This Newspaper Article Documented the Kickoff Of the Defiant Comics Good Guys Comic Book Series At Disneyland and Mile High Comics Store

by Ralph Zuranski

Defiant's Good Guy kickoff at "Mile High Comic Mega-Store" was an incredible success.

Hundreds of people packed the special event, jostling to get a glimpse of the eight special children chosen to appear in their own comic book.

The Defiant creative staff, seven of the eight children and their parents and siblings stayed at the "Hyatt Regency Hotel."

They ate meals together and spent time getting to know each other. After visiting "Disneyland" the young Good Guy heroes arrived at the "Big Event," very excited.

J. Clark Smith, Sales Manager for Defiant, told me proudly, "As far as we know, an entire cast of super heroes has never been cast from real people.

This is the first time. We are proud of being on the cutting edge. We are reader friendly. This is as about as fan friendly as you can get. We cast the children from real fans. Thousands of children entered this contest.

I thank my lucky stars that I did not have to be a judge.

I read about a third of the essays. I often found myself crying. It was obvious some of the children have been abused. They wanted to beat up adults that hurt children. Let's hope these good guys are role models for all kids and that people might aspire to be as good as they can be.

We must remember that no one is perfect.

We all have a lot to learn. That never stops! The Good Guys are going to make mistakes; not fatal ones. They going to have to get out of the problems they have created. There will be lots of action, fun and great stories.

The concept that, 'All that is imagined is real and only the limits are imaginary.' fits this book to a  'T.'

We are going to get to see through the eyes of these children what it might be like to be super strong, a magician, invisible, a sorcerer, to shoot fireballs and fly."

Jan Childress, the primary writer for the Good Guys, is really excited to be working with real kids.

"It adds another dimension to the writing. Whenever I do dialogue or we create a situation, in the back of our minds is the fact these are real people.

As I spend time with each child I will find out how they feel about different things and then incorporate it into their characters.

The underlying message is one of responsibility. These are young people who are really taking a leap over adolescence, even beyond adulthood. They will be suddenly thrust into a situation that makes them 'World-Savers' or 'World-Wreckers.' That is power! They have to cope with the power; learn how to use it and accept the responsibility that comes with it.

The comic book will transcend all racial, social and economic lines. These are good guys.

They will be faced with the challenges of being good guys and the lures of being bad guys. They are going to confront bad guys. This message will be strong throughout.

They will also face the shadows of darkness within. When the light is brightest, the shadows are their darkest.

They will have to grapple with the shadows within and outside. There is an old saying, 'It is always darkest before the dawn!' Well, these kids are the dawn!"

Zachariah Paul Sahs, Spellcaster, nine years old and from Kentucky, arrived with his mom, Gail, dad, Robert and sister, Mia.

He shared with me, "It feels good to be chosen a Good Guy. I was very excited about coming to California, going to Disneyland." He  believes, "People should use words, not hands and feet to solve problems." Gail, his mom, was tickled for her son. "I'm prejudiced and think he is pretty special. We try really hard to encourage him to be independent, think for himself, do whatever he needs to do and guide him while he is doing it." Robert Sahs said, "It has been very exciting having our son chosen as a Good Guy. We live in a relatively small town and it has caused a lot of excitement, locally. We have been beaming ever since we were notified."

Reginald Jackson, Nobody, from Chicago, drew a comic book page depicting himself as a hero saving the world.

His character is an urban crime fighter who uses his mind and bare hands, not weapons to fight criminals. His dad Arthur said, "Reggie is a good guy! I have put a lot of time into him. It is important that he has high spiritual values that give him substance. As long as I can lay out the finances and keep his mind on an upward level, to educate himself, that is his quest all his life; to be what he can be. My wife is the perfect mother, an educator, a school teacher by profession."

Paul Cohen, Front, from Las Vegas said, "I was chosen because I can fight good, know Tae Kwon Do and go to the gym and practice every day for three hours.

When I was in fourth grade, I had to go to the psychiatrist because I got hit in the head with a ball. It made me kind of crazy. Now when I get mad I get real strong. The adrenaline runs stronger and I saved my brother when he was in a pool drowning." His dad, Harry, said, "I was totally wiped out that he was selected in a nation-wide contest. I just saw the first edition of the Good Guys and was very impressed." His mom, Helen, stated, "I am very proud of him and excited. I have always told him what is good and bad. I have given him the freedom to choose."

Jeff Miller, Heater, from Las Vegas, fifteen, said, "The world needs help. If I have super powers I can do more to help others."

His twin sister Jennifer said, "My brother is a good guy. We are really close! He is the best brother. He is lovable and creative."

Dan Jacob, Recon, came with his brother and parents.

He believes his being chosen a Good Guy will create a lot of publicity in his community. Trudy Donovan, Dan's mom said, I am really proud of him. He did it all on his own."

Matthew Gyrich is fourteen, from Pittsburgh and the model for Skrag.

He has been in shock since he found out. His dad shared proudly, "Matt has always been a good guy. It is pleasing to know he has been found out by others. We have spent a lot of time with him since birth."

Jenni Lee, White Crane, from Arcadia, California is really excited.

She thinks, "You should use your head rather than violence to solve problems." Her mom, Pamela, was very happy and excited for her daughter. "I taught Jenni what is good and not to do bad things."

Laura, Flex, Neale was the only Good Guy who missed staying at the Hyatt, visiting Disneyland and getting to know the "Defiant" Staff.

Two weeks earlier the car she was riding in was hit by a drunk driver. Her back was tragically broken. One week before the event she was in surgery for ten hours. The doctors attempted to reconstruct the destroyed vertebrae with bone from her rib and hip. Laura wrote in her essay about why she wanted to be a Good Guy, "I want to be a super hero who teaches others how to be kind and helpful. I really love people and helping them is fun.

I am strong, love sports and enjoy all forms of competition. I realize how you play the game is more important than winning. If you do your best and help others do the same, then everyone wins.     

A super hero is someone who has special powers that allow them to help people when they are in trouble. A super hero uses their powers to benefit everyone, regardless of their race or economic level."

Everyone at Defiant hoped and prayed Laura would be okay.

It would be a miracle if she attended the awards ceremony. Jim wanted her to still be a part of the "Good Guys" event and purchased two telephone-television transmitter-receivers so she could participate from home.

The introduction of the Good Guys by Jim Shooter was filled with pride and admiration.

Laura proved she was a real Heroine by showing up at the last minute. She stood long enough to be recognized and then spent an hour signing autographs in her wheel chair. Everyone was impressed and inspired by Laura's courage and determination.

This demonstration of heroism by such a young person is what the Good Guys program is all about; inspiring young people and old alike to be the best they can be; to triumph over trials, tribulations, difficulties and tragedies.

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