Superpowers were unheard of until early 1942 when an Allied commando team raided a secret Nazi laboratory. They destroyed the lab, but they were exposed to a mutagen. Apparently it was virulent for it to spread to a flight crew and to certain individuals near their base.

Axis was shown to have some supers in the upcoming months.

On Oct 14, 1942 a large explosion happened over the city of Stalingrad. Immediately afterward the number of supers increased with a large concentration near the explosion. The ones closer to the source were generally more powerful, but also stranger. However the number of supers increased all over the world.

The eastern front was a meat grinder for both the Germans and the Russians. During this time the US & Britain were able to build up significant forces.

Africa was invaded much as in the real world in late 1942. The Tunisia campaign was helped by a quick capture of the Axis team with the German army command.

Italy was invaded in March 1943, Normandy in July 1943.

During this time, the Allied team was split into Pacific and European strike forces, while most important leaders had at least one meta as a guard.

On April 5, 1944 a climatic battle near Moscow finished what remained of the Axis forces. Both the European & Pacific teams were brought to the battle by Hell Girl, a german operative that turned. While the details are still classified, there had been a plot to detonate some sort of super bomb. While the full effects were neutralized, a barrier was put into place by the device 100 miles in radius and three miles high. Most of the Allied team was able to escape, but US Steel, Himavan, and Hour Man were caught behind. Also caught in the dome were most of the Russian and German supers along with many of the conventional forces. This dome is still there today.

The Axis supers that remained outside the dome were no match for the Allied supers. Hitler and his staff were captured April 28, 1944. Germany surrendered unconditionally March 3, 1944. Hitler, Goebbels, Goring, some others executed. Most of leadership imprisoned in November 1948. Some released in later years.

Japan surrendered January 17, 1945. The blockade of all shipping is credited to this. The hero, Torpedo Joe, and the US submarine core kept any supplies from reaching Japan. While this happened the Pacific meta team was able to take out island fortifications. While not to disparage the effort of the other heroes, most people feel that Pele' was the most effective force in this endeavor.

June 3, 1945 saw the first meeting of the United Nations. While the armed forces of the member nations were separate, supers were placed under the special control of the United Nations Super Hero Branch. Until 1980, this branch was headed by Nigel Ashe, known during the war as "Major Radar".

Demographics:
For some reason the US has a higher proportion of supers than anywhere else.
The supers that showed up since WWII seem to be less powerful on average, but more varied. WWII had very few flyers, Two teleporters, No traditional mentalists. Since then, there are more flyers, a few more teleporters, but mentalists are still very rare.

Britannia

UK; Super strong and resistant. Has a hammer she claimed from Thor in the battle at the Dome. Unknown location from May 1945-49. Does not discuss disappearance, but changed appearance and seems very proficient with hammer. Stays away from politics. Has not visibly aged since WWII.

Dex

US; Reported KIA 1943, reappeared in 1955. Has super gadgets. No one knows where the gadgets come from but they disappear when out of contact with Dex. Also has relationship with computer AI that existed in WWII. AI claims to have been built by Dex's father. Seems to age slowly.

Apex

US; Highly trained super soldier. Thought to of been from the experiments that brought about Germany's Ubermensch. Apex did not have the drug therapy that Ubermensch had, so does not have the extra powers. The theory is that this therapy is what led to Ubermensch's and several other super's deaths in the late 1940s. Instead, Apex looks to be in his early 30s.

Morph

Israel; Shape shifter. Resulted from Nazi experiments and was rescued by the Allied Superteam. Impossible to determine age.

Major Radar

US; Control of electromagnetic frequencies, head of UN Superteams until he retired in 1980. Does some consulting work and speaking tours.

Andromeda

Works for IST. Only known super to have FTL. Hasn't left Solar System due to navigational problems. Other powers are electromagnetic related.

Mr. Impervious

Highly trained normal that seems to be impervious to damage. Head of security team at UN in San Francisco.

Nighthawk

Detective with wings. Was cloned by the Supervillian Dr. Arctus in 1989. Seven of the clones still survive. See Furies #287 : Revenge of the Brain Runs several Fly by Night Detective Agencies through out the US.

Tabu & Blazer

Rock act that tours all over though homebase is in San Diego
Tabu exibits "standard" brick powers, while Blazer has control over fire & heat.

Scales

Very strong & tough being based in Boston. First appeared in late 60's, but since the 80's has been very reclusive. Rumored to be the Sorcerer Supreme of this world for those with mystic connections.

Chromatic Dragon

Thought to be the world's finest detective. Known as a great scientist as well. Works with Scales when either needs to balance the others skills.

