and a curse, and while they do a great deal of good for our city and the world, they also cause an immense amount of property damage and personal heartbreak. While other publications are too fearful to speak out, and instead want to explain away every devastating mistake these heroes have ever made, Jameson and the Daily Bugle have made it a mission to hold these people accountable. Accountable for the lives lost, the businesses ruined, and the cities terrified of the nextĀ āIncidentā that could happen at any second.
If the superhumans of the world do not like to be held responsible for their deadly mistakes, then perhaps they should be the ones fired.Ā
-- Written by an Intern who would like to remain anonymous at this time
