S.H.A.D.E.
The S.H.A.D.E. is an organization that features in DC Comics.
Contents |
History
Origin
The Super-Human Advanced Defense Executive (S.H.A.D.E.) was created by the United States during the administration of President Lyndon Johnson. It was formed as a one-time elite espionage agency but over decades it changed into a more minimalist form to survive as a low-budget cleanup operation that was headquartered at the secret Essex Airbase that was not present on any map. At this blacksite, the government also began to develop and test experimental superweapons. This American military organization that investigates, assesses, and contains paranormal and superhuman activity. (Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein v1 #3) In 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong discovered the remnants of Cosmigods and their advanced technology on the Moon with these being the remains of a long fought battle waged eons ago. The existence of this find was a closely guarded secret with this being held under President Nixon and the Super Human Advanced Defense Executive who also studied these relics. (Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters v1 #7)
At some point, they discovered that the Red Swami had brainwashed the undead Bride of Frankenstein and was using her as a reincarnated assassin goddess. S.H.A.D.E. sent their forces to retrieve her with it taking seven agents to take her down after which she began to operate for the agency. (Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein v1 #3)
In the wake of the rise of Metahumans, Father Time proposed an initiative to better incorporate them into forces and control their kind as they were seen as a possible threat to the world. He managed to convince the U.S. President to go forward with this project as S.H.A.D.E. enacted the government’s new Metahuman policy. This saw them make active use of Metahuman operatives in the field to eliminate threats to national security. Among this included the killing of an Intergang member. The new policy drew opposition from some who believed it went against the principles of freedom and liberty in the United States. These individuals went under the banner of the Freedom Fighters that were led by Uncle Sam. In response, S.H.A.D.E. made concerted efforts at finding and capturing Uncle Sam. Senator Henry Knight came to despise this policy though among the public he seemed to support it. However, he intended to shut the program down once he became President and had his own daughter who operated as Phantom Lady to serve as a means of gathering information to close the project down. Upon finding this out, Father Time had Gonzo the Mechanical Bastard kill Senator Knight and take his place. (Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters v1 #1)
Spearheading this attack were the Cosmigods whereby S.H.A.D.E. occult and research scientists fused dark matter with supernatural D.N.A. to create constructs to wear the ancient beings armour. They were then dispatched to invade the pocket dimensional Heartland that was created by Uncle Sam. (Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters v1 #8)
After the new Red Bee was exposed to an alien virus, she was brought to S.H.A.D.E. labs to help her as she was encased in a cocoon. (Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters v2 #2)
At some point, they came to acquire an H-Dial after they killed the former bearer of it and they kept at one of their top-secret facilities in an attempt to reverse engineer it. One day, one of their scientists sought to use the device for himself and gained time-travel powers where he looked to shift forward to a point when he could escape the laboratory. S.H.A.D.E. was unaware of who stole their acquisition and decided to enlist the aid of the retired criminal Johnny Mimic who in the past had a knack for recreating events. However, the man had retired and was in hiding leading to Father Time going to the Justice Society of America's headquarters in order to forcibly enlist the aid of Green Lantern Alan Scott. He came to force Scott to aid the government agency's investigation where Green Lantern came to find Johnny Mimic and took him to the scene of the crime much to Alan's chagrin. At the laboratory, Mimic came to lock himself within the lab as he deduced the true nature of the crime and killed the scientist as he re-emerged in the present. He then stole the H-Dial and gained powers and attempted to kill Father Time only for Green Lantern to kill Johnny Mimic instead. However, Johnny Mimic's true goal was for Scott to destroy the H-Dial to prevent it from being reverse engineered by S.H.A.D.E. as he believed they would use it for neferious ends. (JSA Classified v1 #25)
Dr. Francine Langstrom worked with S.H.A.D.E. to help provide a cure for her husband Kirk Langstrom who was the Man-Bat and in Gotham City. They tracked him down and she attempted to give the cure with this being hampered by the arrival of Bizarro and later by Black Lantern Solomon Grundy during the Blackest Night. Frankenstein and the Bride were present at the scene where they looked towards stopping the battle. (Superman/Batman v1 #67)
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of history was created with a different series of events.