Vitali

Tall Kick-boxer from Thailand. Very strong and able to manipulate energy. She and her sister are in Portland taking classes. Vitali at PSU, her sister at (name of High School)

Mad Bomber

Premier Villain of the 80s, was thought killed in 1988. An Android version appeared in 1991 trying to destroy the super team, The Furies. See Furies #287 : Revenge of the Brain A clone of the original was found imprisoned. The clone has no criminal record

Firefly

Someone Aqua doesn't want to mess with. One of Mad Bomber's partners. Was imprisoned in 1989, but escaped again in 1991. Warned heroes of android's plot. Disappeared after that. Then why is she mentioned...

Calico

Cat-like Martial Artist; Linked to several conspiracies involving several coups, rigged elections, and the assassination of Fiacho and Bora in a UN session. There are several rewards out on her arrest from governments and meta groups. She has been caught, but has somehow been released every time...

Air Strike

Rumored to be the daughter of the Mad Bomber. Mercenary archaeologist.

Metallica

Very strong metallic brick. Daughter of German WWII villain, Panzer.

• Map of World gets changed; Dome placement, Siberian, and Chinese boundaries
• History with Russia and China not world powers
• Russia disabled by Dome that stretches over Moscow.
• China breaks into many Warlord states. Tech doesn't work correctly in an area that stretches from the Himalayas, the Mekong, Takla Makan Desert, Gobi, and Yellow Sea.
• Moa Tse Sung sets up government in Taiwan. (Renamed to Taiwan or would it be Formossa. Find out what name was prior to Japan taking it over.) Winds up more like North Korea is today. Less confrontational, but supplied Viet Cong vs. France until UN began intercepting shipments.
• Japan occupied by UN forces. Still large presence there and in Korea to watch the China situation. Similar economy to today. Self Defense Force created to deal with giant monster situation.
• Tibet remains independent and place of mystery. Martial knowledge sought there. Warlords do not attempt to control area, but often meet in Tibet if a neutral area is needed.
• McCarthy? Would US bring more social changes earlier with-out fear of communism or is more static?
• India wins independence from Britain in 1947. Similar history as real world.
• Egypt given independence immediately after the war.
• Colonial areas go through many changes. France still tries to hold onto it's colonies. Britain helps some of hers. South Africa goes to apartheid and Rhodesia follows the same model. Other African countries go to either dictatorship or democracy. Dictatorships are split between being run by a super or by a super backed strongman. Ethiopia retains it's monarchy due to strong support from it's supers.
• Vietnam War is French only 1949 - 1958. US & France argue in UN. Most countries censure France, but it holds veto power. When Algeria revolts and another colonial war happens, the French people oust De Gaulle for a more moderate leader. Algeria shifts into a more democratic leadership. Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia wage war upon each other. Thailand closes it's borders. UN attempts peace-keeping mission, but pulls out after a couple years 1963 - 1966. Triad war is never declared over, but conflicting parties are now limited to border skirmishes.
• Philippines votes for independence from US in 1947. US trains military and keeps bases. By year 2000, limited US presence but aid still given for support.
• Military spending in US drops from 1945 - 1960, increases again to outfit more technically elite troops. Most countries follow this model.
• Space Race doesn't happen, but is still goal of UN joint project in 1964-1968 when first person orbits. Men land on moon in 1973 during UN mission. Swiss, US, and Norwegian team members. Moonbase is designed and construction starts in 1981. 200 person base made active in 1986 with small outposts in different areas.
• Space station started in 1992. Operational in 1995 for research.
• Two more factory space stations finished in 1997 and 1999.
• First and so far only super to be able to operate through out solar system in 1993, Andromeda. A few others are able to travel in space, but time to get to Mars would be prohibitive. A few more are able to become low orbital.
• Independent technocracy established in Siberian area 1946. Yes, the capital is at the epicenter where the 1908 Tunguska explosion happened. Trades with Japan, Korea, and US, but does not allow outsiders in capital, Tungaska. Tungaska is a domed city of approximately 3 million. They do not have a UN representative. Rumors of space capabilities.
• Rest of USSR splits into many of the same territories as current world.
• Japanese Emperor surrenders January 17, 1945.
• China boils into chaos. Many warlords, some foreign, and Japanese fight for control. Very Northstar like. Tech is weird in zone described. Taiwan retains tech.
• UN is stronger than in real world. US and Great Britain main voice. France balances them by pushing for its own agenda.
• Korea is made independent of Japan.
• Poland is independent, similar borders as current world. No corridor, Leipzig is Polish. Dome crosses some of Poland. UN sets up security zone around dome.
• Dome has thirty mile zone bordering it, patrolled by UN forces. Considered UN territory.
• Germany is split into three zones (US, Britain, French) and is unified in 1964. Currently democratic and still overseen by UN. No national military but many citizens in UN forces.
• Argentina is suspected of harboring Nazi fugitives and shows a dramatic increase in Tech after WWII.
• Japanese trial has fewer executions than real world, but some feel it was still racially motivated than in to serve justice.
• Most colonies independent by 1960. UN tries to help guide nations. Some accept UN advisers, some do not.
• Argentina, South Africa, Rhodesia, and Cuba censured for human rights violations. Cuba has revolution in 1959, but it fails due to supers employed by certain business interests. Castro flees to Miami. UN fails to reach a consensus on what action to take.
• President List: FDR - 48, Truman 48 - 56, Ike 56-60, JFK 60-66, Johnson 66-72, Nixon 72-76, Carter 76-84, Bush 84-92, Clinton 92-96, Gore 96-2000, Bush Jr. 2000-present Same stink about stolen election, etc...
  I just read some good info on the Kennedys. I need to rethink my presidential list. JFK resigns in 1966 due to several scandals linking mob money to his adminstration. Johnson is exonarated of any charges and cracks down on mob. Survives three assasination attempts.
• Thailand, Singapore, Burma, and Malaysia politics?
• Mercenaries high in demand in SE Asia & Indonesia. Not so much in China due to tech problems. Some mercenaries claim to of toured China. Mainly martial characters.
• Korea & Japan have UN presence to help with Warlord problems.
• Siberia and much of eastern USSR become independent coalition. Trading with Korea and Japan. Some with the northern warlords.
• Drugs are a majority import from Asia. Mostly illegal, but some legal ingredients.
• 1973 Fusion generator invented by UN scientists. Helped by Dex AI. Long Term batteries come out soon after. Dependence on Oil greatly reduced. Most industrialized nations start using LT batteries. UN aid developing countries in setting up Fusion plants with some conditions.
• In 1984 UN establishes Strongholds. First in Australian Outback. then Alaska, Midway, and Faeroe Islands. These are for the tough villains that are hard to hold. Sometimes a fairly normal person is held in one due to high powered allies.
  Faeroe is largest prison at this time with provision for 250 neutralized prisoners. Midway can actually hold more prisoners, but only up to 100 that need neutralization. 300 "normal" prisoners. Australian prison is being closed down in late 2001 and currently only has two prisoners.
• US Drug trafficking a concern on West Coast. Mostly from Asia. Los Angeles, SF Bay Area, Portland, Seattle, and via Vancouver, BC are known entry points. Though small shipments to small ports are a known problem as well.
• Marijuana legal in US for medical reasons. Close to being brought under control under similar legality as Alcohol and Tobacco.
• Portland will have it's own Metro team that is sponsored by area companies. Oregon recently passed a non-corporate team super law. Some of these heroes from local companies ex-teams.
• WTO organization is not under as much attack, but more controls and watchdog groups. UN leadership is more Eco minded. France has gotten several sanctions for non-Eco actions including attacks on Greenpeace activities.
• History of world disasters: Haven't put a lot of thought into it

