“Title Zero” - A Superhero Comic Synopsis

So, a friend of mine (Aaron) and I were yacking one day about potentially collaborating on a project; a superhero thing, no less. Like there aren’t enough of those. However, after our brainstorming conversation concluded, I set out to run some errands. The notion would NOT leave my head.

In the span of that drive, I plotted a few details down for how we would do one. Upon returning home, I spent the next three or four hours hammering ‘em out. This is the result:

TITLE ZERO SYNOPSIS:

The year 2001 was known as the birth of the “true millennium”. While the fears of the many subsided with the Y2K changeover, there were still those that awaited the successive year with equal parts fascination and fear. For an event was expected by some - an educated few - that could alter the destiny of humankind forever. Their reservations were correct.

For on January 1^st, 2001, the Rhea Cascade happened. A leyline singularity unlike any other; an energy surge of untold power. It didn’t happen in one area, but many. The strongest nexus of which surrounded the plot of land where the as-of-yet Pantheon High School was to be built. The government took notice of this and acted quickly. Referring to the top minds of the science and fringe science communities, a conclusion was reached.

Pantheon High would indeed be built, but not as any normal school. Rather, a Petri dish of sorts. Under the guise of a public school funded under a “Title Zero” government grant, students from all walks of life would populate it’s halls; children whose test scores indicated a potential for greatness. The government would see what would happen to them on a hotbed of metaphysical energy…and wait.

It did not take long. Although 75% of students were unaffected by the invisible “surge”, a quarter of them began exhibiting paranormal traits. The onset was subtle at first. Girl-A would get a top grade on an English test, even though she was a recent immigrant. Boy-C would run a full marathon on a meniscus tear. The top 1%, well, they went farther.

The Pentagon’s patience had paid off. Six students exhibited abilities only heard of in comic books, and better still…their powers were growing. The problem remained of what to do with the other 25%. Superpowered teens were unanimously considered a threat if left unchecked. By the end of June 2001, the Expulsion Directive was carried out.

While prolonged partial exposure to the Rhea energy opened the gate to newfound abilities, a concentrated pulse had the opposite effect. A student exposed would have their powers stripped. Problem nullified. However, once a student was torn from their newfound talents, a part of their very being was ripped from them as well. Some officials likened it to a spiritual lobotomy. Expelled students either fell into an incurable catatonia…or died.

The chosen six were put through a rigorous training regimen. Their identities were shrouded in secrecy. Official designation at Pantheon High was “En Passant”, or less formally; the Chess Team. Their codenames were the six player pieces on a chessboard; King, Queen, Rook, Knight, Bishop and Pawn. In one year’s time, they were ready for field work as military-sanctioned field operatives. That is…until the incident.

2009. No students have exhibited the same level of talents as the original En Passant group until now. These six - under the mentorship of a new Chessmaster - pick up the mantle their predecessors left behind. The difference is none of them know of the Expulsion Directive or the founding principles of the Title Zero program. Secondly, none of them can stand the sight of each other. And lastly…

They have the power within them to become gods on Earth.

If they don’t destroy it first.

CHARACTERS:

Professor James Laxis:

A former college professor with a doctorate in psychology, students often refer to this shifty, bearded - but amiable - man as Profo Laxis. Or Jimmy Hat. He is the Vice Principal of Pantheon High and the new Chessmaster for En Passant. Getting the new group together, however, has proven a rather daunting task. Luckily, he has a few tricks of his own, namely partial clairvoyance. He can see the future up to “ten steps ahead”, which allows him to plan for most eventualities.

Most.

His reason for taking up the mantle of Chessmaster, aside from his unique Rhea-influenced abilities is his personal attachment to the Title Zero project. His daughter, Blue Laxis, was the former Queen of En Passant…and current leader of Shogi.

Leroy Hayman:

A transferred sophomore to Pantheon High, this tall, built African American male is the envy of all his peers. Smart, cunning, charismatic, and completely aloof. He turned down the opportunity to run for Student Council. His test scores are through the roof, and - despite his best efforts to the contrary - he maintains a B- average.

