Earth-1874 All-Star Comics #2

All-Star Comics #2

Fall, 1942

The All Star Squadron had participated in Operation Torch, designed as an Allied invasion of North Africa via amphibious assaults at Casablanca, Oran and Algiers.  It had been a bloody conflict on both sides, but All Star Squadron had made it through the fighting intact.  They had supported the British and American troops in battles all along the coast, and the rumors of superheroes on the front lines spread to Axis and Allied forces alike.  Many of the troops had heard of the mystery men that now patrolled their streets back home, but few had ever seen one in the flesh.

For the Axis soldiers, to see a man take a tank shell and remain standing against them was enough to shake their resolve.  Most of the Allied troops were just thankful that these costumed heroes were on their side.  All Star Squadron had the Vichy defenders on the run as the Allies pressed inland.   Their weapons seemed useless against a squadron of men and women who could fly, cast magic, or move with superhuman speed.  As a result, many of the defending soldiers had abandoned their positions at the mere sight of these heroes.  

And so it was that the reputation of All-Star Squadron had begun to grow and spread to friend and foe alike.  The inspiring sight of Captain America’s shield or the Crimson Avenger’s signature red trench coat was enough to bolster morale in a way that few things could.  Many of the allied soldiers who had been fighting in the early stages of the war wished that these superheroes had shown up earlier, but were grateful nonetheless.  For now, heroes and soldiers alike were camped in the port of Algiers, awaiting further orders.

*********************************

Captain America laid the map down on the table that rested in the middle of the dining room.  Allied officers had turned one of the least-destroyed buildings in Algiers into a War Room.  It was here that the missions to push into Tunisia were being planned.  A few kerosene lanterns lit the otherwise barren room.  Most furniture and other goods had been destroyed or looted in the battle.  The chatter of distant gunfire sounded in the distance, but otherwise, things were quiet.

“Orders from the top, lady and gents.  Direct from General Ryder himself.”  He let that sink in for a moment as he regarded the team he had assembled.  Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman stood before him, in full costume as always.  “He wants me to lead a small strike force into the port of Tunis to gather intel and sabotage the emplacements there.  You’re my strike force.”

“Good, I was starting to get bored.” Wonder Woman said with a half-smile.  Out of the entire squadron, she was always the most eager for combat.  Namor came in at a close second, but Steve didn’t entirely trust the ousted Atlantean king to follow orders.  Namor’s temper was outmatched only by his arrogance.  Yes, Wonder Woman was definitely a better choice any potential combat they might run into.

Batman stooped to get a better look at the map.  “This is the central port for all of Tunisia.  I wouldn’t be surprised to find heavily fortified.  It makes sense that they would send a small force before the main strike.  Do you mind, sir?”  He gestured at a pencil on the table.  Steve waved his hand, and Batman immediately began drawing on the map.  “I would expect emplacements here and here, with possible snipers here.  If we enter through this channel, we should be able to sneak through undetected.”  The kid’s mind was a steel trap, and Steve had to admit that he loved watching him in action.

“Great, there’s our entry point settled then.  The defenders should be Vichy troops like those we've encountered so far.  Intel says that, so far, the krauts have left them alone.  We can expect that to change soon, which is why we need to hit Tunisia fast.  We’re heading out in a small patrol boat tomorrow at oh-four-hundred.  The boat is going to drop us a few miles off the coast, and we’ll swim the rest of the way there.  Any questions?”  He looked from the map to his team. “Dismissed.  Get some rest before we leave.”

The team left the room, but Superman lagged behind.  “Something wrong, Kent?” Captain America looked at the boy as he slowly turned to face him.  Superman had quickly lost his taste for adventure and excitement once he saw real war.  It was something that happened to most, if not all the men in time.

“No, sir, nothing’s wrong.  I guess...I guess I’m just not sure why you chose me for this mission.”  Superman’s eyes rose to meet the Captain’s, and Steve could see the uncertainty in them.

“You have incredible abilities, and you’re a natural leader, you just don’t know it yet.  That’s why I chose you.” He paused and crossed the room until he was face to face with Superman. “You may not like what you’re doing over here, and I can’t say I disagree with you, but we’re doing it for the right reasons.  People with our abilities have a responsibility to use those them for the benefit of others.  There’s no question that the people we’re fighting represent pure evil, and if we don’t stand up and fight against it, we don’t deserve the gifts we've been given.  That’s what I believe, anyway.”

Superman’s face brightened slightly and he nodded.  “Thank you, sir.” He then turned and went out into the war-torn streets of Algiers.

  ********************************

The waves crashed against the port with incredible force as early morning rain pounded down along the coast of Tunis.  The water was freezing, but the swim to shore was easy enough.  Captain America and his team crouched behind the rocky outcroppings of the port.  Batman and Superman put their capes on, having taken them off for the long swim.  Wonder Woman took a moment to take in their surroundings.

Even in this early morning hour, the port was alive with activity.  Captain America could see the outlines of several patrols moving around the port, while workers and technicians moved gigantic crates from ships in the port.  There were more troops here than he expected.  That was fine with him, that’s why he had brought the best.
“OK, Wonder Woman, you create a distraction down on the beach while we move up into the port.  We need to find out what their loading, and trash anything we can along the way.  Once we've done enough damage, we meet up back here and head for the boat.  Clear?”  His team nodded and moved out.

Batman, Superman and Captain America clambered up the rocks to the port itself while Wonder Woman went around the rocks to the beach.  As soon as Captain America crested the rocks, he could see a patrol about fifty feet away.  Between the darkness and the rain, they would have plenty of cover.  He waved his team up and began a low run towards one of the crates that littered the port.  Prying it open with his shield, he was confronted with what looked like a giant metal arm.  Some kind of robot, maybe?  He was about to inspect it further when a voice cried out “Achtung!”  followed by energy blasts directed at their position.
“Get down!” he yelled, and dropped prone.  Germans, robots, and laser weapons...this mission was definitely not going according to plan.

