Sitting in your office, you stirred your hot chocolate as you poured over the reports. Hank had taken the liberty to compile all of the information gathered upon you into a neat and efficient dossier, and now, after a small break following your return from the frontlines, you had a moment to sit down and read it.
BLACK HAT ORGANIZATION
"In Evil We Trust."
That bozo with the Black Hat. You didn't like him, though you did buy from him. Just being near the owner of the group gave you the heebie-jeebies. From what you could recall from your dealings with him, he had never been a liar, nor had he ever blinked. And from what you've been able to gain officially and unofficially, both of those little factoids made sense. As an organization, Black Hat sells to a select clientele almost entirely composed of super villains and trades in practically everything. Well, everything besides trash. Almost every product they make is of high quality, and exceptionally well-made. From death lasers and robotic minions, to evil birthday cakes and airships, Black Hat Organization has everything a super villain could want or need. The only problem? The cost. Black Hat is ever-hungry for souls, which he gathers through having clients sign contracts or purchasing contracts signed by others. While there seems to be no information on what he does with these contracts, you can't imagine it's anything good, and to be frank, you weren't even aware of a soul economy. The only exception to this is that Black Hat's only form of charity is to that of new Super Villains or those fighting so called "Heroes". In that case, Black Hat is more than happy to give them free samples, financing and other benefits. Black Hat, for what it's worth, is also the only company to freely call themselves Evil
Endsville Energy Solutions
"The Future is Beneath Us."
Mandy. Eugh. If Black Hat gave you the heebie-jeebies, then Mandy made you feel deeply, deeply disturbed. You had fought kids before, punks and brats of all shapes and sizes. But when you looked into her eyes, you saw a darkness that you just couldn't place. It was cruel, cold and calculating. You were well aware of her before as well, as you recalled her single handedly conquering the KND in a matter of days. She used that same ruthless ability to climb the ladder for her own business, Endsville Energy Solutions. Where once Endsville was known for its nuclear reactors, it has now been turned into the greatest concentration of portals to the Underworld in the world. Primarily upfront about its goal of providing energy, it has nonetheless been turned into an economic cudgel that Mandy uses to beat her will into reality. While the actual designs and technology used to keep the portals open is top secret, the basic idea is that the portals open up to certain underworlds filled with immense amounts of geo-thermal heat, or other forms of energy, which Mandy uses to not only leach power to fuel her portals, but then sell to the public. While not particularly friendly, Endsville Energy Solutions has been aggressively arguing for general acceptance of demons and underworld beings into society, and has made it so that most are able to gain citizenship in a reasonable amount of time, and has made it clear that it doesn't have time for "stupidity", as Mandy put it.
Mandar Co.
"Impossibilities Lie Behind our Vaulted Doors."
The world's leading innovator of robotics, molecular studies, space travel, computer programing, chemical producing, and a thousand other things, Mandar Co. is a cutting edge giant. Formed from older, less enlightened companies, Mandar Co. has taken the old and turned it into the new, with almost all divisions of his company firing on all cylinders. While Mandark, the boy genius himself, is often too busy to do any interviews, the rare glimpses you have seen from the him reveal an aloof boy who speaks in a precise, analytical and annoying nasally tone, with an obvious affixation on being the most superior person in the room. But you get the feeling that he goes beyond that. If that rumor with the Think Tank is true, you get the feeling that maybe, just maybe, he's still burnt up about something. Maybe he's trying to prove a point? Maybe he just wants to . Who knows whatever that is, though. All you know for certain is that Mandark is all about the new, the now, and the next big thing.
Boxmore Inc.
"Minions by the Box More!"
A massive manufacturer of boxes and robots, Boxmore Inc, led by its namesake and founder, Lord Boxman. Patenting his formidable teleportation technology, Boxmore is able to teleport vast bulk quantities in an instant across the continental US, whether it be paperwork, packing supplies, or hordes of his robotic children. While nominally keen to the idea of robotic hordes, you have to admit, Hank's report on them seemed a little… weird. Evidently, each of his lines of robots are in actuality all controlled by one central intelligence spread out and interconnected across each body. Tell one Darrel brand robot something, and boom, every Darrel knows. Creepy. Even worse, while they will be shipped off in the thousands to die, the robots do so willingly, eager to receive the praise of their creator. While the basic robot packages aren't precisely great, Boxmore does offer a large selection of more advanced robots. Perhaps more interesting is Boxman's connection to the Board of Evil Investors, and his circle of evil associates. It is even rumored that the executive has some sort of ties to the renowned scientist, Professor Venomous, and has reached some sort of mutually beneficial deal with the Guild.
