It is rare for American newspapers and magazines to focus a story on a superhero team that aren't American. It is the American belief, much like everything else, that our superheroes are bigger and better then the superheroes of any other country. And when the Order of Freedom and Liberty was at it's strongest, this was probably true. But it isn't true anymore. The Order of Freedom and Liberty is gone, and the team that is taking their place isn't American at all. In fact, it is the team of one of the United State's biggest enemies, the South American country Pacifica.
Pacifica, ruled by the dictator Balthazar Dominicus, known to many as Tyrant, has formed probably the most powerful group of superpowered individuals active today. The name of this group is Earth Force One. Currently consisting of six superheroes; Gigaton, Mongrel, Mach-One, Titan, Firewing, and Faran, the team has already helped saved lives in over a dozen countries world wide, and not all of them allies of Pacifica. Only the U.S, its allies in NATO, Israel, and Japan refuse to accept the assistance of Earth Force One.
On the surface, Earth Force One can hardly be perceived as a threat. The activities of the team are directed towards helping those in need more then fighting supervillains. They have assisted in flood relief in India, feed the hungry in Ethiopia, helped a Nepalese village during an avalanche, and other such selfless acts. The only violent conflict the team has had was against the Russian supervillain Chernobyl, a battle that they won. Unlike the Order of Freedom and Liberty, Earth Force One is doing more then fighting evil, they are saving lives wherever they can.
But also unlike the Order of Freedom and Liberty, Earth Force One is also a political tool. The belief of the United States government is that Earth Force One serves Dominicus, and he wishes them to become the world's premiere superhero team for the benefit of Pacifica. While there is no actual proof to this theory, Dominicus has stated he is giving up Earth Force One to the United Nations to use as the they see fit, it is also true that Earth Force One does make it's base in Pacifica. United States sees the threat of Earth Force One in two respects. The first is that of a political tool, Earth Force One makes the U.S. and it's allies look bad, especially when their heroes aren't as effective as Earth Force One. The second is that of a weapon. Unlike many countries, the United States doesn't maintain a full time armed forces superhero unit. Pacifica has what is potentially the most powerful armed forces team on the planet, and that makes them a political superpower. What use are nuclear weapons against Gigaton, a man who gained his powers from a nuclear blast? This gives Pacifica a decided edge over the U.S. and other countries that don't maintain super teams in their armies.
The problem is, Earth Force One is working as a political tool for Dominicus. There are many countries that give Earth Force One full police powers. Several of these countries are political opponents of the U.S., such as Russia and China. Some of these nations are allies, or former allies, such as Mexico. Weaker nations are looking to Earth Force One and Pacifica for help, and Pacifica is more then willing. Dominicus now, through Earth Force One, has power in over a score of nations where he formally did not. It's similar to the Mafia's protection rackets.
As for Earth Force One itself, the team has a colorful history. Two of the members of the team are former criminals and wanted in the United States. Firewing is a self-proclaimed dictator and once attempted to take over the United States by killing the president and burning the White House to the ground. Gigaton is a former associate of Doctor Destroyer, which alone is a black mark on one's superhero resume. One member, Titan, is known as Dominicus's bodyguard. Two, Mongrel and Mach-One, are virtually unknown. Only Faran has a reputation as a superhero, his deeds have made him famous in Africa. With such a questionable past among the teammates of Earth Force One, it questions the motives of Dominicus. Is this a team of protectors, or a team of a Tyrant bent on ruling the world.
Only time will tell if Earth Force One will live up to its name. But right now this team has slowly become one of the biggest threats the U.S. may face going into the next millennium.
—Gregory Steinbeck
WRITE TO US
what do you think?
Do you have what it takes to be a superhero?
Copyright © 2000 Adam Fisher.