Wonder Woman heard the firefight above in the port, and ran down the beach.  Another squad of German soldiers were there, and they were moving to attack her team.  She charged into them, knocking several aside.  She continued her assault, not allowing the troops to recover.  They began to scatter in all directions, panicked.  She hoped it was enough to help the rest of her team.  She chased those that fled towards the port, hoping to stop them from joining the assault.

Captain America picked up the crate containing the robot arm, using it as a mobile cover.  With any luck, the krauts would do some damage to it along the way.
“That’s far enough, Captain.” a female voice sounded behind him.  He spun and saw a woman with a pistol leveled at him.  Her accent was vaguely European, but he couldn't place it.
“Sorry, lady.  No time to chit-chat.” he said, throwing the crate at her.  She screamed as the crate hit her in the shoulder, knocking her to the ground.  Batman was there as she fell, delivering a chop to her neck that took her out of commission.

“You may have taken down Viper, Captain America, but you will find that Johann Schmidt is not so easy to stop.” Captain America turned to see a man in a long German trench coat.  He had an entire squad behind him.  “Fire!” The man yelled and Captain America was showered with laser blasts.  He staggered back, finally raising his shield to deflect further assault.  These new weapons packed a punch, that was for sure.

Wonder Woman had nearly reached her team.  She could see Captain America crouched behind his shield as laser fire poured down on him.  “NO!” She cried as she charged towards the Germans, but she quickly realized her mistake.  The laser fire turned on her, and she was sent tumbling down the rocky cliff, unconscious.  The fire then turned back to Captain America.

Fortunately, all of the German attention was focused on the Captain, which allowed Batman and Superman to flank their position.  Batman took down one soldier with a chokehold from behind while Superman punched another one into his comrade .  Even though they were taking the squad down one man at a time, it wasn't fast enough to save their Captain.  He was knocked backward onto the rain-slick port, unmoving.

Johann turned his attention to Batman and Superman.  “Fire at will!” he cried.  But it was too late.  Superman charged him, throwing a punch that knocked Johann ten feet away, and into one of his own men.  Incredibly, Johann picked himself up.  “A fine punch, Superman.  Perhaps if you survive this, I will give you one of my own.”  He turned and began to walk away as he commanded his troops “Finish them.”

The laser fire was too much for Batman, who went down in a single volley.  Superman, however, was just getting started.  He dove into the squadron, swinging in all directions.  The energy blasts from their weapons didn't seem to have much of an effect on him.  Within a matter of minutes, he had knocked them all unconscious.
“Couldn't...have done that...a little sooner?” Batman grumbled weakly as he picked himself up.
Superman was grateful to see that his friend was still alive.
“You help Wonder Woman, I’ll get Cap.” Superman said, “We need to get out of here.”

********************************

Days later, back in the Allied base in Algiers, Superman walked to the makeshift infirmary.  He and Batman were able to carry Wonder Woman and the Captain to the rendezvous point.  His team was recovering, but he felt awful that they had been hurt so badly.  Batman was right; he should have been faster.  If he was, he could have saved them all and stopped Johann as well.

Johann; intelligence said he was part of the fuhrer’s special Hydra Deep Science Division.  He was tasked with exploring new and experimental technology.  Those laser rifles they had been packing showed that he had been busy.  Superman was certain that this wasn’t the last that they would see of him.

Entering the infirmary, he saw his teammates resting in their beds.  Batman had a broken arm, Captain America several rib fractures, and all of them had third-degree burns from the laser weapons.  All of them but Superman.  Captain America smiled as Superman entered, nodding to him in greeting.  Superman walked to his bedside and knelt down beside it.  “Captain, I’m so sorry.  I’m sorry I couldn't save you all and stop Schmidt.”
“Son, you saved our lives, and we accomplished our mission.  Now that intelligence knows what the Germans have cooked up over there, we’re going to be better prepared next time.  You should be proud.”

Superman didn't feel proud, though.  He felt ashamed.  Angry.  Next time, he would do better.  He would be better.

Earth-1874 - All-Star Comics #1

All-Star Comics #1

Spring, 1942

Deep in the New Mexico desert, Clark looked out at the last rays of sunlight from the window of the barracks. The last couple months had been a blur. He and the other volunteers for All-Star Squadron had been carted off to a military base in Los Alamos to train for an upcoming invasion into Axis territory. He was more tired than he had ever been, he was sure of that much. Sleep came in short supply here. He had been subjected to as much testing by the doctors at the base as he had training from Sergeant Walters and Captain Rogers, or as they preferred to be called: Crimson Avenger and Captain America.

He stood and walked into the common room of their barracks. There, quite a few of his fellow volunteers were gathered, swapping stories of where they came from and what they would do when they finally got shipped out to the front. He sat at a table with Batman and Johnny Quick to join them in a game of cards. He had gotten to know a few of his comrades quite well during their training. Most were just normal folks, like himself, who had taken to fighting crime in their towns and neighborhoods.

There were others, though, that were something else entirely. Princess Diana of Themyscira, Prince Namor of Atlantis, and others even more strange than that. Dr. Fate, for example; a man who wielded incredible magical power. The scientists here had also created a robot that seemed to do nothing more than produce flame. Folks around the base called it ‘The Human Torch’. How all these strange people, with all of their incredible origins, were supposed to function as a team was beyond Clark. He was glad that they were in the capable hands of Sergeant Walters and Captain Rogers. Both men were great at what they did and inspired all of the trainees, even if some of them wouldn't admit it.