His abilities are all in his mind; literally. Telepathy, telekinesis, pyrokinesis, if there is a mental trait, he can master it. That is, aside from psychic abilities, which Mr. Laxis seems to have over him.

He is the new “King” of En Passant. Designation: “Checkmate”.

Philomena “Mena” Silver:

Towering most sophomores at five-eleven, the Amazonian Mena Silver was the only one from her class to be accepted on the varsity cheerleading squad. Although considered a high honor, what they really wanted her was for support. After all, her physical prowess was obvious. Regardless of her build and size, she is strikingly beautiful and she knows it. The results of which means she never dates anyone below her height; a strict rule.

Her abilities are fairly self-explanatory. She possesses superhuman strength…with an added twist. If the need arises. Her skin pores secrete an alloy coating, sheathing her in metal. “Silver”, indeed.

She is the new “Queen” of En Passant. Designation: “Endgame”.

Hugh Lincoln:

Hugh is a sophomore, and a very well-known one at that. In his very short run of the school thus far, he has racked up an impressive array of credentials - from cafeteria larceny to pep assembly pranks. The odd thing is, no one on the faculty appears to hate him. Students on the other hand, are split down the middle. Some want to worship him, others want to rend him limb from him.

They’d have to find him first.

Hugh has a talent with light. He can bend it to his will. From bending the light around him, rendering him invisible, to condensing a lightwave to a single (and deadly) beam. He isn’t one to be crossed lightly. Luckily he usually only uses his powers to annoy.

He is the new “Bishop” of En Passant. Designation: “Jester”.

Kira Lightfoot:

Studious, silent, and shy, Kira spends most of her time delving into a book rather than traversing the rigmarole of high school. She mostly keeps to herself, and if ever called upon…she can never be found. There’s a reason for that.

Kira was imbued with the slight manipulation of space-time. She can teleport and freeze time at will with a simple thought. The duration and length of these episodes depends on her level of concentration, which is usually easily distracted.

She is the new “Knight” of En Passant. Designation: “Elle”.

Jin-Wray Carwin:

This Amerasian tenth grader has always had a plan. School was but a step in that plan. Sports, only a means of honing his body. ROTC, only a means of instilling discipline. Some would blame his parents for this narrow-minded focus. Nothing could be further from the truth. This was all him. What was not in the cards, however, was superpowers.

But he’d adapt.

Jin possesses an exceptionally strong life force, one he can harness, shape, and throw at hypervelocity speeds. He can even alter the pressure and size of the impact just by his stance or expression. Don’t ever call it a “chi bolt” or “fireball”, though. He would take offense.

Then probably throw one at you.

He is the new “Rook” of En Passant. Designation: “Ballistic”.

Theodore “Theo” Payne:

Always the understudy, never the actor. Such is the freshman life of the confessed of ”theater geek”, Theo Payne. His dream was to perform as Hamlet at least once. Instead, he was drafted to light detail and tech work. It didn’t help that he was quite good at it. Affable and well-liked, though he was, none considered him talented enough to take the stage. Occasionally he’d get a bite as a member of a Greek chorus or a dancer, but that was it. He never got his curtain call, and it was starting to show.

His moment to shine would come in another form.

Theo has the most unique ability with the greatest amount of potential. While it may seem that all he is is an “elastic man”, in reality he’s a shape-changer. Aside from altering his form and size at will, he can also mimic anything that he touches once; be it person, place or thing. What has not been told to him, though, is this ability might evolve past mere mimicry.

He is the new “Pawn” of En Passant. Designation: “Puppet”.

Tags: Comic, High School, superhero

2 Comments to “Title Zero” - A Superhero Comic Synopsis

1. And I helped. No really, I did.
Aaron on June 4th, 2009

2. Yes, yes you did, and I said so.
Geoffrey F. Norman on June 4th, 2009

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