“Comic-Con International: San Diego” runs from July 21-24, 2022. With the arrival of this event, I thought it would be fun to publish an excerpt from Heroes and Villains: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story. The following is Chapter 7 from the book, and it captures Grant’s first time visiting a comic-con. Enjoy the excerpt and please read all of Heroes and Villains. Paperbacks and Kindle edition here and signed books here.
Chapter 7
With Stephen’s Tahoe on life support, Zack drove to the Suffolk Arena on Saturday morning. After passing through arena security, they picked up the special VIP passes left by Brendan Best. Now, they had the run of the entire building.
A wide concourse sported large windows on the outside, and a mix of concession stands and doors into the main arena around the inside. For this event, the concourse was called the “Creators’ Circle,” with table after table featuring assorted artists and writers, as well as some actors who portrayed various superhero, sci-fi and fantasy characters in movies, television shows and video games.
Stephen, of course, knew about people dressing up as their favorite characters at these events, but this being the first time he was witnessing cosplay, he couldn’t help but stare.
Jen guessed that I might experience a little culture shock.
But since the point was to engage with others, no one minded his looking. To the contrary, they enjoyed it.
Given that they would be leaving the arena directly for St. Mary’s Saturday evening Divine Service, Stephen and Zack once again came in clergy attire. The only accompaniment was Zack’s backpack with assorted books he wanted signed by writers and artists.
Inside the main section of the arena where fans usually watched minor league hockey, indoor soccer and college basketball, two-thirds of the floor had rows of vendors selling anything a fan of comics, movies, video games, and TV shows might desire. A massive curtain hung from the rafters, sectioning off a stage upon which assorted stars – from broad down to very niche markets – would be speaking and answering questions over the coming two days.
As they walked, a few people called out to Stephen and Zack with comments like, “Hey, Preacher, right?”
Grant and Charmichael smiled in response the first couple of times. Stephen then gave Zack a quizzical look. Zack provided a quick rundown of the comic book character Preacher, also noting that it had made the leap to a television show.
Stephen queried, “Any good?”
Zack indifferently shrugged, and said, “Lousy theology.”
Their first stop was at the J&H Comics tables, and they were greeted warmly by Wes and Kelly Jenkins.
Wes told them, “Please come around,” indicating that the two pastors should move behind the tables. After following Wes’ request, the four spoke in low voices about the previous night’s events. But as a line of fans started to form, Wes said, “Okay, as promised…” He reached down and picked up a massive, oversized, 1,000-page-plus book, and placed it on the table, followed by another of similar size. He opened and signed each book. Wes then handed the Team 17 tome to Zack and Agent Cold to Stephen.
Stephen said, “Thanks very much. Are you sure we don’t owe you anything?”
Wes replied, “Oh, please, no. Considering what we owe you after last night.”
Kelly prompted, “Wes, the line.”
He looked over, and said, “Right.” He turned back, and said to Zack, “I assume you guys are going to explore the rest of the convention?”
“Yes.”
“Then leave these heavy books here, and go enjoy yourselves.”
“Thanks, Wes, we appreciate it,” said Zack.
Wes took the books back, and placed them in a box. “Just let Kelly or me know when you want them back.”
He then walked over and said to his fans. “Sorry about the small delay. Thanks, everybody, for coming. I’m happy to sign whatever you brought, and as you can see, we have pretty much the full line of J&H books available for purchase, and at special convention prices.”
Approvals emanated from the growing line.
Watching Jenkins start signing, Zack said to Stephen, “He’s a good guy.”
Stephen agreed. “He is.”
“As for the next step, I was planning to grab some signatures while early lines are still short. Do you want to go with me, or explore a bit on your own?”
As if on cue, Grant’s smartphone rumbled in his jacket pocket. “Hold that thought.” He pulled out the phone, and saw that the call was from the FBI’s Trent Nguyen. He looked at Zack, “I have to take this call. You go, and I’ll catch up.”