After a time, he left the common room walked to the small quarters he had been assigned. He sat down on his generic green army cot and stared at his costume; or rather, his uniform. His parents had given it to him before he left. He thought it was a little much, but it seemed to fit in well with the costumes that many of his comrades wore. Red boots, shorts and cape, contrasted with a blue bodysuit. Emblazoned on the chest was a crest that his parents had said was on the blanket that he was wrapped in when they found him. It was diamond-shaped with what appeared to be an “S” emblazoned in it. Because of that, people around the base had started to joke that it stood for “Superman”.

**********************

Diana hated every minute of this. When she had agreed to leave her island home, she was under the impression that she was going to be fighting evil. Instead, she had been forced into this tiny shack in the middle of a barren wasteland. The only bright side was that she had been able to meet the heroes of the world of men. A few of her comrades even had powers comparable to her own. She had got along well enough with most of them. Except Namor. No one got along with Namor.

She breathed a sigh of frustration and kicked at the sand that was pervasive in this insufferable desert as she watched a group of nurses whisper and giggle as they walked past her. The women here were even worse than the men in some ways. Weak and submissive, they were looked down upon by their male oppressors. It was just like she had been taught on Themyscara. Well, let one of these men try to treat her like that, she mused. None of her fellow warriors had made that mistake, but the soldiers around the base were another story. For some reason, they insisted on staring at her whenever she wore her traditional Amazon battle garments. At times, it had took all of her willpower not to punch their lights out.

The only woman who she shared any common ground with at all was Sandra Knight, who called herself Phantom Lady. Sandra recognized the oppression that the females in her society were faced with, and used it to her advantage in battle. She and Diana had grown close, since they were the only two women in All Star Squadron. Diana had taught her much about combat, and in return, Sandra had taught her many of the customs and traditions that the people of this United States of America held.

This was a young nation, and Diana couldn't help but be fascinated by the incredible mix of cultures and ideals that it held. It seemed impossible that such a union would last, but it had, and it had grown into one of the most powerful nations on Earth. She paused, and nearly laughed as she considered this. For it was not unlike the team they now formed. Perhaps her companions would surprise her yet. Tomorrow was their final exercise and at last, battle would be upon her.

**********************

Lee stood at the chalkboard, and looked out at the kids that were gathered around with rapt attention. Kids. Yes, that’s what they were. He recalled once having the same energy and excitement that he saw on their faces. That was before Spain, before Jarama; before he saw what war really was. Still, nothing he could say would convey the horrors of the battlefield, and he couldn't blame them for wanting to defend their country. The whole world was at war now, and if he could teach these kids anything that might help them survive it, he had to try.

In recognition of his prior service, they had made him the First Sergeant of this squadron. And what a squadron it was. Some were vigilantes like he was, just people trying to do good and clean up their streets, but some were something beyond human. Lee didn't know the first thing about Atlantis or Amazons, but he knew that some of his trainees were more powerful than an entire platoon of soldiers. Trying to bring all of these clashing personalities together and train them to be a team had seemed like an insurmountable task. But he was appointed to this position by the president himself, and he wouldn't fail.

Captain Rogers and a few others respected his prior military service and current rank, but some of these trainees only recognized power. Fortunately, Colonel Hardy realized that this squadron couldn't operate under normal military protocol, and ordered that every member wear a costume of his or her own design. They had then been ordered to select a code name for use in the field. Many of the heroes that had been around for a while, like Lee, had already adopted a moniker. Many of those that didn't had been given nicknames by their comrades. Well, except Namor. No one dared to give Namor a nickname. Still, he felt strange addressing a group of people clad in all manner of costumes. He wore the red trench coat, mask and wide-brimmed hat of the Crimson Avenger.

Lee cleared his throat before continuing, “Tomorrow at oh-eight-hundred, we will commence our final training exercise.” Some of the younger trainees couldn't help show their excitement as he said that, but he continued, “You have been divided into two teams. The first team will be led by me, and will consist of Superman, Wonder Woman, Johnny Quick, Batman, Green Lantern, Thunderbolt, and Phantom Lady. The second team will be led by Captain America, and will consist of Uncle Sam, Dr. Fate, Namor, Human Torch, and Liberty Belle. You won’t be expected to pull any punches out there. You will, however, be expected to work with your teammates to devise a plan of attack and use teamwork to overcome the other team. You will all be graded based on your performance as a group, and you will be pulled from this squadron if Captain America or I see anything we don’t like. Questions?”

Superman raised his hand, and stood when Lee called on him, “Sir, what will determine who wins the battle?”
“Last man standing, son. We will have medical teams standing by, but you have all been trained in non-lethal combat. I expect you all to remember that training and conduct yourselves accordingly. Dismissed.”

*************************

Sweat dripped onto the floor as Steve Rogers continued to count his push-ups. One-hundred twenty-five so far. He didn't mind the lengthy exercise. It gave him time to focus on the mission ahead. Today he was going to lead a team into battle for the first time, and he was determined not to let them down. The sun hadn't yet come up; Steve found he was needing a lot less sleep these days. The trainees hated early mornings like this, but it was part of military training. Before they had injected him with the super-soldier serum, he had done basic training the hard way. The really hard way.

Of course, training was different when it was with a team like this. Sometimes he was in awe of their abilities, but he always made sure to remind them that there was more to winning a battle than raw power. Namor had scoffed at him for that, but Steve knew it was true. Strategy, tactics, courage and ingenuity were the real keys to not only winning, but surviving a battle. Today was his chance to show them firsthand that this was true.

“I still don’t know how you do it, Captain.” a voice said from behind him. One-hundred fifty-two. “Well Lee, maybe if you did it more often, your team would have a shot at winning today.” Steve said with a hearty chuckle. He and Lee had become fast friends in this squadron. Both had a prior military background, and Steve had learned a lot from the man. Lee had done much to temper Steve’s expectations of war, and give him a new perspective on what service meant.