Puma-Dyne Weapon Systems
"The Weapons that Killed the Cat"
Not much is known about the mysterious Megakat City based Puma-Dyne Weapon Systems, outside of the fact that they produce weapons. LOTS of weapons. While they specialize in missiles, jet planes and heavy weaponry, they also produced incredibly advanced robotics and cybernetics as well. A dark cloud hangs over the business however, as many claim that it hides many dark dealings, and supports numerous terrorist activities. Rumors also persist of horrific bio-weapons being produced, but no tangible evidence has yet to be presented.
Nowhere Inc.
"For Everything Else, Look Nowhere."
This was a weird one. What started as a series of hotel chains and cruise ships under the brand "Katz Ventures'' has begun to grow into… well, the closest thing to a megacorp in the midwest. Now they dabble in everything, from transportation to food to communication to advertising. While all of it just feels… off, you've been able to learn that Katz prefers to work in person if he can, and is almost practically omnipresent within his work places. Those working under Katz are often said to be utterly, entirely terrified, kept in line by Katz' oppressive presence, or utterly ruthless monsters- either metaphorically or literally. Recently, Nowhere Inc. has been taking a heavy handed approach to purchase tons of outdated military hardware, as well as buying up farmland across the midwest. While not the biggest mega-corp, in fact it's the most sparsely populated, its inner machinations are enigmatic at best. Food produced by the company does seem to be edible, and it's vacation packages are affordable with rock bottom prices. Although, the surprisingly high death rate on them does turn off a few. But there seems to always be much more going on with the company than it lets on. You'll have to look into this at some point.
Destroido Co
"Conglomeration is our Mission."
Recently popping up on your radar, Destroido Corp is a laughably evil company, even by your standards. It eats up smaller businesses, rips out everything of value, and then proceeds to squeeze every last drop of profit out of the product or service, all the while polluting the environment and just barely toeing the line of product safety. They have been on a spending spree, buying up as much as they can, but with no real clear goal. Not to mention, its owner is practically a non-entity, and has made no public appearances, no letters to the public, nothing. What a mystery.
Sumdac Systems
"Sparking Transformation"
The saviors of the rust belt, champion of Motor City, Sumdac Industries is a massive producer and manufacturer of robots and vehicles. Boasting a long history of outstanding mechanical performance, customer satisfaction and years ahead of the curve in regards to its technology, Sumdac Industries went from small time business to nationwide success. There have been numerous attempts to purchase the company outright by Mandark, but it so far has remained financially independent, as undisclosed investors continue to pour money into it. Its owner, Isaac Sumdac, is a beloved figure in Detroit, and is well known for his bumbling professor persona and soft spoken kindness.
Polyneux Calculations
"Crunching the Numbers"
A relatively quiet internet provider and analytics compiling company, Polyneux Calculations has grown in the background, taking on whichever jobs come its way. Very little is known about its staff or leaders, as it is more than content in its role as a numbers first kind of company. It's data gathering is also quite formidable, and for the right price, certain transactions can be made that might reveal the truth. Shame they mostly operate via dial-up.
Ventech Ind.
"Go Team Venture!"
A leading producer in consumer electronics, the JPod and VPad took the world by storm when they launched. VenTech is a company with old roots, as it was founded out of the older, and now privately owned, Venture Industries, which was created by the world-renowned hero, philanthropist, swashbuckler, adventurer, and super scientist, Jonas Venture. After a division of assets between Jonas Jr Venture and Thaddeus Venture, VenTech was born. While still nominally in the pursuit of super science, VenTech understands the financial necessity of such endeavors, and has mostly leaned on consumer products to help fund its more pie-in-the-sky projects. Headed by the optimistic and future-minded JJ Venture, he is working hard to live up to the legacy created by his late father. VenTech is based out of the old Impossible industries building in New York, which in turn was based out of the old Venture Industries building, and isn't shy about it's feelings towards super villainy and super heroes in general; despite a long standing tradition in the family, JJ has actively refused to participate.
Scam Co.
"Buy Something or Get Lost."