Zack said, “Sounds good.”
As Zack moved away, Grant answered the call. “Trent?”
“Yes, Stephen. How are you after last night?”
Grant moved away from the stream of people to a spot along the windows with no one in earshot. “I’m fine. What’s the deal with the three attackers?”
“To put it gently, these guys have problems. It didn’t take too long for our people to find their online rants.”
“What were those about?”
“They billed themselves as the Trinity for Social Justice.”
“How original.”
“Yeah, right. They wrote out their delusions or intentions in story form – long, rambling and often-crossing-the-border-into-incoherent screeds. The basic gist is that three warriors serve up a violent brand of justice on a pretty lengthy list of people the militant Left would dislike, including the military, cops, conservative commentators and politicians, and priests and pastors – sorry about that.”
“Hey, I’m honored.”
Nguyen continued, “The list goes on, but it also includes a rant about killing assorted men involved in starting the comic book industry, but who are deemed unworthy due to their, and I’m quoting here, ‘exercising patriarchal and white privilege.’ If you read that particular piece, it unfortunately lines up with what these three tried to do.”
Grant shook his head while listening. “A combination of hatred, ignorance, twisted ideology, and detachment from reality.”
“You nailed it.” Nguyen added, “There’s way too much of that combination going around these days.”
“What’s next?”
“We’ve got a few more people to follow up with, and then we’ll be making an announcement on the arrests probably on Monday or Tuesday. I’ll do the best I can to keep your name out of the media.”
“I appreciate that, and thanks for the call.”
“Thanks for what you did. This is the least I could do.” Nguyen then asked, “Do you mind if I ask you for a couple of favors?”
“Not at all.”
“You’re at this convention today and tomorrow?”
“That’s the plan.”
Nguyen paused, and then queried, “Without interfering with what you and Pastor Charmichael are doing, can you just watch for any further potential problems? Anyone that… Well, you know.”
“No problem, Trent. I’ll let you know if anything that really matters catches my attention. What’s the second favor?”
“That’s a personal one. I’ve kind of embraced this Captain America thing.” Trent Nguyen not only ranked as one of the most decorated agents in FBI history, but his parents, an American nurse stationed in South Vietnam during the war and a Vietnamese businessman, taught him from a very young age to appreciate the United States. His patriotism and willingness to stop evildoers earned him the nickname of “Captain America” among colleagues at the FBI. “I’m looking for an Avengers #4 from 1964. It’s the return of Captain America.”
Comic fans where you might least expect them.
Nguyen continued, “When I was growing up, comic books played a big part in getting me interested in reading, and I guess not so ironically, my favorite was Captain America. Funny, I never told anyone at the Bureau that, but here I am telling you.”
“I get that a lot with the collar.”
“Hmmm. I bet. Well, would you mind?”
Grant replied, “Not a problem. Zack and I will be happy to keep an eye out.”
Nguyen warned, “I’m looking for one that’s in decent condition that I can frame. It’s going to be very pricey, though, and I’ll obviously reimburse you, but if you don’t want to do it, I completely understand.”
“I’m more than happy to do it, and I think Zack will actually be ecstatic.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it,” replied Nguyen.
After the call, Stephen decided to leave Zack to his pursuit for signatures, for now, and explore the event on his own, doing a little people watching as he did.
As he strolled, Grant observed attendees, from pre-teens to some in their seventies, enjoying a shared interest with varying intensity. Some came simply to meet favorite creators or in pursuit of certain publications. For others, it was an excuse to do something with family or a group of friends – more about social engagement than appreciating certain stories via page or screen.
