A trans-dimensional visitor from a world populated by superhumans, Excelsior is sent to Earth to wage war on others of his kind bent on enslaving the human race for their own malevolent purposes. Assuming the identity of private detective Barry Beckett, he quickly adapts to American life, coming to view Empire City as his new home. Armed with powers and technology "beyond anything imagined by the human mind" Excelsior embarks on an "epic battle for Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness".