Compared to the vast majority of those in attendance, they were dressed meekly. There were hundreds upon hundreds of fans, adult and child alike, wandering the floor of the Los Angeles Convention Center, right in Twisted Sister's own hometown of LA! And a great many of these fans were clad in expertly rendered likenesses of their favorite comic book heroes and villains. There were X-Men such as Storm and Wolverine, Walking Dead fans dressed as Michonne and Daryl, DC characters Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Batman, among many others. But that was not all! There were anime characters like Goku, Tactics and Death Note, and popular eighties characters like He-Man and She-Ra walking about! Even science fiction movie characters such as Aliens and Predators made elaborate appearances.
Twisted Sister and Doctor Kraven Moorehead both were given pause at the number of Elsas from "Frozen" that were walking around; particularly the big, fat, hairy man who was walking around in her ice blue gown and blonde wig. This perhaps was the first thing in recent memory to make Twisted Sister shudder openly.
Those not dressed in colorful costumes were seen sliding up to those dressed up, and posing for pictures. Doctor Kraven Moorehead watched this with an intense fascination, when a group of people wandered past he and his charge, staring at them in wonder.Fan #1: "Whoa! Cool Jubilee costume!"
He was addressing Twisted Sister, while his buddy looked skeptical.Fan #2: "If she's supposed to be Jubilee, why is her hair green and stuck out everywhere?"
Fan #1: "Hello! Ultimate Jubilee!"
The fan's buddy nodded in understanding, and another member of their group smiled at Doctor Kraven Moorehead and winked.Fan #3: "Slick Doctor Who there! Love the whole adding of the gothic atmosphere!"
Doctor Kraven Moorehead: "I beg your pardon?"
Fan #2: "Can we get your pictures?"
And before DKN or Twisted Sister knew what was happening, the group posed in front of them and at their sides for another to take a fast snapshot.Doctor Kraven Moorehead: "Now wait just one...!"
Fan #1: "Thanks man!"
And just like that, the very much mistaken fans had melted into the crowd before anything further could be said. Twisted Sister turned to Doctor Kraven Moorehead and smiled widely, if not a tad maniacally.Twisted Sister: "I just had my first photo op! PHOTO OP!!"
Doctor Kraven Moorehead: "Yes my dear, you did, and you handled it marvelously."
The two them continued moving through the Convention Center, pausing to look at not just the fans, but the many booths that were selling goods and showcasing displays as well.Doctor Kraven Moorehead: "I must say, perhaps I was mistaken in coming here. I thought it would be a lesson learned in why the masses are so fascinated with comic books and the characters in them, but I admit I am stumped."
"Perhaps I can be of assistance?"
Doctor Kraven Moorehead and Twisted Sister turned to look at who had spoken and seated at a booth was none other than Stan Lee of Marvel Comics fame.Twisted Sister: "Oo! Look! An old man is talking! Let's listen!"
Twisted Sister bounded over to the founder of Marvel and Doctor Kraven Moorehead had little choice but to follow.Stan Lee: "There are a lot of different reasons why people enjoy comic books. For many, they use them as a means to escape reality. Others get them to enjoy the art work and story telling. Characters like Daredevil are psychologically complex and the story of the mutants in the X-Men can be compared to real world issues such as racism. It can also be compared to a need for adventure. Comics, whether they be mainstream like Marvel or more independent like the Walking Dead are a form of story telling media, just like television. Just like movies."
Doctor Kraven Moorehead: "And you do not see a level of immaturity to comic books, adults purchasing them or dressing up in their likenesses?"
Stan Lee: "Not at all! Just because we grow older doesn't mean we have to grow up -- at least not entirely. The dressing up is a form of escapism as well, just like when adults have their own Halloween parties. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it! And let's face it! Some comic book stories are far better suited for adults than children, just like TV and movies."
Doctor Kraven Moorehead: Interesting."
Stan Lee: "I hope that cleared things up some?"
Doctor Kraven Moorehead: "It did a bit, sir. A bit."
Doctor Kraven Moorehead tilted his head forward to Stan the Man to acknowledge him.Doctor Kraven Moorehead: "Good day to you sir."
He turned to walk away with Twisted Sister making to join him...As the pair started to walk around, watching the people, both comic fans and staff alike
Stan Lee: "Excelsior!"
Twisted Sister swerved around and snarled at him, pointing in his face...Twisted Sister: "Isn't it enough you cameo in all of your movies!? Now you have to gate crash my roleplay too!?"
Doctor Kraven Moorehead's professional diagnosis:"Despite what that old man said at Wondercon, this fascination with super heroes confounds me. He did describe with some satisfaction as to why adults find this form of entertainment so enthralling, but it would seem better suited at a comic book convention or store that sells such things. But in the world of professional wrestling?"
"Missus Roxi Johnson and Missus Keira Fisher are hardly the first superhero tag team, I must say. I seem to recall in the 1980's, there was a tag team simply known as the Super heroes, Thunderbolt and Lightning, in the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW) promotion. And if I am to be honest, it is as silly now as it seemed back then."
"Perhaps Roxi and Keira truly are what they believe they are, but in my personal and professional opinion, they could both use an extensive series of sessions with myself. But this is not about either of them. This is about another who has so recently made herself known; a masked vigilante you might say, known as Zuri Chastain."
"Masked and claiming the role of hero. Who does she think she is? Batman? She swoops in from out of nowhere, pretending to stand up for the weak but in reality, like Batman, she tramples the rights of more people than the common criminal in said stories does. Batman breaks and enters, assaults, steals -- is this the type of role model we wish our children to look up to? I think not."
"And Zuri Chastain is no better."
"I seem to recall a time when Zuri Chastain was seen as something of a villain. And suddenly here she is, pretending to stand up for the weak and oppressed. Is this one of those quaint tales where there is a villain reformed into the role of a hero? If so, why then did she verbally abuse her so-called peer in Roxi when addressing Twisted Sister? I seem to recall she referred to those Twisted Sister has assaulted as being "weak". Is Roxi Johnson weak? is that what you believe, Ms. Chastain?"
"Well please, allow me to explain to you what weak is. Weak is a woman who shows up out of nowhere at a time and matter of convenience, to hopefully make a name for herself when her assistance truly is not needed or wanted. Did Roxi or Keira ask you to come in to save them? I think not. Did the fans ask you to return and do something where my client is concerned? I find the probability doubtful."
"You see, up until you showed your masked face, I believe the fans had forgotten all about you. This was just a cheap ploy on your part to make yourself relevant again -- and I use the term 'again' rather loosely as if you were ever relevant to begin with. And once you crawl up out of this hole you dug for yourself with your challenge, beaten, battered, broken and bloody, your name will be no more of importance then than it is now."
"Good day to you."
</color></size>
