GODLING # 48 All-American Hero style? by J. Vandersteen
- GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: All-American Hero style?
Four bearded, armed men carrying AK-47's stand in a darkened room. They look like
prototype Al-Qaida terrorists. A man sits on a chair, his head covered by a sack. One of
the man says, "Is the camera ready? Then get the sword."
One of the terrorists draws a scimitar. "Ready."
Then a large part of the wall is knocked out and throught the hole walks in Godling.
"Right on time, it seems. I'm taking you towelheads downs, All-American Hero
style!"
The terrorists fire their guns at the hero. Channelling the invulnerability of
Achilles the bullets don't hurt him, however. He walks up to one of the bad guys and
disarms him with a fancy martials arts grip he was once taught in a movie. The terrorist
with the sword says, "Surrender or I kill this man."
"Suuuuuuuure..." Godling says and channels the power of Ares, making him a
crackshot with any weapon. He fires one burst, blowing up the terrorist's head. Then
he grabs the scimitar the terrorist drops and slashes left and right until all terrorists
are in a pool of blood and only he and the hostage are still alive.
Godling takes the sack from the hostage's head. The hostage says, "You
saved me?"
"Sure did. Thank the Olympians on camera when you return to the States. I gotta
run now," Godling says and speeds off with the speed of Hermes. Saving hostages from
terrorists is pretty cool work, but I running all over the world doing it really makes it
hard to be on the set in time, he thinks.
*
Zeus and Aphrodite look at a magical scrying mirror and watch Godling leave the hostage.
"Ha! Did you see that?" Zeus claps his hands, delighted. "Not only did
he save the hostage and got rid off those terrorists, he also made sure we get some more
positive press!"
"Positive press?" Aphrodite repeats. "He totally endangered that
hostage and used a lot of excessive force taking those terrorists down."
"I wouldn't have handled it much differently," Zeus said.
"I think the world these days wants heroes that are a bit more...
Civilized."
Arms crossed, Zeus guffaws. "Yeah, yeah. Like that sissy-boy Quintin Alexander
you like so much. I know, I know. But in my book Mark Brant is one Hades of a Godling and
he will stay so."
"He will make a mistake you will not be happy about, I am sure!"
Aphrodite swears.
*
Wade Hudson pushes Speed Metal into a jail cell. Metal chains are wrapped all around the
villain and a balls-and-chain are attached to each ankle.
"This will be your new home until Godling shows up to lock you op in that
superjail of his," Hudson says.
Detective Darlene King says, "I saw Godling take down this creep on the
news. I was wondering what was up with the blonde hair. And that hardcore attitude he was
showing. And why didn't he just drop Speed Metal off in his superjail like he usually
does? There's something wrong... Something different with Godling."
"Spoken like a true detective," Wade says. "I guess you have a
point. His not being active here but in LA is pretty weird as well in my book. Makes me
wonder if it is even the same Godling. Of course, if he isn't, the question is where
is our Godling and who is the other guy?"
"We've seen a lot of Godlings show up during that final battle with
Master Destiny (Godling #21). Maybe he's one of those guys?" King offers.
"Might be. Who can figure out all that weird stuff, right? Isn't that
what guys like Doc Proton are there for? Speaking of strangeness and heroes... Who was
that masked woman on the bike that tried to save Kiefer?"
"There have been rumors about some vigilante breaking bones in Lower Troy. I
figure we witnessed her stepping out of the shadows," King says.
"Never thought I would ever miss our good old Godling... But at least that guy
seemed to be determined to be a real honest-to-gosh hero. This lady and the other Godling
just seem like violent vigilantes."
"I will look into that woman's actions," King says. "I think she
belongs behind bars..."
*
The Dark Monk is standing in a circle of monks people that are sitting on their knees. He
is holding a ceremonial knife above his head and is chanting. He stops chanting and
screams: "Here is my sacrifice!"
A glowing hole appears on the floor and from it comes as big cobra with four heads.
"Naga... Look around you... There is my sacrifice," The Dark Monk tells
the snake. The creature attacks the sitting monks, biting, swallowing and killing.
The Dark Monk watches this, smiling. "Good. After this sacrifice the Naga will
be a great distraction for Godling while I gather the wishing jewel from Shambhala and
conquer the world...."
*
Quentin Alexander is sitting in his apartment, drinking a glass of Scotch. "I'm
not one to drink usually, but I feel like I could use a drink after all that's
happened."
"Drinking might not be the solution to your problems," says Aphrodite who
appears out of nowhere.