“Yeah, maybe you’re right, Cap.” Lee said, laughing. “Guess we’ll see in a couple of hours, huh?” Steve could hear the anxiety in Lee’s voice. He couldn't blame the man. Not only was he about to lead a team of people with incredible powers, he was going to be back in a battlefield for the first time since Madrid. Even though it was a training exercise, combat was combat, and Lee was unsure of himself. Steve knew it wasn't cowardice or shame that Lee was feeling, but ghosts of his past. That was something that no amount of training could prepare you to fight. Two-hundred. It was time to wake his team and get them ready for combat.

**********************

The sun rose slowly over the New Mexico desert, but already waves of heat were radiating from the rocky soil. The two teams of heroes gathered, facing off roughly one hundred yards from each other. Both had worked on their strategy all morning, and were eager to prove themselves. Colonel Hardy watched the scene unfold from a nearby bunker, along with other high-ranking officers. Nearly the entire base gathered nearby to watch the contest, though they had been warned to keep their distance. There was no telling what kind of damage some of these super-powered beings could unleash. That was part of the reason for this test. Colonel Hardy wanted to see All Star Squadron in action before they were sent to the front.

From the base nearby, an air raid siren sounded. That was the signal for the battle to begin, and the two teams sprang into action.
“All-Stars assemble!” ordered Crimson Avenger, as he and Batman took a forward position behind a few large rocks that would act as cover.
Wonder Woman and Superman moved with incredible speed to the opposite flank. On the opposing side, Doctor Fate took a position behind some rocks while Uncle Sam and Liberty Belle charged out to meet Superman and Wonder Woman head-on. The Human Torch flew towards the Crimson Avenger, while Captain America took the high ground in the center of the battlefield. Namor flew headlong towards Batman with a wicked grin on his face.

“Come on, Wonder Woman, we can take ‘em!” Superman yelled as he charged towards Uncle Sam. Wonder Woman was quick to join him, relishing the chance to engage in battle. Behind them both, Johnny Quick took up a rear position, studying the battlefield carefully. As fast as he was, he knew he had to choose the right moment to engage. Many of his opponents would beat him quickly in a straight fight. He had to be smart about who he engaged, and how.

Green Lantern flew to meet Namor before he could reach Batman and Crimson Avenger. From his ring, he formed a giant baseball bat, which impacted with a thunderous crash, sending Namor into the dirt. Lantern hovered above Namor for a moment.
“Stay down, fish boy.” he knew better, though. Namor wouldn't stay down, not until someone knocked him out. That was fine with Alan. He hated Namor’s superior attitude, and any chance to knock the fish king down a peg suited him just fine.

Captain America saw this and shouted, “Ignore him, Namor! Focus on the mission!” He only hoped his words didn't fall on deaf ears. Namor was prideful, stubborn and arrogant, but it was time to see if he was more than that. He grabbed a signpost from the ground and ran towards Green Lantern. At the last moment, he leapt into the air and brought the post down upon his flying opponent. Fortunately for him, Green Lantern was too slow to avoid the blow, and was knocked down to the ground, right next to Namor. Namor looked to Captain America and nodded his thanks, taking to the air once more and moving in on Batman.

Meanwhile, Liberty Belle picked up a nearby boulder that must have weighed at least two hundred pounds, and tried to bring it down on Superman. “Catch, big boy!” Unfortunately for her, he was too fast, and easily moved out of the way of her clumsy attack. Though she was thrown off balance, she had retained enough of her footing to avoid a punch from Superman. She could feel the force of the blow though, and was very thankful that it missed.

Doctor Fate continued his flight around the battlefield, looking for the opportune moment to strike while Uncle Sam brought a hammer blow down upon Superman. The ground shook from the impact, and Superman found himself face down in a small crater. It seemed like fighting stopped for a brief moment as all the combatants regarded that mighty blow. Slowly, Superman picked himself up. Incredibly, he was still in one piece.

Wonder Woman was unfazed by the scene and took this opportunity to uppercut Uncle Sam with all the strength she could muster. The shock wave from the impact flattened nearby vegetation and sent dirt flying in all directions. Incredibly, Uncle Sam still stood, unshaken by the assault. That fact alone might have stayed the hand of most men, but Diana was no man. She would bring him down, no matter what magic possessed him. Superman also came to her aid and landed a blow of his own on Uncle Sam, but his attack was no more successful than Diana’s in felling the spirit.

Nearby, Green Lantern was recovering from Captain America’s attack, standing to face him. Captain America raised his shield, but it was too late. “With all due respect, sir, back off!” A blast of green energy radiated out from Green Lantern in all directions, knocking down friend and foe alike. It was enough to take Uncle Sam off his feet and send him flying into some nearby rocks. The symbol of liberty was the first to be knocked out of the battle. Captain America quickly recovered, “No can do, son.” and smashed his shield into Green Lantern’s face. He had to end the threat that Lantern presented, or there was no telling how much damage he might do.

Namor finally reached Batman, swinging at the caped figure with blows that could have shattered solid rock. “You are a coward, hiding behind a mask, hiding behind your teammates!” Batman deftly avoided strikes and insults alike, dodging and weaving through a flurry of blows. Though he attempted to move out of Namor’s reach, it was no use. The Atlantean was too fast and too powerful to be evaded. Namor kept coming, and Batman wondered how long he could continue to avoid his strikes. It was only a matter of time before one landed.

Though she had stayed out of the conflict to this point, Phantom Lady could not hide forever. She was out of her depth here, surrounded by beings that had more power than she could dream of. The Human Torch’s targeting system found her easily enough, and sent a blast of heat at her that sent her flying backward. She was still conscious, but only barely.

Doctor Fate saw an opportunity to aid his ally, and created several illusory duplicates of Liberty Belle. Wonder Woman waded into them, lashing out in all directions in the hopes of hitting the real Belle, but found no purchase. “To Hades with your trickery!” She spat.
Superman had better luck though, striking Liberty Belle and staggering her backward. She staggered back directly into the path of Johnny Quick, who landed a punch of his own.
“Sorry Belle, nothing personal!” he shouted over the sounds of battle.

While Superman was distracted by his assault on Liberty Belle, Doctor Fate sent a bolt of magical energy into him, knocking him to the ground. The young man did not move to get back up, and Doctor Fate looked to the Amazon now as his next target. Liberty Belle was trying to engage her, but Wonder Woman had decades, perhaps centuries of battle experience. It would take more than raw determination to take her down.

Batman and Namor’s battle continued on the far side of the battlefield. Batman waited patiently until an opportunity presented itself, then struck. As Namor lashed out once again, Batman grabbed his outstretched arm, and kicked Namor in his midsection. The Atlantean doubled over with an “Oof!” of air escaping his lungs. Batman knew better than to think he had won so easily, and kept his distance. Namor attempted a bull rush, but Batman easily dodged to one side. Namor was enraged and it was obvious he wasn’t thinking clearly. Batman took advantage of this and laughed at the Atlantean as he continued to dodge his attacks.

“You dare to mock the prince of Atlantis!? You will pay with your life!” Namor cried as he threw out blow after blow. Batman dodged the attacks with little effort, and waited until his opponent began to tire before chopping his hand into Namor’s windpipe. With a resounding thud, Namor went down in the dirt. Batman checked his pulse to ensure that he would live. Satisfied, he took a position with Crimson Avenger and planned his next move.

Phantom Lady tried to use her black light projector to blind Captain America, but he easily deflected the blast with his shield. “Now, Torch! Take her down!” From behind Phantom Lady, the Human Torch released a blast of heat that knocked her unconscious. Wonder Woman saw her friend and teammate go down and cried out, pressing her attack on Liberty Belle. There were no illusions to stop her this time, and she knocked Liberty Belle to the ground.

Johnny Quick used his incredible speed to cross the distance of the battlefield and hit Human Torch with a sonic boom that sent him flying into the dirt. The android was quick to recover however, and now it was up to Johnny to think of a way to extinguish his foe if he had any chance of winning.

Doctor Fate took advantage of Liberty’s sacrifice by blasting Wonder Woman with a bolt of arcane energy. Wonder Woman may be tough, but she stood no chance against his magic. “Good work, Fate! Now let’s finish the job!” Captain America attempted to support the attack with one of his own, but Wonder Woman easily deflected it with her bracers. It was clear that she would not be felled by mundane means.

Crimson Avenger took stock of the battle. He saw his opportunity to support Johnny and took it. He fired a pellet of carbon dioxide from his gas gun at Human Torch and saw it weaken his flames significantly. “Johnny, it still needs oxygen to make fire! Create a vacuum and take him out!” Johnny nodded that he understood, and began to run in circles around the android. He was nothing more than a blur as he gained speed. Soon, the Human Torch was surrounded by a great whirlwind. Within moments, his fire was extinguished, and Johnny was able to land the final blow on his inhuman opponent.

Wonder Woman had reached Doctor Fate, and his magical shields were barely containing the force of her onslaught. Finally, she broke through and her punch staggered Doctor Fate backwards. Fate made no cry of pain, nor sound of any kind. He simply regained his footing and raised a palm towards the Amazon. From it, tendrils lashed out and wrapped around her. They were translucent and glowed a bright yellow. “What devilry is this!?” was all she could manage to say before her energy was drained from her by the magical forces. She could not fight the power that Fate wielded, and was soon too weakened to stand. 

Captain America charged towards Crimson Avenger’s position, shield raised. Victory was in sight. The only opponents that remained were the Avenger, Batman, and Quick. It was up to Captain America and Doctor Fate to finish the fight. He reached Crimson Avenger’s position and leapt over the terrain he was hidden behind. Crimson Avenger raised his gun, but it was too late. One swipe of his shield, and Captain America put down the First Sergeant.

He turned his attention to Batman. This was Avenger’s protege for the past couple of years, but it was obvious that the boy had been training for far longer than that. He was fast; faster than Steve expected. A low kick made Steve’s knee explode with pain.
“Come on Cap, show me what you've got.” The boy said, smiling
Steve lunged with his shield, but Batman had expected the attack. he spun away from the shield and planted his leg in front of Steve’s. A quick chop to the back of the neck caused Steve to stumble forward.

Doctor Fate flew towards the melee, hoping to help his Captain, but with a blur of motion, Johnny was in front of him.
“Sorry doc, I can’t let you do that.”

The battle between Batman and Captain America continued as Steve rolled into a standing position and threw his shield at Batman. Bruce wasn't expecting this attack, and was unable to dodge in time. It caught him in the ribs and sent him flying backwards. He landed in the dirt with a thump. Doctor Fate attempted to send his magical tendrils out again, but Johnny was too fast. Before he knew it, Johnny was behind him, and he couldn't defend in time to stop the punch that knocked him forward. Steve had jumped onto batman, taking his shield back with one hand, while delivering the final blow with the other. Batman was down, and only Johnny was left.

“Aw, nuts” Johnny sighed at his teammate lying in the dirt. He used his incredible speed to charge Captain America, landing a single punch before the Captain’s shield knocked him unconscious.

**********************

That evening, All Star Squadron gathered in the common room of their barracks. Some sported bruises, while others bore only the bruises of their egos. All of them had learned more about their teammates in that single day than they had in months of training. After the battle, they had gone back to the barracks in search of Thunderbolt, and found him sleeping in his cot. He had slept through the entire exercise, and was sent packing on the spot.  There were no second chances in All Star Squadron

Phantom Lady was also let go, despite Diana’s protestations. Phantom Lady  was brave, to be sure, but not combat ready. As much as Colonel Hardy respected these men and women for volunteering, he couldn't afford to send unreliable or unready troops into combat. The rest of the squadron had performed admirably, and Captain Rogers demonstrated exactly why he was the right man to lead them into battle.