There were others for whom it was all of the above, including being dressed in full character regalia. One couple in this category not only caught Grant’s eye, but drew the attention of seemingly everyone else as they strode through the event. It was evident that the two spent considerable time in the gym. The man stood at six foot four and the woman at just over six feet. He was dressed as Hawkman, with the costume showing off his muscular arms and much of his rock-hard torso. He was wearing a hawk mask and had large wings coming out of his back. He also brandished a Thanagarian Mace. Meanwhile, the woman’s blue eyes, long black hair, thin waist and strong arms and legs seemed to make her a natural Wonder Woman, with the bathing-suit-sized costume of red, gold and blue, with white stars, a natural fit. The golden lasso hanging on the side of the costume, silver bracelets, and high red boots completed the look perfectly.
Grant watched as fellow fans were attracted to the couple, asking to pose with them for pictures.
And since they’re superheroes, they’re more than happy to do that for these fine citizens.Grant smiled at his private joke. Jen would have rolled her eyes at that one.
Finally, while a tiny minority, Grant did spot a few individuals here and there who probably didn’t have much else in life, and had perhaps immersed themselves too deeply in fantasy. Of course, this was not a phenomenon unique to this venue. As a pastor and during his CIA days, Grant had met such people before; they simply had different interests or work into which they would get lost. It was not unusual, thankfully, for Grant to also witness someone eventually entering and bringing balance to the lives of such people. That included, during his time as a pastor, frequently witnessing the Lord using someone to help bring the light of Christ and His Church into such individuals’ lives.
Grant was snapped out of his musings by someone saying, “Excuse me, Father?”
Stephen realized it was Hawkman. “Yes. Sorry, I was lost in thought.” He reflected on how surreal this was as he was talking to two people who looked like they could play the parts of Hawkman and Wonder Woman in a movie. “I’m Pastor Stephen Grant.” As he shook each person’s hand, Grant continued, “And you are Hawkman and Wonder Woman.”
As the two smiled in response, Grant judged that they were both in their early thirties.
The man said, “In addition to being Hawkman, I’m Guy Nodell, and Wonder Woman is my wife, Diane.”
Stephen raised an eyebrow, and said, “Diane? Not Diana?”
Diane said, “Close, I know. It’s nice to meet you. Guy and I knew you weren’t just portraying Preacher or the pastor from Man of Steel.”
Stephen caught the reference from the Superman movie. “No, I’m the real deal; a pastor at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church in Manorville. I’m here with our other pastor as well. You two seem to be quite the hit with fellow fans.”
They both smiled broadly. Guy said, “Yeah, it’s kind of cool, and a change of pace for us.”
Stephen asked, “And what do you do when not battling evildoers?”
“We restore and repair classic cars.”
“That’s interesting. How did that come about, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Diane said, “We met in the Army. We were both mechanics. If it ran on wheels or tracks, we maintained and fixed them. After our tours were up, we got married, and not long after went into business for ourselves.”
“Nice. Congratulations.”
The couple replied in unison, “Thanks.”
“I was a SEAL, but I won’t hold the Army thing against you.”
They went on to share some good-natured Navy-Army ribbing. When Zack approached the group, Stephen introduced the couple to his friend.
Diane eventually asked, “How about a quick photo?”
Stephen replied, “You’re asking to take a photo with us?”
She nodded. “That’s why Guy and I came over in the first place. Meeting a pastor at a con is pretty rare, never mind two.”
A fan in his late teens wearing a Justice League shirt became entranced when Wonder Woman handed him a smartphone and asked if he would take the group’s picture. He dutifully snapped several shots with her phone and then with Zack’s. After Diane then took a picture with him, the fan, with flushed face, thanked her several times.
Zack asked Guy, “Can I check out your mace?”
“Sure.” He handed over the golden weapon.
Zack smiled. “Wow, it’s actually heavier than I thought it would be.”
“I made it myself – carved it out of an oak block, painted it and applied a protective coating.”
As he handed the mace back, Zack commented, “Nice work.”
“Thanks.” Guy then pulled business cards out of a back pocket, and handed one each to Zack and Stephen. He added, “By the way, if you have any car needs, let us know.”
Grant said, “Thanks. Actually, I probably will since I just wrecked my SUV.”
