The Terror
The Terror I
The first mention of the Terror is in a journal by 1926 Italian science adventurer Giovanni Pericolo (Johnny Danger). An African warlord who had "a notable cunning and animal magnetism, holding other tribal leaders in his sway" the Terror became an increasingly important factor in Italy's attempts at colonialism in East Africa. Italians were being expelled from Abyssinia, Eritrea, and Somaliland, and native Colonial forces were involved in mass mutinies to the forces of the Terror.
By the dawn of WW II, the Italians were facing well organized and well-trained forces operating locally made weapons and light armoured vehicles. By early 1942 the region declared neutrality in the greater conflict, but committed to leaving ports and rail open to use by the Allies.
Overshadowed by the war, in 1944 the East African region declared itself the Autonomous African Union. The man known as the Terror passed into history, his true identity unknown.
The Terror II
The armoured villain known as the Terror emerged in the early 70's, a leading member of the reconstituted World Crime Guild. He has several encounters with the Atom Family, and one or two with the Freedom League.
Noted for his scientific and engineering genius, protected by the might of his armoured suit, he also possesses a "hypnotic effect" that is not immediately observable. In each case of an arrest or capture, the Terror turned out to be one of his fiendish Terror-bots. No one has ever seen the Terror's face.
In 1982 it becomes known in certain circles that the Terror was now the Chairman of the World Crime Guild. Although the Freedom League expected a cataclysmic event, or a campaign of crime, the Terror chose to keep the actions of the Guild completely covert.
In 1993, the Terror and a group of guild-mates were present fighting alongside the heroes fighting against Omega and the Terminus Invasion. Despite an expected betrayal, the Guild's efforts were critical to the defense of the Earth.
Throughout the 1990's the Freedom League faced the threat posed by the Terror and the Guild.
In 2001 the Terror lead the invasion that destroyed the Freedom League Hall and disabled most of the League, although Daedalus was left holding the field.
With his failure to destroy the League the Terror faced an insurrection in the Guild, and stepped aside before stronger measures could be taken.
In 2008 the Terror moved operations into his Eye of Terror, a nigh undetectable orbital station. The reaction from governments and heroes has been immediate, and ultimately ineffective.
In April 2011 the Terror addressed the UN (and the rest of the world) via broadband video. He accused world leaders of attempting to destroy the planet. He called for the immediate cessation of all hostilities and promised to personally lead the world to a new Utopia. He claimed the world was at a tipping point, that there was very little time left before its inevitable destruction. He called for people to rise up, and take control of their future.
From that point forward, the world has effectively been at war with the Terror.