Colonel Hardy entered the common room, and the squadron stood. Standing before them, he spoke, “I would like to congratulate you all on an exemplary performance today. Watching you all in action was an incredible and magnificent sight. You have given your all to this squadron for the past few months, and as of now, you are all officially soldiers of the United States Army. What comes next won’t be easy, but if you give our enemies half the fight you gave out there today, I’m confident that we will succeed.”

Earth-1874: Prologue

Prologue

“It’s right this way, Mr. President.” President Franklin Delano Roosevelt nodded as his aide pushed his wheelchair down one of the many hallways that wound through the White House. He was anxious. Not nervous, or worried, just anxious. He was about to meet with some of what might be the most powerful people on Earth. It was a momentous occasion, to say the least. 

It had been one month since he had put out the call, and charged his best men with the task of getting everything in order. One month since Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor. The thought of that day still filled him with outrage, just as it did every other American. The American people expected him to step up, put things right, and so he would. He would use every resource at his disposal to see this through, and ensure that justice prevailed.

The aide stopped next to a nondescript oak door; one of many that littered the halls of the mansion. “Are you ready, sir?” The aide asked, a tinge of fear could be heard in his voice. He couldn’t fault the poor man for that. He had every right to be scared. There were any number of ways that this could end badly.

****************

Lee Walter Travis stood on the rooftop, looking down at the alleyway below. Ensuring his grapple line was secure on the roof, he shifted his gaze to his young partner. Unlike his bright red coat, hat and mask, his partner wore a somber black and gray uniform as well as a bat-shaped cowl and cape. He was still a just a boy, but he had talent. The young man had lost his parents both of his parents in an alley like the one below them. He shook his head; he needed to focus on the task at hand.

As if on cue, a car turned down the narrow alley and slowed to a stop. The rain hadn’t let up for hours, but Lee didn’t mind. If anything, it made their work easier since it masked sound and obscured vision. He checked his grapple line one last time, and ensured his gas gun was loaded. Below him, another car pulled into the alley, stopping just behind the other vehicle. The doors on both cars opened, and men in trench coats and fedoras stepped out. Lee didn’t need to see their faces to know who they were; they were the members of the Maroni and Falcone crime families. And tonight, Falcone’s men were exchanging a briefcase full of cash for a trunk full of Maroni’s firearms. At least, that’s what they were planning to do. The Crimson Avenger and Batman had other ideas.

They dove from the rooftop, three stories above the men. Lee’s grapple line worked perfectly to slow his descent. Bruce, on the other hand, dropped like a stone. Just before hitting the pavement, he spread the cape that hung from his cowl and was jerked upright as the special hardened weave of fibers caught his fall and slowed him to a pace that would allow him to survive impact.

It would also allow the thug he landed on to survive the impact of Batman’s boots hitting his face as well. That was expected. They weren’t here to murder anyone. These scum needed to live to face justice for their crimes. The first one went down without a sound. The next managed a muffled cry as Batman grabbed him in a sleeper hold, dropping him in moments.

The rest of the mobsters were alerted now, but they stood no chance against the pair. The Crimson Avenger leveled his gas gun at the group and fired. A cloud of knockout gas surrounded the men and they dropped to the ground, coughing. The fight was over within thirty seconds. The duo stood in the rain-soaked alleyway, taking in the sight. Lee knew that word would get out, and the criminal element would start getting smarter, so he took a moment to appreciate how easy this was.

“That’s pretty nice work, Lee. How would you like to go pro again?” A gruff voice echoed from the dark end of the alleyway.

They spun towards the voice. They weren’t an easy pair to sneak up on. Whoever this was, he was no simple mob goon. The man stepped into the headlights of cars. He was a middle-aged man, dressed in a fine suit and tie. Deep scars lining his face told of a recent wound. A war wound. Lee knew him as his commanding officer during the Spanish Civil War. They had fought together in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. What the man was doing here, or how he had found Lee, was a mystery though.

“Captain Hendricks! What a surprise to see you here! What brings you to New York?” He exclaimed, genuinely surprised to see the man.

Batman looked from one man to the other, “You two know each other?”

“It’s Major now, actually, and I’m here on orders.” He paused to look at both men in turn. “The President is looking to recruit you ‘mystery men’ to help fight in the war. I told him I knew just the guy.” The man walked closer to the pair, extending the umbrella he held to shield them from the rainfall.

“Major Hendricks...Carl, look, I can’t put on the uniform again. What you and I went through...I never want to see that again.” He looked down. He couldn’t help but be ashamed at his own words, even as he spoke them. “Besides, I’m responsible for this young man, and I’m not just going to abandon him.” He said, pointing a thumb at Batman.

“Well, as much as I think Bruce Wayne here can take care of himself,” Batman was taken aback, just how much did the government know about them? “I’m not looking to put a rifle in your hand, Lee. This is something else. Something bigger than the Army. Hitler’s got himself mystery men of his own, and we need guys like you to take em down. Bombs and tanks aren’t going to win this one, and Batman here is welcome to come with you. After all, he’s as old as we were when we joined up. So whaddaya say, Crimson Avenger? You in?”

****************

He looked at the barn, squinting through the spring sun that hung over the Kansas farmland. He was going to make it this time, he knew it. He tousled his wavy black head of hair and smiled as he prepared himself, dropping into a runners starting position. This was the best summer ever as far as Clark Kent was concerned. He had graduated high school, gotten a job at a newspaper in the big city, and discovered that he had super powers.

He broke into a sprint, running directly at the large barn that loomed ever-closer. It had to be 40, maybe 50 feet high, but he would make it this time, he knew it. Just before hitting the barn, he leapt into the air as high as he could. He was going to make it. He soared upward, seemingly defying gravity itself. He cleared the roof, shouting for joy in midair. He had done it! He looked behind him to see the barn rise up again as he descended.

