The Manifesto of Silver Scarab

Welcome to our very first Community Feedback Story. What's that? Well it's simple. 

it's an event where we need an in-character comment from members of the community. We really hope that makes sense. In this particular instance the Vigilante Silver Scarab has sent his Manifesto to the offices of The Daily Planet, The paper reached out to most "traditional" heroes for comments. Use your imagination. we're going to use this feedback story format regularly to bring the community together before and after launch so let's have fun with it! Delve into the mind of the Silver Scarab after the break.

  

I’m no hero. I’ve probably commit more crimes than any of you who are reading this. It seems wherever I go a trail of destruction proceeds me. I’ve probably hurt innocents or affected their lives in some negative way. Hell, I’ve probably made a few hundred enemies by now. I never asked for my powers or any of these responsibilities. People are already labeling me as a freak, saying I need to be put behind bars. You don’t even know me. Yet, I hear the cries of these cities, Gotham, Metropolis, and I know what needs to be done. New power hungry villains roam the planet now more than ever and they need to be taken out. Lucky for them I don’t enjoy killing but realize it has to be done on occasion. No doubt you’ve taken note of another caped crusader that often bursts onto the scene with me. That’s Janus my mentor. He keeps me in line so that I don’t cause too much havoc. I’ll keep doing my job, cleaning up these streets, whether you all like it or not. If you want me gone… come and catch me.

It’s undeniable that the impacts of my actions can already be felt. I’ve stopped numerous robberies and shut down plenty more gangs. Some of you reading this have probably seen me in person by now whether it was me chucking a trailer full of narcotics or swooping down and greeting the local gunman with my fist. Now if you’re one of the bad guys reading this, its best you put an end to your crime spree before you do something stupid enough to tick me off and then I do something stupid. When I came on to this whole crime fighting scene, I was ecstatic to be in a league with the likes of Superman, Batman, the Green Arrow, Martian Manhunter. Now, I wonder how they are able to put up with it all for so long.

I now see the world for what it really is and I don’t like it one bit. Yet, amidst all of the garbage there is a glimmer of hope. On occasion I might get a thank you, more often than not a bottle to the back of the head, and it’s these few supporters that keep me going. I have no aims to achieve the status of your exalted Superman. I’m simply here to do what needs to be done. You wanted your interview and now you go it….. I am the Silver Scarab.

Several heroes responded to Silver Scarab's Manifesto when we reached out to them for comment. Tremor of the PeaceKeepers was one of the most fiery:  

Your actions are detestable. Your decisions are thoughtless. Your justifications are not plausible. We aren't Gods amongst men. We're protectors of men. None of us asked for super-natural abilities or colorful costumes--we were chosen, and within that choosing came a responsibility that fostered a code of morals and ethical values that came attached to the symbols and icons  we dawn. You have no authority, not to mention a position, to take fate into your own hands and bend the fabrics of life and death to your will. We let justice, and for some of us, faith, take its natural course and usher in that final verdict. You are a catalyst of fear to those who you claim to protect. If innocent lives are taken without remorse, without care, then you are nothing more than the criminals you seek to rid. If the Justice League does not put an end to your unruly behavior, rest assured, myself and the Peacekeepers will voluntarily handle this business. We cannot idly stand by knowing innocent lives are at stake with someone like yourself on the streets self-proclaiming to protect them.

We met with Black Falcon outside Star Labs: 

"Silver Scarab? Yeah I read it. They guy's probably fine, he just needs a vacation. Hero angst like this is what happens when you never stop fighting crime. Everyone needs an escape from the gritty underworld. Even the most hard boiled cop goes home after his shift. Me? I have a life. I'm unapologetic when I need to get away. I have friends, I dance, I'll fly to the beach or the mountains. My life is NOT crime fighting, OK? 