They were monitoring the activities of Victor Frankenstein for the potential of him being recruited as an agent. As such, S.H.A.D.E. was aware of his experiments that led to the creation of Frankenstein. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #0)
On December 29, 1941, the organization launched Project Green Man during World War II where they deployed agent Frankenstein in operations against Nazi Germany’s Lutwaffe forces during the attack on London. This was authorised by Father Time who worked alongside Winston Churchill as they oversaw Frankenstein destroy an entire German squadron by himself. Afterwards, S.H.A.D.E. received reports of Japanese efforts at attacking the United States leading to redeployment to combat such an attack. This led to the recovery of Dr. Robert Crane who had been captured by Imperial Japanese forces along with his creation J.A.K.E.. They then learnt from them that Japanese agents were deploying a weapon called Motalla in New York that grew a giant monster to attack the city. The beast was defeated by the efforts of Frankenstein and J.A.K.E. (Men of War v2 #8) In 1959, they operated at their Slaughter Swamp Headquarters where Father Time attempted to aid his agents Frankenstein and Lady Frankenstein by helping them get a child. This led to the creation of the Spawn of Frankenstein that was a hybrid of both his parents DNA. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #0)
S.H.A.D.E. was provided with new funding and a UN liason in the form of Ray Palmer to oversee the agency. This led to a new headquarters in the form of the Ant Farm. The science liason Palmer was tasked with ensuring that the agency did not go rogue. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #1)
However, Brother Eye had sent a virus into S.H.A.D.E.Net that gave a new awareness to the Humanids that revolted against the agency. They no longer desired to be under control of S.H.A.D.E. and intended to take over S.H.A.D.E City. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #7)
Brother Eye's infiltration of S.H.A.D.E.Net led to the introduction of a computer virus that remained dormant and undetected for sometime. Whilst there, it managed to infect the Humanids that led to them developing intelligence and a desire to revolt. This was achieved through the computer virus that allowed the new found intelligence of the Humanids moving from their rapidly decomposing bodies once they were destroyed to a new one. The Humanids and the escaped Zoo prisoners were neutralized but during the breakout the Spawn of Frankenstein managed to flee the Ant Farm. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #7)
They briefly investigated the activities of the Rot. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #9)
S.H.A.D.E. learnt that contact was lost with the U.S.S. Miskatonic submarine in the Arctic Circle and dispatched Frankenstein along with the Creature Commandos to investigate with them being accompanied by Wonder Woman. They discovered that the crew were all killed by the Offspring who was one of the extradimensional Otherkind. Frankenstein was infested and bade his comrades to escape whilst he activated the submarine's nuclear arsenal thus destroying it and containing the threat. Prior to the explosion, he told the Creature Commandos to inform base that if he survived that he would need a new set of organs due to the damage he sustained on the mission. (Justice League Dark v2 #7)
Overview
The government agency was tasked with studying super-people that began emerging on Earth. (JSA Classified v1 #25) It was held as the final solution towards unsolvable problems. (Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters v1 #1) The U.S. President expected S.H.A.D.E. to protect America's interests by recruiting, containing and controlling Metahumans. (JSA Classified v1 #25)
The super-agents used a password to access S.H.A.D.E.Net that was a private internet database for the agency and was able to answer queries. Mind portals were used to link various operatives to serve a a new method of browsing and communication. This was achieved through psychics linking the mind of personnel directly with S.H.A.D.E.Net. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #1) This computer network was created specifically for the agency that was known as S.H.A.D.E.Net that contained files on the various prisoners within the organization's headquarters. However, some prisoners were considered so dangerous and secret that their records were not present within the database. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #7) Agents of the organization were equipped with a subdermal device typically done so by the back of the neck which was called a S.H.A.D.E.Net Implant. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #8) Through the link, they were able to open a mind portal in order to conduct a holographic briefing for their agents. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #3)
S.H.A.D.E. made use of groups of psychics a part of its intelligence apparatus. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #3) Messages and intelligence were dispatched through the use of telepa-graf. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #11) One traditional ally of the agency were Scare-Eb agents that were human-sized insectoids that used bio-necro weaponry that were composed of dark-matter parasites that feasted on living flesh. Typically, they were deployed for covert assassinations and were noted for their robust nature. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #10)
The agency was divided into numerous branches that included:
- Division M : science division's latest pet project called Project M that led to transformation of agents into hybrid animal/humans that were also known as the Creatures Commandos. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #1)
They were a covert operation who normally did not engage in public activities. (Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters v2 #1) S.H.A.D.E. were known to hold their own publishing arm. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #10)
A classification system was used to determine the nature of a threat that included:
- Code 666 : a quarantine due to an undead infestation. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #9)
