S.T.A.R. Labs
Scientific and Technological Advanced Research Labs
First Appearance: Superman (first series)
#246
Garrison Slate had a dream. He set out to use his scientific
genius to create a nationwide chain of research laboratories that would not
be connected to the federal government, but still be able to make serious
research a cornerstone of its operations. It took Slate quite some time to
achieve his goal, but today, the Scientific and Technological Advanced Research
Labs are the envy of the world.
Slate assembled a celebrated team of scientists and researchers
who were feeling under-appreciated or under-funded at other companies. In
time, S.T.A.R. Labs opened up a dozen facilities stretching from one coast
to the other. Their inventions have been
licensed out to countries around the world, and such revenues have allowed
Slate to run the company without bowing to stockholder pressures.
A great many notable people have worked for the company, starting
with Slate himself. Given the high media saturation in New York City,
its no surprise that S.T.A.R.'s New York director, Jenet Klybum, has a very
high profile. That is also one of the S.T.A.R. facilities that lends a great
deal of technology and support to America's meta-humans, especially the New
Titans. In fact, S.T.A.R.'s New York base kept Titan Cyborg constantly refitted
with new materials and electronics. The lab also houses a state-of-the-art
medical facility where various ailing or injured super-heroes have recovered
from time to time.
S.T.A.R. Lab Locations:
New York City, New York: specializing in research and technology
Gotham City: specializing in weaponry
Metropolis [by Metropolis Harbor]: specializing in marine biology
Metropolis [centrally located]: catch-all facility
Wichita, Kansas: specializing in computer engineering
Chicago, Illinois: specializing in research and technology
Phoenix, Arizona: specializing in meteorology and natural
disasters
San Diego, California: specializing in chemical research
Los Angeles, California: specializing in genetics and disease control
San Francisco, California: specializing in studying meta-humans
Seattle, Washington: specializing in studying psychology and psionics.
Titans Connections:
Silas and Elinore Stone
Dr. Sarah Charles
Thunder & Lightning
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First Appearance: Sarge Steel #1
Secret Origin of Sarge Steel
There are few men tougher than Sarge Steel. While he has no super-powers,
he has a force of will and inner strength that has seen him through events
that would crush lesser men. During his tour in Vietnam, a rigged hand grenade cost Sarge his left hand. Steel underwent surgery
and rehabilitation, finally acquiring a solid steel prosthetic hand. Shunning large operations, he set himself
up as a private investigator, hiring Bess Forbes to serve the many functions required:
office manager, conscience, and friend.
Steel's reputation seemed to attract bizarre cases, and he found himself
stalking spies, criminals, and malcontents across the globe. This would often
put him on the so-called "Danger Trail" of intelligence agents from
around the world. Steel later became a high ranking government operative in both the Central Bureau of Intelligence and Checkmate, specializing in matters that involve
meta-humans.
Sarge Steel & The New Titans
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| Arsenal and Sarge Steel come to an arrangement - from NEW TITANS #112 [1994]. |
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Roy Harper had been devoting much of his efforts as a counselor
for various anti-drug programs. This led Roy to establish government contacts,
and he started working for the federal government as a drug enforcement agent.
In this capacity, he worked under
the direction of Sarge Steel. While on assignment in the Orient, Roy met Cheshire,
who later had a daughter by him (unknown to Roy at the time).
Some time later, the Titans were pressured to place themselves under the
government's watchful eye, due to increased public scrutiny. Sarge Steel was
their chief liaison, and Nightwing stepped down as leader and allowed Arsenal
to take command. Arsenal led this new group of Titans, and was consistently
challenged by the burdens of leadership. Many members left, but new faces
emerged as well. Arsenal's team consisted of Darkstar (Donna Troy), Green
Lantern, Supergirl, Damage, Mirage, Terra II, Minion, Impulse and Rose Wilson.
Steel constantly clashed with the team over various issues. Eventually, each
members' dedication to the team began to waver, and the team disbanded.
After that, Steel sent Arsenal on a mission that jeopardized his life. Discovering
that Steel had set him up and withheld information, Arsenal severed ties
with Steel, Checkmate and the CBI.
Sarge Steel has no meta-human abilities, although his character is considered
superhuman. Steel is the ultimate soldier, quick-thinking and unerring in
action. There are probably few trained agents better than Sarge Steel; as
a result, he has commanded a great deal of respect from field agents and office
directors alike.