All work and no play makes Johny a dull boy. Not having an escape means the darkness begins to seep in: and that's when vigilantes turn lethal. What concerns me is Scarab claiming to have committed crimes. I sent an email to Martian Manhunter. Scarab's letter could just be an exhausted vent or it could be a sign of trouble. Masks like me operate only with the trust of the public and cooperation of the police. If a Mask is going bad, the JLA needs to get involved. Sorry, Scarab." 

Private Masque closed the Daily Planet newspaper and put it inside his back pocket of his jeans. His mask was the same but his outfit was different since it was day time. He immediately pressed a button on his com-link to call up his mentor.

“Hey Jack, did you read the news paper? This new crime fighter gave out a whole hand full of information; do you think that’ll affect the heroes in any way? Because I think it will.” Asked Masque as he stood on top of an apartment building, looking down at a few citizens walking on the sidewalk.

“I’m in the middle of reading it but by the looks of it, it seems as if this is a yellow flag. People who read this might want to know more info on heroes like you or heroes like Lunar Ray for example.” Replied Jack.

Private Masque stood quiet for a second, trying to come up with an idea to prevent any future conflict from happening. His eye immediately opened up and pressed the button to reply.

“I have an idea, I need you to find the author of the article and pass the coordinates on to my mask. I need to talk to author and get some answers that will lead me to this…. Silver Scarab guy.”

Masque immediately saw the coordinate pop up and smiled. He whipped out his grappling hook, shot it towards a tall business building a few buildings ahead and immediately jumped off and swung towards the given location.

SnapDragon was more succinct and to the point:

"Superman and Batman don't need to kill someone to get there point across, it's sad really".

The Vigilante Deacon sent in his response via email: 
Keep your head up Scarab. I've been having the same problem ever since I came from down south. My name has been praised as a savior by some civilians while at the same time politicians, bureaucrats, and your everyday, run-of-the-mill xenophobes claim that I'm the reason for all the crime in the first place. It's kind of crazy because all that negativity just makes me want to prove them wrong even more. I don't want people to think of me as some boy-scout, hero cookie-cutter, I wear my underwear outside my tights, type of schmuck, like some others. I do, however, want them to know that I'm here to try and help those in need, and stop these assholes that have no qualms about stealing other people's hard earned possessions or worse, take their lives. If you ever need some assistance, then give your boy Deacon a call. I've got your back if you need it.

The Gray Wolf, using her cloaking device to remain hidden, tailed the Silver Scarab in the streets for several hours. Keeping an eye on how he behaved and gauging whether this new kid knew what he was up to or if he was just a naïve newbie; he was probably a little bit of both…you got to start somewhere. When she felt the time was right, she moved forward and planted a small audio recording device with her message on his belt while a crook distracted him. A silent message in itself that, for better or worse, she was watching him.

“’The world is not black and white, but countless shades of grey.’

That is the creed I choose to live by and it has served me well over the many years I’ve lived as both vigilante and, more recently, ‘hero.’ It would be harsh and hypocritical of me to deter you from your chosen brand of justice, Silver Scarab; it is something you forge for yourself through experience, and I can guarantee how you view justice today will not be the same ten years from now, assuming you survive that long.

‘Each shade is a reason or excuse, and it is up to you, as the individual, to either accept or deny them.’

My companions in the Peacekeepers are aware that I’ve committed crimes in the past in order to pursue justice, and my death count, though a relic of the past, would cause your current record to pale against it. Occasionally, the ends can justify the means, just be careful. Listen to Janus. If his alias is any indication of the man, then learn from the mistakes of your past so you don’t repeat them in the future.

For the record, Superman is an idealistic pansy and Batman needs to screw his head on right for a change. Carve out your own niche. There is no need to look to them for inspiration. I can’t guarantee the Peacekeepers won’t pursue you for your vigilante tendencies. Just keep a careful eye on your collateral damage with the community, or you will find me on your hide.

Vigilantism is a fine line to walk, but also the most efficient.

--Gray Wolf