Quote:

Prometheus said:
My take:

-Vanguard Europe is like TOMB of the old universe. For those that have no idea what/who/when/where TOMB was/is/could have been, let me explain.

When the posters got together and created the superhero group called TOMB, they soon moved them to a ficitonal nation-state of Mandelovia. At first, and for many, many of the original stories, TOMB was a bit of an 'urban myth'/underground movement. The citizens of Mandelovia might have heard some stories here and there, and, even, might have read some speculative articles concerning strange happenings in the their city. But, overall, TOMB was a largely quiet, unknown, behind-the-scenes organization.

Then, as the stories progressed, and the years went on, a familiarity with TOMB was born for the common Mandelovian. They began to hear more and more, and maybe even now see pictures in newspapers snapped by eager photographers. Doesn't mean TOMB was public, yet. Just means they were finding it harder and harder to remain anonymous.

This evolution continued accordingly. It was not a conscious decision on the part of the writers to progress it that way. It just began to happen naturally with our writing. And, before you knew it, Mandelovia had come to understand that there was a metahuman defense force/adventure group known as TOMB operating out of Mandelovia. They began to understand that TOMB had saved their city many times, and would continue to do so. Public opionion rose and fell, accordingly.

Then, finally, in the end, when we started tying up that universe, and began to create this new one to start fresh, TOMB was known throughout the world as one of Earth's primary defense squadrons. But, in their city...in Mandelovia...they became public celebrities, welcomed and loved as the cities own heroes.

When I wrote Heroes & Legends, my final TOMB story, I wanted to show that Mandelovia loved TOMB. They were their personal heroes. They honored their fallen, and respected those that still remained to protect the city that the heroes had come to call 'home'.

So, this leads us into Vanguard Europe.

Vanguard Europe is known to exist. The world knows of Vanguard, International (the primary group that began in the Carribean island of La Perdita). They are internationally recognized in whatever fashion the current political climate allows.

Therefore, logically, if they hear of a Vanguard Europe, they know there must be a tie to that original group the world is watching so very closely now. However, Vanguard Europe, as far as Munich, Germany is concerned, is still at the beginning public-stages that TOMB was when they moved to Mandelovia.

They know they are there. They have seen them. They have read about certain witnessed battles in the newspapers (i.e. the current Brood epidemic that was so public). Yet, it's not like they are celebrities. They aren't doing interviews. They aren't a household name yet. They are just aware of their existence.

The fact that the world hates the La Perdita group so much helps and hurts the Munich team. The world is concentrating on La Perdita. They might know there is something going on in Munich. But, as of right now, the group in Munich has not received the international spotlight.

Nor should they.

The citizens, and political climate, of Munich accepts Vanguard Europe as a business. An eccentric, odd, perhaps even somewhat uncomfortably disturbing business involving strange, tall beings, with wild abilties, and the like. However, they are not to the point where they really care, or even try to pry. The European group remains on a somewhat covert status, just due to the many factors and nature of how the group works, and who is running the show.

Doctor William Paragon own the group. He owns the business, as well as many, many others around the globe. Is the general public aware of every single thing Donald Trump or Bill Gates have their hands in? Of course not. All they see is Microsoft and Trump Towers (and a crappy reality show). The general public simply does not care.

The group Paragon has assembled is built for behind-the-scenes, and 'does-not-exist' statuses. Let's look at the roster, and compare...

Edmund Gaunt. The Shadow Chancellor. A dark, shadow-draped being that operates on the night-level of everything within the purview of mankind. Do you think the general public even knows of his existence, much less his name? Of course not.

Lady Lykopis. Not in Strikeforce long enough to become an internationally recognized figure. Has been around for centuries. Do you think she hasn't figured out ways to remain anonymous over her eternal lifetime? No one knows her, except those few personal ties that are still alive (ex-lovers, the like).

Icarus Sidewinder. The most dangerous, as far as public recognition. At most, given his recent conference with the Green Party, he is Paragon's "Iron Man" : an eccentric, tech-ed-out bodyguard, operating under a pseudonym. His father is a well-known, well-respected Russian engineer. How many well-known, well-respected Russian engineers do you, or any common man, know? Okay now tell me the names of their children. See? Unknown.

Ozzy Baxter. Wanted by Interpol, the Yakuza, and, probably, the CIA. Why? Could be anything from gambling related thefts, to something more criminal. Ozzy keeps his past close to the vest, and I don't plan on ever going into depth about his life. He is what he is, at the moment. Thus, if he's so wanted in so many countries by such subversive organizations, then, of course he's always going to remain on the down-low.

Adem Different. An alien. From 'outer space'. The common man laughs, thinks he must be another metahuman, and goes and watches X-Files instead. That is, if they even knew he existed.

And, we come to Drake Marshall. Drake is the must well-known, next to William Paragon. However, Drake is well-known in Ohio. That's it. He does commercials for his wife's home/business security company, and has had articles published in tabloid rags during his vigilante years. Is he well known enough for the world to even accept his existence? No, of course not. Unless one of you can tell me of a well-known celebrity that operates solely out of Ohio, and Munich, Germany...

I think the overall misconception (by only a few writers) that Vanguard Europe is a public group is derived from a very mild error in thinking. It is simply this....

The world has bigger problems, and better things to do, than to be solely focused on a group of less-than-ten metahuman figures, rumored to be running around Munich, Germany.

And, that's it really.

Will Vanguard Europe become more public one day, as with TOMB? Perhaps. But, that is a progressive evolution that will happen without our conscious efforts. For right now, and for the writers, they remain quiet, underground urban-myths that are in and out of critical-spots with less than the passing of a few deep shadows...



I can't be arsed to read all that. I'll wait for the TV special.

whomod said: I generally don't like it when people decide to play by the rules against people who don't play by the rules.
It tends to put you immediately at a disadvantage and IMO is a sign of true weakness.
This is true both in politics and on the internet."

Our Friendly Neighborhood Ray-man said: "no, the doctor's right. besides, he has seniority."