The Red Mage
Theodore Chesterton is a college professor. He teaches history, specializing in the Far East. And it was a trip to that part of the world that game him the powers he has today. He had heard of a tribe that was hidden in the mountains that, through a long tradition, knew the stories of some of the area's earliest civilizations. Being both historian and one who enjoys a good adventure, Chesterton set out through the snow to climb the mountains and find this hidden village.
Along the way he was caught in a blizzard and lost his way. Then with his food running out and his chances of survival looking slim, Chesterton was caught in an avalanche and all hope seemed to be lost. But he was found, barely alive, by the very tribe that he was searching for. The only way to save the man, was to let him wear the Arm Band of Neramu. The band would save Chesterton's life, but forever link him to it. The band would provide incredible magic powers to Chesterton, that would only improve with training and he would be able to do incredible things for the world. But when you used, it also opened the potential for threats from other magical realms. The wearer would have to defent from these threats.
The people of the village, the Shianti, not wanting to endanger the rest of the world, hadn't had a wearer of the band for more than 1000 years. But they made the choice that to save Chesterton's like, they would place it on him. But the Shianti had a long history of practicing magic, and though Chesterton's life was saved, he would devote it to studying magic under the Shianti and because the world's primary defender against all mystical threats and many other as well.
The Red Mage, called so for the red costume produced by the arm band, has been a part of several superhero teams during his crimefighting career, including The Hands of Justice. Though one of the team's most powerful members, he has never taken on a leadership role and leans towards quiet observation, usually only offering up thoughts when asked directly. His work has been told in The Demons from Azrabad, The Mystical Leisure Suit, and A Witch Says Hello.
The Soldier (honorary)
Grant Brennan initially never saw any action in WWII. He was little more than a glorified waterboy in a dangerous situation when he was captured by the Nazis. He was funneled into a series of human experiments using. A strange mix of chemicals and electical experiments gave the Nazis quite surprise when it gave Grant Super Strength and increased invulnerability, as well as quicker reactions. Grant used those abilities to escape and destroy the detention center he was held in.
He returned to the front lines but in a hidden identity, having learned from the superheroes back home. H fought alongside the soldiers on the front lines and was also sent on special missions. After returning home, he continued to fight evil, including alongside The Hands of Justice. Given his country's faith in him, Grant hasn't aged since he received his powers and remains a fighting force. Some of his battles have been retold in Nazis Find a Castle, A Fight With No Enemy, and Frankenazi.
The Omen
No one is quite sure what The Omen is. He appears to be some sort of spirit or ghost. He doesn't seem to be harmed by humans. Bullets pass through him and punches never land. He where's his black trenchcoat and hat covering himself up so thoroughly that some speculate whether there's anything underneath. He can be harmed by some forms of magic and his own abilities seem to be magic in nature, though he rarely uses them. Omen is a detective who discovers who is behing crimes. Then he often leaves them messages and allows them to get a glimpse of his spooky form to terrify them into turning themselves in. They usually do, although some of the vilest criminals have, in their terrror, found themselve victims of unfortunate accidents. Omen's magical abilities tend to be more on display when involved in the occasional Hands of Justice mission. His solo work can be found in stories like Two Moons on a Cloudy Night, Brand New Artifact, and The Chestnut Hill Mansion's Uninvited Guests.
Palnatoke
Archery may seem like an outdated tool in the modern fight against crime. But when a more than 1000 year-old Viking hermit gives one an enchanted bow after that person's boat crashes on the hermit's northern Atlantic island, it seems a little more useful. And that's just what happened to James Fletcher when the young fisherman from the New England area. He took to it quickly and used it to take on crime his home town of Peck Bay. And despite his use of weapon that the world has seemingly passed by, the public believes in him as much as any other hero. His surprisingly fin superheroing can be read about in tales like Two Arrows, One Target, Bullseye in the Dark, and Marduk Returns.
Iceni (mostly honorary)
Iceni was orphaned as a child and came into the care of the Celtic Goddess of War, Andraste. Iceni grew up and was trained to be a warrior, and her adoptive mother gave her incredible abilities of flight, invulnerability, super-speed, and super-strength. She also granted her special weaponry including a shield that would paralyze those who touched it, unless she willed them unparalyzed, and a sword which returned to her if ever thrown in battle. During World War II, she was old enough to enter the rest of the world and fought with the allies. She then left for the United States. Taking on the secret identity of, Catherine Edger, she fought criminals in her new town of Norfolk. By day, she works in high-end and business real estate sales. She is the most powerful woman on the planet and one of the most trusted superheroes. In her early years she spent a brief period with the Hands of Justice but is better known for later heroics with other teams. She is best remember in stories such as The Celtic Renewal Saga, Iceni and the Giantesses of Norway, and The Morrigan Call.
New Moon (honoarary)
Paul Miller's family grew up in one of the roughest parts of Kane City. Their apartment was in a rough building of Finger Alley, known for its criminial activity. When Paul was 9, his parents and two sisters were murdered one night in a burglary attempt gone wrong. There was a rumor in the neighborhood that Ellen Miller, Paul's mother, had received some inheritence from an uncle. The inheritence truned out to be a relatively worthless grandfather clock that included the phases of the moon. Paul's father, Richard, surprised the criminal who accidentally fired his gun. It ricocheted off the clock, stopping it at 2:47 in the morning, and pierced Richard's heart. The criminal, frightened by what had happened, killed the rest of the family so there wouldn't be any witnesses.
Paul had witnessed his father being shot from behind a bedroom door. The only reason he survived was because he instantly left out his window and down the fire escape. Then he ran. he ran so hard that he made it all the way to the edge of the city. He set there on a clear, moonless night until the cops found him and told him about what happend. Paul made a vow to never run again and to defend those who couldn't have run.
Paul wanted to be one of the new superheroes. He spent much of his youth trying to find a way to become one, but realized there was no easy path. As he reached his late teens, he thought there might be a scientific way to give someone superpowers. He dedicated himself to the search. He developed his brain so he could do the research necessary. He developed his body, so he could withstand whatever process it might take to give himself powers. And he created one of the world's largest research and development firms so he would have all the resources he needed.
But by his mid-twenties, Paul realized that there was no secret formula to gaining superpowers. Most heroes whose source of power he was able to discover, got theirs by accidents that weren't repeatable. But still determined to become a hero, Paul realized he would do it without the powers. Already in great physical shape, he learned to fight, learned to investigate, and became a master tactician.
Inspired by the night this version of himself was born, he took on the name New Moon, and a costume just as dark. He developed gadgets and tools to aid him in his efforts, and eventually surrounded himself others also dedicated to the fight against crime but lacking superpowers. Notably, a young orphan boy who went by the name Eclipse, and an ex-military doctor and special agent who would serve as support for his base of operations.
New Moon has been around since the early days of heroes and shows no signs of slowing down. People have so much faith in him that he's often considered in the debate of who is the greatest of superheroes, despite not having superpowers. And the though mostly an honorary member with The Hands of Justice, he proved his ability as a member of later superteams. His efforts have been told in countless tales, among them The Phases of a Moon, New Moon Dies With Dawn, and One Pun Too Many.