It was created by Super Unicorn members Erik Mona, Kyle Hunter, and Sean Glenn who were contracted for design studio for the M&M 1st edition line.
The team is known as the Reserve as they are generally utilized for larger threats; ordinary criminal activity is handled by local law enforcement and other non-affiliated superhumans.
The core team was made up of Trinity (NM), Skyscraper Joe (NY), Kittyhawk (NC), Calamity Jane Doe (SD), and Bigfoot (WA).
Eventually, poor publicity from the hero-turned-rogue St. Elmo (MA), coupled with Congressional investigations of financial irregularities and a string of defeats in the early 1980s, led to problems for the team.
In response to this threat, Farmer formed the Front, a group of presidentially-appointed super heroes who acted as body guards under direct order of the President.