Descended. Uh-oh. He hadn’t thought about this. He hadn’t prepared for the landing. This was going to hurt. With the loud crash of twisting metal, Clark Kent landed. He shook his head, clearing out the dizziness of the impact. Oh no, he thought as he looked around him. He had landed right on top of a very nice car. Well, it probably was nice, before he had destroyed it. A man stood nearby in a fine suit and sunglasses. The man removed his glasses and cleaned them on his shirt as he spoke.

“Well, that was unexpected.” He offered his hand to Clark. “Here, let me help you up. You OK, son?” Clark nodded his head sheepishly.

“I’m awful sorry about the car, sir. I...umm, was playing on top of the barn, and must have slipped. “ He said sheepishly as he took the man’s hand and climbed to his feet.

The man raised an eyebrow, “You were playing on top of a fifty-foot tall barn, fell off, and destroyed my car without a scratch on you?” The man gave a deep, hearty laugh. “No, kid, I don’t think so. I saw the whole thing but don’t worry, that’s why I’m here.”

“Who are you?” Clark asked, dusting himself off. His new pants were torn, and his shirt was hanging off in rags. His Ma and Pa were going to kill him for this.

“Never mind that; who I am isn’t important. It’s you that’s important; to your President and to this country. President Roosevelt has asked for your help, son. We need you, and people like you, to help to defend this nation. Will you help us?”

Clark smiled with a wide boyish grin. Excitedly, he asked, “There’s people like me?”

****************

The ocean waves washed lazily on the white sand that marked shores of Themiscyra. A beautiful young woman stood and watched them slowly erode the sands of her island home. Her mind began to drift as she remembered a day very much like this one. The day her world had changed.

Diana had watched with a certain curiosity as a small ship sailed ever-closer to their shores. “Who is that, mother?” she asked with suspicion. The island of Themiscyra was supposed to be impossible for outsiders to find. In fact, Diana had never met someone who was not born on the island.

“I do not know my child. But worry not, for they pose no threat to us.” Her mother was a woman as equally beautiful as Diana herself. Though instead of the raven braids that Diana wore, her mothers were golden and flowing. Both mother and daughter wore the ceremonial breastplate and battle skirts of the Amazon.

Diana stole a glance at the Amazon honor guard that flanked them. Her mother was right, there was no threat that they could not overcome. She and her sisters were immortal, and blessed by the gods with a strength not possessed by mortal men. At long last, the boat had reached shallow water, and a smaller boat was being rowed to shore. There was only one figure in this smaller craft. Very curious, Diana thought. As the boat neared, Diana gasped involuntarily. It was a man that rowed towards them! Diana had never seen a man, but clearly this must be one.

“Penny for your thoughts?” She was snapped from her reverie by the unfamiliar voice of a man. Well, the man. The only man Diana had ever seen. He had been here for nearly a week, and Diana was certain she would never grow accustomed to seeing him. He was a tall, well-built man with fair skin and hair as golden as her mother’s but cropped very short. He dressed very oddly, wearing a close-fitting olive green suit with strange insignias, and his only weapon was a small metal device that he wore at his side.

“Actually, I was thinking about you, Mr. Trevor. “ She said, not turning from the sea. She had to admin, she was curious about the man, but it still didn’t override the lifetime of Amazon teachings that taught her to distrust men.

“I’m flattered, but please, call me Steve.” The man walked across the beach to her, but knew enough about Amazon custom to stop well short of her. “It’s almost time to go.”

Diana nodded, her mind drifting away again. The man had come ashore and introduced himself as Lieutenant Steve Trevor of the United States Army Intelligence Division. Queen Hippolyta appeared to know what at least some of those titles meant, and allowed him to continue. He went on to describe many strange things that Diana did not understand. From what she could tell, though, the world of men was at war, and this one wanted the aid of the Amazons. Diana expected her mother to laugh and order his execution for trespassing on the sacred island, but instead she appeared thoughtful. Surely she couldn’t be considering his request?

Queen Hippolyta provided the man guest chambers, and went to council with her advisers. After a long deliberation, she emerged from the council chambers and declared that one Amazon would be sent to aid the world of men. To decide who would go, she held a contest. A series of games designed to choose the most worthy Amazon from their ranks. Many of Diana’s Amazon sisters had balked at this, and forfeited out of principle. Their home was on the island, and not in the world of men. Only Diana and a handful of others participated in the games, which tested their skill in archery, running, discus and wrestling. Diana won them all easily.

when the contests were over, she was bidden to approach her mother’s throne in the great hall. “Daughter, you make me proud.” Hippolyta had brought forth a chest that she now opened. “Go with my blessing, and the blessings of the gods.” She removed a sword and lasso from the chest. “May these weapons protect your allies.” Diana bowed her head and took them. Her mother reached in and produced a tiara and bracers, “and may these protect you, my daughter.”

Diana was brought back to the present again by Mr. Trevor. Steve.

“Ship sails at dawn, princess.”

****************

As he stared at the green ring on his hand, Alan Scott could not help but chuckle. Who would have thought that such an insignificant-looking thing could have changed his life so dramatically? Only a short time ago, he had been a railroad engineer, taking whatever work he could get during the depression. He didn’t necessarily hate working for the railroad, but it was far from the glamorous career he had imagined for himself when he was younger. He had always dreamed of being something more; something great.

On a night like any other, he had been walking the line just before the 10 o’ clock came in from Keystone City. The ground shook beneath his feet just before he heard a thunderous crash sounded down the line. Even in the dim moonlight, he could see fire and smoke rising from the area he recognized as the bridge farther down the tracks. It must have collapsed! Without hesitation, he sprinted towards the wreckage of the passenger train, snatching a lantern from a nearby post to provide light as he ran.

When he finally reached the scene of the accident, he managed to save the driver and the few passengers that were riding that night. He was able to save them all, and it was the most fulfilling night of his life. As he sat on the side of the tracks, exhausted as he watched the sunrise, he heard a deep, echoing voice inside his mind.