"Aphrodite? Why are you visiting again? I would think you aren't interested
in me anymore after I lost my powers."
"To me you will always be Godling. In fact, I think the current Godling can
benefit from your advice. He is too selfish and too violent. Maybe you could have a talk
with him?"
"Why should I? You gods decide I wasn't good enough to be your hero. Why
should I help you now?"
"Because I know you to be a person who does what is the right thing to do,"
Aphrodite says.
"Right. And still, I am all alone, powerless and feeling generally miserable.
I'm done with all of the god and monster stuff," Quentin says and downs his
drink. "Just leave me alone."
"Come on, Quentin... You will find your love, I am sure of it. Am I not THE
authority on all things involving love? I just don't understand why you are feeling
so down?"
"I guess being Godling made me feel... Somebody who mattered. Nobody really
seemed to NEED me before. When I became Godling it somehow seemed to justify my existence.
Without my powers I'm just the same, lonely and useless guy. Who will miss me when
I'm gone? Nobody!"
"That is not true. Janson, Monica... They will miss you," Aphrodite
counters.
"Monica has Wade... And Janson... I just don't know about Janson,"
Quentin says.
"And what about your brother?"
"I haven't visited him in jail for a long time. I wrote him, but he
didn't even write back," Quentin says and pours another drink.
Aphrodite sighs. "I just don't know what to say. I think the world needs
you. For instance to talk to the new Godling and tell him how a real hero should
act."
"Just go," Quentin says and downs his glass again.
"Very well..." Aphrodite says and in a flash she is gone, leaving Quentin
all alone with his Scotch.
NEXT ISSUE: The invasion of Shambhala!
[MISC] GODLING # 15: Dealing with the devil By Jochem Vandersteen Godling jumps down from a wall, fists clenched in the air, saying, “Leave him alone!†He lands on the floor of a dark alley where two thugs, one armed with a knife and one with a pistol have cornered another man. “This neighbourhood falls under my protection now. Don’t think that
MISC] GODLING # 16: City Under Siege by J. Vandersteen A centaur with a horn on top of his head is being wrestled down by Godling. In the background is an armored car. "Did you really think it was a good idea to rob an armored car in the middle of the day, in the middle of New Troy?" Godling asked the
He calls himself Speed Metal. Superspeed and superstrength. He's been looting the stores and basically just wreaking havoc. He doesn't seem to be really interested in stealing, just in creating a bloody mess. We tried to stop him but he's too fast to hit with our guns and too strong to detain.
[MISC] GODLING # 18: Defeated! by J. Vandersteen RACC'S FAVORITE PROTAGONIST – GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON in: TRAPPED Godling is hit in the face by a man with a face that’s a mix of an alligator and a human face, Mr. Gator. WHAM! Mr. Napalm start to fire rays from his eyes that envelop Godling in
Godling is down on the floor, surrounded by Death Dog and other thugs. Death Dog shouts triumphantly that the city is theirs, when suddenly twelve new figures appear and tell him all hope for New Troy is not yet lost.
Master Destiny looks through a window of City Hall. In the room are Darlene and Janson, chained to the wall, collars around their necks. "What the-," Destiny utters. Outside thirteen Godlings approach, an army of Destiny's superpowered thugs confronting them. "Looks like Godling is coming over to kick your behind," Janson says.
[MISC] GODLING # 21: The Fall of Destiny! by J. Vandersteen RACC’S FAVORITE PROTAGONIST – GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON THE FALL OF DESTINY! Master Destiny has his Spear against Officer Janson’s chin. Can Godling be quick enough and take him down before she’s dead?
The supervillain called Nuclear Warrior, clad in a red and yellow costume with a radiation symbol on it, flies through the sky, manoeuvring between the tall skyscrapers of New Troy. I'm not going to let him get away, Godling thinks. There's too many of Master Destiny's thugs that escaped for me to let any one of them get away when I see one.
