American Superhero Association

### Affiliations

United States Government (subordinate)Federal Office of the Abnormal (subordinate)

Various superhero teams (manager)

## History

### Date Founded

November 8th, 1945

The American Superhero Association, or ASA is an organization which manages the operation of government sponsored superheroes within the United States of America, and is itself managed by the Federal Office of the Abnormal. The ASA is responsible for the creation, organization, and operation of American superhero teams, providing them with funding and equipment, managing merchandise deals, and directing their heroic activities.

## History

### Founding

The American Superhero Association was founded in 1945, after America's experience fighting against enemy metahumans during the Second World War. The ASA formed the numerous independently operating American teams into a more cohesive group, making a display of American unity and brandishing the larger number of superheroes possessed by the United States. The team known as the Homelanders, which was lead by Supreme and based out of Washington DC, became the nation's flagship team. In addition to the Homelanders, nine additional teams already existed during the ASA's inception in 1952, based out of the cities of New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Detroit, Baltimore, Cleveland, St. Louis, and Boston. These original founding teams would be in later years known as "the Golden Ten", though several would lose prominence to other teams of note.

## Organization

### Team Structure

Many of the teams contained within the ASA diverge to varying degrees in their exact structure. The majority of them are possessed of the standard members, and the team leader. Usually, it is they who are responsible for leading their teammates in the field, as well as deciding what the team's broader goals are, such as fighting the ichor trade, driving out a certain criminal family, or building stronger relations with a local police force. Other teams might have a pair of co-leaders, who make joint decisions on matters of team-policy, or put things entirely to a democratic vote. Particularly large teams might revolve around a leader and several lieutenants, or possess multiple subteams within their structure.

### Mission Control

Every team of superheroes is staffed with a team of technicians and analysts who devote themselves to gathering and relaying the information that will allow the heroes to succeed in their duties. Mission control sweeps security cameras and analyzes crime patterns and runs forensics at crime scenes to help heroes prepare for their missions and choose where to direct their attention. While heroes are in the field, mission control speaks to them to keep them informed of their surroundings and to provide any information which might be beneficial to them in the moment.

### FOA Management

Supehero teams in the ASA are also tagged with all manner of FOA personnel, who see to it that their activities run smoothly. The FOA provides PR teams, as well as asset managers to direct funding and organize their base. FOA management also decides who is inducted to or expelled from hero teams, and while its members are usually consulted, especially team leaders, (with the weight of their word varying on the individual heroes/teams in question) the FOA has final say on such matters.

## Operational Practices

### Recruitment

Recruitment to the ASA is largely handled by the Metahuman Affairs Division, whose offices around the country are dedicated to locating promising recruits. Most recruitment involves applications to one's local recruitment office, followed by a visit and evaluation. However, typically notable metahumans will have recruitment officers visit and assess them instead.

### Training

Before they are put into the field as superheroes, members of the ASA are all put through the Superhero Training Program (STP). This involves them attending one of several Superhero Training Academies located throughout the countries.

#### Programs

Prospective superheroes undergo training in a variety of fields, necessary for their successful careers. Whilst different academies place different emphasis on certain areas, or offer more highly accredited training regimens in certain skills or powers, there exist a number of programs that are required for all American superheroes.

## Notable Superhero Teams

* The Homelanders: One of the original "Golden Ten", the Homelanders are America's premier superhero team, with its seven members always being selected from the nation's greatest heroes. Based in the capitol of Washington DC, the Homelanders operate throughout the country, and often work abroad as part of the International Superhero Society.
* The New York Paragons: One of the original "Golden Ten", the Paragons are one of the most wealthy, prestigious, and popular American superhero teams. This is in large part due to their strong ties to the superhero comic industry, which saw their place in the hearts and minds of American youth cemented over the course of innumerable publications. In the last decade and a half, their emphasis on diversity and inclusion, as well as has raised them to great popularity in liberal circles, while reviled among American conservatives.
* The Chicago Northwatch: The Chicago Northwatch are members of the Golden Ten, one of the teams founded after World War 2. They are one of the most affluent teams in the nation, with strong ties to their local police force, who they work alongside frequently. The Northwatch are also known for being heavily focused on combating gang influence, though unbeknownst to most, they are strongly tied to the Mariano Crime Family.
* The Boston Minutemen: Golden 10
* The Philadelphia Liberators: Golden 10
* The Baltimore Bannermen: Golden 10
* The Detroit Ironguard: One of the original Golden 10 teams, founded after WW2, the Detroit Ironguard (formerly Ironhearts) were once one of the most prestigious teams in the country, but have since fallen into decline, along with their city. In the present day, the Ironguard are viewed as among the toughest, grittiest teams in the country, having a notoriously hardline stance on their policing, and a tendency only to recruit those whose abilities apply strongly to combat, especially since the Detroit Incident of 2025.
* The Cleveland Rangers: Golden 10
* The St Louis Pathfinders: Golden 10
* The Los Angeles Guardians: The Los Angeles Guardians are one of the most well known American superhero teams, and one of the original "Golden Ten" of the American Superhero Association. A large portion of their fame derives from their close ties to Hollywood and its film industry, which contributes a large deal of funding to them in exchange for members of their team appearing in their movies. Generally speaking, they only recruit members who look good on camera, those who they can make into stars.
* The San Francisco
* The Atlanta
* The Miami Streetblazers: The Miami Streetblazers are, in the modern days, one of the most well known and controversial teams in the ASA. With a reputation of being flashy, spendthrifts known for throwing huge parties, with their members being frequently involved in scandals, there are many who decry them as frat boys and sorority girls with superpowers. At the same time, they are one of the highest paid teams in the country, are among the most skilled at water-based operations, and are extremely popular among American youth.
* The Dallas Marshals: The Dallas Marshals are often referred to as "the Cowboys", sometimes affectionately, sometimes in disgust. The team is Texan to the bone, and simultaneously members are taught to take time for the simple, polite heroics, while also being extremely gung ho when it comes to handling criminals and supervillains. Generally speaking, they favor recruits with high firepower abilities, a reasonable amount of humility, and willingness to profess love for Jesus.
* The Seattle
* The Phoenix