Sarge Steel holds a black belt in most martial arts, and his fighting form
suggests training as both a gymnast and a boxer His steel fist has often delivered
the final blow in battle and gives him an edge that most consider unnecessary. Approaching middle age, Steel may have slowed down a touch, but he is still
considered one of the most formidable members of the United States government.
New Titans #100 [1993]: Sarge Steel begins his plans to assume control
of Titans.
New Titans #112 [1994]: Arsenal, Flash and Aqualad negotiate with Sarge
Steel: The Titans will work for the government in exchange for aid in the
lawsuits they face.
New Titans #0, 115-125 [1994-1995]: Under government control, Arsenal
leads a new team of Titans, including Supergirl, Impulse, Damage, Green Lantern
Darkstar, Mirage, Terra, and Minion. Sarge Steel appears, often clashing with
Arsenal.
Arsenal Special #1 [1996]: This special takes place following the events
of New Titans #130. Arsenal is given a mission by Sarge Steel and must confront
his former herion addiction.
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| Captain James Hall gives the Titans his support in NEW TITANS #77 [1991]. |
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Captain Arthur Hall was a New York City police captain and friend of Adrian
Chase. He first came into contact with the Teen Titans through Chase. Chase's
actions became increasingly erratic and he was seemingly killed in an explosion.
A mysterious costumed avenger emerged, who called himself the Vigilante; he
was later revealed as Adrian Chase in a new identity.
Hall continued to assist the Titans on various cases, as well as the Vigilante
[until his tragic death]. Hall became a trusted ally and confidante to the
Titans. So much so, that he vehemently defended the Titans when Elizabeth
Alderman tried to smear them as part of her campaign platform.
Recently, James Hall ran for the office of mayor. He was attacked by Shockwave,
a petty thief who was working on behalf of a criminal organization. The Titans
stopped Shockwave's second assassination attempt on newly elected Mayor James
Hall, only to discover the murder attempt was one small part of a bizarre conspiracy
to gain possession of the Titans' Island.
New Teen Titans #26 [1982]: First appearance of Captain Hall.
New Titans #77 [1991]: Captain Hall defends the Titans.
New Titans #78 [1991]: Captain Hall informs Donna Troy about the destruction of Titans Tower.
New Titans #79 [1991]: Captain Hall vehemently defends the Titans to Councilwoman Elizabeth Alderman.
Titans #26 [2001]: The Titans stop Shockwave's second assassination
attempt on newly elected Mayor James Hall.
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| COUNCILWOMAN ELIZABETH ALDERMAN |
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During the Titans Hunt, various Titans members were hunted by the evil Wildebeest
Society. During the conflict, the Titans Tower was destroyed in a huge explosion.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Alderman - seeing this as an opportunity - created
a political campaign platform railing against the Titans. She cited them as
a danger to the city due to their various battles with costumed adversaries.
She also brought various lawsuits against them for extensive property damage
to the city.
Soon after the Titans Hunt, an evil version of Raven emerged; Her evil consciousness
survived, and she found a mortal vessel to house her form. Raven was intent
on planting the seeds of Trigon's unborn children into new vessels. Raven
plotted to manipulate and torture her former teammates. To this end, Raven
planted a Trigon seed in Elizabeth Alderman. Already a thorn in the Titans'
side, Alderman increased her harassment campaign under Raven's thrall.
Raven soon discovered that she needed super-powered vessels to house the demonic Trigon
seeds. Alderman's mortal form proved too weak to carry the demon-spawn. She
eventually was driven insane and committed to Nordling Asylum. Soon after being
committed, Alderman died.
But the damage was done. Various lawsuits and public pressure left the Titans
in dire straits. The Titans were eventually pressured to place themselves
under the government's watchful eye with Sarge
Steel was their chief liaison. At that point, Nightwing stepped down as leader and allowed
Arsenal to take command.
New Titans #79 [1991]: Councilwoman Elizabeth Alderman begins her
crusade against the Titans as a platform in her bid for mayor. First
appearance of Elizabeth Alderman.
New Titans #85 [1992]: Councilwoman Elizabeth Alderman discredits the Titans on television, blaming them for destruction of public property.
New Titans #97 [1993]: In her office, Liz Alderman is visited by
a mysterious presence [later revealed to be Raven] who warps her emotions.
New Titans #98 [1993]: Liz Alderman does Raven's bidding, under Raven's thrall.
New Titans #105 [1994]: A now-insane Liz Alderman is brought into the
Nordling Asylum.
New Titans #112 [1994]: It is revealed Liz Alderman has died, her mortal
body rejecting the powerful Trigon seed.
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