Vought

Biodata

History

Vought personnel find the newborn Lin Mo in a wasteland and take him to a secret underground research facility. Scientists inject him with the experimental Compound V formula V5, then mistake his awakened Kryptonian defenses for a successful drug-induced ability. They designate him SOL-0 and continue testing him 2 3.

Because Vought cannot reproduce Lin Mo’s unusual biology, Dr. Vogelbaum begins the HL Project to create a powerful subject from an embryo using Soldier Boy’s genetic material. The resulting child is Joanna, designated HL-01 and intended to become Homelander 4 5. Researchers later bring Lin Mo and Joanna together, hoping his durability will let him withstand her uncontrolled strength. Once Joanna grows attached to him, Vought tries to shape his loyalty so that he will, in turn, influence hers 8 14.

After Soldier Boy is betrayed in Nicaragua in 1984 and handed to the Soviets, Vought destroys accessible records and announces that he died on a classified mission. It promotes him as a fallen hero while preparing Homelander to replace him as its flagship superhero 32 33 34.

At eighteen, Lin Mo destroys the research Bunker and its accumulated data rather than accept Vought’s control. He nevertheless agrees to pursue a place in The Super Seven: Vought can provide resources and publicity, while he and Joanna are too valuable for the company to dismiss. Vought subsequently enrolls them at Godolkin University 50 52 56.

Research and Superhero Production

• Compound V trials — Vought experiments on infants and children to create Supes. Its researchers initially misidentify Lin Mo’s natural abilities as the result of V5 2 3 108.
• The HL Project — Vogelbaum uses Soldier Boy’s genetic material as the basis for Joanna, seeking a powerful subject Vought can raise and control from birth 5.
• The Odessa Project — an effort to produce exceptionally powerful, stable, controllable Supes. Thomas Godolkin identifies Joanna and Marie as its two successful subjects; high failure and mortality rates lead Vought to abandon the project in favor of broader Compound V use 108 109.
• Godolkin University — a Vought-backed school that trains Supes and helps determine their commercial careers. Its rankings account for publicity and marketability as well as ability and performance 56 62.
• Public image management — Vought plans heroes’ identities, costumes, media exposure, and career paths. It conceals Compound V’s role in creating most Supes behind stories of natural or divinely bestowed powers 36 59 108.

Public Relations

• Soldier Boy’s reported death — Vought conceals his betrayal and transfer to the Soviets, then announces memorials, broadcasts, and a charity in his name 32 33 34.
• Lin Mo and Joanna’s university careers — Vought prepares social-media profiles and a gradual rise in exposure and rankings to support their eventual entry into The Super Seven 59 60.
• The Godolkin laboratory incident — after Lin Mo, Joanna, and Maeve uncover a hidden experimental facility, Vought presents it as a victory over an unrelated criminal organization, withholding Thomas Godolkin’s identity, Compound V, and its own involvement 117 121.

Key Personnel and Subjects

• Stan Edgar — executive overseeing Joanna’s commercial direction and, later, Vought’s CEO. He negotiates cooperation with Lin Mo after the Bunker’s destruction 50 52 113.
• Dr. Vogelbaum — researcher who directs Lin Mo’s study and initiates the HL Project 4 5.
• Barbara — researcher involved in the children’s care who questions the safety of bringing Lin Mo and Joanna together 8.
• Madelyn Stillwell — Vought’s new public-relations vice president and a prospective contact for Lin Mo and Joanna’s media affairs 129.
• Lin Mo / SOL-0 — test subject raised in Vought’s facility; later an independent prospective hero whose cooperation the company seeks 3 52.
• Joanna / HL-01 — Homelander Project subject whom Vought intends to make its flagship hero and leader of The Super Seven 5 39.