Scam Co. sells scams. Profitable scams, but scams nonetheless. Out of all the companies compiled before you, Scam Co's rise has been the most meteoric, ascending practically out of nowhere (metaphorically). The owner and CEO, Eddy, is as blunt, in your face, and sleazy as salesmen can be, but has made short work to introduce himself in as many places as he possibly can. Selling fast rather than selling good is Eddy's motto, and even as his older projects collapse inwards, Eddy is already moving on to several new ones. One day, you're certain, it's all going to catch up with him, as he blatantly lies, steals patents, sells inferior products, and just in general commits every business crime or fraud you could possibly imagine. But yet, he continues to exist, growing faster and faster, and falling apart right behind him. Legend has it that even his main offices, Eddy Towers, is partially made of absolute trash, and that if you peeled back the concrete, you'd find an inner skeleton of cardboard. As to what the company actually makes, the answer is literally everything. From food products to cars to robots to home electronics to elevators to toys to potato salad, you name it, Scam Co. makes it, and you can bet your bottom dollar that it all sucks and is destined to fall apart in catastrophic conditions. But boy, it sure is cheap.
Total Drama Productions
"Lights. Camera. ACTION!"
The Number One rated producer of television around the world, Total Drama Productions is run under the former B-List celebrity, Chris McLean, famous around the world for his movies like "Goodmitten". One of the few remaining, functional parts of Canada outside of Toronto spared by the Gem Invasion, the massive studio lots are almost more akin to a small micro-nation or city state. Removed from government supervision, Chris has been free to run his shows exactly as he likes, with his former producers mostly incarcerated or dead. Known originally for Total Drama Island, the studios went on to create several new shows in the same vein, such as Total Drama Action, Total Drama Canadian Excursion, Total Drama Weird World, and Total Drama Nowhere. Beyond Total Drama, the studios have also produced several hundred movies, and has an extensive library of television shows. One of the biggest controversies as of late has to be the current construction of the "Total Drama Dome", a massive super structure with the goal of entirely containing the studios. Once completed, it will be visible from space, and be "utterly invincible", so he claims.
Space Ghost Studios
"From Coast to Coast, Straight from the Moon"
Located on the Moon, Space Ghost Studios is the new studio and production company under the employ of Moltar, Master of the Moon. You could hardly call it a company in the normal sense, and instead, is much more apt to a nation that just so happens to also make television as one of its prime tenants. Capable of broadcasting the world over, Moltar broadcasts across the entirety of the world, in as many languages as he can get translated into. The telly-vision produced by Moltar is… Well, to put it plainly, is weird. It's definitely not the trash that Scam Co. produces, or the mindless schlock of Chris, but it seems almost as if it was thrown together to fill airspace between showings of Moltar: Coast to Coast, the network's most popular and well produced show. There are also whispers of Moltar producing some sort of "Cartoon" Network by plundering the KND vault of Cartoons, and releasing them all upon their own company.
Soul Stack Records
"The Price of Fame is Not Cheap"
Home of the world's most popular solo-performer, Julie Hi-Hi, Soul Stack Records is renowned for its ability to turn almost any musically talented performer into mega-star hits. While hard to pin down exactly, it's a massive influence on the musical world, and is known to constantly be chasing the coat-tails of the world-ending sensation Dethklok. But for the most part, that seems to mostly be inducing rage in Julie alone, who is utterly obsessed with being loved by all. While the shadowy producers couldn't care less so long as they profit, Julie has been ever more active, blasting out jams on her key-guitar thing, making fans left and right.
Weird World
"Greetings and Bienvenue"
Owned solely by the crypt-keeper-esque V.V. Argost, Weird World is a production and studio company dedicated to the titular "Weird World", which takes viewers across the world to delve into the secrets of the strange and obscure. Once originally dedicated to the pursuit of mythical creatures known as Cryptids, Argost now explores all sorts of mystical legends. While nominally fictitious, the charmingly creepy Argost never hesitates to nod to the reality of the world and the magic within it. Just last week, for example, he announced his intentions to put together a documentary around the "legend" of the Shen Gong Wu. Ha, if only he knew that they were real!
Dethklok
"Brutal."
The world's biggest band, Dethklok is not simply a maker of music. It's a lifestyle. It's a religion. It's a world view. And it is BRUTAL. Ever since buying Florida outright from the American government in order to acquire Disney World, Dethklok has moved its base of operations to the sunshine state, and their people have flocked to it. Ruling from their flying air base Mordehaus, Dethklok has turned Florida into… Well, Florida, but also populated with the most metal metal-heads to have ever metalled ever. Gothic fortresses stretch to the skies right next to Walmarts, and tanks featuring more guns than rivets drive down the freeway along minivans and electric scooters. The eponymous "Dethklokateers" are omnipresent, having subsumed the role of public officials, allowing the state to run as it had while managing the globe influencing financials of the corporation. It is not inaccurate to say that Florida alone is now the 7th biggest economy in the entire world. After listening to the music, you just don't get it. Might be kinda neat to play in the background of a fight or something.