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Description
(Made with Pixlr)
Credits:
mikesterman3000
lurch-jr

Background:
Between 1928 and 1940, there was an event dubbed the "Great Superhero Boom". This was the time in which many superheroes and vigilantes began to make their first appearances in large numbers, many of which would have legacies that would span generations. Considered to be America's first modern superhero, Niles Castle was born with a metahuman gene that gave him powers of super strength and invincibility. Born in Chicago, Niles was unaware of his superhuman abilities until later in life when he was shot by a robber at the grocery store he worked in. After the shot, he discovered he was still standing with no wound and the bullet instead fell to the ground crushed, like it hit the side of a wall. The robber fired more times only to find the bullets were bouncing off of Niles until his gun was ran out of ammunition. The robber fled and left Niles and other witnesses mortified and confused about the events unfolded.

Later that day, Niles returned home and told his wife, Anita, what happened. That's when it occurred to him that throughout his life, he had never been seriously injured even when he should have. He never had any cuts, bruises, or broken bones. Niles just considered himself lucky growing up, but realized now that he was a freak of nature. Anita assured him that he was anything but and instead opened his eyes on the opportunities his gift could give him. When listing the things he could do, the one thing that caught his attention the most was "hero". Niles wanted to help and protect people by delivering justice in an unjust society.

Anita was on board with the idea, growing tired of the stories of police brutality and racism her friends and family would receive. But Niles wanted to be more than a simple crime fighter and instead wanted to inspire others to follow in his example. Anita came up with the idea that he should be a symbol of some kind and even started making him a costume with clothes from Niles' closet; a grey sweater, a pair of jeans, his work boots, and an old pair of leather gloves. She also embroidered a symbol on to his shirt to represent the symbol he wanted to be. Niles was iffy at the idea after he realized that he could get arrested for vigilantism if he was ever to be recognized. That was when he gained inspiration from the very robber who shot him and the mask he wore. Anita liked the idea, too, and fashioned a similar mask based off of Zorro to complete his ensemble.

On Niles' first patrol, he stopped a bank heist with nothing but his own hands, creating intimidation for the crooks and awe in the onlookers he saved. When asked for his name, he simply just said his last name and thus, Castle was born! Castle would continue his vigilante lifestyle and was met with praise from many people across the country. He is also considered to be the reason for the Superhero Boom with many later heroes of the 30's citing Castle as an inspiration. And although there were many theories as to who Castle truly was, nobody could decipher it as Niles Castle was just another civilian out of costume.

One day in 1941, Niles came home to find government agents in his apartment. His wife and children looked nervous while Niles suspected that his vigilante days were over. That was until they informed him that he was being recruited into a team formed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and that his identity is safe with them. Niles was relieved, but then realized what the team was for: the war overseas. Feeling as if he had no other choice, he accepted and was taken to the White House for debriefing. That was when he met many of the other heroes of America such as the Flying Fox, Human Ghost, Moonset, and the Blazer, and was told their purpose. They were the Power Alliance, the first team of superheroes assembled to fight the good fight and stop the Axis from taking over the world by taking up secret missions given to them by the Allies. Later on, the team was sent into D-Day alongside the Allied soldiers where they met their final member, Platinum Woman, to safely get the soldiers across the beaches of Europe.

Many stories can be told of the Power Alliance during this time and their missions. In the end, they returned home once the war was won and they all returned to their respective lives. Despite that, the Alliance stayed together for years as an unofficial team. For the most part, they would only do team-ups and would regularly meet up once every month to socialize. Castle would fight alongside his old compatriots to take down several villains and criminals but soon realized that he was getting slower and weaker from age. Ultimately, the team disbanded in 1956 after the murder of the Flying Fox. While the culprit was sent to prison, Castle nearly jeopardized his superhero career after threatening to punch a hole into his head, being restrained by other heroes. He was excused for the incident, but believed that he was no longer fit to be a hero anymore and retired the year after, putting behind a nearly thirty year career.

Years later, Castle became an icon among the Civil Rights movement as he openly supported racial equality during his vigilante career and after. Despite his age, Niles would participate in many protests and events in a push for equal rights and remained vocal about it for years. He would also keep in contact with many of his superhero friends, particularly the Blazer who had re-entered superhero life again around that time. In 1977, Castle had passed away of health complications at the age of 79 surrounded by his family. He was later given a massive memorial for his service as a superhero and service in World War II. He is fondly remembered as an icon and superhero who started it all with his strong sense of justice and unity.

Powers: Invincibility and super strength.

Other Notes:
- Niles could play piano and would often do so at different events. He played to the Power Alliance multiple times and at Flying Fox's funeral as requested.
- Castle's super strength got better with age. By the time he was a teenager, he could lift twice his own weight. By thirty, he could lift a car with ease and could punch through solid brick.
- While there were many masked or superpowered individuals before Castle's time, the term "superhero" was coined by reporters in his prime. Castle is considered the first modern superhero because he was the first to adopt many of the classic motifs such as a mask, symbol, and costume, unintentionally kicking off the Superhero Boom.
- Niles' family is still alive and going, notably with no members taking up his mantle like other heroes in the world.
- To disguise himself for the Flying Fox's funeral, Niles said he was just a good friend of Richard's.