MISC] GODLING # 23: Scorpion God – GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: SCORPION GOD Six men stand around a dark being in an old warehouse. They wear robes and carry scimitars. The dark being has a human shape but with a long scorpion tail. A better look shows it is made up entirely from living scorpions,
MISC] GODLING # 24: Coalition of Doom by J. Vandersteen – GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: COALITION OF DOOM Squidface, wearing a trenchcoat and a hat to disguise the fact his face looks like a squid walks into an alley. He thinks, "I'm still not sure this is not going to be a trap. But I guess the offer sounded
MISC] GODLING # 25: Coalition of Doom Part Two by J. Vandersteen – GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: COALITION OF DOOM PART TWO Cecrops, Squidface, Thermonaut, Death Dog and Panzerman surround Officer Janson who is shackled to a metal chair inside their secret headquarters. "You won't keep me captured for long," she says. "It's not the first
MISC] GODLING # 26: Trust Issues by J. Vandersteen – GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: Trust Issues The Coffee Pit, New Troy's favorite coffee place. Janson, in uniform, and Quentin Alexander are sitting at a table, drinking coffee. "Nice you were able to keep me company during my break," Janson tells
GODLING # 27: King Winter Strikes! by J. Vandersteen – GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: KING WINTER STRIKES! Godling is standing up to his knees in snow in the center of New Troy City. It is still snowing heavily. He looks tired. "I wish it would stop snowing. It's wearing me out..."
MISC] GODLING # 28: The Reality Bomb Saga Part One by J. Vandersteen – GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: THE REALITY BOMB SAGA PART ONE New Troy University... Monica Sawyer is on her way from one campus building to the next. Standing near a tree is a large steel cylinder, on it is a glass ball.
MISC] GODLING # 29: The Reality Bomb Saga Part One by J. Vandersteen – GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: THE REALITY BOMB SAGA PART TWO Paris... The Eiffel Tower has grown arms and legs. Two eyes glow a red light from the top. It is alive and smashing cars with iron feet. People are in panic, running everywhere. Cars explode, people can barely avoid being trampled.
MISC] GODLING # 30:  The Reality Bomb Saga Part Threeby J. Vandersteen– GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON:  THE REALITY BOMB SAGA PART THREEGodling, Sir Magick and Bogatyr stand in Bogatyr's cavernous headquarters."It seems these reality bombs that are going off all over the globe are causing
GODLING # 31:  The Reality Bomb Saga Part Fourby J. Vandersteen– GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON:  THE REALITY BOMB SAGA PART FOURThe Nevada desert. Eye-patch Godling swings his broadsword at our universe and time’s Godling. Godling catches the sword on his wristbands. Sparks fly from them.
GODLING # 31:  The Reality Bomb Saga Part Fiveby J. Vandersteen– GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON:  THE REALITY BOMB SAGA PART FIVEVikings carrying carrying machine guns riding dinosaurs covered with armor, zombie-elves, dragons that walk like humans and carry scimitars have just fallen out of
I posted this as issue 31 instead of 32 by accident, so here it is again with the correct issue number..GODLING # 32:  The Reality Bomb Saga Part Fiveby J. Vandersteen– GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON:  THE REALITY BOMB SAGA PART FIVEVikings carrying carrying machine guns riding dinosaurs
GODLING # 33:  POLICE BRUTALITYby J. Vandersteen– GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON:  POLICE BRUTALITYA wall of the First New Troy Bank shatters, surprising the people in the building. In steps a man in a red and yellow spandex outfit. He’s wearing red flight goggles and his fists seem to be
Together they walk through the station. They see Wade standing at the coffee machine. With him is Detective Darlene King, wearing leather pants and a red tank top along with a big shoulder holster, .44 Magnum inside. Wade is in uniform, but not in his new armour. "Well, professor... To what do we owe the honor of you visiting us here?" Wade asks. "I want to talk to you about what you did to Monica."
