Super Powered Beings

Super Powered Beings

Individuals considered to have some kind of "super powers."

Their presence was largely chalked up to rumors and myth. During World War 2, some super powered beings prevalently fought in World War 2, having come from various origins, included government labs. A small number persisted into the 1950s, which would eventually lead to the formation of the first super powered school in New York City. The number of people considered to be powered was generally considred small at this point in time, although the public fascination with them was great.

Starting in the late 1960s, the number of people with powers began to rise, which lead to expanding the New York school, and, by the late 1970s, the opening of a handful more schools located throughout the country.

In 2001, the George W Bush signed an executive order to rush construction of over a dozen new schools in the Super Powered School System. (See Super Powered Initiative)

There is a school of thought amongst scholars that many myths and legends throughout history might be based in fact of early super powered beings. This is supported by some super powered individuals having powers that very similarly match up to myths, such as a fair number of werewolf like beings, as well as a fairly large number of magically inclined individuals.

There is no government based registration of super heroes in the United States. There is however, self policing organizations and such. Basically certain institutions that certify super heroes and govern them effectively. Also, fees and such paid to these organizations by registered heroes help pay for legal fees and insurance. Effectively makes it easier for superheroes to be superheroes.

Individuals with magical talents are often put into this definition, and most generally, it is used as a catch-all term that includes them. For more on them, see Magical Beings.

In the United States, it is estimated that over 1% of the population has powers of some kind, however most powers are generally not considered overly powerful, and do not necessitate the individual attending a school. In a lot of cases, they likely would not be admitted even if they tried, unless they had some kind of need.

Typiucally in the United States, "Super heroes" are licensed with a licensing organization. Typically these organizations are authorized by the states they operate in and have to follow certain guidelines as set by the state. Most states require a license to operate as a powered individual in. Some state licenses have more reach than others. Some licenses are only good in the state they are issued in, while others, such as Connecticut have stricter licensing laws, and their licenses are valid in other states.

A superhero license is designed to give some governing body to the actions of a super hero, as well as help insure the powered individual. License fees paid by the hero to the organisation help cover both insurance and legal costs that the hero may need.

Alaska and Hawaii are the only two states to act differently. Alaska generally has no need for the licensing program as there are few heroes who want to live there, and largely even less crime that might even need them.

As for Hawaii, Hawaii had major issues during the 1980s where a number of the people who had considered themselves "heroes" during the 50s, 60s, and even the 1970s moved to Hawaii as a sort of 'retirement' from wherever they were. Most of these "heroes" were people who likely never should have worked as heroes in the first place, and the sudden influx of them in such a relatively confined space led to major issues. These issues led to Hawaii generally not allowing any heroes to operate on their soil who are licensed from other states. Their licensing programs are state-led and incredibly strict, largely encouraging powered citizens of Hawaii to license, and discourage people from the mainland. These incidents and similar were what helped bring about licensing organizations in every state. (See Hawaii Ruckus for more information)

See also Comics and Super Beings and Myths and Powers