Qeb cfopq lc jxkv ql yb prob

Description
(Made with Pixlr)
Credits:
mikesterman3000
lurch-jr

Background:
Between 1928 and 1940, there was an event dubbed the "Great Superhero Boom". This was the time in which many superheroes and vigilantes began to make their first appearances in large numbers, many of which would have legacies that would span generations. Considered to be America's first modern superhero, Niles Castle was born with a metahuman gene that gave him powers of super strength and invincibility. Born in Chicago, Niles was unaware of his superhuman abilities until later in life when he was shot by a robber at the grocery store he worked in. After the shot, he discovered he was still standing with no wound and the bullet instead fell to the ground crushed, like it hit the side of a wall. The robber fired more times only to find the bullets were bouncing off of Niles until his gun was ran out of ammunition. The robber fled and left Niles and other witnesses mortified and confused about the events unfolded.

Later that day, Niles returned home and told his wife, Anita, what happened. That's when it occurred to him that throughout his life, he had never been seriously injured even when he should have. He never had any cuts, bruises, or broken bones. Niles just considered himself lucky growing up, but realized now that he was a freak of nature. Anita assured him that he was anything but and instead opened his eyes on the opportunities his gift could give him. When listing the things he could do, the one thing that caught his attention the most was "hero". Niles wanted to help and protect people by delivering justice in an unjust society.

Anita was on board with the idea, growing tired of the stories of police brutality and racism her friends and family would receive. But Niles wanted to be more than a simple crime fighter and instead wanted to inspire others to follow in his example. Anita came up with the idea that he should be a symbol of some kind and even started making him a costume with clothes from Niles' closet; a grey sweater, a pair of jeans, his work boots, and an old pair of leather gloves. She also embroidered a symbol on to his shirt to represent the symbol he wanted to be. Niles was iffy at the idea after he realized that he could get arrested for vigilantism if he was ever to be recognized. That was when he gained inspiration from the very robber who shot him and the mask he wore. Anita liked the idea, too, and fashioned a similar mask based off of Zorro to complete his ensemble.

On Niles' first patrol, he stopped a bank heist with nothing but his own hands, creating intimidation for the crooks and awe in the onlookers he saved. When asked for his name, he simply just said his last name and thus, Castle was born! Castle would continue his vigilante lifestyle and was met with praise from many people across the country. He is also considered to be the reason for the Superhero Boom with many later heroes of the 30's citing Castle as an inspiration. And although there were many theories as to who Castle truly was, nobody could decipher it as Niles Castle was just another civilian out of costume.

One day in 1941, Niles came home to find government agents in his apartment. His wife and children looked nervous while Niles suspected that his vigilante days were over. That was until they informed him that he was being recruited into a team formed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and that his identity is safe with them. Niles was relieved, but then realized what the team was for: the war overseas. Feeling as if he had no other choice, he accepted and was taken to the White House for debriefing. That was when he met many of the other heroes of America such as the Flying Fox, Human Ghost, Moonset, and the Blazer, and was told their purpose. They were the Power Alliance, the first team of superheroes assembled to fight the good fight and stop the Axis from taking over the world by taking up secret missions given to them by the Allies. Later on, the team was sent into D-Day alongside the Allied soldiers where they met their final member, Platinum Woman, to safely get the soldiers across the beaches of Europe.

Many stories can be told of the Power Alliance during this time and their missions. In the end, they returned home once the war was won and they all returned to their respective lives. Despite that, the Alliance stayed together for years as an unofficial team. For the most part, they would only do team-ups and would regularly meet up once every month to socialize. Castle would fight alongside his old compatriots to take down several villains and criminals but soon realized that he was getting slower and weaker from age. Ultimately, the team disbanded in 1956 after the murder of the Flying Fox. While the culprit was sent to prison, Castle nearly jeopardized his superhero career after threatening to punch a hole into his head, being restrained by other heroes. He was excused for the incident, but believed that he was no longer fit to be a hero anymore and retired the year after, putting behind a nearly thirty year career.

Years later, Castle became an icon among the Civil Rights movement as he openly supported racial equality during his vigilante career and after. Despite his age, Niles would participate in many protests and events in a push for equal rights and remained vocal about it for years. He would also keep in contact with many of his superhero friends, particularly the Blazer who had re-entered superhero life again around that time. In 1977, Castle had passed away of health complications at the age of 79 surrounded by his family. He was later given a massive memorial for his service as a superhero and service in World War II. He is fondly remembered as an icon and superhero who started it all with his strong sense of justice and unity.

Powers: Invincibility and super strength.

Other Notes:
- Niles could play piano and would often do so at different events. He played to the Power Alliance multiple times and at Flying Fox's funeral as requested.
- Castle's super strength got better with age. By the time he was a teenager, he could lift twice his own weight. By thirty, he could lift a car with ease and could punch through solid brick.
- While there were many masked or superpowered individuals before Castle's time, the term "superhero" was coined by reporters in his prime. Castle is considered the first modern superhero because he was the first to adopt many of the classic motifs such as a mask, symbol, and costume, unintentionally kicking off the Superhero Boom.
- Niles' family is still alive and going, notably with no members taking up his mantle like other heroes in the world.
- To disguise himself for the Flying Fox's funeral, Niles said he was just a good friend of Richard's.

Qeb cfopq lc jxkv ql yb prob