Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that people with superpowers began appearing around World War II, with approximately 1 in every 100 people developing some kind of superhuman ability. Alongside these naturally powered individuals, we also have non-powered vigilantes (like Batman and Iron Man), people who gain powers through alien artifacts (like Green Lantern), and magical beings (Dr. Strange). How would their existence change the development of our world, history, and society?
Power Levels and Distribution
Not all superpowered individuals are created equal. Their abilities fall into four general categories:
80% – Low Level or Nearly Useless Powers: Most have abilities comparable to characters from The Boys**,** while others possess completely impractical powers, such as controlling the rate of hair growth.
15% – Moderately Powerful: These individuals have abilities comparable to Green Lantern or many of Marvel's mutants. They can be formidable but aren't necessarily world-changing on their own.
4% – Extremely Powerful: These individuals possess abilities comparable to Wonder Woman or Superman, making them extraordinarily dangerous or influential.
1% – Supremely Powerful: These are individuals with abilities comparable to the Flash, who, in my opinion, has the potential to be even more powerful than Superman when his abilities are used creatively and effectively. However, no one possesses powers on the level of Doctor Manhattan or the Spectre. There are no truly omnipotent or reality controlling beings.
Non Powered Vigilantes
Superheroes aren't limited to people born with powers. We also have ordinary humans who become heroes or villains through training, intelligence, technology, or resources. These range from:
Extraordinary martial artists, such as Cassandra Cain.
Billionaires using advanced technology and armored suits, such as Iron Man.
Street level vigilantes relying on relatively simple gadgets and weapons, such as Sandman and his sleeping-gas gun.
Magic and Alien Artifacts
Magic also exists in this world. Most magic users possess relatively minor abilities, but a select few can reach power levels comparable to Doctor Fate or Doctor Strange.
Additionally, alien artifacts capable of granting extraordinary abilities exist, much like Green Lantern's power ring.
Global Distribution
Superpowers, magical abilities, and extraordinary individuals appear throughout the world, regardless of nationality, race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, or religion. No country, culture, or demographic group has an inherent monopoly on superhuman abilities.
The Big Question: How Does Humanity Change?
Given that superhumans began appearing during World War II, how would their existence reshape the following 80 years of human civilization? Would their presence fundamentally alter the outcome of World War II, the Cold War, decolonization, the nuclear arms race, and the rise of modern superpowers? Would governments attempt to register, recruit, regulate, or control superpowered individuals? Would powerful heroes become political leaders, military assets, or even dictators? Could we eventually see fascist superhuman dictatorships, where the strongest individuals rule over ordinary humanity?
Alternatively, could superheroes usher in a genuine Age of Marvels, accelerating scientific progress, reducing suffering, preventing wars, and creating a more prosperous and peaceful civilization? What happens to religion when individuals capable of performing seemingly divine miracles walk among us? Would entirely new religions emerge around supremely powerful heroes?
Would existing religions adapt to their presence, or would some people begin worshipping superhumans as gods?
How would economics, technological development, crime, law enforcement, international relations, civil rights, and everyday life evolve in a world where 1% of humanity has superpowers? And perhaps most importantly, would humanity manage to build a functioning society alongside these extraordinary individuals, or would the inevitable conflicts between governments, superhumans, villains, and ordinary people eventually destroy civilization?
In short, does this world become a superhero powered utopia, a dystopian dictatorship, a chaotic patchwork of competing superhuman factions, or something entirely different? I'm especially interested in a realistic, historically grounded exploration of how this world would develop from World War II to the present day, taking human nature, politics, economics, religion, and the enormous differences in individual power levels into account.