Scrap Pile Updates Its Image

Having cleared up the vast Outcast conspiracy to smear the team's image, members of the Scrap Pile set out to improve their public relations in other ways. Captain Scrappy, shown at right in Atlas Park, recruited two new, clean-cut science heroes. Golden Song and Speed Lightning have already made a name for themselves cleaning up the streets of King's Row.

Citrus Shocker, meanwhile, established a strong working relationship with Agent Eckman of Bloody Bay and patrolled the region. Rumors that she only did this to enjoy the seaside view and maybe hook up with an Arachnos Arbiter are, "just mean-spirited" according to the eccentric heroine.

Citrus Shocker also cleaned out the old Rikti bunker in Perez Park to find Hero One's time capsule, a move which earned her some credit with the Atlas Park administrative crew, and developed some flashy new technology including a sparkly laser tracking drone and a compact LCD cloaking device which is "much better than the one they give you in Bloody Bay and not at all derivative of their patented design." When asked if she planned to sell the devices or at least share the design with Longbow, Shocker responded, "Well, they're kind of, um, lightning-powered. I'm not sure there's much market for that."

Finally, Shocker appears to be sporting a new, much flashier costume, as seen in her recent encounter with spectral villains and mages in the sewers of Steel Canyon. Citrus Shocker seemed less than eager to talk about her new look, however. "It's still experimental," she explained. "I'm really not that comfortable with spandex, but it seems to be what everybody's doing these days, and I was tired of hearing from Starbryte that my normal costume looks like something her grandmother would wear. Hey, how about those ghosts, though, huh? I hate ghosts. Good thing Master Imhotep was there."
Master Imhotep, as readers may know, is the leader of the Eye of Horus team, which shares a long-standing coalition with the Scrap Pile. "Tep helps us out with annoying magic stuff a lot. He's like a brother to me."

The more conservative Master Imhotep, looking somewhat uncomfortable, replied, "Yes, my friend the Citrus woman is like a sister who dresses in underwear and speaks blasphemy to scandalize our family."

Finally, the team leaders made a significant move toward updating their long-neglected base, despite Captain Scrappy's position that, "all you really need is a place to watch TV and dump all that junk the criminals drop when you slug 'em." New team member Recycled Man has already begun making plans for the new base.

"He's a little eccentric, but he comes highly recommended," said Citrus Shocker of her new recruit. "His cybernetics are made entirely of post-consumer materials and, as you can see, his brain is enormous."

Scrap Pile Gets Needed Boost.

After the private citizens Dr. Olivia Chung, Petra Chalker, and Cat Hermes unfolded ties to current unfavorable media reports about the Scrap Pile with various members of the Outcasts criminal gangs, it did not take long for Captain Scrappy and Citrus Shocker to take the lead in the following investigations. The Scrap Pile, as you may remember, has been embroiled in scandals involving pictures of them consorting with known criminals, as well some unheroic behavior among its members of late.

Citrus Shocker, the current leader of the Scrap Pile, has tried to maintain her calm during the claims. She has pointed out that not all superheroes in Paragon City get along, so some personal animosity even among crime-fighters. And that many heroes have used assistance from what would be considered evil-doers at various times in their careers. And then she threw herself into breaking the story open.

"If I did anymore investigating," Citrus Shocker stated, "I'd need a badge or medal for taking so much more damage."

"I think someone actually gave me a badge." Capt. Scrappy interjected, with his trademark wide smile. "A couple of them even. I hope they look good with my uniform."

After finding the memos revealing the planned "Anti-Scrap Pile" media smear, Captain Scrappy thanked the private citizens, specifically Olivia Chung, for her help in, "Getting the record straight, dammit."

After an impromptu press ceremony with Dr. Chung, Capt. Scrappy and Citrus Shocker were off once again fighting crime.

Angry Bees working for Longbow and Arachnos?

This just in, older pictures of what appears to the Mistress of the Hive during her supposed tenure in prison working directly with a member of the Longbow Reservists and an Arachnos minion. Leading us here to ask, "Who knew what? And when did they know it?"

Who exactly are all of these black and yellow clad types running around our streets? Many people are wanting to know. The so-called "Angry Bees" are reported to be villains, but are cropping up seen with heroes as well. While there has been verified links with anti-gang activity, various of members of the Hive attacking Skulls and Arachnos soldiers, rumors of bank heists and other illegal activities by suspected members still persists.

Scrap Pile just keeps getting more cluttered up.

Is this the Scrap Pile's Starbryte with the villain known as the Carthagean? Is that a toga he's wearing? What is she wearing exactly? Who knew that she was into older men?

Wilder Cat finally on tape!

After a year of reporting about Wilder Cat's doings, we finally have a picture of the ellusive crime-fighter in action. The Golden Age Society could not be reached for comment.

Beasty Boy on Rampage

Initial reports of a new criminal gang called "Trio" wreaking havoc on Paragon City's Longbow Reservists, have turned out to the work of one man, a true villain at that, the Beasty Boy. For unknown reasons the controversial figure has accepted a commission from the Fraternal Association of Beach Bums Lodges (FABBL, or simply "Fable") of the Rogue Islands to take up for the Infected beach-combing for coins when not surfing along the scenic coasts of Mercy Island against the Longbow Reservists. It has been claimed for some time that the Longbows have boosted their Public Intoxication and Littering tickets, under the pretense of waging the War of Terror against vandal groups reportedly funded by Arachnos, by harassing the Infected who have been squatting along the beaches for years.

Public sentiment of current slew of violence against the self-appointed law-bringers on the island is mixed. The Infected themselves mumble something about being able to kick the habit any time they like. While residents of Mercy City often mention that the Beasty Boy should be doing something about their parking tickets next. Uniformed members of Arachnos, speaking under the condition of anonymity, are just relieved that he has stopped beating them up.

"At least he's taking out his grudge against authority on someone other than us, for once. " States one unnamed Arachnos source.


Members of the super-villain group the Unbeholden, a long time affiliate of the Beasty Boy have been seen with the rogue. When asked about this, former Beasty Boy associate Hanoi Jane answered,

"Our on-going efforts against the construction firms and developers, who are really behind the Longbow do-gooders 'efforts' on our island's (Mercy Island) supposed behalf should not be a surprise to anybody. "
She stated, "Beasty Boy has always been, and will continue to be, an ally in our struggle against the lackey-dogs of the military-industrial complex that Paragon City's so-called 'heroes' represent."

When asked what the heck Hanoi Jane was talking about, Mistress Terrorist in a follow-up phone conversation, said, "Looks like Beasty Boy is spending the Summer at the beach. Hope he has some lotion."