Ed Johnson Presents: HOW THE MIGHTY…#8

Ed Johnson Presents: HOW THE MIGHTY... (A series of interviews with former heroes, villains & sidekicks that once ruled the skies.)

INTERVIEW EIGHT - STEEL

Welcome back readers!

Unlike our last subject - Who I started out illustrating how you wouldn't have known if she had a hand in saving you - this next subject is actually in the process of being sued for doing the exact opposite.

Most of you know him - most of you love him - Steel. the former pre-teen, steel skinned, dragon winged, power mimic we all knew as children.

Mo Aponti, member of pre-teen group "Abstract" - splinter project sponsored by The Saviors as a training regimen for young heroes back in the early '90s. The group was disbanded after he and the rest of the group died during a mission.

Turned out Mo survived the altercation and later became a media phenomenon. Starring in his own reality show allowing us into his life as a young man back from the dead and coping with the suppressing of his abilities.

Recently Mo - as he has done since his abilities manifested - saved a group of children nearly mowed down by a drunk driver. That driver later sued Aponti - claiming that he suffered sevier injuries due to Aponti's actions.

As my readers know - I feel that these selfless individuals aren't given the props they deserve - so here is Mo's side of the story.

Ladies & Gentlemen - Steel

HOW THE MIGHTY...(HTM)
Mo Aponti. Can I call you Mo?

Mo Aponti (MA)
Of course. Why be formal? (smiling)
No really before we start I wanna thank you for this. I really appreciate it.

HTM
Its my pleasure - I was a big fan!

MA
Ha! Those were the days.
My pleasure though. Glad some people still remember the good things as well.

HTM
You lived such a large part of your life in the spot light - what's "regular Joe" like?

MA
Well, the regular life has been real good to me. Don't miss the spotlight much. I have all I need in my fam, friends & career. Although that's sure to change now.

HTM
You mean with thed lawsuit?

MA
Yup.
For some unknown reason, I thought I was still wearing tights & fighting for the "American way" (chuckles loudly). Silly me huh?

HTM
Not silly - idealistic maybe - you get sued for coffee that's too hot now!
Whats it like at home & tell us what your charges are in the case.

MA
HAHAHA! - I guess you're right...enough commentary on our "great" legal system...
Ahem - K...My life at home. Well like I said before it's great - my life at home.
Instead of battling villains - I battle the incessant cries & screams of my two little ones. Luckily I have one awesome & sexy sidekick - AKA my wife to help me defeat these baddies now (former hero and member of Teens Assemble - Multi-Maiden) - and not getting into specifics & pissing off my attorney even more, let's just say I value the lives of several kids more than an Italian sports car!

HTM
You know what I always wanted to know? YOU F-IN DIED! How'd you come back from that?
You and your whole team (Abstract) at one time. Also are you the only one that did?

MA
HAHAHA! I was wondering how long it was going to take you to ask that!
Well, I wish I had a more interesting tale to tell you but I'm just not that sure myself.
One minute I'm surrounded by a sphere of glass, then a whole lot of pain then darkness. I do remember that. Cold and black. Thhen all of a sudden I'm staring at the ceiling of a hospital room with tubes all ova me. Kinda like the movies I guess. Heh. As for the others, I really can't say. I haven't met up with any of the old crew, but like you - I've heard rumors.

HTM
Can you talk about the case?

MA
Well I can't really talk specifics, you understand. Guess they worried about potenially ruining the jury pool or whatever. But without being to specific, I was minding my own business, picking up my daily morning coffee at the same stand I do all the time when I noticed a car racing down the street. The driver obviously distracted cuz he didn't notice the group of kids crossing the street in front of him. Guess my old hero tendencies kicked in and I just reacted.
Dropped my coffee picked up the nearest big and heavy thing near me and I threw it in front of the car. You know to stop it from ramming into the kids. Kinda thought it was a good idea - you?

HTM
By any means in my opinion fir what its worth -
The guy says you put his life at risk with complete disregard - that you were only worried about the kids. Were you concerned about him - the kids - the law against heroism?

MA
At that moment I didn't have time to be worried about anything other than defenseless kids.
no time to play "Monday morning quarterback" you know?
ugh! I wanna say so much more but...You know it's hard. The legal eagles & everything.

HTM
I gothcha -
Let's step away from that -
I just interviewed The Social Worker. Did you happen to read that?

MA
I did!
Great piece. So how is the old girl? Still a barrel of laughs I see.

HTM
Oh so you do know her!
Has she tried to recruit you and would you consider it?
If you can't answer I understand.

MA
Of course! Guess you could say we ran in the same circles. She never tried to recruit me per se. She always knew she had friends in Abstract -

HTM
No - I meant in her current venture to reignite the culture.

MA
Oh! Nah - she hasn't - and honestly if I were her I wouldn't bother. She doesn't need any more bad press. HAHAHAHA! No seriously, I don't think I'll be getting into the hero game anytime soon.

HTM
Well I wanna thank you again for giving me some if your time - I wanted to save this last bit as a surprise.
a few of my readers are obviously of the "geeky" persuasion & more than a few are your fans too.
On top of that you've saved a few of them - so they've agreed to be character witnesses for you.

MA
No - Thank you. I really appreciate you - you've given me the avenue to get my side out in plain English. Wow! really? Wow (choke) All I can say is thanks. To you & all those that are coming forward to help me. I really am thankful.
The thing I miss the most honestly - the grateful thanks and hugs from those I helped. I wonder if that costume still fits.

HTM

Ha! Send us a pic!