Tales of the Champions

    (Heroic, 2005-2006)
™ and © Heroic Publishing, Inc.
Indicia of #1–3 mistakenly lists this title as Champions

When he disobeys his mom, 13-year-old William Jensen doesn’t just skip school or light a cigarette. He becomes the super-hero Giant. After witnessing Doctor Pomegranate’s destructobot capture Icestar, Will rushes home to alert his mother—aka Nemesis Girl—but finding her gone, has no choice but to put on the suit, becoming the latest incarnation of the oversized Champion.

Although the outcome is never in doubt, this tale has plenty of action, as well as humor, especially when the 13-year-old in a giant’s body encounters Dr. Pomegranate’s scantily clad niece. However, the trappings of the story are clichéd: robot seizes hero, weakened hero is saved by brave neophyte. Fortunately, Chris Marrinan’s art is distinctive and sharp, and there are nice touches—like Will bashing his head on a rafter when first transforming into Giant—that help make the story worthwhile.

Nemesis Girl’s origin is told in the backup feature. Granddaughter of the king of Olympus, Joyce Jensen is roused to action when she encounters The Flying Fox, whom she blames for the death of her husband. Like much of Heroic’s output, the story’s somewhat difficult to follow, if you aren’t familiar with years of back-story.

— Timothy J. Wood
Jump to issue:
  • 1
    #1
    Aug 2005
    Cover: $2.99
    W: Wilson Hill  ·  A: Adam Walters, Chris Marrinan
    Mistakenly listed as Champions in indicia
    2 copies from $2.12
  • 2
    #2
    Nov 2005
    Cover: $2.99
    W: Wilson Hill  ·  A: Adam Walters, Chris Marrinan
    A.k.a. V4 #2 (whole number 35)
    1 copy for $4.98
  • 3
    #3
    Feb 2006
    Cover: $2.99
    W: Wilson Hill, Dennis Mallonee  ·  A: Daerick Gröss, Chris Marrinan
    #36 overall
    1 copy for $2.88