“You have proven yourself a true hero, Alan Scott, and have been chosen.” He thought he was going crazy, but it continued. “Fashion from my metal a ring, and you shall be a Green Lantern; protector and guardian to all.” Was it the lantern he had grabbed as he ran? He glanced at it, and was shocked to find it glowing with a bright green light. It was too incredible to believe, but Alan was compelled to follow the instructions that the voice had given him. He did indeed fashion a ring from the metal of the lantern and found that, while wearing it, he was granted powers beyond his wildest dreams.

It felt like ages ago, but only a few months had passed since that fateful night. Since then, he had learned to control the powers that the ring granted him. He could use it to do almost anything he could imagine: fly, walk through solid objects, and even create objects of his own using only his thoughts. He had used these newfound gifts to fight crime in his neighborhood in New York City, and his exploits had caught the attention of some pretty important people. He really was a hero now, and the world desperately needed him. He never would have dreamed it, but if that man from Washington was telling the truth, he was going to meet the President!

****************

“You need to focus, Steve. Try to slow your breathing. You’re not going to do any good for anyone if you have a heart attack.” The man outside the metal capsule said, though Steve Rogers could barely hear it through the heavy steel and lead that lined the small chamber he found himself strapped inside.

He did his best to comply with the request, but his mind still swirled with stray thoughts. They called this ‘Project Rebirth’, a program designed to create the perfect soldier. He had volunteered without a second thought. He knew the risks, and it was worth it. This was his only chance, his only hope, to serve his country.

Growing up in the Bronx, he had learned early that sometimes you had to take risks if you wanted to do the right thing. When the war broke out he tried to join the army, but was turned away for failing the physical; six times, in fact. He had tried one last time to get in, and was surprised to find a scientist waiting in the physician’s office. The man introduced himself as Dr. Erskine, a German scientist devoted to creating the perfect soldier. For some reason, he thought Steve could be that soldier.

Now, here he was, sitting in a metal capsule and about to be injected with who-knows-what and bombarded with “Vita-rays”, whatever those were. He wasn’t worried for his safety, he just wanted so badly for this to work. He wanted to serve his country, and do his part in the fight against tyranny and oppression. The Axis powers were everything that Steve had been raised to fight against. They were bullies, dictators, murderers and worse. Steve had seen the newsreel footage, and he knew what was at stake. This was a fight for the future of liberty not just for America, but for the world.

The countdown began. This was it; now or never, he thought. He closed his eyes and waited. Oddly enough, the closer the countdown came to its inevitable conclusion, the calmer he became. By the time it hit one, he was completely at peace. Time seemed to stop as he took in a deep breath. Suddenly, his world was filled with light and pain. Fire coursed through his veins, and his body felt like it was being torn apart from the inside. He screamed, but it was impossible to hear over the high-pitched cacophony of the machines that were bombarding his body with a variety of rays and chemicals.

After what felt like an eternity, the machined whined to a stop. Despite the unimaginable pain, he had managed to remain conscious throughout the entire procedure. As the searing pain dulled to a roar, he tried to move within the capsule. He had been strapped into the machine very tightly, but he felt the straps strain and nearly break from his movements. A loud hissing sounded as the capsule slowly opened. He tried to look around, but his vision was still blurred from the combination of pain and the after-effects of the procedure.

“Are you still with us, Steve?” said the familiar German-accented voice of Dr. Erskine.

“I...I think so.” Steve rasped. The pain was beginning to subside, but he was still having trouble making out his surroundings.

“Let’s have a look at you.” Dr. Erskine and his assistants began undoing the straps that held Steve upright inside the capsule. “Mein gott!” the doctor cried.

“What is it, doctor? Did it work?” Steve took a tentative step forward, his footing shaky.

“It did more than work, my boy. See for yourself!” He gestured to a mirror against a nearby wall of the laboratory.

Steve Roger’s steps grew steadier each moment as he moved forward. By the time he reached the mirror, he was finally feeling like his old self. No, not like his old self. He looked in the mirror, and saw a tall, muscular man staring back at him. Nearly physically perfect in every way, he was briefly in awe of himself. He was finally the person he needed to be to defend the ideals of the United States of America. It was time to get to work.

****************

President Roosevelt wheeled himself inside the conference room, and what awaited him was quite a sight. He had sent his best men out to find so-called ‘mystery men’ to join the war effort, and they had certainly done their job. There were about a dozen men and women in the room, and they all stood as he entered. Each of them was very different, some in garish costumes, others in uniforms of sorts, but they were all special.

“I would like to thank you all for coming” He said as he pulled his chair up behind the desk. He took a moment to settle in before continuing, “I know you are all aware of the reason I have called you here, but I wanted you to hear it directly from me. America is preparing for war, this much you know. What you may not know, is that the Axis powers, specifically Germany, have been gathering relics and artifacts of immense power. At this time, we also know that Hitler has been recruiting what he calls the “ubermensch”, or supermen. He has a technological advantage over us, this much is true, but I believe we have the better men and women.” He paused to look each of the individuals before him directly before continuing. “In fact, I know we do. Some amongst you have fantastic gifts, while others possess nothing more than an incredible strength of spirit. Each one of you has this much in common, you have volunteered to drive back the tide of evil that is rising from the east. You will be an inspiration for all who believe in freedom, and leaders in the fight against the darkness that threatens not only this great country, but the entire world. I thank you, and America thanks you. I leave you now in the capable hands of Colonel Hardy, who will be responsible for your training and act as your liaison to military command. God bless you all.”



The President gestured to a man who now stood in the doorway of the room. He looked like a military stereotype: a tall man with closely-cropped dark hair, a square jaw, and a uniform full of medals and ribbons. The man nodded, “Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to All-Star Squad. It’s time to begin your training. ”