Think Globally, Act Locally

The Global Guardians

So far all modern day My52 titles are based in the United States (which makes sense given the US-centric audience of DC Comics), but I do want to expand the world a little bit and take a look at heroic happening outside of Uncle Sam's territory.  This worked really well for me as a concept during the original Justice League Europe/International run of the early 90s (where the stories were better in many ways than the ones printed in the papa comic, Justice League America).  

Unlike DC's New52 line-up, though, I don't want to dilute the name "Justice League" by adding a number of spin-off titles.  Heck, I didn't even use the title Justice SOCIETY for my JSA pitch.  Fortunately, there's another international superhero agency with a long history in the DCU.

For a number of decades, the Global Guardians operated under the premise that each nation would provide a single superhero to represent them in this world-wide peacekeeping organization.  More than a few were showcases for the trend of foreign superheroes being based on cultural stereotypes, but the majority were original creations who rarely went on to bigger things than being mind-controlled opponents for the above-mentioned JLE.

I honestly can't tell you what the "current" status of the GG is (although I believe they made a sort of appearance in early post-Infinite Crisis Green Lantern comics), but following the Final Crisis and Blackest Night, The Guardians reform with a slightly more limited scope. Despite the grand name, these Global Guardians are super-functionaries of the European Union and are chartered to defend Europe.  They still field one member per country, but only European members are invited.

Alpha Centurion

Probably the most obscure member of the team, Alpha Centurian was a supporting character to Superman back in the 90s, but Lord knows what's happened to him since.  Ol' AC was a centurion from Ancient Rome chosen to journey with an alien visitor to the stars, only to return 2000 years later.  Basing himself in Metropolis upon his return, it's no stretch of the imagination to see him return to Rome and ultimately become Italy's representative to the Global Guardians.

Ice Maiden

Although killed in action during her tenure with the Justice League, Tora Olafsdotter was since clumsily resurrected in Birds of Prey.  Still, can't complain 'cause I love the character and look forward to having her back i the Global Guardians. Politically-aware readers might notice that her home nation of Norway isn't actually a member of the European Union, but that's a pretty soft barrier.

Jack O'Lantern
There's been a lot of people in this costume, but it's still such an iconic look in my mind that he MUST be present regardless of who's in the hood.  The most recent barer of the lantern was an Irish freedom fighter, but I can easily see the government stepping in to separate him from that power and granting it to someone more acceptable to their public image.  It'll be interesting to see how a legacy character develops when he's living in the shadow of all the other people who have died while carrying this seemingly cursed power.

 Crimson Fox

Crimson Fox wasn't on my go-to list for members of the Global Guardians, not the least reason because she's dead (twice!).  Initially a shared identity between two identical sisters, both were killed off over time.  However, I've since grown to appreciate the character's contrast between clawed vixen and cultured businesswoman and can imagine hundreds of ways for her to contribute to the team.  Putting a new woman behind the mask could be as easy as someone wanting to step forward with France's most successful heroine (a member of the Justice League no less) when it came time to represent for the Guardians.









Godiva
I'm a sucker for heroes with seemingly limited powers who still know how to throw down (::cough:: Ant-Man ::cough::) and Godiva's prehensile hair certainly makes that list.  One one level, it's hair.  On the other hand, though, she's like a hot blonde Dr. Octopus, only not limited to just four extra limbs.  And while I'm not normally a fan of cultural stereotypes, I'd totally write Godiva with an exaggerated "stiff upper lip" where nothing phases her.  Contrast a stoic, British can-do attitude with the seemingly lame power of "hair manipulation" and I think we've got a winning character here.

Olympian

Unfortunately he's been depicted as something of a goof in recent outings, but I see Olympian as the heir to some of the greatest heroes of Earth's mythic past and should be shown as such.  The golden fleece he wears was the goal of the Jason and the Argonauts (including Hercules)!  I don't know who's under the horns (although I guess I should figure that out), but he has to be a hero himself.  And the strength and invulnerability the fleece brings him must combine to make him one of the greatest champions of the Mediterranean. 

Jolt
Who?
Jolt was one of the forgettable characters for the short-lived Blasters series following the Invasion mini-.  Originally a Spanish fashion model, she gained the power to create a repellent forcefield around her body due to experimentation by the alien Dominators.  Like with Godiva, I appreciate the limited scope of her powers and look forward to seeing how many different ways they can be applied to crimebusting.  In addition to representing Spain in the GG, she also handily fills the spot of vain thrill-seeker that every team needs. Clearly she's only on the team as a way to promote herself.

Wingman

The Global Guardians grew out of old Batmen of All Nations stories, and I'd be remiss not to include one of those characters in this team.  Of the lot, it was Sweden's Wingman which caught my eye, but imagine my surprise when I learned the character had turned evil in recent Grant Morrison-penned Batman stories.  However, I have just now decided that this Wingman once operated with a Robin-like youthful sidekick named Redbird, and that character, now grown, has decided to reclaim and redeem the name of Wingman.  As you can see from the picture, I've opted for something along the lines of his original, more colorful costume rather than the darker image he'd taken in his later days.  Powerwise, his cape/wings allow him to fly, while his combat training makes him almost the equal of Batman himself.  He's a bit like this universe's Falcon.


The Global Guardians have long been based out of a building called The Dome in Paris, and I see no reason to change that.

I haven't decided if eventually the GG will try to branch out of Europe and attempt to fulfill the nature of their name.  The presence of a representative from Norway shows they're willing to look outside the official EU member nations, and I see them soon attempting to sway a Russian hero into joining, perhaps one of the super-speed characters of Red Trinity...