AREA OF INFLUENCE	ATLAS
Created by Roy Thomas and Rich Buckler

LOCALE INFORMATION

Name: Area of Influence
Also known as: Zone of Influence, Sphere of Influence
Status: Defunct by 1945
Location: Nazi Germany and occupied Europe, later included Japan
DCU Creator(s): Adolf Hitler, Hideki Tojo
First Appearance: All-Star Squadron #4 (December 1981): "Day of the Dragon King!"
Creators: Roy Thomas and Rich Buckler

HISTORY

In 1940, Adolf Hitler used the Spear of Destiny to erect a magic 'Area of Influence' over Germany and occupied Europe. The spell corrupted those with supernatural or superhuman powers, and brought them under Hitler's mental control if they entered the Area. In 1941, Japanese Premier Hideki Tojo, came into possession of the Holy Grail and used it, with the help of the Dragon King, to extend the Area to include Japan as well. There have also been mentions of a third mystical object further enhancing the Area of Influence later in the war.

In December 1941, the All-Star Squadron attempted an attack on the Japanese mainland, but after their most powerful members had fallen under the Area's control, they refrained from trying again. This is why most of the War had to be fought by ordinary soldiers without super-powers.

At the end of the War, the Area's power had faded, and super-powered beings were able to fulfill missions within Axis territory for short durations. With the fall of Germany and Japan in 1945, the Area of Influence was finally incapacitated.