NEW MEN

The high-profile super team overseen by the US government!

Youngblood is a high-profile super-team sanctioned and overseen by the United States government. It was established to give hope to the masses and inspire patriotism. But if the road to hell is paved with good intentions, the path to destruction is littered with inspiration.

## THE GROUP CONCEPT

The New Men are five teenagers born with the Nu-Gene—a genetic anomaly that grants extraordinary abilities but marks them as outcasts. Mentored by the grizzled government veteran John Proctor, they live in a world where being “New” is a death sentence. They aren’t soldiers; they’re survivors. Their story is one of found family, high-school-level drama, and earth-shattering stakes.

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## THE CORE ROSTER

1. Reign (Jason Drew)

• The Role: The Reluctant Leader.
• Powers: Telepathy and Telekinesis. He initially uses a “Focusing Gem” on his forehead to channel his raw psychic might.
• Investor Hook: The “Psychic Anchor.” Reign provides the intellectual and emotional weight of the team. His struggle to control his god-like mental powers makes him a compelling, layered protagonist for long-form TV.

2. Byrd (Adam Booth)

• The Role: The Aerial Scout / The Heart of the Team.
• Powers: Avian-human hybrid with massive wings, razor-sharp talons, and hollow-bone physiology for high-speed flight.
• Visual Identity: His evolution from a winged boy to a more “bestial” avian warrior offers a unique visual arc for character design and toy variants.

3. Dash (Lisa Richards)

• The Role: The Speedster.
• Powers: Super-velocity. She can move faster than the human eye can track, creating localized sonic booms and friction-based heat.
• Market Appeal: Every successful ensemble needs a speedster. Dash brings high-speed kinetic energy to action sequences, a favorite for “Hero-Shooter” gaming mechanics.

4. Kodiak (Thomas Runningbear Jr.)

• The Role: The Powerhouse.
• Powers: Bestial Shapeshifting. He can transform into a massive, armored, bear-like humanoid with superhuman strength and durability.
• Cultural Depth: Drawing from his Native American heritage, Kodiak adds a layer of spiritual and cultural richness to the team, appealing to the demand for diverse, representative heroes.

5. Exit (Derrick Rowland)

• The Role: The Translocator.
• Powers: Inter-dimensional teleportation. He creates “Exit-Portals” to move himself and the team across the globe instantly.
• Gaming Hook: The ultimate “Utility” character. In a game environment, Exit allows for complex map-traversal and surprise tactical plays.

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## INVESTOR PITCH: THE “NEW GENERATION” STRATEGY

1. The “Nu-Gene” Lore Expansion:

The New Men are the gateway to the Nu-Gene lore—an explanation for everything from vampires to centaurs in the Extreme Universe. This allows a licensee to create a massive “Monster-Verse” or “Urban Fantasy” expansion, vastly increasing the IP’s footprint beyond a single team.

2. Animation & Gaming Synergy:

Thanks to the original art style by Jeff Matsuda (who later developed the look of The Batman animated series), the New Men are “born ready” for high-fidelity animation and 3D modeling. Their designs are clean, iconic, and highly legible.

3. “YA” Demographic Engagement:

This IP targets the lucrative 14–24 demographic. By blending superhero action with themes of identity, discrimination, and teen angst, the New Men provide a “stickiness” that older, more stoic teams lack.

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## SYNOPSIS FOR THE DIRECT MARKET (REBOOT POTENTIAL)

“Evolution doesn’t ask for permission. For Jason, Adam, Lisa, Thomas, and Derrick, the ‘Nu-Gene’ wasn’t a gift—it was a target on their backs. Hidden away in a Seattle safehouse by a man with too many secrets, the New Men are the world’s most dangerous teenagers. But as the government begins a global ‘Nu-Gene’ purge, the kids have to stop playing at being heroes and start fighting for their lives. They aren’t the heroes the world wants; they’re the evolution the world fears.”

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## LICENSING CATEGORIES

• Streaming/TV: A 10-episode “Coming-of-Age” gritty drama in the vein of Invincible or The Boys: Gen V.
• Gaming: A “Team-Based Action RPG” where players switch between characters to solve puzzles and win battles.
• Apparel: “Extreme Nu-Gene” streetwear—distressed denim, tactical vests, and “Byrd-Wing” motifs.

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## THE NEW MEN “EVOLUTION” TIERS

Character	Primary Demographic	Archetype
Reign	Gen Z / Alpha	The Strategic Psychic
Byrd	Young Adult	The Optimistic Scout
Dash	Teen / General	The High-Speed Lead
Kodiak	Diverse / Power	The Bestial Tank
Exit	Tech / Gamer	The Tactical Teleporter