The Paragon Beholder - We See What Goes On!

Are Our Heroes Too Violent?

Special Report by Ashton Burrows

A group of heroes clash with Vahzilok, self-proclaimed Lord of Zombies.

Have recent experiences driven our heroes to unacceptable levels of violent behaviour? This is the question that is dominating discussion throughout Paragon City following the release of Dr Freidus Ridge's new book, Beating Up the Bad Guys: A Journey Through Adrenaline Addiction. In his book Dr Ridge claims that "modern" heroes have abandoned their predecessor's quest to stop crime and now just seek to "beat the crap out of those in different tights" just "for the thrill of it".

"Heroes have stopped talking to the villains they target," writes Dr Ridge. "Sure, they may stop to throw out a quip here, a bon mot there, but it's all superficial and tied into the violent urges that many superpowered entities are victim to. No longer do heroes attempt to discuss with a law breaker the motivations behind their illegal actions, get them into counselling, or even give them a couple of bucks to help them get by. They lead with their fists, plasma beams or laser guided rockets when a kind word would be much more effective."

Dr Ridge does excuse the actions of heroes against the Rikti, who he describes as "godless invaders from some depraved dimension" but not against this dimension's natives. "Heroes must learn to control their aggression. If they feel the need to vent their anger, they should go down to the Paragon City tip and vapourise a few fridges or something similar. They should go for a long walk (that doesn't include a hazard zone!), take a ride on the monorail, read a book, take a cold shower - anything to take their mind off violence. The must break their addiction to aggression."

Hero teams have criticised Dr Ridge's book on the grounds that it is biased and based on pop psychology principles. Perfidy, leader of Vigilantes Inc., didn't hold back when asked his opinion on Beating Up the Bad Guys:.... "It is the worst junk I have ever read. The author takes a couple of isolated incidents and over zealous heroes and turns it into a trend, then wraps it in new-age touchy-feely bologna. It is so amateur it's just not funny. The guy is a hack. I mean, his main case study was Yankee Daring. That should tell you how 'representative' this book is!"

Dr Ridge has attributed much of the negative feedback as "understandable, given their nihilistic life orientations" but believes that they can turn their life around "if only they would read my book". Dr Friedus Ridge will be appearing at the Geneva Hotel over the next month to conduct seminars and for book signings.

Blazer to Leave the Prefects

by Victoria Valance

Fans were in a state of shock and industry watchers speechless following yesterday's press conference announcement that Blazer, founding member of the Paragon Prefects, was leaving the group to persue a solo crime fighting career. Blazer stated he was leaving the group "not because we don't get on, because we do [...] but I need to grow personally and this is the best way".

The Paragon Prefects burst on to the scene six years ago with five members: Blazer, Movez, RockShock, NoGo and Guy Smooth. Following several high profile wins over villain groups the Prefects achieved huge popularity with Paragon City's teenage girl population. This popularity, combined with their effective crimefighting skills, has seen them named "Best Superhero Team (Male)" by UberLeet magazine on four occasions along with individual accolades for each of the members.

Things haven't always gone smoothly for the group. Guy Smooth has left and rejoined the group several times following failed attempts at a solo career. Movez's high-publicity marriage to pop-sensation Shantina ended messily and saw him missing in action for several months, reputedly in rehab clinics. Recent events have seen the team fail to stop the Rikti on three separate occasions and there have been rumours about relationships fracturing within the group.

Despite this, superhero watchers were taken by suprise by Blazer's announcement. "Blazer is the last one I'd expect to leave the PP", says an industry analyst. "He is a good leader, but his powers... well, they just don't have the stopping power of someone like NoGo. Unless he's got something up his sleeve, I don't think he'll be able to cut it without the support of a team."

The announcement has also shaken up voting on this year's UberLeet Best Team. With the Prefects in such disarray, it is unlikely they will be able to pull together enough influence to pull off a win. With Blazer's departure it is expected that either the Cl4nL33t or N'Powered will walk off with the award.

Agent, Manager and Advisor to the Paragon Prefects, Kent "Pops" Clarke, is expected to be managing Blazer's solo career.

Unpowered Crime Rate Reaches 0%

by Barry Dawdle

City Hall released crime figures yesterday that indicate that no unpowered crime has occurred in Paragon City for the past twelve months.

A spokeswoman for City Hall stated that this showed how effective the current administration has been in combatting crime. "Our current policies have been effective is limiting ordinary criminals from harming law-abiding citizens. The average person now thinks twice about breaking the law in Paragon City!"

The figures also indicate that superpowered crime rates have risen by 38%. Superpowered kidnapping and abduction has shown the greatest increase, rising by 75% since the Rikti invaded.

City Hall indicated that a statement on superpowered crime would be made at a later date.

Arena Badly Damaged by Rikti Attack

by Ashton Burrows

World famous Paragon City Arena was declared a hazard zone by city engineers after an extensive structural survey was completed last Monday. In a report leaked to the Beholder today, it has been determined that Rikti-caused damage to the famed structure has left it too unstable for regular use. According to the report, the Rikti put in a "determined effort" to destroy the Arena, possibly because the Arena was seen as a symbol of heroic strength by the invaders.

City engineers have determined that although the Arena structure appears stable, much of the load-bearing supports have been undermined by Rikti demolitions, leaving the whole building unstable. Any sort of force against the supports "such as from a stray power punch or missed laser attack" could push the supports to breaking point and possibly level part or even all of the Arena.

Given the extent of the damage, the report stated it was "unknown" how long it would take to repair the Arena, meaning that the Arena matches scheduled for the coming months will be placed on indefinite hold. Marvin Peevipee, owner of the Arena, has publicly issued no comment, but privately is said to be very upset by the news.