One piece of equipment used by their agents was S.O.M.B.I.E. (Seer of Mental Brain Image Energy) that was used to scan a target and determine its point of origin. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #2) Another tool was the D.R. H.I.D.E. (Dermal Reconnaissance Hiding For Influencing Disguise Expectations) that was used to provide a disguise for the agent but if worn for too long caused uncontrollable bursts of anger and range. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #11) S.H.A.D.E. sometimes implanted spy devices in the hindbrain of their agents with these being known as P.E.E.P.s (Psionic Ekg Extrapolation Program) that monitored the vitals and other aspects of the operative. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #12) Another gadget was E.L.A.R.M. (Emergency Limb Augmentation and Regeneration Machine) that was a vest which could be used to heal the injuries of the wearer. When using vehicles, agents could make use of a M.U.S.O. (Muscle Utilizing and Schooling Outfit) that tapped into the users nervous system where it taught them skills such as piloting. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #14) Cloud-packs were one-time use packs that allowed for entrance and exist of extra-dimensions by harnessing white hole energy. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #10)
A vehicle used by their organization was the Egg that was a spherical craft designed to deploy agents through environmentally hostile locations. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #2) This was a type of trans-dimensional craft. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #4) A smaller variant known as the Mini-Egg could be held in the hands of a person and encompass them for a journey once activated. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #14) A weapon in their arsenal was the Toybox that was miniaturized until nanotech was used to restore it to its full size. Once deployed, it unleashed War Wheels and squadrons of autonomous G.I. Robot androids to decimate the enemy. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #4)
One facility in the organization was the replicant lab that can grow any kind of replicant as ordered. These included suicide replicants with these appearing human and programmed with instructions whereupon completion they detonated. (Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters v1 #3) Among the creations of S.H.A.D.E. included the Humanids that were humanoid-like beings with near faceless features composed of artificial biological matter where they were mass produced to serve as caretakers and perform menial tasks. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #1) They were tasked with maintaining S.H.A.D.E City and were manufactured or grown from the Pit. Each Humanid had a limited lifespan that meant that they lived for only 24 hours before their bodies decomposed. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #7) Once decomposed, the waste by-product was used as a clean source of renewable energy that served as a source of power for the Ant Farm. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #1) Some methods of containment included the initiation of a firewall to contain a threat. At times, S.H.A.D.E. was known to deploy their Blackbombs that were weapons that atomized everything within the blast radius. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #9)
The base of operations for the entire agency was the Ant Farm. This was a 3-inch indestructible globe that served as the site for a miniaturized new headquarters called S.H.A.D.E. City. Access to agents was achieved through a hybrid of teleportation and shrink technology. Within the Ant Farm, an artificial gravity was provided to the interior along with an atmosphere. S.H.A.D.E. City itself served as a microscopic metropolis and base of operations. Visitors were only allowed access if accompanied by an authorized agent or Humanid. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #1) The Pit served as the manufacturing center for the Humanid drones. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #7) A special prison known as the Zoo was situated that was a further microscopic prison designed to hold dangerous threats. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #2) Another location was Secret Armory X that officially did not exist and was where S.H.A.D.E. built all kinds of insane experimental weapons that defied logic. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #7)
They maintained a network of safehouses that had S.H.A.D.E. subliminal symbols on them to identify them to agents. One installation was Leviathan that was a massive sea-dwelling creature with a settlement built inside that only emerged once every 12 hours for air. The city inside served as a retirement home for agents of S.H.A.D.E. and it was where they forcibly placed troublesome operatives on permanent forced vacation. As such, it contained agents that were either driven insane on a mission or shelved for insubordination. Its existence was classified by S.H.A.D.E. and not accessible on S.H.A.D.E.net. It was said that the only way off the city was if the Leviathan died but its existence spanned a thousand years. (Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1 #11)
Members
- Father Time :
- Frankenstein :
- Lady Frankenstein :
- Belroy
- Ray Palmer : (Science Liason)
- Stan Silver : male twenty-six year old foreign correspondent for the Washington Sun who was exposed to high-altitude radiation and gave him light manipulation powers where he operated as the Ray. (Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters v1 #1)
Notes
- S.H.A.D.E. was created by Grant Morrison and Doug Mahnke where they made their first appearance in Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein v1 #3 (April 2006).
- Writer Jeff Lemire commented on the organization in the New 52, "Well, my idea behind S.H.A.D.E. is that in this new DC Universe, Superman appeared roughly five years ago, so in the last five years the DC Universe has gotten a lot stranger and a lot weirder. As a result these government espionage organizations like Checkmate have had to get stranger and weirder to cope with it. S.H.A.D.E. takes that idea and pushes it to the limit where it's mad science gone wrong but funded by the government trying the craziest things they can to keep up with this world that is getting crazier and crazier. As a result, some of these other organizations like Checkmate are becoming obsolete and S.H.A.D.E. is taking the lead. That's my take on them."
Appearances
- Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein v1: (2006)
- Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters v1:
- JSA Classified v1:
- Superman/Batman v1:
- Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. v1:
- Men of War v2:
- Grayson v1:
- Justice League Dark v2:
External Link
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