GODLING # 35: IMPULSE CONTROL by J. Vandersteen – GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: IMPULSE CONTROL Wade Hudson shakes his nightstick at Godling. “You really want to take me to jail? Forget it!” Detective Darlene King says, “You’ve been committing an act of police brutality. There’s no way to de
GODLING # 36: TENGU by J. Vandersteen – GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: TENGU Ninjoid runs towards Godling, laser-katana in hand. “I will need to defeat you.” “Go ahead and try,” Godling, The One Man Pantheon and Olympian Prophet says. The katana swooshes over Godling’s head who manages to duc
GODLING # 37: The Right Person by J. Vandersteen - GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: The Right Person "I don't believe it... You actually call yourself Marble Man?" Godling asks. He is standing in a jewellery store. The display windows are smashed, jewellery strewn all over the floor. Facing him
GODLING # 38: The Fall of Godling part 1: Not A Fighter by J. Vandersteen - GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: The Fall of Godling part 1: Not A Fighter "I think you should be a bit more lenient about Quentin," Aphrodite tells Zeus. She stands before his throne, Apollo, Hermes and Ares are standin
GODLING # 39: The Fall of Godling part 2: Powerless! by J. Vandersteen - GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: The Fall of Godling part 2: Powerless! Six dark-clad monks face Godling on the streets of New Troy, having just killed an innocent bystander. Angry, Godling attacks. The One Man Pantheon ex
GODLING # 40: The Fall of Godling part 3: All-New, All-Different! by J. Vandersteen - GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: The Fall of Godling part 2: All-New, All-Different! The mountains of Tibet, the castle of The Dark Monk and his followers. The Dark Monk stands before his men, dressed in his b
GODLING # 41: The Rise of the New Godling part 1: Trial by fire by J. Vandersteen - GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: The Rise of the New Godling part 1: Trial by fire Olympus. Ares is fighting the new Godling with a sword. Godling is doing the best he can do to parry the attacks although he ca
GODLING # 42: The Rise of the New Godling part 2: The New Model by J. Vandersteen - GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: The Rise of the New Godling part 2: The New Model Mark Brant's room. Tricia is and Mark are in bed, she is sitting upright, covering her naked body with the sheets. "I just can
- GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: The Rise of the New Godling part 3: At Full Power Tartarus II. Quentin Alexander's unconscious body is picked up by a New Hekatoncheire, one of the robotic guards with hundreds of tentacles for arms and legs. "Morpheus beam effective. Intruder asleep. Will take
GODLING # 44: The Rise of the New Godling part 4: Big Trouble in New Troy by J. Vandersteen - GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: The Rise of the New Godling part 4: Big Trouble in New Troy Hollywood. The new Godling stands face to face with Full Power, the alien hybrid supervillain. Broken cars
GODLING # 45: The Rise of the New Godling part 5: Evening of The Living Dead by J. Vandersteen - GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: The Rise of the New Godling part 4: The Rise of the New Godling part 5: Evening of The Living Dead Nuclear Warrior is flying above New Troy's busy city center, bl
GODLING # 46: New Troy Burning by J. Vandersteen - GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: New Troy Burning Nuclear Warrior is flying in front of city hall. He yells, "Mister mayor! I warned you all... I want 50 million dollars or I blow up the whole city!" The door of City Hall opens. The ma
GODLING # 47 New Troy Hardcore by J. Vandersteen - GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: New Troy Hardcore The VTOL carrying The Circuit flies away from the stadium where they just fought Speed Metal and left because the mayor's check bounced, not being able to pay the heroes for hire. "Don
GODLING # 50 The Return by J. Vandersteen - GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: The Return "I'm so happy you are willing to talk to the new Godling," Aphrodite tells Quentin. "What made you change your mind?" "A person very important to me talked some sense into me," Quentin says (Moni
GODLING # 51 Back in Action by J. Vandersteen - GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: Back in Action An arrow flies through the air. It hits a moving snowman, the arrow tip explodes when it hits the snowman's head, snow flying everywhere. Standing in the middle of a group of snowmen is
GODLING # 52 The Masked Merchant part 1 by J. Vandersteen - GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: The Masked Merchant part 1 A warehouse in Lower Troy. Half a dozen men are unloading crates from a van. Automatic weapons are slung around their shoulders. A loud RUMBLE sounds. The roof splinters
GODLING # 53 The Masked Merchant part 2 by J. Vandersteen - GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: The Masked Merchant part 2 Professor Quintin Alexander is in the shower. He thinks, "I really need to find out who's behind that flood of high-tech guns flooding into the city. If that continues
GODLING # 54 The Masked Merchant part 3 by J. Vandersteen - GODLING - THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: The Masked Merchant part 3 The interrogation room of the New Troy PD. Wade Hudson is inside, sitting opposite one of the criminals that Dober-Girl left for the cops to pick up. "So, again...
GODLING # 55 Live on Stage by J. Vandersteen – GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: Live on Stage A TV studio with a big live studio audience. On a stage sits the beautiful TV reporter Bonnie Colter. She says, “People in the audience, people at home… It’s so nice to have you witness this
GODLING # 56 Rescue Mission part 1 by J. Vandersteen – GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: Rescue Mission part 1 Quentin Alexander walks off campus, carrying some books under his arms. As he is ready to cross the street a dark black sedan blocks his way. The back window opens, revealing a
GODLING # 57 Rescue Mission part 2 by J. Vandersteen – GODLING – THE ONE MAN PANTHEON: Rescue Mission part 2 On the ground floor of a missile silo Godling is standing face to face with a mind-controlled Agent Destruction who is ready to attack. “Wait! Don’t! I’m here to rescue you!”