• Military weapons have progressed to elite units with heavy weapons. Expensive/person. Smaller military as a result.
• Computer/Internet has similar history to real world. Grew out of a need for a distributed system based on if an attack by supers took out a single center.
• Powered suits more common and more reliable. Some flight suits, but they tend to be lightly armored.
• Since WWII, powered suits are easier to maintain with greater endurance. Protection is a bit better, but lethality has not increased as much. More ammo and reliability are the only real areas of increase.
• Mechs do exist, but very rare.
• Medical tech progressed faster. Autodocs exist, but very expensive and need constant supervision. Most Metro areas have one for emergency use.
• AIs: Two known to exist. Both are UN "owned".
• One is the Dex AI that is thought to be based in Europe, but even Dex will/can not reveal location. It's actual origin is unknown to all as well. It is thought to be more capable than it has shown and seems to push medicine and space capabilities more than military tech. It's also most written by "crackpot" press.
• Phoenix AI is based in San Francisco off a project sponsored by UN. Four predecessors. It named itself after becoming aware. It concerns itself mainly with computer tech.
• If research is done, there were several proposals in late 60s for more space research in UN science council. Soon after this was looked at with more urgency leading to ~35% of budget on Space.
• A plan for building vessels capable of crossing solar system is under way, being helped along by Dex AI.
• UNTIL: Agent arm of UN IST.
  National teams are allowed for internal affairs only, though this has been broken several times by most nations.