The Watch, vol. 2

Timeline

Note: This timeline follows the format of those appearing in DC's Secret Files books, in that it assigns events to specific decades up through the 1970s, then switches to "X years ago" where the beginning of the Silver Age is always assumed to have happened 10 years ago.

The 1940s

Seapoint's first costumed crimefighter, the American Dream (I) appears, mostly battling Nazi spies, saboteurs and mad scientists.

The 1950s

The Radar Angels, a group of high-tech vigilantes, make their first appearance. They team up with the American Dream to fight organized crime and thwart an alien invasion of the Earth. The alliance is shattered when the Radar Angels begin harrassing "Communist subversives" in Seapoint's predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods and the American Dream publicly denounces their tactics.

The 1960s

The Radar Angels' popularity sinks to an all-time low after they break up a civil rights march in downtown Seapoint. Former police chief Jack Hamilton runs for mayor on an anti-vigilante/anti-racism/police-reform platform and wins in a landslide.

The 1970s and early 1980s

Unknown to the general public, a team of paranormal investigators calling themselves The Midnight Society operated out of Seapoint during these years.

Ten Years Ago

First appearance of the American Dream (II), a flying hero who can project red, white, and blue energy and force beams. He thwarts an attempt by a deranged former Air Force colonel, now running the Seapoint-based aerospace firm Gage-Cathcart, to start a nuclear war with China. (After his death it is revealed that the American Dream was Derek Gage, the younger son of the firm's president.)

Nine Years Ago

First appearance of supervillains Brain Box, Professor Polychrome and Penny Dreadful (II).

Eight Years Ago

First appearance of the American Dream's two sidekicks, a teen-aged boy and girl called Liberty and Justice, who seem to have similar powers to his. (Later it turns out that they duplicated his powers with advanced technological devices originally designed by Brain Box.)

Seven Years Ago

First appearance of the superpowered vigilante known as Mr. In-Between. Liberty and Justice leave town abruptly after Liberty makes some disparaging remarks in the press about corruption and racism in the Seapoint Police Department. The official story is that the teens are attending college "back East."

Six Years Ago

Brian Bachsinger, released from prison, resumes his criminal career as Brain Box, accompanied by Lady Noir and Luger, two former small-time criminals given powers by Brain Box's experiments. This group, calling itself the Unholy Three, hunts down the American Dream, who fights them off with the unexpected assistance of Mr. In-Between.

The superpowered vigilante known as Candle makes her debut (and gets saddled with a superhero moniker in the bargain) when she stops Luger from robbing a commuter train.

Five Years Ago

After a building collapses in an earthquake, the mystical martial artist Gateway makes his first appearance, heling people inside dig themselves out.

Carved gargoyles on buildings in downtown Seapoint come to life and start attacking people. The mysterious Celtic champion Tenloch, in his first appearance, reveals that the attacks are illusionary and captures Professor Polychrome, who was responsible for the illusions.

The American Dream, Gateway and Tenloch team up to fight a supernatural crime organization known as the Arcanum. They gain an unexpected ally when Candle helps them capture the group's leader, a strange little man calling himself the Pontifex, and tells them that the Pontifex is in turn working for Dr. Andrew Harrison, a formidable sorceror and crimelord. The four heroes form an informal team known as the Watch.

In their first "official" foray as the Watch, the heroes are very nearly defeated by the Unholy Three, surviving only due to the untimely failure of one of Brain Box's infernal devices. In the wake of this debacle, two new members are brought in: Mr. In-Between and the Indestructible Girl.

First appearance of supervillains The Oedipus Twins, The Cut-Ups, and Merry Andrew.

Four Years Ago

A strange demon-worshipping cult called The House with Seven Doors shows up in Seapoint. The young occult investigator Tom Spector joins the Watch to thwart their apocalyptic scheme.

First appearance of supervillains the Fearmonger, Trigger Man, and Signalman (II).

Professor Polychrome, Penny Dreadful and the Signalman team up as "Triple Threat."

Three Years Ago

First appearance of supervillain the Freak Killer.

Brain Box forms the Unholy Alliance with Lady Noir, the Oedipus Twins, Luger and the Fearmonger. This team ambushes the Watch and, under circumstances which are still mysterious, the American Dream is killed. In the aftermath, the Watch disbands. Only Candle and the Indestructible Girl stay in Seapoint.

Liberty and Justice return to Southern California, though neither spends much time in Seapoint.

Two Years Ago

A new team of vigilantes in flying armor suits begins operating in Seapoint as the New Radar Angels.

Candle reportedly takes part in controversial Suicide Squad missions in Central America and Eastern Europe.

One Year Ago

A man who may be Mr. In-Between is seen battling cultists in Australia.